You have probably noticed that since the week-long snow storm, bike lanes and trails around the city are full of debris. The street sweepers are out there, but it’s going to take a while for all the bike lanes and bike trails to get cleared.
Well, one West Seattle commuter decided he was sick of waiting, so he’s organizing a community trail clean-up day Saturday starting at 2 p.m. to clean up around the W Seattle Bridge.
From Neal “Fat Guy on a Bike” Poland:
I am planning on hosting a cleanup “party” this Saturday 1/4/2012 for anyone interested in helping clean up the commuter trail/bike lane areas around the west Seattle bridge and the Port of Seattle. Due to the winter weather, there is tons of gravel, glass and other nasty debris that, if cleaned up, would help make a safer commute for everyone.
Indeed! Some of us see that debris and say, “I wish someone would clear this!” Others (like me) take photos of it:
But Poland decided to do something about it, and that’s totally rad. It won’t clean all the city’s bike routes, but it will make one key spot better. So grab a broom, figure out how to haul it on your bike, and help him out!
Details (see also the Facebook event):
Meet at the fishing pier at 9AM.
Bust out some sweeping of the trail and maybe a little trash pickup. I”ll provide the trashbags if folks can bring their own brooms, etc.
Call it quits by 11
Then bonfire and BBQ on the beach for anyone interested.
Those interested in hitting the beach can RSVP me @ [email protected] so I can plan accordingly.
Comments
7 responses to “Sick of debris, W Seattle commuter is organizing Saturday trail clean-up”
Thanks Tom!
Road work is dangerous! I don’t want more bicyclists killed.
Does anyone know best practices for this type of thing around bridges? Last time I was on the U Bridge there was lots of debris, but I wouldn’t want to knock debris off where it might hit people below.
The west Seattle bridge has a wall, so it’s all but impossible to knock anything onto the road or path below. In this case, it isn’t so much the debris on the bridge that’s an issue, but the debris in the surrounding areas. The city sanded and salted the bridge, the bike paths and the surrounding roads. When the snow melted and the rains came, everything washed down to the areas at the base of the bridge.
Great idea! I often see bits from broken car chains hiding in the gravel debris. I’ve gotten flat tires on both my bike and car within the last year from that stuff. Good on you!
The U-Bridge got cleaned within the last couple of days. I’m not sure where it all went, but it sure was exciting when all that crud was gone. Next up: fix all the potholes on my route.
It was fun to thread my way in the dark through that one foot wide path that had been worn through the scattered gravel on the west side of the bridge. I’m glad as well it is gone.