The Dearborn bike lanes are a vital regional and local connection. They link the I90 trail and Chinatown/International District. They connect Judkins Park, the Rainier Valley, and Downtown Seattle. Pieces of this connection are protected by concrete barriers, making the bike lanes safe and comfortable for all users. But the bike lanes have significant gaps, exposing riders to the danger of passing cars and freeway ramps.

Protection is needed for the full stretch of Dearborn. Recently, during construction work on the I5 bridges, WSDOT installed temporary water barriers to protect workers (see 1st photo above). These temporary barriers were removed after construction was completed. OSHA required protection for workers; why aren’t people using these bike lanes each day afforded the same protection?

We ask that Seattle install better bike lane barriers for the full stretch of buffered bike lanes on Dearborn from Rainier Ave S to 6th ave S and to rechannelize Dearborn from 6th to 5th to allow for installation of better bike lane barriers. We ask that the ends of the lanes be more clearly defined to prevent people from blocking or parking in them (photos 2 and 3).