As part of the Bicycle Master Plan update process, city bike coordinator Roger Geller is leading monthly rides to survey what works and what doesn’t in our existing bikeway network.
on Hawthorne Blvd.
Two officers, including Robert Pickett (a regular commenter on this site) from the Portland Police Bureau’s Southeast Bike Patrol unit (read about my ride-along with them) will join us for this month’s ride around northwest Portland.
Below is an excerpt from the memo Officer Pickett wrote to his commander asking for permission to join this ride (emphasis is mine):
The goal of the bicycle patrol for this ride is to enhance relationships and answer any questions the public or city officials might have about how the Police Bureau works, traffic laws and enforcement in general. In an effort to promote understanding and fearless exchange of opinions and questions, the bike patrol will NOT enforce traffic laws on the bicycle riders unless there is an extreme case in which a violation is clearly, patently, egregious and dangerous. In extreme cases, they may also enforce traffic violations if passing motorists commit violations that put the ride at risk.
I am glad to hear Officer Pickett (and his partner) will join us. However, we all know that the enforcement issues we’ve been discussing on this site have to do with Traffic Division officers. I wish we could have a similar opportunity to ride with them…
I’ve heard very good things about these rides and I plan to be there tomorrow. For more information, check out the official website and/or download the detailed route map (PDF).