met with the city of Tukwila for biking issues

[mimitabby]

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.

[sbctwin]

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...

[Zen]

signs?

signs?

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

[East Hill]

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

[mimitabby]

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.

[East Hill]

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

[onimity]

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.

I sort of like being a squeaky wheel though.

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

[tjf9]

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!

[East Hill]

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!

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

[Torrilin]

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

[East Hill]

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 . 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 .

East Hill