Those of us in Wedgwood know that pedestrian and bike infrastructure in our neighborhood is a bit lacking. Nevertheless, fostering improved walking and biking conditions is an important part of making any neighborhood…nay, any city more livable. There are some wonderful groups and advocates working on improving the walkability and bike-ability of our neighborhood and City overall. Here’s a brief summary of fascinating and NE Seattle-relevant walking and biking news that caught my eye which may interest you.
- Burke-Gilman Connection to Sand Point Way – Design Open House
Saturday, December 15th, from 10AM – 2PM
UW Campus, Gould Hall, 3949 15th Ave NE
From the Children’s Livable Streets Facebook Page: “Please join us for an open house to give your ideas for a trail connection that Children’s Hospital is building at the Hartmann building (corner of Sand Point Way NE and 40th Ave. NE [see image at right – click to enlarge]). This new trail connection is targeted for completion in late 2013.” 
Seattle Bike Master Plan UPDATE is OPEN for Public Comments until Monday, December 17th.
To give feedback, you can check out the Interactive Map or send feedback to bmpupdate@seattle.gov.- Seattle Pedestrian Advisory Board is seeking new board members. Members serve two-year terms. If interested, submit resume and cover letter by email to Howard Lu at howard.wu@seattle.gov by December 17th.
- Burke-Gilman repairs near Matthews Beach were recently completed by SDOT.
Construction on a new cycle track on NE 65th Street, near Sand Point Way, has started.
Cycle tracks are dedicated bike lanes within the right-of-way that are physically separated from vehicle parking and travel lanes. A schematic of the final road section along NE 65th Street is illustrated to the right (click image to enlarge).- Construction along Ravenna Ave NE between 85th Ave NE and Lake City Way is now complete! Did you know this project funded through a Neighborhood Street Fund Large Project grant submitted by our very own WCC trustee, Gretchen Bear?!
- Our friends at the Montlaker blog has been doing a phenomenal job of reporting on the potential bike/pedestrian connection between Montlake and Capitol Hill on the new SR 520 Portage Bay Bridge through perhaps a bike/pedestrian trail on the bridge to an urban gondola (if Portland can do it, can we?).
- Our friends at Ravenna-Bryant Community Association, Walk.Bike.Schools/Eckstein Bikes, and the Ravenna Blog went on a bike tour of Ravenna with the Mayor earlier this month. (Looks like Rebecca with the Ravenna Blog was showing the mayor her blog.)
- Our Nation’s Surgeon General has issued a Call to Action on Walking!
- The Atlantic has a nice list of 10 techniques to make City’s more walkable. Hmm…do any apply to 35th Ave NE?
- Minneapolis is encouraging more biking to help their business community. Hmm…I wonder if this would apply to 35th Ave NE?
