SDOT's Zimbabwe Says Rainier Ave A 'Priority' After Biker's Death

SEATTLE, WA - New Seattle Department of Transportation Director Sam Zimbabwe is reacting to the death of a bicyclist killed on the city's most treacherous, Rainier Avenue South, just hours after Zimbabwe was sworn in on Monday.

Zimbabwe says his SDOT will make safety improvements along Rainier a "top priority," but future plans for improving the road will not include bike lanes.

"Safety is at the core of our work as a transportation agency. Seattle’s Vision Zero effort is working to end traffic deaths and serious injuries on city streets so no one has to endure the loss or life-changing injury of a loved one. As Seattle’s highest crash corridor, Rainier Avenue is a top priority. We’ve seen significant safety gains where we’ve made changes, and we’re committed to continuing to work to make Rainier safer," Zimbabwe said in a statement emailed to Patch.

The bicyclist who died Monday has been identified as Vladimir Rylski, 78, of Seattle. He died of multiple blunt force injuries, according to the King County Medical Examiner. Seattle police say the driver of a white sedan hit Rylski around 5 p.m. as he crossed Rainier near Sturtevant Avenue. The sedan was later found in Renton, but it did not appear police had arrested anyone as of Wednesday morning.

Residents in the Rainier Valley have been asking for safety improvements along Rainier Avenue for years. Discussions began three years ago for improvements between Kenny and Henderson streets, spanning Hillman City to Rainier Beach.

Rainier Avenue is often called Seattle's most dangerous street due to the high volume of crashes - about one per day, according to SDOT. Cars typically travel in excess of 40 MPH, and the road is a de facto highway between downtown Seattle and Renton. Although bikers can use it, Rainier does not appear on SDOT's official map of bike routes.

Beginning this year, SDOT plans to install north and southbound bus lanes to improve reliability along King County Metro route 7. There are also improvements planned for pedestrians. A previous proposal included bike lanes, but those have been scrapped because traffic models showed they would cause "substantial increases in transit time."

South Seattle residents have long felt Rainier safety improvements have been neglected. It took two young girls getting hit and seriously injured crossing at Rainier and Henderson last August for SDOT to make serious safety changes at that intersection - a main crossing between Dunlap Elementary, Rainier Beach High School, and the K-8 South Shore School, not to mention a nearby library, the Barton Place senior apartments, and the Rainier Beach Community Center.

Underscoring the danger of that intersection, plastic bollards installed by SDOT last August were knocked down shortly after being installed.

"Unfortunately children have been hit (6), bicyclists killed (3) and countless accidents. Countless. Is the City/SDOT ignoring the South End. Yes. Absolutely. But, the only way they will make changes is to hear our voices," Rainier Beach resident Heidi Hamlin wrote on Facebook after Rylski's death.

Zimbabwe highlighted changes that have been made along Rainier in the Columbia City and Hillman City neighborhoods as successes, including a reduction in car speeds and a 15 percent drop in accidents. In 2019, SDOT will begin adding temporary curb bulbs, re-striping lanes, and moving overhead bus wires. A full description of the plan is available here.

In the meantime, Zimbabwe, who came to Seattle from the Washington, D.C., transportation department says everyone using Rainier needs to watch out.

"Everyone has a responsibility to travel safely and look out for others. We’re committed to redesigning our streets to enhance safety and also work to build community partnerships and educate the public in their role making Seattle’s streets safe for all," Zimbabwe said Wednesday.