Downtown business representatives provide comment on Seattle's bicycling future

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Downtown business representatives discuss the Seattle Bicycle Master Plan Update draft 

Monday evening, Downtown Seattle employers and retailers gathered to learn about improvements proposed in the Seattle Bicycle Master Plan Update for a Downtown bicycle network.

The event, titled Plan for Success: Making the Seattle Bicycle Master Plan Work for Your Business, was hosted by Cascade, Commute Seattle and the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT). Representatives from the Downtown YMCA, Seattle Goodwill, PATH, Nordstrom, GGLO, Russell Investments, Amazon, JP Morgan Chase, Metzler Real Estate, Sportworks NW, Megabess, Holland Partner Group, Symphony Teleca and others had the chance to provide comment on the draft plan at the event before it goes before City Council this September.

According to a survey conducted by SDOT, survey-takers considered nearly every street through the downtown core to be among the worst places to ride. The network in the current draft of the Seattle Bicycle Master Plan Update aims to change that with safe and accessible bicycle infrastructure attractive to people of all ages and abilities. The draft plan calls proposes protected bike lanes on Second and Fourth Avenues, parts of Fifth and Seventh Avenues as well as Spring/Seneca, Union/Pike and Stewart Streets.

Engaging businesses in this conversation about a safer, connected bicycle network for all is imperative. The Downtown business community can benefit from the installation of protected bikeways that--as cities like Portland, New York and Chicago are finding--attract customers, talented employees and increased property values. While Seattle businesses are nationwide leaders in tech, biotech and engineering, our city also used to be a national leader in bicycling. The Seattle Bicycle Master Plan Update is a chance to regain America's lead and make Seattle's streets safe for everyone.

Missed the event? You can still provide comment on the draft Seattle Bicycle Master Plan Update to SDOT by filling out a comment form found here. Submit your comments by this Friday, July 26!