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

Seattle police (3)...

Ania Keenan, KIRO 7 News

Man critically injured in South Jackson Street stabbing over scooter dispute

A man was critically injured early Saturday morning after he was stabbed on South Jackson Street in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District.

14 hours ago

Chase Sapphire Lounge coming to SEA airport under $70M project...

Regan Gallo-Fenz

Chase Sapphire Lounge coming to SEA airport under $70M project

New upgrades at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) are giving Chase Bank cardholders even more reasons to arrive early for their flights.

1 day ago

Spokane County's Wildfire Heroes Recognized on National Stage in NYC....

Regan Gallo-Fenz

Spokane County’s wildfire heroes recognized on national stage in New York City

Firefighters and law enforcement officers from Spokane County were honored in New York City for their response to the Spokane Complex Fires.

2 days ago

Tacoma Narrows Bridge (4)...

Nate Connors

WSDOT completes Tacoma Narrows Bridge repairs one week early

Pierce County commuters were handed some good news when WSDOT announced that it had completed repairs on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.

2 days ago

Stolen SUV suspect pointed gun at officer before jumping into Lake Washington, Seattle police say...

Regan Gallo-Fenz

Stolen SUV suspect reportedly pointed gun at officer before jumping into Lake Washington

A man was arrested after allegedly stealing an SUV, ramming a police vehicle, pointing a gun at an officer, and treading water in Lake Washington.

2 days ago

End of an Era: Former Fox Island Christmas Tree Farm Set for Redevelopment...

Regan Gallo-Fenz

End of an era: Former Fox Island Christmas tree farm set for redevelopment

A former Christmas tree farm in Pierce County will soon become eight custom homes, marking a final goodbye to a beloved family business.

2 days ago

Bike activists block lane of traffic in Downtown Seattle