Slideshow: Portland’s busy bikeways
Posted by Jonathan Maus (Editor-in-Chief) on September 30th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Bike traffic on NW Broadway this morning.
Slideshow below
(Photos © J. Maus)
Slideshow below
(Photos © J. Maus)
This morning I snapped a few photos of a common sight around Portland these days; bike traffic.
Many of us have viewed (with envy) images of bike traffic in European cities like Amsterdam. While we’re not quite in that league yet, our busy bikeways are truly a sight to behold.
For everyone that hasn’t witnessed it first hand, check out the brief slideshow below for a view of morning rush-hour in Portland’s bike lanes…
Email This Post
Possibly related posts 
September 30th, 2008 14:11
These are bitter-sweet images for me. Many are the years myself, and a few other stalwart types, road those very byways solo, and in harm's way. Stitches, broken bones, wrecked rides... I'm really glad to see this J. I for one, offer my deepest, and most heart-felt thanks to those who came before us, and I. Collin, Chris, Chris, Mick, RG, Ryan, Daniel, Julie, Andrew...
September 30th, 2008 14:21
I saw you shooting on Lovejoy Ramp and hoped to get in a photo. I was behind a messenger on a white & black tall bike. I figured surely he's going to get published...but he (and subsequently I) didn't make the cut.
September 30th, 2008 14:37
Thanks, Jonathan, this made me happy...
September 30th, 2008 14:41
tomorrow the bike commute challenge ends, i'd be curious to see if there is just as much traffic... :)
September 30th, 2008 14:53
Funny because I was the just out of frame on picture #3... Why is that guy taking photos... now I know.
You missed the photo OP police handing out tickets at the corner of Flint and Broadway... the police unfortunately missed the car that nearly took me out turning onto Flint from Broadway...
(for the record... Flint and Broadway is dangerous I fully endorse making a full and legal stop at this corner...I've nearly hit cars and even worse I've almost hit other bikers rolling this stop sign.)
September 30th, 2008 14:58
This is so amazing, especially realizing that not that long ago it wasn't like this - even during the BCC. Images like this, and thinking about the marvel of it all, literally get me all chocked up...sniff, sniff. Love IT!
September 30th, 2008 14:59
it's obvious that we're outgrowing the existing bike infrastructure...
September 30th, 2008 15:07
Hey, I know that ass!!
Sorry, it just had to be said.
September 30th, 2008 15:15
oh wait!
i made image 6...but i'm totally blocked
i too will be interested to see if october is as busy as september has been
September 30th, 2008 15:55
COOL! I bet $$ Tomorrow will be just as busy!
How can you not be inspired by such a sight to get back on your bike and keep riding....
September 30th, 2008 15:58
Heh... and I'm still glad I roll into downtown around 6:50am... Though it's certainly exciting that there are more riders around now, I think I'd rather avoid the traffic. ^_^
September 30th, 2008 17:00
There is that little jolt of joy one gets, pedaling away and seeing more and more of "US". No matter what mood I'm in, it's uplifting to see more of our "species" on the road. Thanks for the pictures, Jonathan.
September 30th, 2008 17:02
How do you all do it? Stay so orderly, I mean. I look at the lovely bike commuters lined up at the light and wonder where the fixy skidding by everyone on the right or left is? Hats off to you Portlanders and your orderly bike world.
September 30th, 2008 17:23
Makes me feel lonely out here on the shoulder of Hwy 217... I'd love to be joined by friends...
Great Pics!
September 30th, 2008 17:27
Morning rush on N. Vancouver is a beautiful thing. So is the wide-open shoulder on the northern section of 217 in the evening rush, and I'll join K'Tesh there any time.
Jonathan, the comment box is not appearing for me in the previous story about Boston's bike trains.
September 30th, 2008 17:52
[...] little taste of what it looks like to bike in [...]
September 30th, 2008 19:13
Today was very busy, classes at PSU just started, and the weather was very nice. I don't think it has much to do with the bicycle commute challenge.
September 30th, 2008 20:11
"Jonathan, the comment box is not appearing for me in the previous story about Boston's bike trains."
tvhwy,
sorry about that! thanks for letting me know.. I was wondering why only one comment had come in on that story. I've fixed it and now the comments are open.
September 30th, 2008 20:21
Awesome photos. I was stopped heading west about to cross the Hawthorne bridge the other day and saw far, far more bikes than I'd ever seen before.
I'm not going that way on a daily basis these days, but others I talked to said it was more than they'd ever seen too. :) :)
September 30th, 2008 21:02
Yesterday (9/29) at about 6:40, I got stopped on my commute home by the Hawthorne Bridge going up for a barge. By the time the bridge came back down 10 minutes later, there must have been at least 50 bikes waiting to cross to the east side. Maybe more. It was a glorious sight.
September 30th, 2008 23:27
Didn't make that pic... different route, but while talking to our office building super this morning he said he was going to have to put ANOTHER bike rack in our office bike room... already have three and they have been full lately. It is awesome. :)
October 1st, 2008 07:44
Hey - I made picture #1!
I've been bike-commuting to OHSU for 15 years and have definitely seen the tremendous increase in volume; it's pretty incredible, really. I still smile when I come up on this intersection and see the line-up of bike traffic, though sometimes, I long for my old solo days when bicycle traffic jams didn't exist.
Of course, I'll take bicycle over car jams any day.
October 1st, 2008 08:24
My wife takes the boy to school the majority of the time. I decided to do it and I get the bikey equivalent of my photo in the paper. Sweet.
This kind of traffic is a good problem to have. Like so many others, I wonder what bike traffic will look like in January.
October 1st, 2008 08:55
Yesterday's evening commute time along Waterfront Park was equally busy with cyclists of all colors and stripes. Very inspiring to watch... this is our everyday "critical mass", communicating like nothing else that cycling in Portland is no longer a fringe mode of transportation.
October 1st, 2008 09:25
I was on the morning commute today asking myself the same question some of the pervious comments asked, "Will October be as busy". The implication here is that with cold and rain, the bike traffic will die down. It will. A bit. However, on the route this morning, a cold and foggy one, I saw just as many people as usual. Perhaps, the bike mentality in PDX has made it to the point where the weather is no longer a consideration for the beginning commuter.
October 1st, 2008 10:34
In the spirit of increasing winter commute numbers, if you happen to know a new bike commuter, be sure to take a moment see if they need/want advice on lighting and rain gear. I'd hate to see people abandon riding because they're wearing cotton with no fenders.
October 1st, 2008 21:23
Ok, I'll bite. I used to bike commute in the winter, but I was ten yrs younger and invincible. I'm gearing up and could use some advice on the best rain pants and the best thing to do about keeping my noggin warm and dry. If this isn't the place for it... maybe a new post or point me to an old one? Thx!
October 2nd, 2008 10:26
I'm surprised at how few of those bikes have fenders, given what town it is. :-)
October 2nd, 2008 15:57
Since I'm not in Portland--what's the etiquette when you want to go faster than the rider in front? Must you wait for the passing lane on the bridge? Can you get out of the bike lane and take a traditional lane?
October 2nd, 2008 20:08
#28 Hey Gino, its SUMMER! No fenders needed. Now, this week...