Because painting the place where they can't afford to do a curb cut is helpful. *sigh*


Couldn't we just pirate this on our own? How hard it is to cut some concrete?

I kid, i kid.

I kid, I kid.

Did I miss something?

Granted I don't ride in Ballard much any more but I recall there being a cut out they put in a few months ago. I don't recall much signage or painting to go with it though. Did they re-fill in that cut out?

Just a couple of additional facts to help explain the decision.

SDOT had proposed changes at the south end of the Ballard Bridge with the goal of enhancing bicycle safety. These included moving the curb opening south, installing a green bike lane from the new cut across W Emerson Street, shifting signs to better alert drivers about the crossing, and adding raised markers and pavement markings to discourage high speed turns by motorists. This would have cost $20,000. We asked the public and a group of bike and freight stakeholders to examine the concept.

Based on what we heard from stakeholders and the public, the department decided to leave the cut in its current location and only make small improvements. This decision was endorsed by the Seattle Bike Advisory Board and the Cascade Bicycle Club.

Our traffic records show there have been zero fatalities and zero bike collisions at this curb cut over the past ten years. Bicyclists pause and wait for a break in traffic to enter the roadway and bike stakeholders believe this is an important element for preventing car/bike collisions.

At the request of a local business owner, SDOT also looked at three options for a grade-separated bike crossing solely at W Emerson. The three options, based only on a planning level estimate, ranged in cost from $900,000 to $3.1 million. Given the current finances of the city, these proposed ideas are unfortunately cost prohibitive. More info about SDOT’s original proposal and the final decision can be found here.

that picture is from 28 july. apparently they didn't end up moving the curb cut.

here's some of the inside scoop from a blog comment by "rick from sdot":


great job, cascade. just fantastic advocacy work there.

So you think they should have endorsed the curb cut further south and green paint? Why?

it seems like the configuration at the south end of the fremont bridge has been effective - i cross it daily and i've found that the huge yield-to-bikes signs and green lane combined with my glower are enough to get folks slowing down.

Did I miss something?

Granted I don't ride in Ballard much any more but I recall there being a cut out they put in a few months ago. I don't recall much signage or painting to go with it though. Did they re-fill in that cut out?