April

21, 2015

Paul H. Brodeur, Division Director
Marine Division
King County Department of Transportation
MS KSC-TR-0816
201 S Jackson St
Seattle, WA 98104-3856

Subject: King County Water Taxi Bike Storage

Dear Mr. Brodeur,
Now that the M/V Sally Fox is in operation with uncovered bike storage from downtown to Vashon, we
can see just how wonderful the new vessels will be for business at our bike shops. The rust and
corrosion from salt spray on the bikes will be worse in winter. This will really help us get through our
slow season, creating jobs and keeping us in continual contact with our customers, who value and
depend upon their bikes for transportation.

However, it does seem to us, attractive as the maintenance and overhaul business might be, that King
County is doing a disservice to water taxi users who choose to use a bike instead of a car or bus to get to
and from the terminals. Using a bike frees up car parking and bus seats for others on the new, larger
vessels. Providing less usable bike storage on the new larger capacity vessels makes no sense for
creation of a sustainable transportation network, or for reducing the traffic and parking impact on
Vashon and in West Seattle.

Instead of forcing your customers to overhaul or replace their bikes at frequent intervals, we think you
should:
1. Provide bike racks inside the cabin, in proportion to seating as on the older vessels; or,
2. Provide a cover that will exclude salt spray from any outdoor bike storage; and
3. Provide a hose for rinsing bikes at each terminal.

Sincerely,

Stu Hennessey, Owner
Brad Loetel, Owner

Aaron Goss. Owner
Alki Bike & Board

West Seattle Cyclery
Gregg Sundin, Manager
West Seattle

West Seattle

Aarons Bicycle Repair








White Center

Craig Undem, Owner
Michael and Jennifer Longiel, Owners
Cycle University

Andy Townsend, Manager
West Seattle

The Bicycle Repair Shop




Downtown Seattle

cc:
Harold Tanaguchi, Director,
King County Department of Transportation Dow Constantine, King County Executive

Joe McDermott, King County Councilmember