8th Ave Mobility Improvements

May 23, 2023

We have completed improvements on the existing protected bike lane on 8th Ave between Pike St and Lenora St. The bike lane is now separated from other traffic by a more durable concrete structure. The final project has:

• Increased safety and reliability by separating all modes of travel.
• Raised the bike lane at some driveways to reduce conflict.
• Raised the bike lane at some pedestrian loading areas to increase accessibility.
• Created a longer lasting, more durable barrier for increased safety.

Background

In August 2019, SDOT crews installed new northbound bike connections on 8th Ave between Pike St and Bell St, and Pine St between 8th Ave and 6th Ave.

These improvements are a component of the Center City Bike Network, which is a longstanding city priority to make center city streets safer and more predictable for everyone, encourage biking as a real transportation choice in our densest jobs center, and to maintain transit priority. 

Project Map

Center City Bike Network Program Overview

Click for pdf of map

The Center City Bike Network launched in 2015 and developed a network map of better bike streets that separate vulnerable users from moving vehicles, provide safe all-ages and abilities facilities, and maintain transit priority downtown. This network was the product of community engagement, which continued through the One Center City program to make sure any improvements to the bike network were well coordinated and complimentary to the greater transportation network for people walking, driving, taking transit, and delivering goods.

We've made a commitment to build this network of separated bike facilities to make biking a reliable travel choice and calm traffic as more people compete for limited street space. A complete bike network improves Seattle's health and quality of life for people of all ages and abilities.

Protected Bike Lanes

Protected bike lane projects typically include new bike lane markings, plastic posts, signs, and bike signals.

Since protected bike lanes were installed on 2nd Ave, crashes are down and bike ridership is up. In general, protected bike lanes separate people biking from moving cars, buses, and trucks, making the street safer, more predictable, and comfortable for everyone. Cities around the world are increasingly embracing protected bike lanes that separate people on bikes from people in cars by using physical barriers such as posts, parked cars or simple landscaping. Seattle's center city network of bike lanes aims to:

• Improve safety and predictability by separating all modes of travel
• Expand connectivity throughout downtown and the rest of Seattle as our city continues to grow
• Boost business by offering more travel options for getting to them
• Promote physical activity and increase ridership
• Provide affordable travel options
• Maintain transit priority 

Parking

Some parking changes accompanied the street redesign and new lanes. Our goal was to work with all adjacent building and business owners to understand parking needs and maintain on-street loading zones are on most blocks. Access to alleys, off-street parking garages, and loading bays was maintained.

Funding

This permanent phase of this project is being funded from the Convention Center mitigation fund.