Roadway parking ban sought at this popular Whatcom County, WA, mountain biking spot
Mountain bikers heading to the acclaimed network of trails on Galbraith Mountain soon will have a safer way to get there.
Whatcom County and the city of Bellingham are collaborating to build a crosswalk on Samish Way at Galbraith Lane, which provides access to 65 miles of trails on more than 6,000 acres of land that’s managed by the city, county, Whatcom Land Trust and the Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition.
In addition, the Whatcom County Council is being asked to ban parking on the south side of Samish Way near Galbraith Lane, an ordinance that is scheduled for consideration on Sept. 12.
County Engineer Doug Ranney told the County Council’s Public Works and Health Committee on Tuesday that cars parked along the road can block the view of oncoming traffic.
Cars parked on the south side of the road often take up the shoulder and force bicyclists into traffic.
Several mountain bikers welcomed that news Wednesday in interviews with The Bellingham Herald.
“It’ll be great to have. It’s important for safety,” said Kyle Bickel of Bellingham, after riding Galbraith on Wednesday afternoon.
“Not having cars parked on the road, that will be good, too.” he said.
Miguel Boriss of Bellingham said that crossing Samish Way can be treacherous, specially for families with children and riders with dogs.
“There’s a lot of kids who ride up there and they have to cross,” Boriss said.
County Council members Tuesday unanimously approved $22,100 for the crosswalk that will have flashing yellow lights.
A paved parking area at the T-shaped intersection of Galbraith and Samish opened in 2022, offering nearly 200 spaces.
The parking lot is inside Bellingham, but Samish Way is a county road, said Natalie Munro, a spokeswoman for the Bellingham Public Works Department. Munro told The Herald that the Bellingham City Council will consider the joint project in early September.
Munro said the city will build the crosswalk, but the county is funding construction, which is planned for early 2024.
In addition, Munro said the city plans to build a short trail connection from the parking lot to the crosswalk — a move that should keep bicyclists off the roadside.
That direct link to Galbraith Lane from the parking lot will be paid for with funds from the city’s Greenways tax, Parks and Recreation Department Director Nicole Oliver told The Herald.
Some 2,500 cars use the road at that location daily, according to a 2010 survey from the Whatcom Council of Governments.
At 5 p.m. Wednesday, the lot was nearly full of cars, vans and trucks — many with bike racks and out-of-state plates.
Singletracks magazine ranks Galbraith as the best place to ride in Washington state and among the top 50 worldwide.
This story was originally published August 11, 2023 at 9:41 AM.
