There are few bike route improvements that would do more for Seattle’s bicycle network than a comfortable, safe and direct connection in the Eastlake neighborhood. A vital connection between the University Bridge and the city center, Eastlake Ave is already heavily traveled by people on bikes.

But it can be a scary experience. Between 2007 and late 2014, at least 65 people biking on Eastlake were injured just in the stretch between the U Bridge and South Lake Union, according to a map published by the Seattle Times. One person died (RIP Bryce Lewis).

The city is currently studying options for high capacity transit along Eastlake Ave and up north along the Roosevelt corridor, and that project could be a great opportunity to create a permanent, high quality bike facility. The project page does not currently mention bike facilities specifically, though it does say, “The project definition will identify and evaluate modal options and use a complete streets approach to improve safety and access for all travelers.”

There will be two open houses this week to discuss the project’s possible alternatives: 6–8 p.m. today (Monday) at the Cascade’s People Center and 6–8 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday) at the UW Tower (Cafeteria North). More details below.

Unfortunately, the Eastlake Community Council has preemptively taken a stance against building protected bike lanes and/or transit-only lanes on Eastlake Ave, citing concerns about parking and traffic. This is unfortunate because having a safe space to bike would be a huge boon to Eastlake businesses. Protected bike lanes and complete streets often increase retail sales, even if on-street car parking is displaced. I hope the council keeps an open mind about the benefits bike lanes could bring to the neighborhood and the people who live, work, play and travel through there.

Especially in a dense area like Eastlake, supporting walking, biking and transit is the only way to grow business. After all, we can’t build new car parking spaces (well, not without tearing down homes and businesses to do so). It’s been well documented that business owners consistently and dramatically overestimate how many of their customers arrived by car. A 2012 customer intercept survey conducted by SDOT found that the vast majority of customers in business districts all around the city got there by walking, biking or taking transit. Though Eastlake was not included, you can look at this graph and make an educated guess its results would be similar: (more…)