Toward a safer Seattle for bicyclists

The question was posed by Tammy Sufi of the Toole Design Group, a Maryland firm spearheading development of a blueprint for the future of bicycle lanes and trails in Seattle.

Safety is one of many concerns for bicyclists who came to the University of Washington's Gould Hall Tuesday to hear more about Seattle's Bicycle Master Plan, a project they hope will turn Seattle into the most bike-friendly city in the country.

City transportation officials invited those who bike -- to work, school or for fun -- to offer perspectives on the plan, a $300,000 project that will guide improvements to streets, bridges and trails to boost rider safety and encourage more Seattleites to pedal instead of drive.

When completed, the plan will contain recommendations to better connect the network of bike trails and lanes. Also, it will recommend what streets should be repainted to accommodate bike lanes; suggest what areas need better signs pointing riders to trails, bridges or popular destinations; and create standards for bike lane width and pavement markings and maintenance plans.

"I think they're addressing some of the right things," said Tamara Stephas, 38, a Capitol Hill resident who bikes almost every day and used to bike to her job when she worked at Microsoft.

Toole Design, a firm that specializes in multimodal transportation systems, is working with a citizen advisory board selected from groups such as the Cascade Bicycle Club and King County Metro.

Toole representatives, who have been out biking Seattle streets for firsthand observations and analyzing transportation data, gave an overview of the project. Then, attendees were invited to form small work groups. They were encouraged to write in their complaints or suggestions on a series of city maps around the room.

Roy Wilkie, 29, a bike messenger who lives on Beacon Hill, said the South End could use more bike trails. But he thinks the biggest need is resurfacing of potholed and uneven roads around the city.

"I can't count how many flat tires I've had down by Boeing Field in the South End," Wilkie said.

Joseph Pentheroudakis, 57, who lives in the Leschi neighborhood, said he would like the project to include more emphasis on traffic education for bicyclists and drivers and how they should interact.

"Just putting more bikes on the street is not going to change riders who don't pay attention," he said.

Sufi, project manager and Toole planning director, said Tuesday's meeting is one of three planned.

The next will be held this winter when the agency is ready to unveil a rough draft of the master plan. The last meeting will be held next year for a presentation on the final plan.

BICYCLE MASTER PLAN

People can share their concerns about biking in Seattle through an online questionnaire at www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=109002284382.

For more information: Contact Virginia Coffman, Seattle Bicycle and Pedestrian Program, 206-684-3902 or by e-mail at virginia.coffman@seattle.gov or Pete Lagerwey, 206-684-5108 or by e-mail at pete.lagerwey@seattle.gov.

P-I reporter Scott Gutierrez can be reached at 206-448-8334 or scottgutierrez@seattlepi.com.

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