‘Keep them cars away:’ Gee, Ursula excited Pike Place Market is continuing its car-free pilot program
Jul 26, 2025, 6:01 AM
Seattle’s Pike Place Market will maintain its car-free program through the rest of 2025, lasting until next spring.
The Pike Place Market Preservation and Public Development Authority cited positive feedback, increased foot traffic, and a need for more research as reasons to continue its car-free pilot program.
“You don’t have to dodge delivery vans anymore while you’re picking out your peaches or your flowers,” KIRO host Ursula Reutin said. “And people seem to love this.”
Foot traffic is up more than 7% compared to last year, while multiple vendors stated they have seen improvements both for their business and for overall convenience. Vendors were initially worried that fewer people would shop at the market if they couldn’t drive there, but that hasn’t been the case so far.
“Market leaders are not ready to say this is a forever thing,” Ursula said. “They’re extending this pilot program through next spring to see how it works during the slower winter months, and then they’re hoping to have a full street plan ready before Seattle hosts the FIFA World Cup next June. What do you think?”
“Keep it. Keep it like it is. Keep them cars away,” KIRO host Gee Scott answered. “I had a great, great experience going down to Pike Place. It was beautiful. No cars, just people, just moving. All about this is fantastic. Keep it. I know this pilot is going to continue.”
When the car-free pilot program launched, the vehicle restriction was in effect from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. But, according to KUOW, the market decided to move the start time back to 10 a.m. The end of the vehicle restriction was also changed from 6 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Listen to the full conversation here.
Listen to Gee and Ursula on “The Gee and Ursula Show” weekday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm on KIRO Newsradio.
Follow Frank Sumrall on X. Send news tips here.
