Whether you are a regular bicyclist, an occasional recreation rider, or just thinking of trying it out for the first time, tell us where you’d like to see bike improvements using our online survey and interactive map tool. The Bicycle Master Plan has effectively guided improvements to the city’s bicycle system for the last five years, including the installation of 129 miles of bike lanes and sharrows, 98 miles of signed routes and 2,230 bike parking spaces. SDOT is now starting an update to the plan. This update presents an opportunity to incorporate fast-evolving best practices and new thinking in bicycle facilities, safety, and design creating a connected bicycle network for all Seattle residents seeking to ride for recreation, shopping or commuting. But we can’t do it without your help.
Our fabu GIS (that’s short hand for Geographic Information Systems) team designed a great mapping tool that allows people to show us specifically WHERE you make (or would like to make) bicycle trips, which roads and intersections need improvements and which facilities work so well you’d like to see more them. We even made a short video explaining how to use the map in case you find the tool a bit confusing.
We also developed an online survey. In less than 10 minutes you can 
comment on the bicycle issues that matter the most to you. When we updated the Transit Master Plan in 2011 over 10,000 people gave us feedback via a survey. We think we can do better than that! Help us spread the word. The survey has been translated into six languages Korean, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Chinese and Vietnamese to make it more accessible.
If you are more of a face-to-face kinda person, we will be hosting two public meetings during the month of June. Sign up for our email listserv at bmpupdate@seattle.gov and we’ll let you know as soon as the times and locations are finalized. You’ll also be the first to get new information on the project.
Seattle City Council included $250,000 from the General Fund in the 2012 budget to complete the update, and provided guidance that the updated plan include neighborhood greenways and separated bicycle facilities to help to encourage more people to ride their bicycles for all trips. The updated plan will include a clear prioritization process, which will help direct where future bicycle investments occur. The update will take about one year to complete.