A large crowd gathered to celebrate the opening
of a bike shelter at Daimler Trucks HQ
this morning.
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)

Daimler Trucks North America, a commercial truck manufacturer based on Swan Island, celebrated a decidedly non-motorized achievement this morning: They opened a bike parking shelter near the main entrance of their corporate headquarters.

The new shelter can fit up to 53 bicycles in a space previously used to park just five cars. Daimler project manager Rich Wipf said demand for bike parking from Daimler's 3,000 Swan Island employees (1,500 at corporate HQ) has increased significantly in recent years. "Some of our employees remember when just one rack was enough. Now we've got racks near all the entrances and they're all filling up."

Erik Weeman, a mechanical engineer, said there were only "a handful" of riders when he started working at Daimler two years ago. Now the existing bike racks quickly fill up in the morning. "Unless you get here early, your bike would be left out in the rain if you could even find a spot."
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This is where the candidates will debate economic
development on Wednesday.
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland

The issue of bicycling on and around Swan Island is enjoying a major surge lately and it could take center stage during a debate on Wednesday between mayoral hopefuls Jefferson Smith and Charlie Hales. The topic of the debate is "the city's role in economic development." But if you think that means bicycling won't merit a mention; think again.

First, the debate will be held at Daimler Trucks North America, which is not only one of the economic and employment powerhouses on Swan Island, it also happens to be home to a growing and active nucleus of dedicated bike commuters. (more...)

Drawing of the future Waud Bluff Trail, which could open as early as spring 2012.
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The new bike rack at the Daimler Trucks North America headquarters on Swan Island.
(Photo: Daimler Trucks North America)

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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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Detail from PBOT grant application for Going to the River project. Dotted lines show locations of new bikeways to be constructed.
(Full size image here)

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Red area shows location of 'Going Green' corridor. Note Willamette River in lower left and N. Interstate Ave (MAX line) on the right.

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A Breakfast on the Bridge was held
Wednesday to celebrate the newly revamped
path on the Going Street Bridge.
(Photos © J. Maus)

Yesterday was a good day for Lenny Anderson. For a man well-known to local politicians and city employees as a persistently unsatisfied advocate, he was smiling and singing the Bureau of Transportation's praises.

"I've got to give them credit, the city really came through this time."

The reason for Anderson's happiness (besides the presence of friends, coffee, and pastries) is an improved connection for biking and walking traffic to the Swan Island industrial area on its main artery, N. Going Street. (more...)

Looking south at start of "Cement Road"
connection between Swan Island
and Lower Albina.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Tonight at 6:00 pm the Portland City Council will host a hearing and vote on the River Plan/North Reach project. The plan includes the first update to the alignment of the North Willamette Greenway Trail in over three decades.

The North Willamette Greenway Trail would connect the Eastbank Esplanade to Cathedral Park in St. Johns with a biking and walking path along the river. The project is still in the planning stages, but supporters of the trail -- including the newly formed Swan Island Bike Commuters Group and the established non-profit NP Greenway -- say inclusion of the trail in the River Plan is a major step forward. (more...)

Yesterday a new trail was dedicated on the Swan Island riverfront. The "Going to the River" trail is a 3/8 mile section of the existing Greenway Trail that now offers one full mile of peaceful, riverfront accessibility that isn't surrounded by freeways, trains and hoardes of people.

On hand at the dedication was Commissioner Sam Adams, Portland Parks' Gregg Everheart, head of Swan Island's Transportation Management Association Lenny Anderson, Freightliner employees, staff from the city's Bureau of Environmental Services, and others.
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