Doesn't count.

And move that damn “Yield to bikes” sign on the bridge -which appears AFTER it is too safely stop and yield. There's a big timber pole blocking it anyway. While we wait for the glacier of action from a underfunded city, can't this sign just be pryed off by some sensible guerrilla bikers and nailed to that pole??

Uh, there is no either or choice here. They both can co-exist just fine. Nice speech and sorry you wasted so much time building that straw man for nothing.

Also, I tend to think the industries along that street are the last survivors of a vibrant sustainable community. Condo development with tons of nail salons and chi-chi boutiques which go out of business every quarter are not sustainable (as we now all know). But having things “made in Ballard,” is sustainable. Would you want those businesses out of Seattle then have to truck their goods in, increasing their and out carbon footprint? Much less those living wage jobs? Where is the support for blue collar jobs which make good wages?

If I have a choice between honoring those businesses or drawing a line in the sand about where the so-called missing link is placed, I go with the businesses. There is no reason putting a designated trail through Old Ballard would not work or even along Leary. But this, like so many other issues, has become a line in the sand for the true believers on either side. Not a lot of voices in the middle are getting heard.

It's similar to what I do on my commute now (although I ride up 8th) and across 58th/60th). While that's what I do for my ride, I don't think it makes sense for a this mixed use trail. Like Ballardwatch said, crossing major streets multiple times doesn't make much sense.

In the morning the downside is that Ballard Ave is full of trucks making deliveries and forklifts picking up all sorts of ungainly cargo and whipping it around in the middle of the street.

In the evening it's even worse. The street is full of people trying to find parking, making illegal U-turns, pulling through stop signs without stopping or looking (I almost got nailed many, many times by motorists just blowing right through a stop sign), drifting along aimlessly, turning without signaling, and of course, talking on their cells. If you're riding into Ballard you get to top all that off with the Ballard/22nd intersection which confuses a great many people.

Shilshole takes a little more guts, but it's actually much safer.

I've had Salmon Bay trucks, and many other commercial vehicles on Shilshole, buzz me, passing way, way too close to be safe, and then TURN off Shilshole 100 – 200 feet later.

Being in a hurry isn't a reason to even be inconsiderate to other roadway users, let alone put their lives in danger.

The cobblestones on Ballard Ave. don't make for the smoothest ride, and there's actually quite a bit of industrial traffic there also (I've almost been hit by forklifts buzzing around ballard sheet metal a few times).

There's no problem at the north end. I just wait for the light then make my illegal left turn. No worries.

Pretty funny that the stock photo of the 'missing link' that accompanies this article shows two bicylcists on course to slam into one another. NEVER ride your bike against traffic folks, unless you've got a deathwish.

This guy is the preferct Seattlite.

“We know a lot of Seattle voters are undecided and want more information before making their choice,” said McGinn. “Seattleites take voting seriously. We want to give everyone the ability to directly ask questions and this is an opportunity to do just that.”

WHERE: Ballard Community Center, 6020 28th Ave. NW
WHEN: 7:30pm, Tuesday, October 27th

Those of you who haven't actually walked or biked the proposed trail should do so. It might just change your perspective on the whole issue.

Here' are the photographs from our walk down the missing link.