Council gives go ahead for “Safe Streets Initiative” on Bainbridge

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Previous survey results link here.

Walkers and Cyclists enjoy the reduced traffic on Grow Ave during the Safe Streets trial.
UPDATE: The Safe Streets project will be continued on Grow from May 22 – June 1 (or when construction begins on the Madison/Wyatt roundabout)

On Tuesday night (April 28, 2020) the BI city  council voted to move  ahead with a Safe Streets initiative.  BI Safe Streets is modeled after similar programs across the US and Canada in a number of cities including Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Denver, Seattle, Oakland CA and Calgary Canada. These programs seek to make walking and biking on local streets safe and healthy–currently a major challenge due to Covid-19 distancing restrictions.   Seattle’s Stay Healthy Streets program https://sdotblog.seattle.gov/2020/04/16/announcing-stay-healthy-streets/ is serving as the basis for the program on Bainbridge.
         The council formed an ad hoc commitee to lead the Safe Streets initiative. The committee consists of Joe Deets (chair), Kol Medina, Michael Pollock, Squeaky Wheels and Bainbridge Greenways. The committee  has recommended a temporary demonstration project on Grow Ave from May 8th-12.  For four days through traffic will be redirected around Grow Ave., allowing local residents and neighbors to walk and bike safely on the street without much traffic. Residents of the street plus their visitors, and critical services such as delivery trucks will still be able to drive on Grow. 
     If the demonstration project is successful, the council,  Squeaky Wheels and Bainbridge Greenways will expand the project to other crowded walking and cycling areas on the island. 

What to expect:

  • This is just a pilot. The idea is to try it on Grow, get feedback and learning, and expand to other island locations that may have greater need.
  • Signs restricting through traffic on Grow Ave NW
  • Mail and Service delivery will continue uninterrupted
  • Road closed to through traffic 24/7, 3:00 pm May 8th TO 3:00 PM May 12th, with possible extension based on residents’ feedback

SEATTLE — Announcing Stay Healthy Streets – SDOT Blog

“The social distancing necessary to keep us healthy will mean a new normal for Seattle’s parks, farmers markets, and public amenities. Stay home, but if you need to exercise or go to get groceries at the farmers market, please keep it moving,” said Mayor Jenny Durkan.“We know that this virus isn’t leaving our community for a long time, but I am hopeful that Seattle can adapt.

OAKLAND — Slow Streets

The COVID-19 pandemic is changing many aspects of how we live, move about our cities and get essential physical activity. The City of Oakland is launching Oakland Slow Streets to support this new way of life.

Oakland Slow Streets, photo courtesy of City of Oakland https://s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/cao-94612/galleries/Shafter-42nd_Family.png

SALT LAKE CITY — 500 North opens up for pedestrians and bikers in the first day of the ‘stay safe, stay active streets’

 cyclist takes advantage of the “stay safe, stay active streets” initiative in Salt Lake City on Saturday, April 25, 2020. The city opened 500 North from Redwood Road to 800 West to pedestrian and bicycle recreation amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
 Ivy Ceballo, Deseret News

City workers took to 500 North between Redwood Road to 800 West on Thursday, setting up barricades and signs reading ‘No Thru Traffic’ for the first day of Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall’s “stay safe, stay active streets” initiative.

With so many people unemployed, working from home and confined to their county during their free time, the city’s bike lanes, sidewalks and public spaces are unusually crowded. By opening up certain streets to pedestrians and bikers, and restricting traffic to residents, Mendenhall hopes the initiative will promote recreation in a way that adheres to social distancing guidelines.

Questions? Send us a message at info@squeakywheels.org.