Watch: KCTS on ‘Fixing’ Rainier Ave

KCTS IN Close covered the city's work to fix Rainier Ave this week. And though much of the information may not be new to readers of this blog, it's great to see it explained in such a concise and clear video.

For 2016, we have to make sure the city not only extends the safety project, but also includes people on bikes in the improvements. On a busy street like Rainier, that means protected bike lanes.

As plans for a north-south neighborhood greenway in the Rainier Valley develop, it has become clear that Rainier Ave is the only reasonably flat and direct option for a bike route in the neighborhood. While neighborhood greenways can be great for connecting homes, schools and other destinations, Rainier is the only option for a direct and mostly flat citywide connection - the kind of bike route people use travel between neighborhoods or to major employment centers.

Rainier Valley Greenways leaders have been making the case for protected bike lanes on the street, even demonstrating several blocks of such bike lanes for Park(ing) Day. It was wonderful and worked perfectly.

Let's make Rainier Ave safe and vibrant for everyone.