Put new streetcar tracks in center lane, cycling advocates say

When Seattle builds more streetcar lines, the trains should run in the middle of the roadway instead of in the curb lane, where the rails can injure bicyclists, says City Councilwoman Jan Drago.

She made that point Tuesday as the council's transportation committee released its "concept" map of possible routes to Eastlake, Interbay, South Jackson Street, Capitol Hill, Seattle Center and West Seattle. Center-running trains would be a big change for the city, which placed the new South Lake Union Streetcar's tracks in the outside lanes of Westlake Avenue.

In December, Mayor Greg Nickels complained in casual conversation that the bike issue was overblown. Transportation Director Grace Crunican has said curbside stops encourage redevelopment and allow safe boarding from sidewalk stations. But on Tuesday, Bob Powers, a Seattle Department of Transportation projects manager, said: "We've heard some concerns from the bike community — we're trying to address those."

Bicycle tires are easily caught in the slotted tracks. At least a dozen crashes on the streetcar route have required medical treatment, said David Hiller, advocacy director for the Cascade Bicycle Club. Cyclists have reported injuries ranging from cuts to broken bones and teeth. Fifty-five cyclists rode in a protest Dec. 12, the streetcar's opening day.

Drago said she toured Portland's thriving streetcar system, where a new line to the south waterfront runs toward the middle.

"When possible, it's much preferable to do a streetcar with a median, and lanes going both ways," she said.

Drago also believes a two-way center station would save money, and remove fewer parking spaces, compared to building pairs of stops on both sides of the street, said aide Jodie Vice.

Councilman Nick Licata has called for future trains to have their own median so trains won't get stuck in traffic.

The SDOT study of ridership, costs and financing is to be finished by May 1, at a cost of up to $375,000. The review will include a loop around Queen Anne Hill suggested by Jessica Vets, executive director of the Interbay Neighborhood Association.

Mike Lindblom: 206-515-5631 or mlindblom@seattletimes.com