Bike corridor to provide safer route for Olympia riders

Olympia is testing a new bike corridor that gives riders their own safe path through the city.

The 2-mile route runs east to west between Lions Park on Wilson Street Southeast and Sylvester Park in downtown Olympia. Much of the well-marked route runs along Fifth and Seventh avenues, including a new crosswalk at the latter’s intersection with Plum Street.

The crosswalk has flashing signals for pedestrians, but the most notable feature is the pair of bike paths that have replaced a solid median.

Bicyclists and pedestrians now have a safe island in the middle of Plum Street where they can wait, if necessary, for a safe opportunity to finish crossing instead of trying to hop the curb with a bike or stroller.

The crosswalk already has won over some local bicyclists. Olympia resident Dave Catterson has commuted to work on his bicycle for 20 years and had previously crossed Plum Street a block away at Eighth Avenue.

“The crossing at Seventh definitely feels safer because there are no left-turning vehicles,” he said. “It’s a simpler and safer crossing for cyclists. It’s probably made my commute faster, too.”

The corridor supplements the existing bike lane network along major streets. The city’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee chose Seventh Avenue for the bike corridor — rather than a main thoroughfare — because of the traffic volume and speed.

In a recent point-in-time count on Seventh Avenue near Jefferson Street, the city estimates about 249 vehicles passed through at an average speed of 24 mph. In comparison, data collected on Fourth and Fifth avenues near their intersection with Jefferson Street saw more than 12,600 vehicles at speeds of 25-27 mph.

The stretch of bike corridor between Plum Street and Jefferson Street will be finished in the coming weeks with new pavement markings and more. The city will celebrate the completion June 11 with a scavenger hunt for bicyclists. Details are still being worked out for the celebration, said senior planner Sophie Stimson.

The bike corridor pilot project cost about $346,000, according to the city. Stimson said the goal is to educate the community about the corridor, although increasing ridership would be a bonus. The city also will track the number and speed of bicyclists and vehicles along the route.

“People are asking for easier ways to bike across the city,” Stimson said of the corridor’s inspiration. “It’s meant for all ages and abilities.”

Olympia resident Duncan Green, who runs the Bicycle Commuter Contest for Intercity Transit, said the bike corridor has the potential to encourage more people to ride — especially those who may be reluctant to ride along high-traffic streets.

“It’s basically the city reaching out to try and make bicycling more comfortable to people who are not quite as fearless,” he said.

One avenue for reaching potential bicycle commuters is through the annual commuter contest, which typically attracts more than 400 first-time participants every year, Green said. This year’s contest coincides with National Bike to Work Day, which is Friday (May 20). Intercity Transit will host well-marked “bike stations” 7-9 a.m. Friday at seven locations in Olympia. Each station will have refreshments and bicycle resources, including copies of Thurston County’s official bicycle map.

When it comes to commuting on a bike, Green practices what he preaches. Green said his primary mode of transportation has been his bicycle for nearly 40 years, adding that Olympia’s size helps make the city more “bikeable.”

“I do own a car and I use it occasionally when I go to Seattle or go to a home improvement store or something like,” he said. “But for the most part, I just always liked riding my bike, and if I have a chance to get in a bike ride on the way to work, what can be better than that?”

Downtown Olympia is moving in the direction of creating a more walkable and bike-friendly landscape as part of its revised comprehensive plan, which outlines the city’s long-term vision for community development.

This story was originally published May 17, 2016 at 5:00 PM with the headline "Bike corridor to provide safer route for Olympia riders."