A Simple Fix for Blocked Bike Lanes

A post by Tom Fucoloro on the Seattle Bike Blog asks why a temporary bike lane detour Fucoloro witnessed on Seattle’s 2nd Avenue isn’t standard practice.

Fucoloro describes the detour, which is just a series of traffic cones directing cyclists around the obstruction. “It’s a simple and effective solution, especially for situations where the bike lane is only closed while workers are present who can adjust any cones that get displaced,” Fucoloro points out. And while the city technically calls for temporary accommodations for pedestrians when sidewalks are closed off, “the rule is rarely followed.”

Fucoloro asserts that “Seattle’s leaders have to do something to force all construction projects to follow this rule. Does it need a big fine attached to it? Are they waiting for somebody to get injured or killed and then sue the city for failing to enforce their rule?”