Saturday was the first day this year that Seattle closed a 4-mile stretch of Lake Washington Boulevard to car traffic so bicyclists could ride free and safe along the lakefront road (see schedule below for more dates).
I pedaled over and saw all stripes of cyclists taking advantage of the car-free day — called Group Health Bicycle Saturday & Sunday — provided through the cooperation of Seattle Parks and Rec, Group Health, and the Cascade Bicycle Club.
Several were strong riders, stumbling upon it by accident, as they incorporate this stretch into their loops around the lake.
But the majority were slower recreational bicycle riders, who may not be comfortable riding in traffic, and moms and/or dads with kids on trailers, trail-a-bikes, and riding independently on training wheels.
The overcast skies and a light chop on the lake, as well as other bike rides in the area on Saturday, might have reduced the number of participants. I've pedaled along here on sunny days when it was downright congested in places, even without the cars.
Schedule
The section closed to cars stretches from just south of Mount Baker Beach to Seward Park. The hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
There are 9 more Bicycle Saturday & Sunday events planned on Lake Washington Boulevard this summer. Here's the schedule:
Sunday, May 20
Saturday, June 9
Sunday, June 17
Saturday, July 14
Sunday, July 29
Saturday, August 11
Sunday, August 19
Saturday, September 8
Sunday, September 16
In addition, the Cascade Bicycle Club will be on hand at Seward Park to fit and sell CPSC-approved helmets at the greatly reduced price of $10.
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