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Bob Svercl (he/him) @bobco85.bsky.social · 2h

When one-way Pike has a red light, the intersection essentially becomes a pedestrian scramble since Melrose drivers have stop signs, so taking advantage of that does seem to be the safest option

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Bob Svercl (he/him) @bobco85.bsky.social · 5h

It further incentivizes people to just merge across (if Pike is green) or cut through diagonally (if Pike is red) from the left side to the right. I fully admit that it’s rare for me to do the intended 2 stage crossover with the bike box, and I pass through it nearly every day

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Bob Svercl (he/him) @bobco85.bsky.social · 2d

UPDATE (October 6): I heard back from the project team. They couldn’t work out an easement with BNSF in time to be part of this project, but it will be addressed in the next couple of years as part of a bigger project to demolish the nearby building to the west.
@seattlebikeblog.com

Bob Svercl (he/him) @bobco85.bsky.social · 4d

2/2 And bad news:
-pinch point, about 5 feet (1.5 meters) wide, remains
-widening pinch point was part of the project, yet Port of Seattle scrubbed the design from its project page

1st image is archived version from July 2025, 2nd is current version

I will reach out for info
@seattlebikeblog.com

Screenshot of an archived version of the project page from July 2025 that has widening the pinch point in the work area

Screenshot of the current version of the project page claiming the trail was widened in places but no longer refers to the pinch point

A tape measure is laid across a pinch point on a trail made narrow by chain link fencing on each side

Close up view of the tape measure showing the pinch point is roughly 5 feet or 1.5 meters wide

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Reposted by Bob Svercl (he/him)

Katie Wilson for Seattle @wilsonforseattle.bsky.social · 2d

A PAC supporting Bruce Harrell has now raised more than $1 million from wealthy donors, and soon they will use it to attack me so that our city stays unaffordable. With less than a month until election day, I want to make a few things clear. #thisisyourcity

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Bob Svercl (he/him) @bobco85.bsky.social · 4d

2/2 And bad news:
-pinch point, about 5 feet (1.5 meters) wide, remains
-widening pinch point was part of the project, yet Port of Seattle scrubbed the design from its project page

1st image is archived version from July 2025, 2nd is current version

I will reach out for info
@seattlebikeblog.com

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Bob Svercl (he/him) @bobco85.bsky.social · 4d

1/2 I heard that the Elliott Bay Trail near Terminal 91 had reopened, so I checked it out, and I have good news and bad news.

Good news:
-trail is open again
-awkward bridge has been replaced with a nice flat wide paved trail

Newly paved wide trail between chain link fencing where the north end of a narrow bridge used to stand

Newly paved wide trail between chain link fencing where the south end of a narrow bridge used to stand

A cyclist rides through a pinch point with a warning sign overhead as chain link fencing on both sides gets very narrow

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Reposted by Bob Svercl (he/him)

Gravel Influencer @gravelinfluencer.bsky.social · 6d

E-bikes are an absolute game-changer in terms of giving more people the option of going car-light or car-free, but adoption is threatened by the ongoing moral panic. As the article notes, the solution is not restrictions on e-bikes, but creating more infrastructure to support e-bike riders. 1/2

Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 6d

“The e-bike market is skyrocketing — and, according to some studies, outpacing electric cars…The question now is: Do officials double down on deadly car-centric urban design, or do they rethink cities to encourage people to ditch four wheels for two?”

Via @grist.org grist.org/transportati...

E-bikes could cut carbon, congestion, and costs — if cities take them seriously

E-bike sales are booming, providing a clean form of transportation that also improves public health. Yet cities remain committed to cars.

grist.org

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Bob Svercl (he/him) @bobco85.bsky.social · 6d

Had a wonderful bike commute during which I saw some familiar faces, pretty scenery, and even some rain that caught me at the end. Bike more equals happy more
@gordonofseattle.bsky.social

Up to 10 people on scooters, bikes, and e-bikes waiting in the new protected bike lane on Pike Street at Boren Avenue

Selfie smiling on my e-bike in front of 2 fellow cyclists whom I know who are riding in the 12th Avenue bike lane on Capitol Hill

Sun rays shine through rain clouds over T-Mobile Park as seen from the distant José Rizal Bridge

Wide angle view of a rainbow in the sky over a new protected bike lane on Beacon Hill

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Reposted by Bob Svercl (he/him)

Acyn @acyn.bsky.social · 9d

Priztker: if federal agents fired upon journalists and protesters, when unprovoked, what would we call it?

I don't think we'd have any trouble calling it what it is. Authoritarianism.

So let's not pretend it's something else when it happens in our American cities.

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Bob Svercl (he/him) @bobco85.bsky.social · 8d

I’m glad my late grandpa who served in the fight against fascism in World War II did not have to witness a standing President promote such dangerous fascist policies.

I will keep my distance from those who still support a president actively threatening me & my loved ones
www.npr.org/2025/09/30/n...

Trump defends use of the U.S. military against the 'enemy within'

Earlier, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the purpose of the department would exclusively be "war fighting."

www.npr.org

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Reposted by Bob Svercl (he/him)

Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 10d

NEW STARTER PACK! This time I’m hoping to encourage and support global urbanists from OUTSIDE North America here on Bluesky, so hopefully this will help! Who’ve I missed? Just joined? Let me know! I’ll keep updating, so please keep checking & sharing this pack! And let’s try using #GlobalUrbanists.

Urbanists OUTSIDE North America Worth Following!

Join the conversation

go.bsky.app

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Reposted by Bob Svercl (he/him)

Risa Brooks @risabrooks12.bsky.social · 8d

It's easy to see this speech as just weirdly performative, but there's a lot more—and a lot worse—going on here.

The meeting & speeches are part of a larger project aimed at promoting the military leadership’s partisan alignment with the administration.

How? 1/

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 8d

Hegseth: "If the words I'm speaking today are making your heart sink, they you should do the honorable thing and resign."

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Bob Svercl (he/him) @bobco85.bsky.social · 9d

Thanks for joining us and sharing insight from your work on these projects!

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Bob Svercl (he/him) @bobco85.bsky.social · 9d

Awesome time leading a free bike ride with @cascade.org & @sngreenways.bsky.social
along new infrastructure connecting Chinatown with Georgetown & South Park en route to a celebration hosted by @seattledot.bsky.social & many others. A lot of folks advocated for this infrastructure for many years

Selfie in my yellow Cascade Ride Leader jersey in front of a large group of cyclists in the new 6th Avenue protected bike lanes in SODO

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Reposted by Bob Svercl (he/him)

Seattle Bike Blog @seattlebikeblog.com · 13d

Big shout out to commenter Hat who eagle eyed that the Cascade calendar and @seattledot.bsky.social's news release had different start times for the downtown to Georgetown route Sunday. Ride leader @bobco85.bsky.social confirmed that it leaves Hing Hay Park at 10:45am. #SEAbikes

Two major bike connections to Georgetown are opening at the same time, so SDOT is hosting one party for both of them 12–2 p.m. Sunday (September 28) at Mini Mart City Park.

Two community bike rides will converge at the celebration. Cascade is hosting a ride from the International District that leaves Hing Hay Park at 10:45 a.m. Seattle Neighborhood Greenways is hosting a ride that leaves South Park Plaza at 10:30 a.m. (UPDATE: The SDOT news release said the downtown ride started at 11:45, but I confirmed with the ride leader that it is actually 10:45. Thank you commenter Hat for noticing that the Cascade ride listing had a different time, you saved a lot of folks a headache.)

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Reposted by Bob Svercl (he/him)

Seattle Bike Blog @seattlebikeblog.com · 13d

Bike routes from Georgetown to downtown and South Park officially open + Dual celebration Sept. 28

#SEAbikes #Seattle

Bike routes from Georgetown to downtown and South Park officially open + Dual celebration Sept. 28

Two major bike connections to Georgetown are opening at the same time, so SDOT is hosting one party for both of them 12–2 p.m. Sunday (September 28) at Mini Mart City Park. Two community bike rides will converge at the celebration. Cascade is hosting a ride from the International District that leaves Hing Hay Park at 11:45 a.m. Seattle Neighborhood Greenways is hosting a ride that leaves South Park Plaza at 10:30 a.m.

www.seattlebikeblog.com

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Reposted by Bob Svercl (he/him)

sidestreets.bsky.social @sidestreets.bsky.social · 13d

Why do we teach pedestrian safety like drivers are wild bears?

Hiking in bear country
(Graphic of human using bear spray on bear)
• BE ALERT watch for bears, fresh tracks, or scat.
• MAKE NOISE in areas with limited visibility.
• CARRY BEAR SPRAY and know how to use it.
• HIKE IN GROUPS of three or more people.
• DO NOT RUN, back away slowly.

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Bob Svercl (he/him) @bobco85.bsky.social · 13d

The frustrating thing about reading articles like this is that while the suggestions are generally helpful, they overestimate their effectiveness.

Traffic safety is like safety around grizzly bears: there are a lot of helpful suggestions to try and be safe, but sometimes the bear still attacks you.

NPR @npr.org · 13d

In 2024, 7,100 pedestrians were killed on the road, and in recent years, more than 1,000 cyclists have been hit and killed annually. Safety experts explain how bikers and walkers can stay safe.

8 walking and biking safety tips that just might save your life

In 2024, 7,100 pedestrians were killed on the road, and in recent years, more than 1,000 cyclists have been hit and killed annually. Safety experts explain how bikers and walkers can stay safe.

n.pr

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Reposted by Bob Svercl (he/him)

Bill Lindeke @blindeke.bsky.social · 14d

I wrote about one man's quest to not have to ride in pitch black darkness through South Minneapolis. Modern day Don Quixote here, except the windmills are lampposts stripped of copper. www.minnpost.com/cityscape/20...

A bicyclist’s DIY project brings light to darkened Midtown Greenway - MinnPost

Alex Tsatoulis grew frustrated with lack of lighting along the Midtown Greenway in Minneapolis, so he grabbed some lights and a ladder.

www.minnpost.com

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Bob Svercl (he/him) @bobco85.bsky.social · 13d

Went on a bike ride for a haircut and to test out the route (uses the entire Georgetown to Downtown Safety Project) for a celebration bike ride in the Duwamish Valley coming this Sunday with @sngreenways.bsky.social @seattledot.bsky.social @cascade.org It feels so good to be able to ride again!

My e-bike sits in a 2-way bike lane protected by concrete mini jersey barriers as a King County Metro bus passes by with a view of the Seattle skyline at night

Wide angle view of the 6th Avenue bike lane crossing at Spokane Street underneath a viaduct; the bike lane continues across the intersection passing under the viaduct

A green painted flexpost protected bike lane extends on 6th Avenue near a tower lit with neon lights for Franz Bakery as a light rail train passes by on elevated tracks at night

The intersection of 6th Avenue and Lander Street at night with diagonal crossbike markings and green bicycle signals

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Reposted by Bob Svercl (he/him)

Best Side Cycling @bestsidecycling.com · 15d

Seattle's bike network is finally headed south! Thanks to @sngreenways.bsky.social and @seattledot.bsky.social for the awesome work and am glad to finally be able to report on this update

youtu.be/IfaC-WTDQI0

How Seattle is Filling the Gap with Protected Bike Lanes in North Beacon Hill

YouTube video by Best Side Cycling

youtu.be

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Bob Svercl (he/him) @bobco85.bsky.social · 15d

Bike to every station on the SkyTrain Expo Line in Vancouver BC with me & my friend Nick in my newest bike transit video! We did this ride the day after finishing the RSVP. Enjoy!
youtu.be/zsPZeigcl5s

Bike the SkyTrain - Expo Line (2025)

YouTube video by bobco85

youtu.be

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Reposted by Bob Svercl (he/him)

Seattle Department of Transportation @seattledot.bsky.social · 19d

"I have commuted by bike through the rough roads of Beacon Hill for a decade. Now that the project is complete, I get to experience another joy: watching groups of kids commute to school using the bike lanes. What a difference this makes for our community."

sdotblog.seattle.gov/2025/09/19/b...

View of people biking and driving just south of the Dr Jose Rizal bridge, with a view of the Seattle skyline in the background.

People board the Route 36 bus at the Beacon Hill light rail station on a new transit stop built as part of this project

A person bikes as people sit and wait for the bus.

A person bikes in a concrete curb-protected bike lane built as part of this project

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Reposted by Bob Svercl (he/him)

Complete Streets Bellevue @completestreetsbellevue.org · 19d

Things are set up and we're getting started! Come check out what community orgs have put together to spark joy, art, fun, and community!

Bellevue's first-ever #ParkingDay is underway!

A kids corner with a rug, kid chairs, blocks, an easel, and coloring pages occupy a parking space alongside some plants.

A couple of metal chairs are arranged around flowers atop astroturf.

A games corner, with Connect 4, lawn bowling, chess, and mancala

A bench surrounded by flowers with a man setting up an installation in the background.

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Reposted by Bob Svercl (he/him)

Seattle Bike Blog @seattlebikeblog.com · 22d

The Beacon Hill bike lanes are open! + Community celebration Friday

#SEAbikes #Seattle

The Beacon Hill bike lanes are open! + Community celebration Friday

The bike lane project also significantly redesigned the notoriously dangerous block of Beacon Ave S in front of the light rail station, reducing crosswalk distances and giving buses in-lane stops. With little fanfare, SDOT announced via social media that the Beacon Hill bike lanes on 15th Ave S and Beacon Ave S are officially open. They represent the most significant improvement to southend bicycle safety and access maybe ever, but certainly in the 15 years I have been writing Seattle Bike Blog.

www.seattlebikeblog.com

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