Originally published May 18, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified May 18, 2007 at 9:46 PM
Thousands of cyclists ride on Seattle's Bike to Work Day
Thousands of commuters pedaled through Seattle this morning in a vote of support for making city streets safer for bicyclists. Volunteers from the Cascade...
Seattle Times staff reporter
Thousands of commuters pedaled through Seattle this morning in a vote of support for making city streets safer for bicyclists.
Volunteers from the Cascade Bicycle Club counted nearly 500 passing bicyclists by 8 a.m. at the intersection of Mercer Street and Dexter Avenue North, one of only two northern arterial streets with bike lanes.
On the Burke-Gilman Trail, more than 650 bicyclists had passed Ballard's Fred Meyer grocery store by 9 a.m., twice last year's count.
For Starbucks Bike to Work Day, volunteers provided riders with energy bars, bicycle maps and on-site emergency repair at various commuting stations.
City officials estimate that about 6,000 people commute by bicycle on a typical weekday. About 1 to 2 percent of Seattle adults commute by bike, but surveys suggest 8 percent would do so if they felt safer. Last month Mayor Greg Nickels issued a new bicycle master plan that will guide the spending of $27 million earmarked for trails, bike lanes and safety projects citywide.
This morning the bicyclists making their way down Dexter Avenue North toward Denny Way encountered a torn-up roadway, a construction excavator and a narrowing of traffic lanes that forced some to ride on the sidewalk.
"Given the street conditions, it's amazingly busy today," said Bill Lemke, a Cascade Bicycle volunteer at Dexter Avenue North and Mercer Street.
Harry Romberg, 57, wasn't deterred by the construction work. The chemist has been cycling 16 miles from his Lake City home to his Georgetown office for five years. Romberg said he gets satisfaction from reducing his impact on global warming and saving money he'd otherwise spend on gasoline.
"It's actually invigorating after a long day at work to ride home and get the blood flowing again," Romberg said.
Record gas prices and an epidemic of obesity may be increasing demand for bike lanes, but many commuters are fearful of getting hit by a car.
He's encouraging people to drive their car to a park-n-ride lot and then bike the rest of the way into the city.
"Take off that iPod and make sure you're aware of what's going on around you at all times with your eyes and your ears," he said.
Sanjay Bhatt: 206-464-3103 or sbhatt@seattletimes.com
Staff reporter Mike Lindblom contributed to this story.
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
Property taxes: Appeals shoot up in King, Snohomish Counties
Hard times for tourist towns means good deals for travelers
Landmark Smith Tower mostly vacant
Tukwila residents rally against light-rail noise
Seattle safety project: A snake shelter on Beacon Hill

2009 fireworks time lapse
With strict parking rules enforced at this year's July 4th celebration on Wallingford Ave North, less cars and more spectators filled the streets.
Entertainment | Top Video | World | Offbeat Video | Sci-Tech
shopping

events for Sunday, Jul. 5th
- Nordstrom Men's Half-Yearly Sale
- IKEA Summer Sale
- Karan Dannenberg Clothier Progressive...
- Kuhlman Summer Sale
editors' picks
More shopping guides- Plasma and LCD beware; OLED screens ready to go mainstream
- Former NFL MVP McNair killed
- Landmark Smith Tower mostly vacant
- Russell Branyan, Mariners fight off the Red Sox
- Property taxes: Appeals shoot up in King, Snohomish Counties
- Palin takes to Web for hints of political future
- Fourth of July festivals and fireworks in Seattle, the suburbs and beyond
- Palin links resignation to 'higher calling' and blasts media in Facebook posting
- The Blotter | Man pistol-whipped after argument at nightclub
- Hard times for tourist towns means good deals for travelers
- Palin resigning as Alaska governor
784 - Seattle Mariners at Boston Red Sox: 07/05 game thread
247 - Palin links resignation to 'higher calling' and blasts media in Facebook posting
162 - Hatred for the NBA runs deep, but don't take it out on the players
125 - Tukwila residents rally against light-rail noise
114 - Former NFL MVP McNair killed
112 - Property taxes: Appeals shoot up is King, Snohomish Counties
103 - Tent City on campus: UW stalls decision
92 - Anti-tax rally in Olympia attracts about 1,500
61 - Seeking your questions
48
- Plasma and LCD beware; OLED screens ready to go mainstream
- Property taxes: Appeals shoot up in King, Snohomish Counties
- Merchant Marine veterans fight for recognition
- Hard times for tourist towns means good deals for travelers
- Landmark Smith Tower mostly vacant
- Close-up | Prison guards intercept carrier pigeon with a cellphone
- Amtrak cleared for 2nd daily train to Vancouver, B.C.
- Pre-grill drill: marinate steaks
- Concert Review | Green Day blasts off 4th weekend with KeyArena show
- Tent City on campus: UW stalls decision




