New bike lanes to Alki Beach would choke already crammed parking, neighbors say
SEATTLE-- A traffic safety project calling for new bike lanes to Alki Beach could mean less street parking in a West Seattle neighborhood.
A group of homeowners is asking the Seattle Department of Transportation to reconsider a plan to eliminate parking to install bike lanes down SW Admiral Way from California Avenue SW to 63rd Avenue SW.
Neighbors fear close to 200 parking spots could disappear.
"There is not going to be parking for residents and it's going to be even harder for people who come to visit the beach to find parking," said homeowner Chris Thayer.
Thayer and other neighbors have formed the group “Keep Alki Safe” to oppose the project. Along Admiral Way, many have put up signs to send a message to SDOT.
"We certainly are in favor of bicycle safety. We don't want anyone to get hurt. Nobody wants anybody to get hurt. We're just trying to preserve our neighborhood," said Thayer.
The goal of the SW Admiral Way Safety Project is to encourage slower speeds, reduce collisions, and provide a bike connection between Alki and California Ave, according to SDOT. City officials are still studying the parking patterns and taking input from the community before finalizing a plan. SDOT is also considering a plan to remove a turn lane to maintain on-street parking.
"It is a tough balance, but I think at the end of the day Seattle needs more bike lanes," said cyclist Brandon Ramirez.
Ramirez understands why people are upset because many of the homeowners rely on street parking. He bikes up Admiral Way on his way to work and feels more comfortable on the road if there is a designated area for bikes.
"There's a few times on this road in particular cause of all the cars parked out in the road that I have to get brushed by oncoming traffic," said Ramirez.
He points to the bike lanes along Alki Beach as a safe alternative, which is why some homeowners feel the Admiral lanes are not necessary.
Other homeowners feel that eliminating parking spaces could force them to park on what they consider to be the dangerous side of the street. For example, some homeowners don’t want to walk across Admiral through traffic to get to their cars.
To make the street safer, some residents say the city needs to add more crosswalks and police need to enforce the speed limit.
SDOT is expected to release the final draft early this fall. A spokesperson added that it is unclear how many parking spaces could be impacted by new bike lanes.