South Lake Union Trolley
Portland delivers on “friendly for biking” promises, unlike Seattle. Bicycling in downtown Seattle is harrowing, with many cars ignorant of the law and passing recommendations. Add to this the noise and stench from the hordes of SOV, and now, a dangerous street car line:
“Portland's preliminary streetcar experience was initially very similar to Seattle's. Under pressure, Portland installed their first tracks on the right hand side of the road. In the first year, before warning signs were added, the city saw a huge spike in cyclist injuries along the tracks. Since then, Portland's streetcar guidelines put tracks in the center of the road or on dedicated paths separated from other traffic and as a result their cyclist injury rate has fallen.”
“Despite Portland's experience and many cyclist injuries along Westlake before the trolley has even begun to run, Seattle Department of Transportation has responded to concerned cyclists only to inform them that a bike lane is to be installed on 9th Ave N in late 2008 or 2009. Seattle Department of Transportation has no plans at this time to fill the gap, mark the road with sharrows to indicate safe positioning for cyclists, or add caution signs at major intersections where cyclists commonly intersect with Westlake.”
Source: Seattle Likes Bikes event ride e-mail.