Seattle needs a connected network of safe & convenient streets to bike on — protected from traffic and comfortable enough for most riders, of all ages, languages, ethnicities, genders, races and abilities (#ALEGRA), to feel safe on — not just disconnected pieces here and there.
Seattle has a lot of great bike routes, but too often, lanes and trails end and leave people stranded in scary intersections with no clear route forward. A journey by bike is as scary as it’s most dangerous section, and too many people find biking to where they want to go daunting or uncomfortable.
Connecting our network will make an oversized impact on the number of people biking to get around, and increase the usability of the routes we already have. In 2019, when the 2nd Ave protected bike lanes were extended and connected to other routes, bike ridership on 2nd Ave jumped 30%. Citywide, 60% of Seattleites say they want to bike more; and the lack of safe streets is the #1 reason they don’t.
We need to UnGaptheMap and connect our network so that people can get from neighborhood to neighborhood safely and conveniently.
We’ve made incredible progress already with connections into and through downtown with the Basic Bike Network — a figure-eight of bike routes comfortable for people of all ages and abilities. After years of advances, promises, delays, and wins, in 2019 we gathered for a celebratory ride of three critical connections. Let’s keep the momentum going!
In 2020 and 2021, we saw a 21%-35% increase in the number of people riding bikes. After bike routes across the city have been delayed for years because of politics, we have an opportunity to make real, lasting change to the way that people choose to get around Seattle. We simply can’t wait any longer to make our city safer, more accessible, and more sustainable.
Where we are: Seattle has made incredible progress on building a bike network. This map shows routes that are safe for people of all ages and abilities, including trails, protected bike lanes, and neighborhood greenways. But many routes are disconnected and gaps remain. Click for interactive map.
Where we’re going: Purple lines show routes SDOT has committed to in its most recent implementation plan to be built by 2024. Orange lines show a crowd-sourced map of both small gaps in the connected network and missing neighborhood connections. Click for interactive map.
What’s Being Done
We envision a city where comfortable, convenient bike routes connect every neighborhood in Seattle. This vision is possible. Our grassroots network of hyper-local volunteer groups are currently advocating for neighborhood routes and connections across the city that will help us bike safely along Beacon Hill, access the new north end Link light rail stations, or get through SODO. And we need you!
How Can I Help?
- Adopt a Gap Join your neighborhood group to connect with other advocates working to make these safe routes a reality!
- Share your story! Do you ride a bike to get around, or do you want to? Is there a specific route that would make a big difference in your life if it felt safer, were easier to navigate, or had other improvements? We want to hear about it!
- Email your elected leaders (bruce.harrell@seattle.gov, council@seattle.gov), and elect leadership that will prioritize walking, rolling, biking, and transit.
- Join our wayfinding project to help people navigate through small gaps to the closest safe bike route to get them to their destination safely – email Clara@SeattleGreenways.org
And a big thank you to People For Bikes and Spin for supporting our #UnGapTheMap campaign.