PM UPDATE: It sounds like a lot untreated surfaces have turned to smooth ice after sundown. Take care.

I biked to play hockey last night, and the roads between the U District and Kraken Community Iceplex in Northgate were in fairly good condition. As noted in our post yesterday, the city prioritizes arterial streets and bus routes for plowing and treating. So I followed my own advice and stuck to the roads that the city’s real-time slow plow map noted as being recently treated. And it worked! The sketchiest parts of the whole ride were the neighborhood streets near my house and the parking lot access roads at the rink.

But just be aware that the forecast says it will stay below freezing for the next couple days, so uncleared and untreated surfaces can easily turn to ice. Metal surfaces and bridges typically freeze first.

Bob Svercl shared this morning’s road conditions for folks biking from Beacon Hill to downtown. Remember that if a bike lane is not cleared, you can and should ride in the general traffic lanes. Take the space you need to be safe, and don’t feel the need to hug the side of the road. Your safety is paramount.

The status of trails across the region are mostly unknown. Many trails are likely untreated and might be icy. The Sumner Link Trail will be closed through the weekend due to flooding concerns:

The #Sumner Link Trail is closed through the weekend for ice now and anticipated high water from the White River over the weekend. pic.twitter.com/76fJJv4aNr

— Sumner, Washington (@CityOfSumnerWA) December 21, 2022

Let us know the status of biking conditions where you are. The weather forecast suggests that the current conditions will likely linger for the next couple days. If there are any particularly problematic spots where you worry someone might get hurt, definitely say something in the comments below and attempt to report it to your local government. In Seattle, you can use Find It Fix It or call 206.684-ROAD to file a work request.

UPDATES:

the burke is a mess of on-and-off ice. clear in the sun, very dangerous in the shade pic.twitter.com/lDASfhDUDZ

— max (@jmxkff) December 21, 2022

Without studded tires, I would not have been able to make it to work today. Montlake Bridge was terrible. Climbed 21st Ave E and found out it was closed at the top. Ha! Will choose another route on the way home. pic.twitter.com/M7ij603qM1

— Dandelion Bikes (@dandelion_bikes) December 21, 2022

Interlaken was ice in the morning. Doubt it got much better without much direct sunlight. Going to be ice in the evening again for sure.

— Sean Dandelion 🌼 (@SeanDennerlein) December 21, 2022

Not too shocked to be the only bike on the water taxi this morning.

My ride on the Vashon side was pretty easy. Seattle side, not so much. Yesler and Broadway bike lanes are both sheets of ice.

Studded tires and snowboard goggles + helmet FTW this morning. pic.twitter.com/fGYLeWIYuZ

— Genepedia PhD 🏳️‍🌈 (@genepedia) December 21, 2022

Last night from WS/Delridge to downtown:

21st Ave SW sharrow path, okay. 🤷‍♂️
WS Bridge bike lane, great. 👍
E Marginal Way S PBL, bad. 👎
Alaskan Way sidewalks, fine. 👍
Elliott Bay Trail, good. 👍

Would expect similar condition today.

— Jeremy Cole (@jeremycole) December 21, 2022

12th Ave and Union St bike lanes are unusable due to ice right now, so be prepared to bike in traffic. Wish SDOT would salt and grit the bike lanes when they do the rest of the roadway. Sidewalks are completely variable. https://t.co/JEFHC6IQGE pic.twitter.com/qpu4pQwTR0

— Gordon Padelford (@GordonOfSeattle) December 21, 2022

BGT conditions improving! https://t.co/nwEyH2StAe pic.twitter.com/7FddyunU0X

— Greg Spotts (@Spottnik) December 21, 2022

Broadway protected bike lanes are looking icy pic.twitter.com/snXUg5nLrf

— Gordon Padelford (@GordonOfSeattle) December 22, 2022

Big thanks to Luke from @seattledot for plowing and salting the pike street bike lane! pic.twitter.com/u5u3Dc6sfS

— Gordon Padelford (@GordonOfSeattle) December 22, 2022

Bike lane on Roosevelt is a sheet of ice in front of Trader Joe’s and between 45th/50th

— Phil Neff (@cascadiasolid) December 22, 2022

Lower Spokane bridge section salted but connecting trails ice, and certainly not safe.

— Fauntleroy Watch (@MelvinNedly) December 22, 2022

Alki Trail under WS bridge to E Marginal sheer ice, Marginal Way bike lanes not safe either so road riding, thankfully less trucks this AM

— Fauntleroy Watch (@MelvinNedly) December 22, 2022