27 miles of bikes lanes are coming to Spokane

SPOKANE, Wash. — The city plans to build 27 miles of bike lanes by the end of 2027.

The project is called “27 by 2027,” and some residents have shared their concerns with the lanes. The reflective plastic barriers placed on Belt Street are just one of the variations of bike lanes the city is experimenting with for the new project.

The city says these bike lanes are necessary for the safety of the public and to prevent fatalities.

“The road is more peaceful when everyone has a piece of the road. So it’s all about predictability. You know, where bikes are going to be. You know, where people are walking can be, you know, where scooters are going to be,” said Colin Quinn-Hurst, senior planner for the city.

However, some neighbors say the lanes aren’t the most convenient, reporting they’re hard to navigate around, and at night the reflectors are blinding, making it hard to see.

The city argues that these lanes are needed to prevent fatalities.

“Right now, nationally, statewide, there’s a trend of increases in pedestrian and bicycle, serious injury in fatal crashes. And what we’re trying to do is address that and mitigate it and bring that back down,” Quinn-Hurst said.

City officials also hope these lanes will slow drivers down to the speed limit, especially in residential areas.

The city is experimenting with different types of bike lanes. The ones in residential areas are plastic and spaced together closely, while the ones downtown are planted with a block of cement, making them permanent.

“They’re all different variations of the same approach to provide some more separation for people from traffic. Because a lot of people really want, block bike for smoother and less feel safe and have a little bit of physical separation from traffic,” Quinn-Hurst said.

The city says much of the construction on the bike lanes will happen next year, where they plan to finish all 27 miles by the end of 2027.

The city is open to hearing feedback from the community about these lanes, as they’re still testing which variations work best. Residents can email the city with any questions or concerns.