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Tom Fucoloro<a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2025/04/14/watch-touring-the-remade-eastlake-ave-from-rei-to-lakeview-blvd/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Watch: Touring the remade Eastlake Ave from REI to Lakeview Blvd</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMq7CWKxw_0" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMq7CWKxw_0</a>Hanoch from Best Side Cycling recently published a quick tour of the remade section of Eastlake Avenue E that runs next to I-5 from the REI flagship store to the Lakeview Boulevard bridge. Work on the project, a partnership between <a href="https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/metro/programs-and-projects/eastlake-layover-facility" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">King County Metro</a> and <a href="https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/programs/bike-program/protected-bike-lanes/eastlake-layover-facility-mobility-improvements" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">SDOT</a>, wrapped up over the winter and includes protected bike lanes, a new section of trail and a lot of extra layover spaces for buses.This is not the part of Eastlake Ave that is getting a redesign as part of the RapidRide J project. That’s an entirely separate project that will be under construction for a while longer.This section of Eastlake Ave serves several different roles in the city’s bike network. Because of the hilly terrain and the lack of local street connectivity due to I-5 and the massive Mercer Street freeway interchange, a lot of different bike trips end up on this stretch of Eastlake Ave. For folks coming from parts of Capitol Hill, it connects the Lakeview Blvd overpass to Stewart Street and South Lake Union. For folks in a hurry, it is also secretly the fastest southbound bike route from Lakeview Blvd or the Eastake neighborhood to the heart of downtown because it bypasses a lot of the congested areas of South Lake Union and utilizes Stewart Street’s diagonal alignment to cut across the street grid (though biking on Stewart is not for the faint of heart). The Lakeview Blvd overpass is the only I-5 crossing option for the 1.2 miles between Denny Way and the I-5 Colonnade Park. I-5 is a pox on these neighborhoods.<a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_1516.jpg" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a>Most of the project area is now far better than it used to be, which was awful. A dangerous road with multiple lanes in the same direction and sporadic on-street parking, biking this stretch was often a white-knuckle experience. Buy adding the bus layover space and protected bike lanes, it is a much calmer street. The biking experience on the street is dramatically better.<a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/eastlake_layover_facility_planview_e_legend2_lg.jpg" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a>Design diagram <a href="https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/metro/programs-and-projects/eastlake-layover-facility" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">from King County</a>.However, the project unfortunately ended before addressing the many safety problems at the complex intersection with Stewart and John Streets, which also includes multiple freeway off-ramps. Perhaps the worst part of the design is that there is no bike signal for crossing from John Street and REI to the new northbound bike lane. Instead, folks are left to either bike on the west sidewalk or cut across the street during a break in traffic. Neither of these are great options. This intersection desperately needs a full rethink because it does not make any sense for anyone. It’s not even good for people driving cars since they are often routed into lanes that leave them on the wrong side of the road just a block from popular Denny Way turn lanes, forcing all kinds of high-stress merges. Meanwhile, people on bikes are supposed to somehow find their own ways through it all. Longtime readers know where I’m going with this: Let’s build a Stewart Street bikeway! Stewart Street is a rare through-street that climbs gradually and runs diagonal to the grid, making it an especially good candidate for walking and biking improvements. It is also far too wide, creating all kinds of dangerous situations for all road users. Its outdated design encourages speeding, requires far too many lane merges and has no dedicated safe space for its many bike riders. While it is a one-way street for driving, it could be a fantastic two-way bike route that travels in a straight line between REI and Pike Place Market. Before the Center City Connector Streetcar, Stewart was designated for bike lanes. The only reason downtown sections of those bike lanes were removed from the city’s bike plan was to accommodate the streetcar tracks, which would not include bike lanes for the section along Stewart Street. But <a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/11/13/cm-saka-budget-proposal-would-create-plan-to-end-service-on-slu-streetcar/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">that streetcar line is (probably) dead</a>, which means SDOT should put the Stewart Street bikeway back in the plan. A Stewart Street bikeway could be integrated into an intersection redesign that makes this area much more comfortable for everyone. <a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/eastlake_layover_facility_planview_a_legend_lg.jpg" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a>One Seattle Bike Blog reader has also voiced concerns about the signal at Lakeview Blvd where the new “trail” for folks biking northbound crosses in front of right-turning traffic. There is a “No Turn On Red” sign, but the reader said compliance at least initially was low, leading to some close calls. I made a note to go observe the area myself to see if this is still an issue, but I have not yet done so. Part of the issue may be that because the northbound bike route here is designed as a “shared-use path” instead of a bike lane, it just looks like a regular sidewalk, which it basically is. So perhaps drivers won’t be expecting faster-moving bikes. If everyone follows the law, then there shouldn’t be any issues. But if folks are regularly ignoring the turn restriction, it can become dangerous. Do you ride through here regularly? Let us know in the comments below how it has been working for you. <a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_4789.jpeg" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a>#SEAbikes #Seattle

Tom Fucoloro<a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2025/03/24/i-5-colonnade-getting-new-beginner-friendly-pump-tracks-thanks-to-evergreen-mtb-and-seattle-parks/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">I-5 Colonnade getting new beginner-friendly pump tracks thanks to Evergreen MTB and Seattle Parks</a><a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/480623214_1050884417063257_3951452595263355625_n.jpg" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a>Map from Evergreen MTB Alliance.Construction is underway on <a href="https://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2025/03/wanna-ride-bikes-the-i-5-colonnade-park-is-getting-two-new-pump-tracks-this-spring/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">a long-sought update</a> to add accessible and beginner-friendly features to the I-5 Colonnade mountain bike park in Eastlake, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EvergreenMTB/posts/pfbid02x8mU64UG7QXGu525Zi8nPuzkcQvvCthBHbxWyro5QGEgy1whmu9wcVnMwdQgw3S5l" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance hopes</a> the new paved pump tracks will be open by the end of May.The I-5 Colonnade mountain bike park was like nothing else when it first opened in 2007. It is an urban mountain bike park with intense grades situated underneath an elevated freeway that keeps it dry year-round. It was also among the first major projects by Evergreen, which has grown to be the largest statewide mountain bike organization in the country. Since then, the Colonnade has provided a practice ground for mountain bikers that is much easier to get to than larger parks in the foothills and mountains. It’s a great place for skilled riders, and provides <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gVGw6rpyhg" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">an intriguing setting for videos</a>. However, I-5 Colonnade has always suffered from two big problems 1) It is loud because of the freeway. 2) Much of it is too advanced, leaving beginning riders and young kids a bit uncertain about how to engage with the space. You rarely ever see parents bring their kids here like they do at Woodland Park, for example. Evergreen can’t really do anything about the first issue, but they can do something about the second. Little kids on small features are the experienced riders of tomorrow. Especially for such a rare urban mountain bike park, beginner features could be a major way to increase overall use of the space, leading to more consistent volunteer maintenance. <a href="https://www.singletracks.com/mtb-trails/two-new-paved-pump-tracks-are-coming-to-seattles-i-5-colonnade-park/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Mountain bike news site Singletracks has a good story </a>on the project that also notes the hope that the new features can lead to a renewed push to rehab some of the older features.Evergreen and Seattle Parks announced last month that after years of organizing and planning construction was finally underway on a new set of paved pump tracks located in the flatter section in the southwest area of the park. These pump tracks will include one beginner-friendly track that is also friendly to <a href="https://www.evergreenmtb.org/blog/the-exciting-future-of-amtb-accessibility-in-washington-thanks-to-your-support" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">adaptive mountain bikes</a> and one steeper track. They will also build a new path for circulation to help connect to other areas within the park.Beyond being an improvement to the park, the new pump tracks could possibly also open up more opportunities for programming, such as camps or classes.The project will not change the existing paved path from E Newton Street to Lakeview Boulevard E, which is a fairly popular bike transportation connection.It’s interesting to consider that in the coming years the new more accessible features of the park will also be just one block from protected bike lanes on Eastlake Ave, which are part of the <a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/10/08/the-shovels-are-in-the-dirt-so-eastlake-bike-lanes-are-really-happening/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">under-construction Rapidride J project</a>. This will make it much easier for families and people of all ages to bike to the bike park, which today feels hidden away from the city’s bike network. The <a href="https://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/projects/i-5-colonnade-pump-track-" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">project will cost $314,000</a> and is funded by “the Seattle Park District, King County Parks Capital and Open Space Grant, and Community Donations,” according to Seattle Parks. The land is owned by Washington State but leased to the city for use as a park.#SEAbikes #Seattle

Tom Fucoloro<a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2024/10/08/the-shovels-are-in-the-dirt-so-eastlake-bike-lanes-are-really-happening/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">The shovels are in the dirt, so Eastlake bike lanes are really happening</a><a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_4800.jpg" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a>These elected and agency leaders will be building the Eastlake bike lanes by hand.Seattle leadership across three mayors have supported building bike lanes on Eastlake Ave as part of the RapidRide J project, but you just never know what might happen before the shovels hit the dirt.Well, the shovels are officially in the dirt now, and at the groundbreaking celebration today (October 8) Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell touted “3.7 miles of protected bike lanes” among the project’s benefits. “It embodies our administration’s commitment to transportation safety and sustainable transportation options.”In addition to protected bike lanes on Eastlake Ave, one of the most sought-after bike network improvements in the city, the project also includes a protected bike lane up 11th Avenue NE to connect to the under-construction bike lanes as part of the <a href="https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/programs/maintenance-and-paving/current-paving-projects/11th-and-12th-ave-ne-paving-project" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">11th/12th Ave NE paving project</a>. Once the RapidRide J bike lanes are complete, There will be a connected all ages and abilities bike route from the downtown bike network to Roosevelt Station via Eastlake and the U District. It will also complete a new Lake Union Loop bike route, which will surely become popular. More importantly, it will cut about a mile (or 10 minutes) out of the bike journey between the city center and the University of Washington compared to routing over to the Fremont Bridge as many people do today. But the most important project goal is to prevent injuries and deaths by addressing some persistent danger spots for people who bike on this much shorter and faster route despite its lack of a bike lane. <a href="https://seattle.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=017c12065c8a712b3b9f4e4c7&id=b7dc217d89&e=9a14600390" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">An extensive study into bike route options in the area (PDF)</a> found that from 2012 through 2017, there were 39 collision reports involving people biking, and 95% of those resulted in injuries to the person biking. 8% of the collisions resulted in serious injuries. Though there were no deaths during the study period, there was a fatality on this route a few years prior (<a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/bicyclists-honor-a-fallen-friend/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">RIP Bryce Lewis</a>).The clear need for a safer route here seemed to be a guiding principle for this project from <a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2015/12/07/its-well-past-time-to-build-safe-bike-lanes-on-eastlake-ave/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">the very start of planning back in 2015</a>. Though the city did respond to backlash by conducting a ridiculously extensive study of the options, the data confirmed that Eastlake bike lanes were the best way to improve safety and create a usable and connected bike route. At no point did SDOT or any of the mayors signal that they were leaning against these bike lanes. They deserve credit for standing behind SDOT staff and our safe streets goals despite sometimes heated opposition (though perhaps it helped that <a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2023/08/31/eastlake-community-council-ousts-40-of-their-board-members-for-supporting-a-bike-lanes-and-transit-project/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">some opponents made such fools of themselves</a> at times). You can follow <a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/tag/rapidride-j/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">the full history of this project</a> through the Seattle Bike Blog archives.It took a lot of advocacy to get this point, with Cascade Bicycle Club leading calls for Eastlake bike lanes for well more than a decade and Seattle Neighborhood Greenways organizing on the ground in recent years (Editor’s Note: I updated the post to recognize SNG’s work). It also took countless cumulative hours from hundreds or maybe thousands of people like you all who attended so many public meetings and filled out so many online surveys. Some folks in Eastlake even volunteered for their Community Council in hopes of working within that structure to support these bike lanes and transit improvements. Congratulations to all of you, even those of you who feel like your efforts didn’t work. Because look, they did.#SEAbikes #Seattle

JustinI took this image last December, with the house surrounded by fencing and next to a block that had already been cleared. The house is gone now. It didn't quite make it to 100 years.... 📷 Olympus Pen Wide 🎞️ Ilford Delta 100 <a href="https://pixelfed.au/discover/tags/Canberra?src=hash" class="u-url hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#Canberra</a> <a href="https://pixelfed.au/discover/tags/Eastlake?src=hash" class="u-url hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#Eastlake</a> <a href="https://pixelfed.au/discover/tags/Kingston?src=hash" class="u-url hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#Kingston</a> <a href="https://pixelfed.au/discover/tags/ReadyForDemolition?src=hash" class="u-url hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#ReadyForDemolition</a> <a href="https://pixelfed.au/discover/tags/HalfFrame?src=hash" class="u-url hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#HalfFrame</a> <a href="https://pixelfed.au/discover/tags/OlympusPenWide?src=hash" class="u-url hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#OlympusPenWide</a> <a href="https://pixelfed.au/discover/tags/OlympusPenW?src=hash" class="u-url hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#OlympusPenW</a> <a href="https://pixelfed.au/discover/tags/BlackAndWhitePhotography?src=hash" class="u-url hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#BlackAndWhitePhotography</a> <a href="https://pixelfed.au/discover/tags/FilmPhotography?src=hash" class="u-url hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#FilmPhotography</a> <a href="https://pixelfed.au/discover/tags/Photography?src=hash" class="u-url hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#Photography</a> <a href="https://pixelfed.au/discover/tags/BelieveInFilm?src=hash" class="u-url hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#BelieveInFilm</a> <a href="https://pixelfed.au/discover/tags/35mm?src=hash" class="u-url hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#35mm</a>

Tom FucoloroSDOT finalizes RapidRide J design with complete Eastlake bike lanes, plans to begin construction in summer 2024<a href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2023/10/27/sdot-finalizes-rapidride-j-design-with-complete-eastlake-bike-lanes-plans-to-begin-construction-in-summer-2024/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2023/10/27/sdot-finalizes-rapidride-j-design-with-complete-eastlake-bike-lanes-plans-to-begin-construction-in-summer-2024/</a>#SEAbikes #Seattle

Tom FucoloroEastlake Community Council ousts 40% of their board members for supporting a bike lanes and transit projecthttps://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2023/08/31/eastlake-community-council-ousts-40-of-their-board-members-for-supporting-a-bike-lanes-and-transit-project/<a rel="nofollow noopener" class="u-tag u-category" href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/tag/detra-segar/" target="_blank">#detra-segar</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="u-tag u-category" href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/tag/eastlake/" target="_blank">#eastlake</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="u-tag u-category" href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/tag/eastlake-community-council/" target="_blank">#eastlake-community-council</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="u-tag u-category" href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/tag/rapidride-j/" target="_blank">#rapidride-j</a>

Tom FucoloroEastlake group is trying to kill RapidRide J (which includes bike lanes)I’m […] Share <ul><li><a rel="nofollow noopener" class="" href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2023/07/25/eastlake-group-is-trying-to-kill-rapidride-j-which-includes-bike-lanes/?share=mastodon" target="_blank">Mastodon</a></li><li><a rel="nofollow noopener" class="" href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2023/07/25/eastlake-group-is-trying-to-kill-rapidride-j-which-includes-bike-lanes/?share=twitter" target="_blank">Twitter</a></li><li><a rel="nofollow noopener" class="" href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2023/07/25/eastlake-group-is-trying-to-kill-rapidride-j-which-includes-bike-lanes/?share=facebook" target="_blank">Facebook</a></li><li><a rel="nofollow noopener" class="" href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2023/07/25/eastlake-group-is-trying-to-kill-rapidride-j-which-includes-bike-lanes/?share=reddit" target="_blank">Reddit</a></li><li>Email</li><li></li></ul> <a href="https://wp.me/pYeSb-27wv" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://wp.me/pYeSb-27wv</a><a rel="nofollow noopener" class="u-tag u-category" href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/tag/eastlake/" target="_blank">#eastlake</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="u-tag u-category" href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/tag/rapidride-j/" target="_blank">#rapidride-j</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="u-tag u-category" href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/tag/sara-nelson/" target="_blank">#sara-nelson</a>

Tom FucoloroYet another Eastlake Ave survey confirms: Build safe bike lanes!SDOT released the results of autumn community outreach about Eastlake Avenue bike lane design options, and the results were once again very clear: People strongly favor safe bike lanes on this vital connection between the University Bridge and South Lake […]<a href="https://wp.me/pYeSb-26TE" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://wp.me/pYeSb-26TE</a><a rel="nofollow noopener" class="u-tag u-category" href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/tag/eastlake/" target="_blank">#eastlake</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="u-tag u-category" href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/tag/fairview-ave-n/" target="_blank">#fairview-ave-n</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="u-tag u-category" href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/tag/rapidride-j/" target="_blank">#rapidride-j</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="u-tag u-category" href="https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/tag/sdot/" target="_blank">#sdot</a>

Phil in SeattleTrapped in an undelming existence -chrisc-<a href="https://social.ridetrans.it/tags/eastlake" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#eastlake</a> <a href="https://social.ridetrans.it/tags/graffiti" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#graffiti</a>

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