Lake Washington Boulevard is one of Seattle’s greatest public spaces — a three-mile lakeside corridor connecting neighborhoods, parks, beaches, and communities from Mt. Baker Beach to Seward Park.

For decades, Bicycle Sundays and Bicycle Weekends have transformed the boulevard into a safer, more welcoming place for people to walk, bike, roll, run, and gather.

Today, these open-street events are among Seattle’s most beloved public-space programs.

With your support, Rainier Valley Safe Streets and Seattle Streets Alliance will continue to advocate for further safety enhancements along the Boulevard for everyone.

Thank the Mayor for a Consistent Bicycle Weekend Schedule

Thanks to strong community support, Mayor Katie Wilson expanded Bicycle Weekends on Lake Washington Boulevard in 2026, giving Seattleites more opportunities to enjoy this beloved public space without worrying about through traffic.

Now we need to make sure that progress continues.

Even with clear safety benefits and strong public use, the future schedule is not guaranteed. Some opponents are already organizing to scale back Bicycle Weekends to fewer days in 2027.

A consistent, predictable Bicycle Weekend schedule makes it easier for families, neighbors, and visitors to plan time on the boulevard—and helps make the program a dependable part of Seattle’s summer.

Help us thank Mayor Wilson for supporting Bicycle Weekends and ask city leaders to maintain a strong, consistent schedule in 2027 and beyond.

We’re asking community members to:

• Add your name and message in support of continuing a strong Bicycle Weekends schedule
• Thank city leaders for investing in a more people-centered lakefront

You can do this by signing our Action Network petition, which includes more background and a simple way to send a message to Mayor Katie Wilson.

Add your name and send a message in support of Bicycle Weekends.

Your message can help show city leaders that Seattleites value having a reliable, people-centered lakefront space for walking, biking, rolling, running, and gathering.

New Safety Improvements Coming to Lake Washington Boulevard

Seattle Parks and Recreation and the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) are moving forward with additional safety improvements along the boulevard in 2026 and 2027.

This next phase includes:

• Repaving and repair of the pedestrian path along Lake Washington Boulevard between Mt. Baker Beach and Sayers Memorial Park, improving safety and comfort for people walking and using mobility devices
• New pedestrian path parallel to 43rd Ave S between Lake Washington Boulevard and S Genesee St, creating a safer connection to the Genesee bike lanes and nearby transit.
• New speed cushions to slow dangerous speeding while maintaining emergency access (Completed)
• New curb bulbs near S Orcas St to shorten crossings and slow turning vehicles (Completed)
• New swing gates at key park access points along the car-free segment of Lake Washington Boulevard, designed to support predictable, people-first open street hours (Under construction in 2026 for use during Bicycle Weekends beginning in 2027)

Bicycle Weekends: A Proven Success

Bicycle Sundays programming on Lake Washington Boulevard dates back to the 1970s and remains one of Seattle’s most successful open streets programs.

In recent seasons, the program has expanded to Bicycle Weekends, which have:

• Drawn thousands of visitors, in ever-increasing numbers, throughout the summer
• Created space for families with strollers, kids learning to ride, and older adults walking or rolling at their own pace
• Turned the lakefront into a place for low-stress travel, exercise, and community gatherings

A predictable, easy-to-remember schedule — knowing you can count on Bicycle Weekends across the summer — has made it much easier for people citywide to experience this lakefront park.

As Mayor Katie Wilson has said

“Magic happens when we create inviting, people-centered public spaces. Bicycle Weekends on Lake Washington Boulevard are one of the clearest examples of that vision in action."

Locations of Lake Washington Boulevard Swing Gates

Swing gates are being installed along the Lake Washington Boulevard park segment, at locations where:

• There are no residential driveways
• The gates can safely separate scheduled car-free hours from regular driving times

A detailed map on this page shows exactly where the gates are placed and how people can continue to:

• Access nearby parks and parking lots
• Reach homes and destinations via parallel streets

The gates are one part of a broader effort to keep Lake Washington Boulevard functioning as both a beloved park experience and a safer street for everyone.

Locations of New Swing Gates

Why These Changes Matter

Lake Washington Boulevard should feel safe and welcoming for everyone — especially families, kids, older adults, and people with disabilities.

Unfortunately, temporary barricades used during Bicycle Weekends are frequently ignored or moved, allowing unauthorized cars onto the roadway during open street hours. This creates unnecessary safety risks and undermines the experience for everyone using the park.

Permanent swing gates will:

• Prevent illegal vehicle access during scheduled closures
• Create a more predictable and welcoming environment
• Improve safety for people walking, biking, and rolling
• Replace temporary “construction-style” barricades with infrastructure designed for public space

The gates are designed to allow easy access for pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchair users, and emergency responders, while preventing unauthorized vehicle entry during scheduled open-street closures. Outside of those hours, the gates will be open, and the boulevard will function as a regular park roadway.

Existing Olmsted Swing Gate on Lake Washington Boulevard

The Safety Data Is Clear

SDOT speed studies collected over the past several years show that drivers regularly exceed the posted 25 mph speed limit on Lake Washington Boulevard.

• At locations where speed cushions were installed, vehicle speeds dropped by approximately 5 mph — a meaningful safety improvement on a park roadway heavily used by people outside of cars
• Data collected at future Phase 3 locations showed drivers traveling between 30 and 36 mph prior to installation

These improvements are being implemented because the data — and years of community feedback — show they are needed.

Ways to Get Involved

Beyond signing the petition, you can:

• Volunteer with us to spread awareness by tabling on the boulevard during Bicycle Weekends.
• Join our Lake Washington Boulevard committee to help with strategy, outreach, and storytelling.
• Spread the word — talk to neighbors and friends; share the Action Network link; invite people to experience Bicycle Weekends for themselves.
• Organize a bike ride, stroll, picnic, or neighborhood outing on the boulevard during Bicycle Weekends.

For Additional Reference

• Lake Washington Boulevard Renovations Projects