Between about 1894-1904, after the horse and before the automobile, bicycles were the hottest new form of do-it-yourself urban transportation in Seattle. The region's many cycling groups regularly sponsored outings along the twenty-five miles of urban bicycle trails which were built, funded, and maintained with the aid of city engineers. Bike cops enforced cyclist speed limits, safety, and dealt with the scourge of bike thefts. There were over 20 bike shops on Second Avenue alone, and it's estimated that there were 10,000 cyclists in a Seattle of about 100,000 citizens.
This image of Lake Union was taken sometime between 1900 and 1903, facing north from the 10-mile-long Lake Washington bicycle path, built in April 1897 by the Queen City Cycle Club (later Queen City Good Roads Club). The Lake Washington bicycle path began at Eighth Avenue and Pine Street and continued out through the woods to Lake Washington by way of Lakeview and Interlaken Boulevards. The Halfway House served sandwiches and drinks.
Signs in image: Go slow, Ring bell; Slow, Keep to the Right
Caption information source: The Seattle Daily Times, July 10, 1922, page 20 and March 26, 1934, page 12. Caption information source: http://crosscut.com/2013/09/seattles-first-golden-age-bikes
Physical Description: 1 photographic print mounted on cardboard: b&w ; 4.5 x 6.5 in.
Additional Information: Digital copy of this item available thanks to funding from a 2016 Institute for Museum and Library Services grant. Metadata updated as part of a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the Library Services and Technology Act, through the Washington State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.
