Get Together recap: Talking bikes in East Portland

Get Together in Lents

Last month we held a Get Together at a coffee shop on SE 92nd and Foster. The turnout wasn’t huge (similar to last time we did an event in that area), but the conversation was excellent. We not only met some new friends, we learned a little more about what it’s like to ride in East Portland.

The first person that showed up was Geana Tyler. I had a feeling that the Holgate buffered bike lane fiasco might be a topic of conversation; and sure enough, Geana started us off. “I had sold my bike years ago,” she told us, “but after seeing those new lanes on Holgate got me back into biking.”

Geana works in Sellwood and lives just off Holgate around 122nd. The new buffered bike lanes on SE Holgate have not only turned her into a regular commuter, but she’s been bitten by the bicycling bug. She’s got 1,700 miles logged so far, has bought a new bike, has signed up for the Petal Pedal in June, and is considering doing an overnighter with Cycle Wild.

Get Together in Lents-7

Geana Tyler (and the SKS multi-tool
she won in the raffle!).

Talking with Geana, and other Lents locals, it became clear that crossing major arterial streets was a major issue. Crossings are so dangerous that several people told us they actually plan their routes so they can make all right turns.

Fears of busy streets also means that multi-use paths act as life-lines for East Portland riders. Thankfully, the I-205 path and the Springwater Corridor provide an off-street option. “Luckily, we can use 205,” we heard from one woman.

Another theme that emerged was a lack of bike shops that serve East Portland. While Portland boasts somewhere near 60 retail bike shops, they are few and far between the further east you go. (FYI, the main shops in East Portland are Backpedal Cycleworks at SE 72nd and Harold, Meticon at 59th and Foster, Bike Gallery at SE 109th and Division, Oregon Bike Shop at SE 81st and Stark and Missing Link at NE 72/Sandy/Fremont).

Nick Christensen, Chair of the Lents Neighborhood Association, said he’s focused on business development in the area. He envisions I-205 like a bike freeway where there would be signs at the cross streets pointing out local businesses. He’s also working on a project to develop a better connection for eastbound biking traffic off the Springwater Corridor and into downtown Lents. Now, people use SE Foster, which Nick says is “insane.”

While there are major needs in East Portland, the good news is that help is coming. Thanks to excellent activism and a City that has heard loud and clear from residents that it’s time to spread the transportation wealth further east, projects are in the pipeline and there are many opportunities to get involved.

Meet a few more of our new friends from the Get Together below and stay tuned for more coverage of Lents and East Portland…

Get Together in Lents-6

Diana Davis (L) owns the building at
Woodstock and 85th. She wanted to learn more
about getting bike racks and was
hoping to find a bike-related tenant
(a bike shop perhaps?).

Get Together in Lents-5

This is Brock Dittus, East Portland resident
and one of the two guys behind the
Sprocket Podcast.
Get Together in Lents-3

We were lucky (and grateful) to have
PBOT project manager Ellen Vanderslice on
hand to share info and her expertise.

We’ve got another Get Together coming up tomorrow (4/27) night at Bridgeport Brewery in the Pearl District. If you live, ride, or work in Northwest Portland, we’d love to meet you. Details here.

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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adventure!
12 years ago

The main shops in East Portland are Backpedal Cycleworks at SE 72nd and Harold, Meticon at 59th and Foster, and Bike Gallery at SE 109th and Division.

If we’re defining East Portland as “east of 60th”, then don’t forget about Oregon Bike Shop at SE 81st and Stark and Missing Link at NE 72/Sandy/Fremont!

Adams Carroll (News Intern)
Reply to  adventure!

thanks Shawn. i’ve added those to the story.

Dan
Dan
12 years ago
Reply to  adventure!

And The Outer Rim on 106th and Halsey

Sorry I missed. Would have loved to have thrown in some outer NE thoughts…but it sounds like the main points were well covered.

Lents Guy
Lents Guy
12 years ago

Glad to see that a get together was held in Lents. I’m really sorry I missed this event – especially since I live just down the street from Lents Commons.
Any idea on PBOT’s position on those vertical white posts that are at 92nd/Ramona. Those posts are pretty dangerous – but probably not any more so than parked vehicles though.

james
james
12 years ago

Jonathan, there is a second Bike Gallery in se on 43rd and Woodstock.

Jim Labbe
Jim Labbe
12 years ago

Darn. How did I miss this event. I commute out Foster through East Portland on a regular basis.

gl.
gl.
12 years ago

Thanks for coming to visit us, Jonathan! It was good to meet other Outer SE bicyclists.

Steve Hoyt-McBeth
12 years ago

Jonathan, do you happen to have any contact info that you could share (offline) for Diana Davis? I’d like to get her a free bike rack installed through our SmartTrips Business program at PBOT.

Steve Hoyt-McBeth
12 years ago

Never mind Jonathan. My on-the-ball colleague Ellen Vanderslice already passed on her info to our bike parking technician.

Options Guy
12 years ago

To the bike shop list I would add Outer Rim Bicycles at NE Halsey & 106th. Right in the heart of Gateway!
http://www.outerrimbicycles.com

And for more East Portland bike action, check out EPAPbike (East Portland Action Plan Bike Subcommittee) – http://www.eastportlandactionplan.org/bike
They’re working up a series of free monthly rides, May through October.