met with the city of Tukwila for biking issues

Today I went to a meeting with 2 other commuters from my company. The city of Tukwila had invited us because they want to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety on their streets. We talked for 2 1/2 hours about this scary road and that scary road
and when we were finally done, they said that the roads won't change but they could put up a couple signs. I am really editorializing here; but it was a big disappointment because Tukwila is one of the richest cities (in terms of tax revenue per capita) in the county.

At least i felt validated because they were so impressed with what we had to put up with on our daily commute.

It is too bad that the city does not step up to the plate and at least start implementing some 'biker' friendly initiatives. Thank you for making the effort at starting a dialogue...

signs?

signs?

We want six foot wide bike lanes with a jersey wall separating us from traffic!
WE DEMAND SATISTFACTION!

Which roads were under discussion in particular? I do a fair amount of riding around there--perhaps I could direct my two nickels worth of commentary in the right direction...

East Hill

all Tukwila roads are up for conversation. they have a map of accidents (mostly between drunk pedestrians and cars)
but this particular discussion revolved around East Marginal way and feeders.

Ooooh, East Marginal :( .

A nasty place. It would be nice if they would simply sweep the shoulders every once in a while. Horrible to pick through constant piles of glass.

East Hill

Good for you for trying at least. Maybe a local bicycle advocacy group could help? It might also help to document the bad conditions (photos, etc.) and ask others beyond your co-workers to complain? Signs are a cop-out unless there are improvements to go with them. :mad:

I sort of like being a squeaky wheel though. :D

I recently had a meeting with some folks here about a cool new system they developed to give you directions by bike throughout the city (Boulder, CO) like so many sites do for cars. I sent some comments and was surprised that they wanted my feedback and even more surprised that they were so enthusiastic about fixing the things I wanted changed. I pointed out some routes that go way out of the way, and the guy I met with wrote me yesterday and said he'd been riding around and investigating how to best add in a key road that wasn't included. Then, I mentioned that I commuted to a neighboring city and would like to see them add their data. Lo and behold, I got invited to a meeting with people from both cities trying to do just that. Very cool! I feel really lucky, especially now that I've read that your city officials were so much less than helpful.

Anyhow, I hope that they eventually clean things up, it sounds like a dangerous place to ride!

Anne

I am so thankful to be living in a bike friendly city! We have an online bike mapping program (bycycle.org) and a very vocal bike lobby. When the mayor threatened to reduce funding for bicycles earlier this year, there were protests and a lot of press. He changed his mind a few days later.

I would hate to take the time to give my opinion just to be told that the roads won't change. Hopefully your ideas will percolate for them a bit and they will act on some of your suggestions. Have any of them every ridden a bicycle in your town? Perhaps you could organize a group ride!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tjf9

I am so thankful to be living in a bike friendly city!
... Have any of them every ridden a bicycle in your town? Perhaps you could organize a group ride!

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Tukwila's an odd town. It's very heavily industrial, not really that many people there. But, it is a major disruptive spot for commuters, which is why it would be nice to have a positive response. But, the commuters don't live there :( .

I'm not certain if it would be possible to get up a group ride--what do the rest of us locals think?

East Hill

Are there commuters who *work* there? If there is a supportive employer in town, they could help.

True, but politicians have a bad tendency to ignore those who can't vote.

Just because I might commute through Seattle doesn't mean I get to vote for the mayor. In fact, just because I live in 'Kent' doesn't mean I get to vote for the mayor of Kent :p . I'm in an unincorporated part of King County, so although my mailing address is Kent, I'm neither fish nor fowl for voting for mayors of any city :D .

East Hill

I can't think of Tukwila without remembering "Going To Tukwila."

From a newspaper article 15 or 20 years ago, this one couple used GTT as a euphamism for doing the bedstead boogie.

Ah, fond memories...

East Hill

East Hill - was it you? It wasn't YOU was it?:eek:

No, but I do still think it's funny. I don't think I'd even met Mr. East Hill at that point.

I wonder if the two that started that are still married? I'll have to do some research :p .

East Hill