Earlier this week, bicyclists and bicycle advocates from all around the region celebrated the opening of the Second Avenue Protected Bike Lane (also known as a cycle track) in Downtown Seattle. The facility was rolled out by the the Seattle Department of Transportation (SODT) early Monday morning just in time for bicycle commuters to hit Downtown streets. This new facility stretches sixth-tenths of a mile (10 blocks) along Second Avenue from Pike Street to Yesler Way.
The new bike lanes were constructed in mere weeks after proclamation by Mayor Ed Murray. In May, the mayor announced his intention for protected bike lanes through the heart of Downtown in time for the launch of Pronto! Cycle Share. With a month remaining for the launch, the bike lanes were rolled out with time to spare and ample opportunity to learn how they are functioning and make tweaks.
The project also includes a block of additional protected bike lanes at each end of the Second Avenue Protected Bike Lanes. One block is located along Pike Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue while the other is located along Yesler Way between Occidental Avenue and Second Avenue. The two extensions link Pike Place Market and Pioneer Square into a new high quality bike network.
The cycle tracks along Second Avenue replaced skinny, door-zone bike lanes. Since their inception, they have generally been considered extremely hazardous to cyclists, often through tragic left-hooks by motorized vehicles. And, as many will know, Sher Kung was killed by exactly this type of hazard just two weeks ago. The bike lane, dubbed worst in the city by cyclists, still lives on in its old form north of Pike Street and south of Yesler Way. Although, these areas are somewhat less dangerous and see considerably less bike traffic.
Aside from being protected from traffic and located out of the door-zone, the protected bike lanes practically eliminate the hazard of left-hooks throughout the corridor. Bikes now have their own signal phase at cross streets which allows them to go straight. Left-turning cars from Second Avenue are given a red signal during the bike-through phase. When the bike signal (and pedestrian signal) switch to red, left-turning cars are given their own green arrow (viewable in the video below).
