It didn't stick around long, but it sure was pretty. (Photos taken in North Portland near Rosa Parks Way and Interstate Ave.)

(more...)

The City of Portland has issued a winter travel advisory due to a cold front on its way late this weekend. The forecast calls for "snow showers" starting on Sunday. If it comes to pass, things could get interesting out on the roads.

If you've haven't already, now would be a good time to think about what you need to do and know in order to be ready to ride no matter what weather comes our way. (more...)

A scene on SE Madison in January 2009.
(Photos © J. Maus)

There's snow in the forecast! Weather pros think is very likely to begin tonight (just before the evening commute). With that in mind, I wanted to remind folks that using a bicycle when it's snowing or when snow is on the roads is a completely viable way to get around — just as viable as using transit or driving a car.

As we've documented in years past, plenty of Portlanders have no trouble riding on snowy roads. Here are some photos in case you think that everyone hangs their bikes up when the snow comes down... (more...)

(more...)

A few snow riders in
Southeast Portland last night.
(Photo: Adams Carroll)

It's the morning after an unexpected snow storm that blanketed the City last night.

In The Oregonian this morning, ODOT says the streets of Portland are "clear and passable" (that's not the case in my neighborhood!).

PBOT issued a weather advisory at 6:00 am this morning saying that even though the snow is melting, streets are still "slick and slushy." (more...)

CITY STREETS THAWING BUT STILL SLICK AND SLUSHY
Posted: December 30th, 2009 5:59 AM

(Portland, OR) - The Portland Bureau of Transportation is reporting that yesterday's surprise snowstorm still has city streets slick and under cover of slush. Major arterials are in good condition, but many neighborhood residential streets are still hazardous this morning. The public is advised to take it slow and easy while warmer temperatures gradually thaw streets and sidewalks.

WEATHER FORECAST
-Temperatures above freezing and rising will help thaw city streets and sidewalks.
-Rain showers will help clear streets of snow and slush.

CURRENT CONDITIONS - December 30 at 5:30 a.m.
-City streets mostly drivable
-Slick spots
-A lot of slush
-Neighborhood residential streets still under cover of some snow and slush

TRANSPORTATION OPERATIONS
-City crews worked through the night applying de-icing chemical on major arterials and known hazard areas.
-Crews worked the West Hills through the night, de-icing West Burnside, Sam Jackson Road, Council Crest, Skyline, and Cornell and plowing where needed.
-Crews responded to requests from TriMet to de-ice trouble spots on transit routes.
-Portland Streetcar continues to operate, although it is subject to delays as it moves along with slow vehicular traffic in these conditions.

SAFETY ADVISORIES
-Take public transit if possible.
-If you must drive, delay your trip until conditions improve.
-Drive slowly and cautiously.
-Leave extra distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.
-Share the road responsibly with pedestrians and bicyclists.
-Know before you go. Check www.PublicAlerts.org for breaking news and information on service alerts for city streets, highways, public transit, and utilities.
-Recover your abandoned vehicle as soon as possible. Any vehicle creating a safety hazard is subject to towing.
-Clear your sidewalk of snow and ice as soon as possible.

CITY OFFICES
-Mayor Sam Adams announced this morning that all City offices are open during their normal business hours.
-All City employees are expected to work their normal schedule. Any employee who cannot safely report to work in time must notify their supervisor. The absence will be excused, and missed time will be charged to accrued leave.

Ridin' along, peaceful and calm.
(Photos © J. Maus)

Excuse me while I gloat...

KGW-TV (Portland's NBC affiliate) traffic reporter Michael Convery said this afternoon's surprise snowstorm is the worst he's seen in his nearly 20-year career in the Portland region. In a report tonight, he shared tales of a 25 mile backup on I-5 south of Tigard, about 50 abandoned vehicles on Highway 26 between the Zoo and I-405, the Fremont Bridge as a "high-rise parking lot", and so on. (more...)

Traffic on I-5 through North Portland was not moving at around 4:30.
- Photo Gallery -
(Photos © J. Maus)

(more...)

As these tracks show, many
people still rode during
December's snow.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Earlier this month, the Mayor's office released a storm response survey. The 15-question survey (it's still online) asked citizens about their travel behavior during the storm and asked them to rate the city's response.

Every mode (transit, motor vehicles, pedestrians) was considered -- except bikes.

In a city that prides itself on leading the nation in bike-friendliness and aspires to be a world-class bike city, it seemed strange that bikes didn't even warrant a mention. Sure, many people decided to leave their bikes at home instead of battling the slush, snow and ice; but many also found their bike to be a perfectly viable way to get around (especially with studded tires).

Thankfully, the Mayor's office has acknowledged the oversight and now the city's Bicycle Advisory Committee has drafted a bike-specific storm response survey. (more...)

The River City Bicycles parking lot on January 27th. (Photo: Steve Durrant)

Reader Steve Durrant took this photo during Tuesday morning's snow flurry.

A view of traffic approaching the Hawthorne Bridge this morning.
- Image Gallery -
(Photos © J. Maus)

(more...)

Here's the latest storm advisory from the Bureau of Transportation (online here):

Changing Conditions Create New Challenges for Road Crews, Travelers, and Property Owners

(PORTLAND, OR) – Severe winter weather conditions continue to work against City crews as they continue to plow priority routes 24 hours a day since Sunday, December 14, when an arctic air mass entered the Portland metropolitan region. Additional snowfall and icy road conditions are making travel treacherous. The public is advised as follows: (more...)

Now that Portlanders have experienced a "real" winter storm (not the occasional dusting of snow we usually get), some folks are beginning to think about how to equip themselves to ride through anything.

If studded tires aren't enough, maybe it's time to consider the Ktrak. This morning Jack Bog reminded me of this bike, which I used to chuckle at when I'd see it at the industry trade shows... (more...)

I'm a bit late in posting this, but here's the Bureau of Transportation's storm update for Monday, 12/22 (read it online here):

Released: December 22, 2008

Contact: Cheryl Kuck, 503-823-5909

PUBLIC URGED TO AVOID UNNECESSARY TRAVEL
Icy roads and continuing inclement weather present challenges to road crews, transit providers, and travelers
(more...)

SE Main Street on my ride
into work this morning.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Just how bad have things gotten in the Portland region?

I just got this email from Michael Pullen, the Public Information Officer with Multnomah County:

Multnomah County has issued a declaration of emergency to the state of Oregon requesting resources to assist with the response to this week's winter storm. The declaration was approved by County Chair Ted Wheeler and signed by Sheriff Bob Skipper in his absence. (more...)

Enjoying the carfree streets yesterday.
(Photo © J. Maus)

The snow is coming down as I write this, falling onto the existing snow and ice from yesterday.

I'm about to head out into it, from our home in North Portland to the office in the Central Eastside.

What are conditions like where you are?

Please use this post to share riding conditions in your neck of the woods...

-- Browse all of our Storm of 2008 coverage. See latest photos here.

Bike lane snow angel.
(Photo © J. Maus

Wow.

Lots of fresh and fluffy snow out there this morning.

Please use this post to report what your plans are and what the riding conditions are like in your neck of the woods.

Here at the Maus House we're bundling up for some sledding and snowman making. I hope the snow keeps up so I can get up to the hill for some SnowBombing Sunday night.

Enjoy the weekend and stay warm.

Here's the latest from PBOT:

City and State Crews Gear Up for Next Storm System (12/19)
Contact: Cheryl Kuck, 503-823-5909

(PORTLAND, OR) – The National Weather Service is predicting another severe winter weather event for the Portland metropolitan region this weekend. City and State crews are prepared to respond. (more...)

Dee from Magpie Messenger
Collective says the harsh weather
hasn't slowed down his business.
(Photo © J. Maus)

From the look of things so far this morning, this might be one of most challenging commutes of the storm thus far (see latest Oregonian coverage).

We had a nice bit of snow yesterday and much of stuck around and froze overnight. As I look out my window now, more snow is falling.

We'd love to know more about the riding conditions where you live.

How are the bike lanes holding up (the St. Johns Sentinel has brought up the "pebble problems")?

Are riding or taking the bus?

How are your studded tires doing?

-- More snow photos in the Photo Gallery. Follow all of our Storm 2008 coverage.

A snowy bike lane on
N. Rosa Parks Way.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Snow has just begun to fall across the Portland Metro area. But luckily, so far, the big freeze that was predicted for last night/this morning hasn't happened.

Like we've done for the past few days, please use the comments below to share details about the riding conditions where you live.

How will you get to work today?

Thanks for your feedback.