[Update: more photos of the markings]
In the past 24 hours I have heard from several reliable sources that the new Hawthorne Bridge markings were done with little to no input from cyclists. One bike advocacy insider went so far as to say:
“I am incredibly disappointed in the County (again, I might add) for failing to include an engineer in the Bridge Advisory Committee. Once again, bikes get screwed.”
The county also ignored a letter of concern written by the Portland Bicycle Advisory Committee (PBAC) and didn’t even warn them about the new markings. This bridge is a major artery of the bike network and is unacceptable for the County to make major “improvements” without heeding input and feedback from the PBAC and the bike community.
If you have a few minutes, here is the contact information for all the key players responsible for the new markings. Please consider letting them know what you think (Note: Before contacting anyone, please take a minute to read the comments to this post):
Planner for Multnomah County: Matthew Larson
matthew.f.larsen@co.multnomah.or.us
ph: (503) 988-5050 ext. 29637.
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County chair: Diane Linn
Phone: (503) 988-3308, fax (503) 988-3093
E-mail: mult.chair@co.multnomah.or.us
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Commissioner Maria Rojo de Steffey
Phone: (503) 988-5220 / fax (503) 988-5440
E-mail: district1@co.multnomah.or.us
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in charge of Transportation for the county Commissioner:
Lonnie J. Roberts
Phone: (503) 988-5213 / Fax: (503) 988-5262
lonnie.j.roberts@co.multnomah.or.us
Did you ride over the Hawthorne Bridge this morning? If so, I’d love to know what you think of the new markings.
(Also see the comments from my previous post for more opinions.)