Summer Streets on Alki, report #2: Before the rain, the parade!

(Photos by WSB’s Patrick Sand, unless otherwise credited)
At least the rain stayed away from Seattle Summer Streets on Alki until after the Alki Beach Creeps‘ second annual Bicycle/Costume Parade. If you weren’t there, here are some of the sights!

Dogs aren’t so rare at the beach – but this might be the first cat we’ve seen join the parade:

Seattle Police led the parade – here’s a quick video clip from the start:

ADDED 4:44 PM: Thanks to Tim for a photo of the parade group at the turnaround point at Don Armeni – and the scenic skyline while the sun was still out:

Were you in the parade (or any other Summer Streets events)? Photo to share? editor@wsb.blackfin.biz – thanks!

West Seattle Hipster May 18, 2014 (5:26 pm)

Looks like a great event, but a bit concerned that some people chose to ride without helmets.

You only have 1 brain, take good care of it.

Nw mama May 18, 2014 (7:02 pm)

Hipster- really? It was a costume parade on a street closed to traffic. Anyways, the whole day was REALLY fun!

West Seattle Hipster May 18, 2014 (8:16 pm)

Yes Mama, really. If you ever have to visit your child in intensive care with a head injury from falling off a bicycle, you will understand.

KD May 18, 2014 (9:27 pm)

Right On Hipster! Thankyou for community caring with your comments. Too bad you had to be picked on. Harborview severe brain injury doctors would agree with you.

Mike May 18, 2014 (11:06 pm)

Nw mama, I’m glad WSHipster pointed that out. It does not matter if the road is closed from automobile traffic. I’ve had a concussion due to crashing my bicycle WITH a helmet on, I’d probably be dead if I didn’t have it on. You’ll never find me or anyone I ride with not wearing a helmet, especially my kids.

J May 18, 2014 (11:15 pm)

What a great event! I truly wish we could do this more often. Alki without car access was so neighborly, family friendly, peaceful and clean.

Willis May 18, 2014 (11:36 pm)

Thank you so much for everyone who came and enjoyed the day with us again. As Co President of the Beach Creeps Alki ( the one in the main picture with the hard hat) I will speak on behalf of everyone in the club that we absolutely had a blast with you all who joined. Its was such a releif seeing so many enthusiastic people there to have such a good time. And thank you as well to the 12 or so people who participated in the skidding competition afterwards. Today was a great day for Alki once again. And all the childrens, parents and other peoples smiles showed true community love together. Thank you thank you thank you!!! You are beautiful West Seattle :)

alkistu May 19, 2014 (10:20 am)

Clean air, quiet surroundings, beautiful people. More smiles on the faces than you will ever see in the enclosed capsules of the car world. Can’t wait til next year!

Mike May 19, 2014 (8:58 pm)

Glad people had fun, just remember to wear a helmet, it’s also the law. http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/bike/helmets.htm

Lee May 21, 2014 (8:16 pm)

Actually at the first bike parade last year , Mayor Mike McGinn, Mr. bicycle himself , exempted the adult parade participants from the wearing helmets on the parade route.
A similar situation is found in the Fremont Solstice Parade’s naked bicycle run, in which adult participants are exempted from wearing a helmet.
Having said that, i have friend who is alive today because of his bicycle helmet and of course you cannot dilute the important message of safety when using a bicycle under normal conditions; but this event had no interaction with any traffic whatsoever, was at low speed and orderly, under a Seattle Police escort with volunteer monitors also, and all children had helmets.
I find the lecturing of adults by other adults about helmets under these circumstances to be rather sanctimonious and distracting from positive features of this fun event.

Lee May 21, 2014 (8:49 pm)

Oh, and additionally, the SPD in charge on site, to their credit , confirmed to parade participants that they recognized the helmet exemption on the event route, and that afterwards they would be vigorously issuing tickets to anyone without a helmet on, whether in costume or not.
So, again, I would like to emphasize that no, we did not have to wear helmets , and nobody was breaking any laws, and future parade participants can look forward to designing their costume sans helmet, and without criticism.

Guy Olson May 21, 2014 (8:57 pm)

The idea of the parade is for people to have fun, that’s why my 10 year old daughter and I thought up the event. The helmet law is great, we get it. Thanks to all those that helped spread the news of the event, participated, cheered us on, etc. I’d also like to point out that Mother Nature shined on our parade. In case “Mike” needs more ammo, I found this link for her:

http://realstrangelaws.com/dumb-laws/washington/

Steve Campbell May 22, 2014 (4:34 pm)

I hope everyone who is so concerned about cycling without a helmet on a closed street also wears a helmet when they walk down the sidewalk or ride in a a car. After all you’re much more likely to suffer a serious head injury performing those activities than you are riding a bicycle.

Oh and also make sure to wear your helmet while showering. More people get head injuries from falling in bathtubs than from cycling.

I mean after all you only have one brain.

Sorry, comment time is over.