ODOT changes paint striping policy

I know I’ve been harsh on ODOT in the past, but now I applaud them.

A few weeks ago I posted something about a couple riding a tandem that had slipped on wet paint laid down by ODOT road crews. The paint had just been applied and no signs or cones were placed to warn of the slippery substance.

After contacting ODOT, the riders were told they could receive compensation for their injuries and that ODOT has no policy for warning people of the wet paint because it “usually dries in 10 minutes”. The riders didn’t care about the money, they just wanted this policy changed so this wouldn’t happen again..

I’m happy to report that I just got an email and comment from Michael Ronkin, ODOT’s bike and pedestrian planner.

“This was brought to the attention of the head of ODOT maintenance for the Portland area, and she turned around and brought it to the regional manager’s attention right away. I’ve been cc’d on their email exchanges; it looks like they are planning to change their procedures.”


This is great news (if they follow through) and I applaud ODOT for listening to concerned cyclists and taking action to improve this policy.

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car owner and driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, feel free to contact me at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a supporter.

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Caroline
Caroline
18 years ago

That’s funny you post about painted stripes, because esp. on my damp ride home last night at midnight I wondered several times as I crossed those thick white lines just how much risk I was taking. I’m on slicks, but I’ve never slid on one. Last night I found their texture (Johnson Creek Blvd. on the Milwaukee/Portland border) was satisfyingly waffle-like and “grippy.” I wasn’t on acid, either. And, for the false sense of security they afford (it’s not the Rio Grande you know), I appreciate those lines.
I wish Portland would come out and paint one over the intersection at 37th and Sandy Blvd. For me, that is THE most harrowing Portland intersection. What is yours?

Adams Carroll (News Intern)
18 years ago

Harrowing intersection? How about Burnside and 8th (on the way to KBOO and CityBikes)?

Caroline
Caroline
18 years ago

I don’t know, sounds like a pretty straightforward four-lane intersection. Had a bad experience?

Have you looked at Sandy & 37th? Since Nancy Wernert died on her bike there in 2001, there has been push for striping, but for some reason it has never happened. I think that “some reason” is the deadlocked Sandy Blvd. “streetscaping” project:

http://www.portlandonline.com/transportation/index.cfm?&a=90098

It seems they could stripe it now and streetscape later, but I guess that’s not how it works.

And as far as Burnside, why not go a block out of your way and use the bike route on Ankeny or the signal at 9th Ave? Only crazy people ride their bikes along Burnside! Way too many hazards.

josh m
josh m
18 years ago

eh, i ride on burnside.
I prefer main routes to the side streets. Too many stop signs on the side streets and too many cars just shooting through fast not watching. I’ve had more close calls on side streets than main streets.
Ive only had on problem on burnside,
and that is the crappiest intersection ever where sandy crosses burnside.
I was on burnside starting to go when a suv passed me, pushing me straight into the median on sandy and thus effing my front rim up.
good times.