Second Avenue and Fourth Avenue Bicycle Improvements: Project Area FAQ

Spring 2008

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is building a network of bicycle lanes, trails and paths over a 10-year span with the goal of tripling the number of people bicycling and helping to reduce greenhouse gases. SDOT is improving bicyclist safety, reducing physical barriers to cycling, integrating the network with transit, and making all of Seattle more accessible to bikes. This is an important part of Seattle's efforts to create a more sustainable transportation system.

1. What is the scope of the project?

Second Avenue

• Add a white line between the bike lane and the on-street parking.
• Install green bike lane markings at potential vehicle/bicycle conflict points and through some intersections.

Fourth Avenue

• Install a bike lane on the west side of Fourth Avenue between Yesler Way and Spring Street. This requires the removal of on-street parking and loading zones on the west side of the street. SDOT is working with businesses that currently use loading zones in the public right of way to identify alternate options.
• Paint bike sharrows (a graphic used when bikes and cars share a lane) between Spring and Stewart streets. This will not change the current parking or loading zones.
• Install green bike lane markings at potential vehicle/bicycle conflict points and through some intersections.

2. Why Second and Fourth avenues?

The Seattle Bicycle Master Plan (BMP) and Center City Access Strategy (CCAS) both identify Second and Fourth avenues as the main north/south bike routes through Downtown. The BMP was approved by the Mayor and the City Council in 2007 after several months of outreach and hundreds of public comments.

The changes on Second will further alert motorists to the likelihood of bicyclists being near and to be watchful of them. Fourth Avenue has a slight incline, so adding a bike lane from Yesler to Spring provides a safe place for cyclists to move at a comfortable pace. Sharrows from Spring to Stewart will remind motorists and cyclists to drive carefully and to share the lane.

3. When will the work take place?

Work is scheduled to begin in June 2008 and will take approximately two to four weeks. Work is weather dependent.

4. What are the benefits of this project?

These changes:

• Reduce incidents between vehicles and bicycles
• Create a safer and more pleasant bike riding experience
• Make it easier to get around Center City Seattle by bike
• Decrease congestion and reduce greenhouse gases by reducing vehicle use
• Support a healthy, active lifestyle

5. What can I expect during construction?

When SDOT is restriping Second and Fourth avenues, expect periodic lane closures and temporary parking restrictions. For the safety of our crews who must work in traffic, and to reduce the impact on mobility in the area, this work may take place in the early morning hours or on weekends. Access to businesses and sidewalks will be maintained at all times.

6. How will these improvements impact on-street parking?

Some on-street parking and two loading zones will be removed on the west side of Fourth Avenue between Yesler Way and Madison Street. Alternative short-term parking is available in numerous paid parking lots and garages in the area. If needed, SDOT will work with properties directly impacted by the removal of loading zones to identify other options.

As the city grows, the way we use our streets is changing. To make sure we keep people and goods moving and the Center City Seattle thriving, SDOT is working with property owners and managers, business owners, parking operators and others to identify and execute strategies for converting existing long-term, off-street spaces to short-term use. Strategies to enhance short-term parking access include marketing and promotions, better signage, and an electronic parking guidance system (real-time wayfinding for parking). Visit www.seattle.gov/transportation/innovativepark.htm to learn more.

7. How will this affect trucks moving freight along Second Avenue and Fourth Avenue?

There will be no changes to freight movement due to these bicycle improvements.

8. What is a “sharrow” or shared lane marking?

Shared lane markings are bicycle symbols that are placed in a vehicle travel lane indicating the road is to be shared by bicycles and cars. Unlike bicycle lanes, they do not designate a particular part of the road for bicycle use. The bicycle symbols used in shared lane markings include a double arrow pointing in the direction of motor vehicle traffic to indicate that bicyclists should also ride in this direction. Shared lane markings have the following benefits:

• Provide a visible cue to bicyclists and motorists that bicyclists are expected and welcome in the roadway, and;
• Indicate the most appropriate location to ride on the road with respect to moving traffic and parked cars.

9. What are “green bike lane markings”?

Bicycle lanes typically include a white bicycle pavement marking with an arrow to indicate the direction of travel. At intersections and other areas where there is higher potential for vehicle/bike conflict, the entire bike lane is painted green. This provides a visible cue to both bicyclist and motorist to use caution.

10. What is the Bicycle Master Plan?

Unanimously adopted by the Seattle City Council in 2007, the Bicycle Master Plan defines a set of actions over 10 years to guide improvements to Seattle’s bicycle network. The plan has two goals: tripling the number of bicyclists and reducing the rate of bicycle crashes by one-third. The Plan can be viewed at www.seattle.gov/transportation/bikemaster.htm

11. Who do I contact to learn more about these projects?

To learn more about plans to improve bike facilities on Second and Fourth avenues, contact Josh Stepherson at (206) 684-3136.