MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Bike activists block lane of traffic in Downtown Seattle

May 18, 2018, 8:24 AM | Updated: 9:55 am

A group of cyclists temporarily shut down a lane of traffic in Downtown Seattle on Fourth Avenue between James and Cherry streets as they pushed for a network of protected bike lanes.

RELATED: Putting unthinkable cost of bike lanes into perspective

KIRO 7’s John Knicely reports the protest was not sanctioned by the city.

The protesters moved off the street before 8:30 a.m. It’s unclear how long they blocked traffic.

Cyclists held the protest on Bike Everywhere Day (or Bike to Work Day).

Expanding the city’s protected bike lane network is one of several projects hindered by a funding shortfall. An assessment of the $930 million “Levy to Move Seattle” found that cost estimates included in the original budget were insufficient to meet the commitment. The city originally planned to build about 50 miles of protected bike lanes.

Shortly thereafter, there were reports that bike lanes were costing the city millions per mile, instead of hundreds of thousands. The Second Avenue bike lane through Belltown, for example, cost the city $12 million.

MyNorthwest News

car fire...

MyNorthwest Staff

All northbound I-5 lanes blocked due to car fire

All lanes on I-5 north are blocked due to a car fire.

57 seconds ago

baby doll...

Katrina Guischard

A 3-year-old boy and his baby doll are showing millions what it means to raise empathetic kids

A toddler is teaching the internet a lesson about empathy with a baby doll.

55 minutes ago

Kennewick locust grove fire...

KIRO 7 News Staff

More than 750 acres burned; residents evacuated for Locust Grove Fire near Kennewick

State fire assistance was mobilized overnight to support local firefighters working to contain the Locust Grove Fire in Benton County, near Kennewick.

3 hours ago

Mariners rick rizzs seafair...

Manda Factor

Rick Rizzs talks Seafair grand marshal honor, Mariners accountability and the fan hit by Julio’s homer

Rick Rizzs has spent 41 years calling Seattle Mariners games. On Saturday, he will trade in the mic and be the grand marshal of the Seafair Torchlight Parade.

4 hours ago

Seattle Hell's Kitchen Alicia Keys...

Manda Factor

‘Hell’s Kitchen’ national tour hits Seattle: Stars speak on what makes Alicia Keys’ musical so emotional

"Hell's Kitchen," a musical from Alicia Keys, is lighting up Seattle's Paramount Theatre this week with a story about family, and the power of music.

5 hours ago

Kitsap boat hit-and-run...

Jason Sutich

Fishing trip cut short by hit-and-run boat crash in Kitsap County

A boat departing a Kitsap County marina, embarking on a fishing trip, suffered a hit-and-run crash Thursday after another vessel drove into the boat and fled.

6 hours ago

Bike activists block lane of traffic in Downtown Seattle