Portions of Lake Washington Boulevard will go car-free nearly every weekend this summer from Memorial Day to Labor Day including extended weekends for three holidays, Mayor Katie Wilson announced Monday.
This storied open streets event formerly known as Bicycle Sunday has been held on Lake Washington Boulevard since 1968, and the 2026 schedule expands it from 10 to 15 weekends and includes three extended holiday weekends for a total of 33 days, more than any year prior (except for maybe during COVID shutdown times, but those felt a bit less celebratory).
“We’re opening Lake Washington Boulevard every weekend to make more space for people to bike, walk, roll, and be outside,” Wilson said in a press release (see below). “This is your city, and it should be easy to get out and enjoy our sunny days.”
Holding the event every weekend (other than Aug 1-2 due to Seafair) should have the added benefit of making the event more predictable for drivers. Previously, drivers would either have to look up the schedule or be surprised by the road closed signs if they were trying to travel on Lake Washington Boulevard during the summer. Now drivers only need to remember that the road is car-free on weekends and holidays between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Because there is no continuous and usable bike path along Lake Washington Boulevard, Bicycle Weekends provides people an opportunity to enjoy the lakeside without worrying about car traffic or dealing with car noise and pollution. Access to parking lots and boat launches are maintained, so people can still drive to the lake like usual, they just can’t drive along it.
Wilson’s announcement is a stark departure from her predecessor Bruce Harrell, who scaled back the Bicycle Weekends program in 2023 through 2025 despite a community push to expand it.
The press release from Mayor Wilson’s Office:
Seattle Mayor Katie B. Wilson announced today that Lake Washington Boulevard will open for Bicycle Weekends every weekend from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
“Seattle summers are beautiful, and everyone should be able to enjoy them,” said Mayor Katie B. Wilson. “We’re opening Lake Washington Boulevard every weekend to make more space for people to bike, walk, roll, and be outside. This is your city, and it should be easy to get out and enjoy our sunny days.”
Beginning Memorial Day weekend and every weekend through Labor Day, a portion of Lake Washington Boulevard will be closed to motorized vehicles, creating safe, car-free space along the waterfront for people to walk, bike, and roll. The route offers a continuous stretch for biking, jogging, and walking throughout the summer.
On holiday weekends, closures will be extended an additional day to include the holiday:
- Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day)
- Friday, July 3 (Fourth of July)
- Monday, September 7 (Labor Day)
Note: There will be no Bicycle Weekend August 1–2 due to Seafair.
Schedule: Every weekend from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Holiday weekends are denoted with an asterisk*
The 2026 event dates are:
- Saturday, May 23 — Monday, May 25*
- Saturday, May 30 — Sunday, May 31
- Saturday, June 6 — Sunday, June 7
- Saturday, June 13 — Sunday, June 14
- Saturday, June 20 — Sunday, June 21
- Saturday, June 27— Sunday, June 28
- Friday, July 3 — Sunday, July 5*
- Saturday, July 11— Sunday, July 12
- Saturday, July 18 — Sunday, July 19
- Saturday, July 25 — Sunday, July 26
- Saturday, August 8 — Sunday, August 9
- Saturday, August 15 — Sunday, August 16
- Saturday, August 22 — Sunday, August 23
- Saturday, August 29 — Sunday, August 30
- Saturday, September 5 — Monday, September 7*
Local access: People driving to homes along the boulevard, including residents, visitors, and deliveries, may enter from the nearest cross street.
Parking: Park parking lots will remain open and accessible from the nearest cross street.
