Earlier this month Mayor Greg Nickels announced the city will begin construction on the missing Ballard link of the Burke-Gilman Trail in 2009. But the trail's route along Ballard Avenue may not keep cyclists from riding on Shilshole Avenue near the waterfront industrial businesses.

The new section of trail, to be completed in 2010, will stretch from 11th Avenue to the Ballard Locks and will complete the Burke-Gilman Trail.

A route taking the trail from 11th to the Ballard Locks, entirely on Shilshole, has caused worry among the waterfront businesses that too many cyclists riding near the machinery and loading docks would lead to injuries and potential fatalities.

The new route runs from 11th Avenue to 17th Avenue along Shilshole, then moves north to Ballard Avenue until Vernon Place, at which point it returns to Shilshole. At 24th, the trail again moves north to Market Street until moving to Shilshole for the final time at 28th.

Warren Aakervik, owner of Ballard Oil on 26th Avenue Northwest near Shilshole, said commuting cyclists would not use the new trail because staying on Shilshole will be easier and faster.

"Why go up and around four corners when you could ride straight down the road," he said.

Craig Benjamin, transportation guild leader for Sustainable Ballard, said some cyclists would probably keep using Shilshole Avenue exclusively even after the trail is completed, but that is happening anyway.

The benefit of completing the trail on Ballard Avenue is it gives riders who are not experienced or comfortable enough to ride on Shilshole a safe alternative, Benjamin said.

Aakervik believes cyclists that ride along Shilshole are putting their lives in danger and eventually someone will be killed in an accident. At that point a loss of insurance and pressure to complete a trail close to businesses on Shilshole will lead to the loss of important and unique maritime industries, Aakervik has long argued.

"It's impossible to recreate what we do here anywhere else in the world," he said.

According to records from the Seattle Department of Transportation, only two collisions involving bicycles were reported from 2003 to 2007 on Shilshole. But that number does not include minor, unreported accidents.

Rick Sheridan, communications manager at the Department of Transportation, said the new trail route is the best way to balance the needs of businesses and bicycle riders in the area and will be a safer route than is currently available.

Benjamin said he is impressed with the amount of work the city has put into considering both businesses and safety, and the new trail plans he has seen will include improvements to both traffic control and lines of sight for cyclists.

Sheridan said the city will remain open to the idea of moving the trail entirely down to Shilshole Avenue in the future if there is a decline in the use of the industrial driveways and loading docks.

The final segment of the trail will cost $8.6 million to complete and will be funded by levies and grants.

Michael Harthorne can be reached at 783-1244 or michaelh@robinsonnews.com.