Safe Bike Route?

[TOMAS LYNCH]

This was written by me, sent to the city council, Mayor Verner, the Street Department heads, risk management and Chief of Police Kirkpatrick, SPD.
 
Dear Honourable Councilmember,
 
I am deeply troubled by this new Bike Route that has recently opened on Westbound 4th Ave @ Lincoln St. Was the Spokane County Traffic Safety Commission, The Bicycle Advisory Board, Bike/Ped. Liaison Grant Wencel or any bicyclist consulted in this decision?
 
I am not really sure what this sign implies, but it appears as thought this bike route directs bicyclists into oncoming traffic in direct violation of Washington State Law (Covered here in RCW 46.61.775 )
 

RCW 46.61.755 Traffic laws apply to persons riding bicycles.

(1) Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this chapter, except as to special regulations in RCW 46.61.750 through 46.61.780 and except as to those provisions of this chapter which by their nature can have no application.


What makes this more dangerous is that there is no indication what a bicyclist shall do beyond this "Bike Route" sign. Riding into traffic is forbidden, so the next place to go is the sidewalk. This is forbidden by  Spokane Municipal Code 16a.61.787.
 
Section 16A.61.787 Sidewalk Riding and Parking Regulated

1. No person may ride a bicycle or non-motorized vehicle upon any sidewalk or other pedestrian way within the retail zone of the congested district of the City as defined by SMC 16A.04.010 and SMC 16A.04.020 , provided that nothing contained herein shall be construed to prohibit the riding of a bicycle or non-motorized vehicle upon any sidewalk or other pedestrian way within any area other than the retail zone of the congested district of the City.
   

Granted, 4th Avenue is, by definition, one block South of the "congested district" The implication here

RCW 46.61.750 Effect of regulations — Penalty.

 is that sidewalk riding is acceptable. It is certainly an unsafe option to ride on the sidewalk where cars tend not to look when initiating driving manuvers.
 
I have worked hard for many years to improve cycling conditions in our great city, encouraging others to ride, advocating for bike routes and lanes. This is one of the most dangerous "amenities" that I have seen the city implement. If a cyclist is injured or killed the city will be held partially liable due to the signage directing them into harms way.
 
Please remove this sign. It is not only dangerous but in violation of state law.
 
Thank you for your consideration.





Tomás Kelley Lynch
Bike...@msn.com
509.624.7899
509.279.8492 cell


"Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race."
   - H. G. Wells