Burke-Gilman Trail's 'missing link' still causing problems for bikers
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SEATTLE -- Cyclists call it one of the most dangerous routes through Seattle, and this week the Burke-Gilman Trail's "missing link" notched yet another car-bike collision.
Bike rider Laura Vertatschitch takes the Burke-Gilman from her home in Ballard to the University of Washington, and she said she loves most of the route.
"The Shilshole piece is the only part that's even moderately dangerous to navigate," she said.
That stretch under the Ballard Bridge puts cars and cyclists precariously close. There's a bike lane that bows out to cross railroad tracks and a bridge support column that gives drivers little room pass.
That's exactly what happened to Vertatschitch.
"This particular car, I can only assume, was trying to speed up and get past me before that column happened," she said.
Instead, the driver hit her. It was just a glancing blow, but it highlights how dangerous the stretch of trail can be.
"This stretch is kind of treacherous," said cyclist Dennis Eichinger. "You gotta cross the railroad tracks and the road's narrow and it's busy."
The city has a fully designed, fully funded project to replace the so-called "missing link," but it's being held up by litigation. A coalition of businesses don't want a dedicated bike lane cutting through an area already crisscrossed by heavy truck traffic.
And some drivers say not every bike rider uses common sense.
"When people are riding a bike and they are doing 40 miles an hour, they've got to realize that it takes a little bit to stop these cars, too," said driver Bruce Ramon.
Dedicated lane or not, cyclists likely will keep using the route as the city pushes forward with its plan.
"There has to be some way for us to share in a safer way," Vertatschitch said.
Bike rider Laura Vertatschitch takes the Burke-Gilman from her home in Ballard to the University of Washington, and she said she loves most of the route.
"The Shilshole piece is the only part that's even moderately dangerous to navigate," she said.
That stretch under the Ballard Bridge puts cars and cyclists precariously close. There's a bike lane that bows out to cross railroad tracks and a bridge support column that gives drivers little room pass.
That's exactly what happened to Vertatschitch.
"This particular car, I can only assume, was trying to speed up and get past me before that column happened," she said.
Instead, the driver hit her. It was just a glancing blow, but it highlights how dangerous the stretch of trail can be.
"This stretch is kind of treacherous," said cyclist Dennis Eichinger. "You gotta cross the railroad tracks and the road's narrow and it's busy."
The city has a fully designed, fully funded project to replace the so-called "missing link," but it's being held up by litigation. A coalition of businesses don't want a dedicated bike lane cutting through an area already crisscrossed by heavy truck traffic.
And some drivers say not every bike rider uses common sense.
"When people are riding a bike and they are doing 40 miles an hour, they've got to realize that it takes a little bit to stop these cars, too," said driver Bruce Ramon.
Dedicated lane or not, cyclists likely will keep using the route as the city pushes forward with its plan.
"There has to be some way for us to share in a safer way," Vertatschitch said.
They need to find another trail to ride their bikes if they don't like this one. Government is already strapped financially as it is without having to pay out more money for litigation and bike trails when there are alot more important and pressing issues that need to be dealt with. Priorities people.Â
Why not create some sort of stop sign before the bridge support column forcing bikes to stop until safe to navigate onto the roadway? I don't know the area but it seems to me that if the bikes stopped and waited till it is clear instead of everyone trying to sqeeze through at the same time it might be a simple, cheaper fix to the problem.
"...still causing a problem...."
Well yeah of course. Almost sounds like it stopped causing a problem and then started up again. It wont stop causing problems until it is fixed.
It seems like a plan is in place to fix this problem. We just have to stop "litigating" and get it done.
just drive/walk/bike that strech of road and its clear what the "problem" is for the businesses - and this isn't a new viewpoint here - the businesses are used to using the areas adjecant to the road (where a sidewalk would be) as part of their property. they drive their trucks across these easements, park them, etc.
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they are accustomed to have these public areas as part of their routine, and don't want to change that.
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Lack of speed enforcement is the main reason for this stretch of the trail being so dangerous as well as the stupidity of some drivers. I am not a bicylist but my observations for this stretch of roadway has been that the riders ride their bikes with care and respect the current conditions of the shilshole expressway.  The story suggested the vehicle that hit Vertatschitch was moving at around 40mpg...and last I recall speeds in ballard for many streets is 30mph...to include shilshole.....not 45 to 50 as many drivers do. for those of us who work in this area, we see it day in and day out where cars will not slow down when approaching a bicyclist but rather they will move into oncoming traffic and force cars in the other lane manuver in order to avoid a head-on collision. I am surprised that pedestrians have not been hit more often as well. The Shilshole expressway is out of control and the Mayor's office is aware of this yet has done nothing about the problem. There is plenty of parking around these business as well. The powers at be just need to be a bit smarter in how they lay out the parking as the trail is built. Forcing long term businesses out of the area isn't the answer.....but safety with the cement trucks coming out of salmon bay must be resolved in order to make the trail work. If they can get the trail set up around Pier 91 with all the truck traffic down there, they certainly can make it work on shilshole if the businesses and city worked together in conjunction with a little bit of speed enforcement and driver education. JMHO
Can they work something out? There solution to this problem.
How long until the litigation is wrapped up?  On what grounds can they even litigate?  Can't the bicycle groups push to install a pair of speed bumps near the danger zone?
There are a number of trails that run through industrial areas, including the Burke-Gilman. Somehow the businesses in other areas manage to co-exist with the trails. How is it that Ballard Oil and Salmon Bay Sand and Gravel have managed to convince anyone that they will be driven out of business if the trail is improved near their properties? They may have to ask their employees to car pool if their free on-street parking gets converted to a safer trail. I've had it with their selfish obstructionist lawsuits. Perhaps it's time to replace the dinosaur companies with some bicycle-friendly, non-waterway-polluting establishments?
Of course it's dangerous, it's a narrow street that was never meant for bikes! These idiots are the same people that play with fire and then complain about getting burnt.
 @Cooter_Brown easy with the name calling