Add Bus Lanes not Bike Lanes on 130th

SDOT's N 130th St - Bitter Lake to Haller Lake Mobility Improvements" project area.

SDOT is in the early stages of planning on 130th North between the freeway and Aurora. They are further along with the planning east of there. While it is likely too late to add BAT lanes in that project (or even prevent the loss of a queue jump) we can add BAT lanes where they will do the most good - between Aurora and the future station.

The 130th Station CorridorThe current general layout of N 130th from Aurora to 1st Ave NE.

SDOT is doing this work because of the 130th station, which will be added in 2026. It is crucial that the buses serve this station - it is why the station is being built. Buses will serve the station from the west (Bitter Lake) and the east (Lake City). While SDOT has said that transit is a high priority, you wouldn't guess that is the case as they are planning on removing a queue jump eastbound between 14th and 15th. While this is regrettable, it is understandable, as there is no good bike alternative in the area.

SDOT's current proposal for 130th between Aurora and 1st Ave NE, by SDOT.

That is not the case with 130th. There is an alternative that would be safer for cyclists: build bike lanes to the north and south of 130th. Between First and Fifth Avenue NE there would be a wide multi-modal path (as planned). But west of there riders could head north or south a couple blocks and then ride west on protected bike paths all the way to the Interurban Trail. This takes the same approach that bike advocacy groups are taking in Portland - running bike lanes on relatively quiet streets. This avoids the very busy intersection of 130th & Aurora and replaces it with a much safer mid-block crossings at 128th and 137th (like 92nd & Aurora). Not only would this be much safer for cyclists, but it would mean that SDOT could add bus lanes on 130th. Making the buses faster also improves safety. If we implemented other fixes it could be a model for safety and mobility in the city.

A transit-oriented configuration for 130th.

Please contact Cathy Moore (who represents District 5) as well as Tanya Woo and Sara Nelson (at-large city council members) and ask them to support bus lanes on 130th.