Seattle Neighborhood Greenways—Places to Walk and Bike

Our mission is to deliver a safe, reliable, efficient and socially equitable transportation system that enhances Seattle’s environment and economic vitality. Neighborhood greenways are one piece of the system. Neighborhood greenways provide people of all ages and abilities with comfortable and attractive places to walk, ride a bike, skate and run. They connect you to parks, schools and local shops and are mostly funded through the nine-year voter approved Bridging the Gap Levy. SDOT has received many requests for this type of facility. In fact, many residents are so enthused they’ve started Seattle Neighborhood Greenways to help bring them to their neighborhood.

Description
Neighborhood greenways are residential streets where signs and pavement markings are used to guide people along the route; and speed and volume management measures discourage cars from avoiding main streets by cutting through on neighborhood streets. These amenities can be especially beneficial for families, children and seniors who might find these routes more comfortable than busier nearby streets. Local access to homes along neighborhood greenways is always preserved and there are usually minimal, if any changes to on-street parking. Read our Frequently Asked Questions to learn more.

Instructions on How to Use Neighborhood Greenways

Pedestrians

• Obey all traffic signs and signals.
• Follow signs to stay on the greenway.

Bicyclists

• Obey all traffic signs and signals.
• Yield to pedestrians and motorists who have the right-of-way.
• Move through intersections cautiously.
• Follow bicycle pavement markings to stay on the greenway.

Motorists

• Watch for pedestrians and bicyclists.
• Obey all traffic signs and signals.
• When backing out of a driveway always look behind, right and left before moving your car.
• Reduce speed when moving through an intersection or to making a turn.
• Driving over bicycle pavement markings is okay.
• Only overtake a person riding a bike at a safe speed and only if there is a safe passing distance of at least three feet.
• Be careful when you open your car door. Always look for people walking or riding a bike first.

Be Super Safe

The City of Seattle’s road safety campaign, Be Super Safe, is an ongoing effort to reach zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries. When driving, walking and bicycling we ask that you Be Super Safe and follow the rules of the road.

What’s Happening in Other Cities?

Neighborhood Greenways, also called Bike Boulevards in some cities, are sprouting up across the country. See what other cities are doing by visiting the links below.

Chicago’s Neighborhood Greenways
Minneapolis’s Bike Boulevards
Portland’s Neighborhood Greenways
Tucson’s Bike Boulevards

Want to See a Neighborhood Greenway in Action?

WATCH: Streetfilms Portland’s Bike Boulevards Become Neighborhood Greenways

Local, National and International Bicycle Design Guidelines

The Seattle Bicycle Master Plan guides the development of a citywide bicycling network, programs to encourage more bike riding, and activities and tools to measure our progress. The National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) Urban Bikeway Design Guide is also a primary source for Seattle’s new bike designs. This document was created out of an extensive worldwide literature search from design guidelines and real-life experience; as well as the input of a panel of urban bikeway planning professionals from NACTO member cities, traffic engineers, planners, and academics.