Author Archives: Ryan Packer

About Ryan Packer

Ryan Packer is Temporary Editor of Seattle Bike Blog.

Person killed while biking in SoDo was 1 of 21 King County residents who died in January while presumed homeless

Four days into 2022, someone riding a bike in SoDo, at the intersection of S Holgate Street and 3rd Ave S, was struck by someone driving a Hyundai Accent. Receiving substantial injuries in the crash, including a badly injured leg. … Continue reading

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Concerns raised within SDOT about modal integration policy as advocates sound alarm

In late 2020 and early 2021, the Seattle Bike Blog covered work happening behind the scenes at the Seattle Department of Transportation to work toward integrating the city’s different modal plans (bicycle, pedestrian, freight, transit) into one plan. This technical … Continue reading

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SDOT solidifies proposal for fully funded Green Lake Outer Loop project

This week at an online open house, SDOT released the results of a survey the department conducted last year around the concept of creating a path for people walking and rolling along the Outer Loop along Green Lake Park’s western … Continue reading

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Pedersen’s office throws out bicycle advisory board process for new member

On Tuesday morning the City Council’s Transportation and Seattle Public Utilities Committee will consider the nomination of a new member to the Bicycle Advisory Board. The appointment comes months after the board undertook a formal search and interview process to … Continue reading

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RapidRide J plans still include paint-only section south of University Bridge

The RapidRide J line project, currently scheduled to open in 2026, will upgrade the bus corridor between downtown and U District Link light rail station, and include protected bike lanes along Eastlake Avenue, one of the few bike projects that … Continue reading

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What the transformation of Denny Way tells us about our city

Last week, five years after Capitol Hill’s light rail station opened, the construction fencing was finally removed on the long-planned public plaza that will complement the south entrance of the station next to Cal Anderson Park. It’s a truly great … Continue reading

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Person on bike struck and killed by driver in Georgetown collision

Just before 5pm Wednesday evening, someone riding a bike was struck and killed by the driver of a semi-truck in the Georgetown neighborhood, according to the Seattle Police Department. The collision took place at the intersection of Corson Ave S … Continue reading

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Safety, maintenance compete for slice of council-approved car tab revenue

The Seattle Department of Transportation has released its proposed spending plan for the proceeds from a $20 vehicle license fee (VLF) that the City Council approved last fall. After an outreach process where the department received feedback from around 20 … Continue reading

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Construction starts on Uptown bike connection paired with Climate Pledge Arena

Construction work has started on a separated bike corridor in the Uptown neighborhood as part of a set of transportation projects required to be installed by the grand opening of former Key Arena, now Climate Pledge Arena. A grand opening … Continue reading

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Aurora Reimagined Coalition seeks to increase public pressure for safety improvements

When the entirety of state route 99, Aurora Ave N, was repaved by the Washington State Department of Transportation in 2018 and 2019, many safety advocates saw a missed opportunity. While actual roadway is state-owned, Seattle is responsible for taking … Continue reading

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Advocates ask SDOT to examine different options for Beacon Ave bike route

Late last year SDOT released early designs for the safe bike route being planned to run nearly the entire length of Beacon Hill, currently scheduled to start construction in 2023. While the route on the northern end of the hill … Continue reading

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City transportation electrification “blueprint” includes emissions-free area by 2030

Today the City of Seattle has released what it’s calling a “blueprint” to electrify the city’s transportation system, further clarifying the city’s goals around decarbonizing our largest single source of emissions. Among the goals outlined with a 2030 deadline is … Continue reading

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Meet Shelly Baldwin, new Director of the Washington Traffic Safety Commission

The Washington Traffic Safety Commission is a public agency that flies under the radar. In February, the commission got a new leader when Shelly Baldwin, previously the Legislative and Media Relations division director at the WTSC, was appointed head of … Continue reading

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Pike Pine Renaissance clears latest hurdle on track to construction in 2022

Update: SDOT’s SEPA checklist listed a 2023 start date but the department has confirmed a planned construction start of Fall 2022. Good news!  In 2017, when protected bike lanes were installed in Downtown Seattle for a short stretch on Pike … Continue reading

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Washington House passes e-bike sales tax exemption

On Tuesday, by a 57 to 39 vote, the Washington House of Representatives passed HB 1330, exempting electric bikes and up to $200 in bike accessories from state sales taxes. In a tweet, Rep. Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham), who introduced the … Continue reading

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Bigger detour scheduled at 23rd and I-90 as detour legibility issues persist

As soon as Monday March 15, people walking, biking, and rolling on the Mountains to Sound trail at 23rd Ave S & I-90 will have a more circuitous detour as crews pave the east side of the 23rd Ave crosswalk … Continue reading

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New coalition forms to oppose new highway spending over sidewalks and transit

At a press event in Tacoma at a bus stop next to fast-moving traffic, with no actual sidewalk available for people to use to access the bus stop, Disability Rights Washington & Front and Centered outlined their priorities today for … Continue reading

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Burke-Gilman detour planned as work on N 34th Street PBL begins

The Seattle Department of Transportation announced today that as soon as Monday they’ll be starting work on the long-anticipated N 34th Street protected bike lane between Stone Way and Fremont Ave. The immediate impact of this is a planned 3-week … Continue reading

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Take SDOT’s newest Stay Healthy Streets survey

SDOT is moving forward with its plan to implement up to 20 miles of “permanent” Stay Healthy Streets this year, even as the department doesn’t yet have a funding source identified to keep the Mayor’s promise from last summer. A … Continue reading

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Greenways groups renew push for crucial bike connection on 12th Ave S

Seattle Neighborhood Greenways affiliate groups Beacon Hill Safe Streets and Central Seattle Greenways have jointly asked the Seattle Department of Transportation to take another look at the feasibility of adding bike facilities to a dangerous segment of 12th Avenue S, … Continue reading

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