Cyclists turn out for sunny Bicycle Sunday

A unusual sunny Sunday in Seattle made the first Bicycle Sunday along the shores of Lake Washington a rousing success.

As it has done so for years, the city closed down a 2 1/2-mile stretch of Lake Washington Boulevard — between Seward and Mount Baker parks — to vehicular traffic and turned the street over to bicyclists.

Eleven more Bicycle Sundays are planned this summer. The dates are listed below.

I used this Bicycle Sunday as an another opportunity to ride the south Lake Washington loop. Gauging from number of cyclists all along the route, I wasn’t alone.

Closing down Lake Washington Boulevard to motor traffic gives families a chance to take their kids out for a spin in trailers, third-wheels, or on their own bicycles. I also saw quite a few three-generation family bike rides today.

The center of activity is at the southern terminus at Seward Park. Cascade Bicycle Club staff set up there to answer questions and sell low-cost helmets.

They were also getting out the word about the ongoing survey for the Seattle Bicycle Master Plan, which is being updated this year. Check out the Seattle bicycling survey website and answer some questions about your habits and routes.

The Bicycle Sunday dates for 2012 are:

May 6, 13 and 20
June 3 and 24
July 1, 8 and 15
August 12 and 26

See the Bicycle Sunday brochure for more details about the event presented by Seattle Parks and Recreation Department.

By the way, Seattle isn’t the only city with Bicycle Sundays. White Plains, New York, cyclists have been enjoying this since 1974.