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burke-gilman trail
University District Warning Lights
Someone recently had the brilliant idea to install solar-powered Flashing LED warning signs along the Burke-Gilman at three major traffic intersections in the U District. At Stevens Way, 15th NE, and Brooklyn Ave there are now highly visible flashing stop signs, preceeded by equally highly visible flashing signs warning of the impending stops.
The only problem is, no additional warning signs have been installed to alert automotive traffic to the presence of bike traffic crossing the road. In my experience, the most significant threat to life and bodily health at each of these intersections derives from automotive traffic travelling at excessive speed and/or drivers being unaware of the trail crossings. This is particularly true of traffic coming downhill on Stevens Way from the UW and cars turning right onto 15th NW and Brooklyn Way in order to proceed north.
How about moving the warning signs on the Burke over to the roadway where the cars can see them, and lablelling them "Caution, Bike Xing" or something along those lines? One set of flashing lights should be adequate for the bikers, as the flashing Stop signs are easily visible for 100 yards or so (more when it's dark).
Just a thought.
The State of the Trail
The Burke-Gilman is no youngster, and this summer is witnessing a number of construction projects that will either improve or impact the lives of trail users significantly. Here's a rundown on what's happening, starting from Shilshole Bay:
The new section of trail from the defunct Azteca restaurant is nice, and gets you off the narrow and broken concrete through the twisting section of the Locks. Once past the Lockspot Tavern, though, you still must ride for several blocks on Market Street until the intersection with 24th NW. The section of unimproved road around Salmon Bay is as it ever was, the railroad tracks still a hazard, and the truck traffic still a pain.
Once you hit the Ballard Fred Meyer, though, you're pretty much in the clear until Fremont. All BGT traffic is currently being diverted onto 34th from Sound Mind and Body until Speedy Reedy near the Fremont Dump. Crossing at the Fremont Bridge is actually a little easier and safer for the time being, as half of the bridge is torn apart and awaiting re-construction - this work is scheduled to continue for at least another year, so don't hold your breath waiting for the nice detour around the Adobe building.
It's business as usual on the Burke all the way through the U District and Sand Point. Watch for cops with radar guns on nice days in Lake Forest Park, too many public servants with too little crime to fight. There is a major re-paving project going on between Red Hook and 60 Acres Park at the moment, two layers of nice asphalt and improvements along the side of the trail as well.
I'll include some notes about the new section of the Lake Sammamish Parkway Trail, since it more or less connects to the BGT once you get through Marymoor Park. Rumors of blacktop going down over the gravel are unfounded as of July 25th, 2006 . . . the trail is pretty much deserted, and easily rideable on a road bike with light wheels, but your hands and wrists may be a little tired by the time you hit Krispy Kreme in Issaquah . . .
The Eagles Have Flown . . .
More Wildlife at the Marymoor Velodrome, 8/2004
As many of you already know, a family of bald eagles has made its home in the light pole at the northern end of the Marymoor Velodrome track (Group Health Velodrome, for those of you keeping tabs) for the past two years. It's pretty entertaining to track the birds' progress from the spring through the summer months, as the chicks are born and begin peeking over the edge of the nest.
Last Wednesday, August 8th, I witnessed a true-life comedy as the parent eagles attempted to teach the chicks, now with a full scruffy coat of plumage and at least the size of the adults, to fly. One parent flew to an adjacent pole and commenced a shrill and consistent "scree"ing, while the other flapped its wings in an attempt to demonstrate the proper technique to avoid plunging to one's death while airborne. The chicks perched on the edge of the nest, apparently scared out of their wits (it's 80 feet straight down, Mom!), emitting lame "eeep" noises, and never did make the plunge.
Yesterday (Tuesday, August 10th) though, I pulled up to the stands and noticed that the nest was empty - the two adult birds were flying from the nest to the nearby trees and back, and while I couldn't see the chicks, I heard eagle noises from the direction of the trees, a sure sign that they made it down from the nest somehow, some way. Damn, I sure wish I could have seen that maiden voyage . . .
"X" Marks the Spot
On the Scene at the Star-Crossed Cyclo-Cross - 9/27/03
OK, it was actually half a mile past the end of the bike trail at the Marymoor Velodrome, but Jonny Sundt and Terry Buchanan threw the best "biker" party of the year on the night of September 27th when the K2/Widmer Star-Crossed 'Cross went down. A massive crowd, pretty much evenly divided between racers, families, and bike messenger types packed the infield and stands of the velodrome, and egged on their favorites (almost everyone seemed to know someone in each race). Perhaps a dozen bike and bike-related companies had booths to show their wares and hand out swag, and a great field of top-ranked US cyclocrossers, in search of precious UCI points, made the trip to Seattle for the event.
For those of you unfamiliar with cyclocross, it's a combination of road biking, mountain biking and running held on a mixed course of dirt, turf and pavement, with foot-high barriers thrown in for good measure. Contestants use modified road bikes with cantilever brakes and narrow knobby tires, and bike handling skills and the ability to transition between riding and running (and back) are at a premium.
In the women's Elite class, National Champion Ann Grande rode away from a strong Josie Beggs (even switching bikes a couple of times in the process), with Rhonda Mazza closing in fast to finish third. The men's Elite race featured such talent as Todd Wells, Mark Gullickson, Dale Knapp, Adam Craig, and Seattle's own Jonny Sundt. The pace was harsh from the start, with Gully and Craig pulling ahead of Sundt and Wells about 2/3 of the way through the race. Gullickson took advantage of a late fall on the part of Craig to surge ahead for the win, with Sundt taking the sprint for third by a bike length.
If you only see one bike race next year, and you can't to make it to Alpe d'Huez in July, this is probably the one to see - you can see almost all of the race, from start to finish, from a seat in the bleachers, the refreshments and infectious enthusiasm are hard to beat, and admission is only $3. You can even ride your bike to the event (but bring your lights)!
Watch that Speedo!!!
Police in Lake Forest Park to Enforce BGT Speed and Safety Regulations - 6/6/03
Police in Lake Forest Park have begun to strictly enforce the speed limit on the Burke Gilman trail through the Lake Forest Park and Sheridan Beach neighborhoods, paying special attention to the 15 mph speed limit, helmet use, and stopping at controlled intersections. Rumor has it that bicycle and car mounted officers are actively checking cyclists' speed with radar guns in the vicinity of the Lake Forest Park Towne Centre (across from Starbucks and the Great Harvest Bakery). The fine for infractions is $67. For more information on the King County Municipal Code, please go to this PDF link: http://www.metrokc.gov/mkcc/Code/10-Title%207.pdf (the section on trail use begins on page 15). Further questions can be directed to Dennis Peterson of the LFP Police Department, 206.364.8216.
Attenzione!!!
Danger Spots on the BGT
We're out there every day, and I bet you are too. Here are my top 10 danger spots on the Burke Gilman Trail, places where I or others I know have nearly been taken out numerous times . . .this in no particular order of magnitude, but starting from the Ballard Fred Meyer and going toward Marymoor State Park -
1. The 3-way intersection at Hale's Brewpub/Fred Meyer - confused motorists are trying to keep their rigs on the road coming out of Freddie's, there's a brutal set of railroad tracks (been down there and have the broken little finger to prove it), and no one seems to realize that the bike trail goes up on the sidewalk here.
2. The intersection of the BGT with "Adobe Canyon" - the new road that bisects the Adobe complex in Fremont is uncontrolled for car traffic going east, and it's common for hotshot young software dudes in M3's, S4's and IS 300's to blow through here at 25 to 30 mph. Take a good look toward Adobe and theother direction toward the rowing club before venturing across. This should be a 3-way stop.
3. The corner at the Urban Surf store, kitty corner from Gasworks Park. Extremely bumpy asphalt and wild merging from above, especially on sunny or concert days.
4. BGT at Brooklyn Ave - beware of people turning north onto Brooklyn from Pacific Ave, they usually won't stop for you even when you have the right of way.
5. BGT at 15th Avenue NE - Same as above, only more so. Be especially alert when traveling westbound (look over your left shoulder for people turning onto 15th from Pacific, often at high speeds) with a walk signal, as the right turn signal for cars can also be green. I've seen a couple of nasty accidents here. The right turn light for cars coming off Pacific and the walk sign should not be green at the same time.
6. The Hec Ed Bridge - pedestrians and other bikes often merge without looking here; when you're going north you are moving pretty rapidly here and it's hard to stop. Don't forget to look UP the hill toward the UW, too.
7. BGT at Montlake - Sure, you have a crosswalk, but many of the drivers don't seem to care.
8. BGT at NE 112th (where it T's into Avalon) - blind driveway access from 2 directions, team member Luhn was hit here last year to the extreme detriment of his femur.
9. Under the bridge just past Bothell Landing (where the chickens live) - it's a blind corner with walkers and bikes often in the wrong lane coming the other direction. I yell as I approach this one, but I wish King County would install one of those convex driveway mirrors on the outside of the corner.
10. Redmond Towne Centre bridge - Another long, blind corner with walkers and bikers consistently in the wrong lane. Another obvious candidate for a convex driveway mirror.
These aren't the only ones, of course, but in my view they offer the highest carnage potential. If you feel strongly about any of this stuff, you may want to e-mail the County and make a suggestion or two at http://www.metrokc.gov/comments/comment.cfm - typically, you will get a response saying that whoever received the message is not responsible for that facet of trail maintenance, but more squeaky wheels can't hurt. South of NE 145th St. the BGT is maintained by the City of Seattle Parks & Recreation/Transportation, contact http://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/contact/
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