First we told you about the new “sharrows” coming soon to select Portland streets…now I’ve just got word from the city that “700 or so” additional pavement markings will be installed on bicycle boulevards starting next week. Bicycle boulevards are designated, low-traffic bike routes without bike lanes, such as SE Ankeny, SE Salmon, NE Tillamook and others.
Here’s the scoop from city of Portland Bicycle Coordinator, Roger Geller:
“The circles will be white with a cut-out bike that will show the pavement. They’ll be 1-foot in diameter. Where we wish to show a change in direction we’ll include the arrow to point people the way to go. We’ll be installing about 700 or so of these on existing bike boulevards, every 600-800 feet in each direction of travel (so they’ll actually appear every 300 feet or so). We hope to begin installing them in the next week or so.”
I really appreciate the efforts of the city to look for alternatives to more bike lanes. Bike lanes serve a great need, but are only a small sliver of a greater solution to the share the road challenge.
I am anxious to see the results of this effort.
-r
Thanks Roger. Glad you like what we’re doing. Just to clarify: the bike boulevard markings will go on low-volume streets we’ve developed as bicycle boulevards. They are not a substitute for bicycle lanes, which we only stripe on streets with high traffic volumes. These are more an identifying tool–to let cyclists know these streets have been designed for bicycle travel–and a wayfinding tool, to direct cyclists along the boulevard as it jogs from one street to another.
Thanks Roger. Glad you like what we’re doing. Just to clarify: the bike boulevard markings will go on low-volume streets we’ve developed as bicycle boulevards. They are not a substitute for bicycle lanes, which we only stripe on streets with high traffic volumes. These are more an identifying tool–to let cyclists know these streets have been designed for bicycle travel–and a wayfinding tool, to direct cyclists along the boulevard as it jogs from one street to another.
I really appreciate the efforts of the city to look for alternatives to more bike lanes. Bike lanes serve a great need, but are only a small sliver of a greater solution to the share the road challenge.
I am anxious to see the results of this effort.
-r
I’m happy about the new markings, but don’t think they’ll help much as far as motorists parking in the bike lanes, dooring cyclists, etc. Saturday, I was trying to convince a party (apparently a marching band, but with nowhere near as much style as March Fourth! Marching Band) unloading from a SUV in front of The Heathman to not leave it in the bike lane, they had an attitude that they were not doing anything wrong and stop bothering them. I’d really like to see more effort towards enforcing bike-lane right-of-way. As I understand Oregon law, autos may stop “momentarily” in a bike lane to “board or discharge a passenger”, but not stop for example to unload luggage. When motorists park in the bike lane in front of the hotels and remain there, it is illegal parking.
Just a quick response to the last post…ORS 811.560 does allow for a vehicle to stop in a bicycle lane “for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading property or passengers.” You can check out the Oregeon Revised Statutes at: http://www.leg.state.or.us/ors/ The sections particularly applicable to bikes are Chapters 801 (definitions), 811 (Rules of the Road for Drivers), and 814 (Pedestrians, Passengers, Livestock, Motorized Wheelchairs, Vehicles with Fewer than Four Wheels).
Just a quick response to the last post…ORS 811.560 does allow for a vehicle to stop in a bicycle lane “for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading property or passengers.” You can check out the Oregeon Revised Statutes at: http://www.leg.state.or.us/ors/ The sections particularly applicable to bikes are Chapters 801 (definitions), 811 (Rules of the Road for Drivers), and 814 (Pedestrians, Passengers, Livestock, Motorized Wheelchairs, Vehicles with Fewer than Four Wheels).
Thanks Roger. Glad you like what we’re doing. Just to clarify: the bike boulevard markings will go on low-volume streets we’ve developed as bicycle boulevards. They are not a substitute for bicycle lanes, which we only stripe on streets with high traffic volumes. These are more an identifying tool–to let cyclists know these streets have been designed for bicycle travel–and a wayfinding tool, to direct cyclists along the boulevard as it jogs from one street to another.
[…] Photos of new bike blvd. markings Snapped a few photos of the new bicycle boulevard pavement markings I mentioned a few days ago. These are the first of “700 or so” that the city will install in the next few weeks. These markings will guide cyclists onto low-traffic through streets and will be yet another sign to motorists that they aren’t the only ones on the road. […]
[…] Photos of new bike blvd. markings Snapped a few photos of the new bicycle boulevard pavement markings I mentioned a few days ago. These are the first of “700 or so” that the city will install in the next few weeks. These markings will guide cyclists onto low-traffic through streets and will be yet another sign to motorists that they aren’t the only ones on the road. […]
In response to Organic Brian… You might consider that what you dealt with were folks in front of a hotel. Probably not from Portland. And while the law states they have the right to be there for a minute or two, chances are they probably don’t even know that. What Portland has to offer cyclists in the way of support and safety is by far greater than any other city. Though I understand your frustration, there’s some things – and people – you just can’t change. Maybe your confronting them on their parking space will make them think to be quicker on their feet next time. You never know. There’s almost always cars temporarily parked in front of the Heathman in the bike lane. Wait for a good ooportunity to go around and to get back in the bike lane. At least you have a bike lane…
I’m happy about the new markings, but don’t think they’ll help much as far as motorists parking in the bike lanes, dooring cyclists, etc. Saturday, I was trying to convince a party (apparently a marching band, but with nowhere near as much style as March Fourth! Marching Band) unloading from a SUV in front of The Heathman to not leave it in the bike lane, they had an attitude that they were not doing anything wrong and stop bothering them. I’d really like to see more effort towards enforcing bike-lane right-of-way. As I understand Oregon law, autos may stop “momentarily” in a bike lane to “board or discharge a passenger”, but not stop for example to unload luggage. When motorists park in the bike lane in front of the hotels and remain there, it is illegal parking.
Great!
I love seeing more and more of these around town.
I’ve recently been riding with a couple of folks that are new to bicycling. I’ve pointed out these markers to them as a way to find their way on some routes that zig-zag. I love when they thank me, telling me they are biking more and more because they now know of good routes around town.
These really do help folks that are a little less familiar with the routes around town. Thanks Roger. Keep up the great work!
Just a quick response to the last post…ORS 811.560 does allow for a vehicle to stop in a bicycle lane “for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading property or passengers.” You can check out the Oregeon Revised Statutes at: http://www.leg.state.or.us/ors/ The sections particularly applicable to bikes are Chapters 801 (definitions), 811 (Rules of the Road for Drivers), and 814 (Pedestrians, Passengers, Livestock, Motorized Wheelchairs, Vehicles with Fewer than Four Wheels).
[…] Photos of new bike blvd. markings Snapped a few photos of the new bicycle boulevard pavement markings I mentioned a few days ago. These are the first of “700 or so” that the city will install in the next few weeks. These markings will guide cyclists onto low-traffic through streets and will be yet another sign to motorists that they aren’t the only ones on the road. […]
In response to Organic Brian… You might consider that what you dealt with were folks in front of a hotel. Probably not from Portland. And while the law states they have the right to be there for a minute or two, chances are they probably don’t even know that. What Portland has to offer cyclists in the way of support and safety is by far greater than any other city. Though I understand your frustration, there’s some things – and people – you just can’t change. Maybe your confronting them on their parking space will make them think to be quicker on their feet next time. You never know. There’s almost always cars temporarily parked in front of the Heathman in the bike lane. Wait for a good ooportunity to go around and to get back in the bike lane. At least you have a bike lane…
Great!
I love seeing more and more of these around town.
I’ve recently been riding with a couple of folks that are new to bicycling. I’ve pointed out these markers to them as a way to find their way on some routes that zig-zag. I love when they thank me, telling me they are biking more and more because they now know of good routes around town.
These really do help folks that are a little less familiar with the routes around town. Thanks Roger. Keep up the great work!