New cycle track on NE 65th Street
The Seattle Department of Transportation is pleased to announce the opening of the Northeast 65th Street cycle track. The cycle track has been designed to provide a family-friendly connection between the Burke Gilman Trail and Magnuson Park that serves people of all ages and abilities who ride bicycles.
This two-way cycle track provides dedicated lanes for people on bikes, separated from traffic by a sturdy barrier. Crossing Sand Point Way is now easier – people walking and biking can now enjoy larger waiting areas, larger and better aligned curb ramps, repositioned push buttons, remarked crosswalks, and painted crossbikes.*
Northeast 65th Street is now easier to cross as well, thanks to a curb bulb at the southeast corner of NE 65th Street and Sand Point Way. While the cycle track is now open, you will continue to see improvements over the next several weeks as SDOT puts a few finishing touches on the project.
For more information about the project, please visit our project web page.
To learn more about the benefits of cycle tracks, and how to use them, please visit our cycle track web page.
*Crossbikes are similar to crosswalks; they alert drivers of the higher likelihood of people crossing at this location and provide people on bikes with their own area of the street – so they’re less likely to share the crosswalk space with pedestrians.
Tom says
I am curious to see how are people liking this. So far, all of the cyclists I know think that this lane was a solution to a problem that never existed. The blockades near the Burke block sight of cyclists and causes bad congestion for cyclists and cars. For people turning South onto Sandpoint Way, the blockades obstruct the driver’s view for cyclists whereas before, drivers were aware of cyclists because they could see them coming down 65th. I have seen plenty of cars almost cut cyclists off taking their free right. I know the intention was good, but this seems to only help members of cascade coming back to the office. Wouldn’t it have been better to focus on putting a bike lane like this up in the U-District, on Eastlake, or downtown? I don’t mean to bash on this, but it is something I have noticed as both a cyclist and a driver who lives on 65th.
pegNielsen says
Thanks for your email regarding your concerns. Our Traffic Operations staff is monitoring and will be in touch with you directly in roughly 7 – 10 work/business days.
Dao says
Nice!! thanks SDOT. I look forward to using this!
Kris Rhodes says
That low barrier represents a visual obstruction for recumbent riders. I’ve spoken to two riders who frequent the area, and they both say they can’t see over the top of it. While a rather small group of users, it’s something to consider should this project be undertaken again at a different location.
I’ve been riding through this area every day, and it’s slowly getting more and more user friendly. Now that it’s open, one of the two most dangerous spots of my route (this one, and the crossing just north on N70th) is now much safer. Drivers do seem to struggle with the concept of a 4 way stop sign where the crossroad is a sidewalk and bike path though.
pegNielsen says
Thank you for your feedback and comments. They have been forwarded to our Bicycle team.
Mark J says
Thank you SDOT! I look forward to more projects such as this and safer streets for all.