If all goes well, this will become
a more frequent sight in East Portland.
(Photo © J. Maus)

As we shared on Wednesday, the Portland Bureau of Transportation is ready to roll on a set of projects that are likely to give a major jolt to the anemic active transportation network in East Portland.

The draft East Portland in Motion implementation strategy an impressive body of work that combines PBOT's strengths in bikeway engineering, a collaborative planning approach, and their commitment to fund projects that aren't car-centric. It's also noteworthy for the level of knowledge and engagement brought to the table by citizen groups like the East Portland Action Plan bike subcommittee (a.k.a. EPAPBike). (more...)

Ellen Vanderslice of PBOT presented
the report at a meeting last night.
(Photos © J. Maus)

The Portland Bureau of Transportation has released the public draft of their East Portland in Motion report, a five year strategy that sets a blueprint for improving biking and walking conditions in East Portland.

Work on the report has taken place over the past year through a variety of public meetings and surveys. The purpose, says a Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) statement, is to, "create a seamless network of accessible trails, sidewalks and bikeways that enable active transportation in the community." (more...)

BTA Executive Director Rob Sadowsky maneuvers around an unpaved street in East Portland during a ride with the City's Bicycle Advisory Committee.
(Photos © J. Maus)

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Approximate route of new bike boulevard
coming to east Portland.

The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is close to the start of construction on a new "neighborhood greenway" that would parallel 82nd Avenue in northeast and southeast Portland. PBOT has put out a request for proposals to find a construction firm to start and the project is scheduled to begin next month.

The three-mile route would mostly use 86th and 87th Avenues and would stretch from NE Hassolo Street (near I-84) to SE Bush (south of Powell). The project is one of many neighborhood greenway projects PBOT is working on throughout the city (their plan is 15 miles of new neighborhood greenways (a.k.a. bike boulevards) each year through 2013).

To create a more comfortable and accessible route that parallels 82nd Avenue (an ODOT-controlled arterial), PBOT will use the familiar tools of speed bumps, curb extensions, sharrows, speed bumps, cycle-tracks, tree plantings, new signals, signage, and so on. (more...)

A woman enjoys the newly designated bike-only
space on E Burnside over I-205.
(Photo © J. Maus)

The City of Portland has installed new bike lanes on the East Burnside overpass of I-205. The bike lanes had previously dropped on either side of the overpass (at NE 94th and 97th).

The new lanes take advantage of a wide shoulder and PBOT has even a striped a buffered section in the center of the overpass. These new bike lanes have added importance because this is where the I-205 multi-use path jogs from one side of the interstate to the other. (more...)

Now that's what I'm talkin' about.
(Photos © J. Maus)

PBOT has once again decided to create a loop of streets in East Portland carfree for five hours this Sunday. This crazy scheme to force people out of their cars and into the streets to meet their neighbors and enjoy their community is called "Sunday Parkways". Not satisfied with simply making streets carfree, PBOT has also invited organizations, food vendors, and entertainers to set up in the parks and streets. (more...)

PBOT data on SE Holgate Blvd. The street was re-striped for buffered bike lanes in 2009.

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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. (more...)

The great news we reported last month is now official: The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) announced yesterday that they've received $2.96 million from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) for two projects that will vastly improve biking and walking conditions in North and East Portland.

The Portland projects are two out of 27 that the Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC) has decided to fund from a $20 million pot of federal "flexible funds" set aside specifically for non-highway projects. PBOT has received $2,090,372 for the Going to the River project and $870,000 for a project on SE 122nd Avenue.
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The Gateway Green site as it looks today.
(Photos © J. Maus)

Portland City Commissioner Nick Fish announced earlier today that the City of Portland will assume an official leadership role in the Gateway Green project. It's been over a year since the project has moved significantly forward, but today Fish said the City's decision to step up with leadership responsibility and financial commitment will help "break the logjam."
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A rare haven for bike riders in East Portland.
(Photo: Elizabeth Craig/ODOT)

It's not everyday that people in the eastern parts of our city feel Portland's legendary bike love. But this isn't everyday; it's Bike to Work Day!

On that note, I thought I'd share an email I got from reader Michael Mann, who was setting into his usually lonely commute this morning when -- lo and behold -- he was greeted by coffee, pastries, and smiles: (more...)

Map of location.

Two women who were crossing SE Foster Blvd at 80th Ave on foot last night were struck by a car. One woman, 23 year old Lindsay Leonard, died on the scene. The other, 29 23 year old Jessica Finlay, is in critical condition.

According to the Oregon State Police, the women were crossing Foster in a crosswalk southbound from the Fred Meyer parking lot. Here's more from the OSP: "The vehicle was travelling westbound on Foster and witnesses stated that it appeared neither pedestrian saw the vehicle approaching."
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A group merge during a Bicycle Advisory
Committee tour of east Portland last July.
(Photo © J. Maus)

You're invited to our next BikePortland Neighborhood Get Together in the Powellhurst neighborhood of outer Southeast Portland -- that's right, we're going east of I-205.

Anyone who lives, works, commutes, or otherwise spends time in outer Southeast Portland is invited to join us.

This is an informal social event to meet each other, talk shop, compare notes, and generally have a fun evening. Come discuss bike routes, connections, and pavement maintenance, the new MAX light rail line under construction in the neighborhood, and more. (more...)

Bike lanes on high-speed arterials -- like
this one on SE Powell -- are the norm in outer
East Portland.
(Photos/video © J. Maus)

Last night, the City of Portland's Bicycle Advisory Committee took a closer look at the bikeways of East Portland.

Led by city bike coordinator Roger Geller, the group met at the Gateway Transit Center (just southeast of I-205 and I-84) and rode a loop that took them east to 162nd Ave. and south to Powell Blvd. (more...)