I-90 Trail and North Mercer Way Update

I-90 Trail between 84th Avenue Southeast and Shorewood Drive OpenWork continues between Fortuna Drive and Southeast 35th Street

Crews are making progress on pipe repairs along the I-90 trail in north Mercer Island. Repairs between 84th Avenue Southeast and Shorewood Drive are now complete, and community access to this section of trail has been restored.

The section of trail between Fortuna Drive and Southeast 35th Street remains closed while crews work to safely complete the remaining pipe repairs. Work is expected to continue through May, and this section of trail will reopen once repair work is finished.

May is Bike Everywhere Month

May is Bike Everywhere Month in Washington State and May 14 is Bike Everywhere Day.   Cascade Bicycle Club staff and volunteers will reward bike commuters with free coffee, pastries, and prizes at Celebration Stations in Seattle (near the Fremont Bridge) and Renton (at Memorial Stadium).

These are among the 25+ Celebration Stations in Seattle and the 40+ offered by bike nonprofits and active transportation supporters across the Puget Sound region. 

Statewide School-Based Bicycle Education Program Ramps Up!

The Statewide School-Based Bicycle Safety Education Program, created as part of Move Ahead Washington legislation, includes two programs: One for elementary and middle school students (grades 3-8) to be implemented in school physical education classes, and another for middle and high school youth (grades 6-12) to be implemented out of school or after school. The purpose is “to develop students’ skills and street safety knowledge to be more confident bicyclists for transportation and/or recreation.”

WSDOT and Cascade Bicycle Club expect the program to reach up to 160,000 youth by the end of 2027. By then we’ll have the help of more than three times as many partner organizations. Parents or school staff interested to learn more about the program or when it might come to your community can visit Cascade Bicycle Club’s website.

King County approves use of e-bikes on regional trails

The 175-mile network of paved trails in King County may become more of an integral piece of the region’s commuter transportation network. Seattle Times.

 

The Metropolitan King County Council last week updated the criteria the parks director uses to set fees, the changes include new rules allowing e-bikes and e-scooters on regional trails, as well as the approval of a study that could open up the trails to riding after dark. 

 

When the changes take effect later this month, the county’s vast network of trails — from the celebrated 27-mile Burke-Gilman Trail to the little-known 3.6-mile East Plateau Trail — will be governed by the same rules the state, Seattle, and Snohomish and Pierce counties have for trails allowing e-bikes and e-scooters.

 

See entire article plus map in Seattle Times.

Bike Everywhere Day Coming Up

This Friday, May 17 is Bike Everywhere Day - this annual celebration encourages bike riding of all types, whether it be for fun, exercise, commuting, or sport. Islanders are invited to take part in or support cycling in our community as a fun and sustainable activity. For this year's event, team members from the King County North Mercer Island/Enatai sewer upgrade project will be tabling at North Mercer Way and SE 36th Street by the I-90 trail to share the latest information on this work, including impacts to bike routes and what's ahead. Riders can stop by from 9:00am - 11:30am and get project fliers, information on active detours, plus giveaways and snacks. You can learn more about this project on the County's website.

Washington’s Statewide E-bike Rebate Program Is Still on the Way

In 2023, Washington State took a big step toward joining the growing ranks of other states and cities around the country that are providing cash rebates for residents to purchase electric bikes. With a $5 million allocation in the state transportation budget, the legislature signaled its intent to start to incentivize the purchase of e-bikes. Already, e-bike sales nationwide have outpaced the sales of electric cars, despite much larger subsidies for the latter.

E-bike rebates are taking off across the US as localities seek to find a way to quickly encourage more walking and biking trips, and e-bikes grow in popularity as many households increasingly turn to them as a way to replace at least one car in an urban environment.  Thanks to the Urbanist.

Mercer Island City Council to Discuss TIP on June 4

The 2035-2030 Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) if on the Mercer Island City Council's agenda for June 4.  Comments from the public can be registered on Let's Talk Mercer Island.   While the draft plan has not yet been released, a key issue will be to insure that work continues to create a safe bicycle route through the Island Crest Way Corridor.  Doing so will connect students with our schools and all residents with the city center and new light rail station.  Your support is needed to move this project forward.