Give the guinea pig some space.

Grow Avenue will be closed to through traffic from Friday, May 8 through Monday, May 11 as the first test for Bainbridge Island’s new “Safe Streets” program.

The Bainbridge Island City Council has been considering a proposal that would turn some city streets into “play streets” for walkers and bikers.

The concept comes from the bicycle advocacy group Squeaky Wheels and Bainbridge GreenWays, a Sustainable Bainbridge program, and would turn some streets to “local traffic only” so the roadways could be used by pedestrians and bicyclists.

Proponents of the idea originally said the idea would “relieve the strain resulting from distancing-related trail and park closures” from the state’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” restrictions, and supporters said earlier that people had fewer options for trails and places to bike due to social distancing or because they lived too far away to walk or bike to parks or trailheads, which were closed. Parking lot access to local trailheads and parks, however, was restored Friday, May 1.

Supporters said this week that with the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order, there are fewer cars on the road, but some vehicles have been speeding up, so the Safe Streets program still would improve safety for all.

An ad-hoc committee was recently set up by the city, and includes councilmen Kol Medina, Joe Deets, and Michael Pollack, plus Paula Holmes-Eber from Squeaky Wheels and Susan Loftus from Bainbridge GreenWays.

The group chose Grow Avenue as a pilot for the program because residents have previously urged the city to regulate traffic on this street, organizers said.

Proponents of the program noted Grow Avenue is a residential street and is commonly used by through traffic, and added that “Madison Avenue provides a convenient alternative for cars.”

During the closure period this weekend, traffic on Grow Avenue will be limited to residents along the street and their guests, as well as mail carriers, delivery and emergency vehicles. Through traffic will be directed to Madison.

Residents and users will be asked for feedback during the four-day trial period.

Organizers said that if the pilot program finds support, the traffic restrictions may stay in place during the pandemic and the program could be expanded. They also said islanders may be invited to nominate other streets for such restrictions.

Supporters note that cities including New York, Seattle, and Oakland, California have closed traffic on streets in a similar fashion.