Citing demand, Parks Bureau doubles bike parking near Saturday Market

The Portland Parks and Recreation bureau is putting the finishing touches on new bike racks near the Naito Fountain area in Waterfront Park. We noticed work crews at the site yesterday and contributor Jim Parsons snapped a photo for us this morning…

City crews installing new bike racks near the
Saturday Market in Waterfront Park this morning.
(Photo: Jim “K’Tesh” Parsons)

We got in touch with Parks PIO Beth Sorensen to learn more. Sorensen says demand for bike parking outstripped supply at the location last year. The racks are used by customers of the popular Saturday Market that moved to this location last year.

“We knew we might need to add more when the Saturday Market first moved over to that area,” Sorensen tells us, “but we wanted to wait a full season to confirm that. Bikes were being chained to trees and fences around the Market, so we doubled the number as they begin their 2011 season.”

With the addition of seven additional bike racks on the Waterfront path, Sorensen says they’ve doubled bike parking in the area from seven to 14 racks — enough space for 28 bicycles.

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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El Biciclero
El Biciclero
13 years ago

Two questions:

I can’t tell from the photo, but are those racks far enough away from the concrete barrier to be used properly?

Just out of curiosity, what is the area (square feet) taken up by 28 bicycles parked at these racks vs. parking 28 cars along the street somewhere?

OK, a third question: given the assumed answer to my second question, why does it always seem so difficult to convince the average person that adding bike parking actually saves a ton of street space?

BURR
BURR
13 years ago
Reply to  El Biciclero

I would second those racks being installed too close to the wall…unless perhaps they are angled and not perpendicular to the wall.

Lance P
Lance P
13 years ago
Reply to  El Biciclero

We use them often. During the shamrock run just a few weeks ago we parked our bikes there. Our bikes fit just fine with lots of extra room. The picture is just misjudging. Also, There is 0 auto stalls on the street. Natio has a very skinny bike lane and 5 auto lanes. I would love to see the road go through a major diet (as was the case during construction).

Allan Rudwick
Allan
13 years ago

I question whether the 28 bike capacity will be enough. If they fill up, will we have to wait another year to get more? Then again, there are plenty of metal posts to lock to in the area so its not a huge problem 🙂

J_Ryde
13 years ago

Hooray for more racks! Thank you Portland Parks and Rec!

Steve B
13 years ago

Bravo, Parks Bureau!

CaptainKarma
CaptainKarma
13 years ago

They shoulda went ahead and *added* 28 for a total of 42. The time will come that they will be full.
And I wonder if filling them with abrasive cement would slow down a cutter/grinder?

Rosalie
Rosalie
13 years ago

We stopped by Saturday Market this morning and used the new racks and indeed they are far enough away from the concrete barrier for our bikes to fit. It’s sure is nicer that locking them to a fence like we did in the past.