Public Works committee approves Community Streets program; Holly Street bike-lane pilot reported increased cyclist use

The Bellingham Public Works and Natural Resources Committee voted to implement the Community Streets program, a resident-driven initiative intended to address traffic concerns on residential streets through data-driven solutions, neighborhood projects, capital projects and location studies. Committee Chair Council Member Anna Stone said staff presented a lengthy overview and recommended moving the program forward; council approved the motion in committee and later the full council recorded the committee's recommendation as passed, 7-0.

Staff described four focus areas for Community Streets: quick checklist projects handled through SeeClickFix; capital projects potentially advanced through the TIP or master plans; neighborhood-led projects such as street trees or murals for traffic calming; and quadrant-based location studies to prioritize larger interventions. Interim Public Works Director Joel Funt and transportation staff presented the approach and urged neighborhood participation in future rounds of engagement.

In the same committee meeting, staff reported on the Holly Street bike-lane pilot, which installed a mix of painted buffered lanes and parking-protected lanes through downtown. Joel Funt and transportation engineer Jane Sullivan said the pilot (constructed in February 2024 and evaluated late 2024) led to additional bicycle usage and generally slower vehicle speeds through the downtown core. Staff described adjustments made during the pilot — including signal cycle length changes, added bike delineators, removal of