Heartbreak and Hope in 2025
- seattlegreenways
- Dec. 17, 2025
This year brought both heartbreak and hope for people who walk, bike, and roll in Seattle. As an attorney who represents people injured on our streets, including my bike and pedestrian clients, I see every day how dangerous infrastructure design decisions have changed lives in an instant. Yet, this year has also shown that improvements are possible when Seattle chooses safety.
New protected bike routes now stitch together a low-stress spine from West Seattle to Interbay and beyond, with projects on East Marginal Way, Alaskan Way, and the Elliott Bay corridor creating nearly 10 miles of separated bike lanes along the waterfront. These connections make everyday trips safer and, not to mention, more comfortable for commuters, families, and visitors. Moreover, they move us closer to a city that allows safe travel by bike, wheelchair, or on your own two feet.
I love that Seattle Neighborhood Greenways drives this shift, as it continues to push for bold projects. As part of this fantastic group, I’m proud that SNG plays a significant role in historic investments through the transportation levy, ensuring leaders treat safety as a priority, not an afterthought.
My firm, Fleming Law, and my family proudly support SNG’s work, because legal accountability after a crash matters—but preventing the next crash matters even more. With a new council, a new mayor, and a clear mandate for safer, people-first streets, Seattle now has a real chance in the coming years to close the gaps, fix notorious danger spots like the Missing Link, and make every neighborhood a place where everyone can move with confidence.
Pictured below with my dog on 9th Ave in SLU, right by the new-ish bike lanes that were technically completed last year. I’m happy to see that they are well used even in the rain. I look forward to more of these connections and perhaps meeting more folks who share SNG’s and my priorities for safer infrastructure.
ABOUT ARTICLE AUTHOR
Catherine Fleming is a Seattle Neighborhood Greenways Board Member and Seattle-based attorney dedicated to advocating for pedestrians, bicyclists, and others injured on our roads.
An outspoken and civic-minded Washingtonian, Catherine also serves on the Washington State Association for Justice PAC Board. When she isn’t meeting with clients or visiting crash sites, you can often find her supporting lawmakers and urging a focus on safer streets for everyone.