Bike to Books

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Updated March 31, 2024

Project Overview

Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is launching annual student design competition through the Safe Routes to School program. And we are excited to kick it off in Rainier Beach. We are teaming up with Dunlap Elementary School, South Shore K-8, and the Rainier Beach Branch of the Seattle Public Library to hold a super cool design contest for students!

The contest is all about creating fun and creative designs for bike symbols (and maybe walking symbols, too!) that SDOT crews will install along the Healthy Street leading to both schools. The path runs for 1.2 miles from Othello Park to the library, and will have space for about 15 different designs. 

What is the purpose of these bike symbols?

Have you ever seen those symbols painted on the road that look like a bike with arrows around it? Those are called sharrows! They are there to show that cars and bikes share the same lane on the road. Sharrows help make sure that bikes and cars can safely share the road together. They also remind drivers that bikes have a right to be on the road too. Sharrows are not just for bikes though, they can also be used to create a network of safe places for people who walk or ride bikes. So next time you see sharrows on the road, remember they're there to keep everyone safe!

Person biking along the Kenyon Greenway. Photo credit: SDOT 

Art Path

Attention Dunlap and South Shore art students

In January 2023, Mayor Bruce Harrell joined Dunlap Elementary Students to celebrate Walk & Roll to School Day along the Healthy Street where the winning student designs will be installed. Photo credit: Seattle Public Schools

By designing these cool bike symbols, you will not only make the streets safer for people biking and walking, but you'll also add a fun artistic touch to the neighborhood. This is a great opportunity to showcase your creativity and contribute to something that will be around for years to come.

Weston Horner, the art teacher at South Shore, worked with his 4th-8th graders and his art club. Adrian Watts-Driscoll, the art teacher at Dunlap, worked with her 4th-5th graders.

This awesome new project was inspired by a similiar contest called Bike to Books Design Contest held by the Portland Bureau of Transportation and Multnomah County Library since 2017.

Portland Contest Winners Design and Art Installation

Here is an example of one of the winning student designs and crews installing the artwork on the street in Portland, Oregon.

Example of a recent contest winner's design and installation from Portland's Bike to Book design contest. Photo credit: PBOT

Prizes

Grand Prizes: Greenway street art designs will be installed by SDOT striping crews on Seattle streets.* This year's winning designs will be installed on the Rainier Beach Healthy Street between Othello Park and the Rainier Beach Branch of the Seattle Public Library.

*Some artistic license may be used to ensure the designs work with the materials we use and how it's installed.

How to Enter

Each year we will host the design contest in a different neighborhood and partner with schools and the local library branch. This year the design contest is open to the following schools and students:

• Dunlap Elementary art teacher Adrian Watts-Driscoll worked with her 4th-5th graders
• South Shore art teacher Weston Horner worked with his 4th-8th graders and his art club

Contest Entry Form

Entry forms are available to print at home.

• Download Contest Entry Form

Contest Rules

• 2023 entries must be the original artwork of Dunlap and South Shore students. Multiple entries are welcome.
• SDOT will contact winners by phone or email on or around May 31, 2023 and post winning entries to the project website and social media.
• Entries can be accepted by returning the design contest form to the student's art teacher directly.
• By submitting artwork, the Parent/Guardian consents to use of the child’s name, artwork, and/or quote on materials that promote SDOT programs and activities. If you would prefer your child’s name not be used, please initial on the form.
• There are no monetary prizes associated with winning this contest or for the use of artwork or quotes on SDOT materials.
• Entries must be received no later than Friday, April 28, 2023.
• By submitting a design, you promise that the artwork you submitted: is your original creation; has not been copied in whole or in part from any other work; does not say bad or false things about other people; and has never been previously published or submitted to any other competition.
• Decisions of the judges are final and binding. SDOT will attempt to notify the parents/guardians of winners using the information provided in the entry form by end of business on May 31, 2023. If a winner’s parent or guardian cannot be contacted or does not respond within 48 hours of the first contact attempt, if a winner does not fulfill the eligibility requirements, if a winner does not adhere to the Official Rules, or if the prize notification is returned as undeliverable, that winner will be disqualified and contest organizers may select a new potential winner by the same criteria set forth above.
• The City of Seattle ensures meaningful access to city programs, services, and activities to comply with Civil Rights Title VI and ADA Title II laws and reasonably provides: translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, auxiliary aids and services. To request these services, contact (206) 684-7577.

Schedule

• April 3-28, 2023: Design contest open to Dunlap and South Shore students
• May 2023: Entries reviewed and winners selected
• End of school year 2023: Winners announced at each school
• TBD but hopefully spring 2024: SDOT crews install winning designs along art path
• Post-Installation (TBD): Art path celebration in partnership with Dunlap Elementary, South Shore K-8, and the Rainier Beach branch of the Seattle Public Library

Funding

This project is funded by our local Safe Routes to School program.