We all heard the big news back in April when Frontier Airlines removed the flat fee for checked bicycles. Long before that, we'd floated the idea of having Portland International Airport (PDX) become something of a bikes-fly-free oasis. Imagine the symbolism (and huge win for PR/tourism) if PDX convinced all its local carriers to make a clear statement that bicycles (and their people) are welcomed with open arms!

Well, one reader who happens to be an employee of Southwest Airlines, has been pushing on that idea internally and he's made a bit of a breakthrough. (more...)

New bike assembly station at PDX Airport.
(Photo: Port of Portland)

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Riding in other cities can be fun
and fascinating -- like this ride in Baltimore.
(Photo © Elly Blue)

The holiday travel season is coming up. If you're leaving Portland, maybe you've thought about bringing your bike along for the trip this time.

A bike doesn't make sense for every trip or every destination. But if it does fit in with your plans, the experience of traveling with a bike comes highly recommended. A bike can give you independence, flexibility, adventure, and a surefire way to meet people wherever you go.

How you bring the bike, what kind of bike is best to bring, and how much it costs all depend on whether you're flying or taking the train. Here's the rundown: (more...)

The main bike path at PDX
leads right into the
terminal (and bike parking).
(Photos © J. Maus)

After a comprehensive analysis of the nation's major airports, Health magazine and a panel of experts ranked Portland International Airport the ninth "healthiest" in the country.

Not surprisingly, the magazine listed several of the PDX's bike amenities as reasons for the top ranking. Here's the first paragraph from the blurb that runs on their website:

Portland doesn’t disappoint with a paved bicycle-and-walking path that links local hotels, businesses, and regional hiking and biking trails to the airport. The airport offers free covered bicycle parking adjacent to the terminal too.

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A bike assembly area -- like this
one at the Christchurch Airport in New Zealand --
might be installed at PDX by this spring.
--More images below--
(Photos courtesy Jason Gately/PDX)

The Portland International Airport (PDX) hopes to become the first airport in the United States to offer bike assembly areas and other services for two-wheeled travelers.

Already in existence at airports in New Zealand and British Columbia, the idea is to set aside a dedicated facility where people could re-assemble their bicycles before they hit the road, or take them apart and pack them up prior to getting on a plane.

According to PDX aviation planner Jason Gately, who I confirmed the plans with this morning, the idea (which sprang from a brainstorming session at the Oregon Bike Summit back in April) is to have the facility on the lower level near the MAX light rail station and baggage claim area. Gately says it would be placed outside (under cover) and would include at least two bike clamps and an air pump (bolted to the ground). (more...)

Travelers take in bikes at an exhibit at PDX airport.
(Photos © J. Maus)

An exhibit of Oregon-made bicycles currently on display at the Portland International Airport has proven to be so ppoular with travelers that it will be extended through the busy holiday season.

The exhibit, Handmade: Bicycles Designed and Built in Oregon debuted in April and was originally planned to run through September. But Keith Lachowicz, who handles public art collections for the Regional Arts and Culture Council (RACC, they helped organize the show) says it will now run through the end of December. (more...)

A passenger strolls by the new Handmade exhibit at the Portland Airport. (Slideshow below)
(Photos © J. Maus)

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(Photos © J. Maus)

This April, the work of Oregon's burgeoning crop of bicycle builders will be on display at the Portland International Airport.

The exhibit will be managed by the Regional Arts and Culture Council (RACC) and will run for six months (from April through September) and will feature a range of bikes in a 40-foot display in the airport's E Concourse.

Coordinator of the installation, Austin Ramsland (Sweetpea Bicycles), says he already has submissions from 18 different Oregon builders. Once the submissions are complete, a committee of framebuilders and artists formed by the (RACC) will select the bikes to be displayed. (more...)

(Photos courtesy Jason Gately/PDX Int'l Airport)

A new bike and pedestrian path that connects the Portland Airport to Marine Drive opened today.

As promised back in June, the new 12-foot wide, half-mile long asphalt pathway runs between Marine Drive and Northeast Frontage Road and connects with the existing bicycle and pedestrian path that serves PDX. (more...)

The bike lane at PDX Airport.
(File photo)

With ample and secure bike parking, a dedicated bike path directly to the terminal, and with a staff that responds to bicycle concerns, Portland International Airport is known as the most bike-friendly airport in the U.S..

Now, they're making it even easier to fly-by-bike with the addition of a brand new multi-use path (aerial photo below).

According to Port of Portland project manager (and 2007 Alice Award Nominee) Jason Gately, the new path will connect the airport's Frontage Rd (which leads into the terminal) and the Mt. Hood Overpass with the Marine Dr multi-use path.
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[New and improved PDX bike parking*]

In response to your feedback from my post, Airport bike parking "for employees only", I have just learned that the Portland Airport has re-designed the employee bike parking area to accomodate the general public. Here's the scoop from Aviation Planner Jason Gately:

We recently modified our employee bike parking area to include an area for the general public. It is now split 50/50 between the general public and airprot employees (about 40 spaces each side). The employee side is still behind a secure gate, while the general public side is open (for now). We are looking into ways to secure this area, but still make it easy for the public to access at any tme of the day. It is located in a somewhat visible area near the terminal across from administrative offices below the E Concourse. It is located at the end (or beginning) of the new off-street multi-use path that parallels Airport Way into and out of the terminal.

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A few months ago I was smitten with PDX airport because of their new and vastly improved bike access. After reading my post, several folks were inspired to ride to the airport to take advantage of the new bike lane and enclosed long-term bike parking facility.

However now all that has changed. A few riders scoped out the facility in advance of a recent flight and were dismayed to find it is now locked with a sign that says it's only for airport employees. I went and read the original press release (PDF) and sure enough, this was the plan all along. I must have used the facility before it was finished being built.
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Well, here I am in Las Vegas for the Interbike trade show. In the next few days I'll talk to all sorts of people in the bike industry. I especially want to touch base with the Portland-based companies that are exhibiting here (there are only a few). If I have time between all my high-profile meetings with movers and shakers in the global bike biz (not really) I'll snap photos and get the low-down on new products that are of special interest to Portland bikers. Things like lights, racks, fenders, panniers and new commuting/city bikes.

But before all that, I want to share my experience with the new PDX Airport bike paths. In case you missed it, PDX Airport recently completed a network of bike paths. I decided to give them a whirl because my plane left at 6:00AM which was too early for Juli and the kids, the MAX takes too long from my house in NoPo, and because I just wanted to ride my bike. So, at 4:45 Tuesday morning I loaded my bags into the Burley and headed out.

I took low traffic streets the whole way and didn't see many cars. Then, once I got on the new, off-street path it was very smooth sailing all the way. I couldn't help from grinning as I felt very proud of my city for this Euro-style improvement to the airport's bike-ability! The path was great. It was smooth, easy to navigate and it led me right to the bike racks. I was hoping to see more signage but maybe it's just not up yet.

The best part was the bike parking structure. I was a bit worried about security of my bike and trailer, but after seeing the fully enclosed, gated bike parking(!) I felt much better.

It took me 34 minutes from N. Michigan and N. Portland Blvd. Much faster than MAX and much more fun than driving! I'll definitely do this again.

Last week I posted some bad news regarding how the new St. Johns Bridge isn't looking too good on the bike-friendly scale. But at the same meeting I learned about the bridge I also heard Portland bike-czar Roger Geller present his plans to make some exciting bike accessibility improvements to Marine Drive. Playing with some serious grant money, Roger and his crew will work to create a seamless and safe pedaling experience on Marine Drive from Kelly Point Park along the Columbia all the way to the Gresham border.

In other news...
On a tip from the Oregonian's Jonathan Nicholas...PDX Airport and the Port of Portland are teaming up to increase bike and ped access to the airport. According to the official press release (PDF):

Once completed, the improvements will provide a convenient bicycle and pedestrian path between the airport, Cascade Station, and regional bike paths and roadways. Facilities for locking bikes are already in place at the airport. However, the project will also install a new secured bike parking area for airport workers at the north end of the lower roadway near Concourse E. Additional work, in coordination with the City of Portland, will improve sidewalks and crosswalks and install bike lanes along a portion of Northeast 82nd Avenue between Northeast Alderwood Road and Northeast Air Cargo Road.

Sounds great to me. Now, which ambitious bikey entrepreneur will start a pedal-powered airport shuttle service!