I’ve been trying different options for my new commute from North Portland to SE 8th and Main. One of them takes me all the way down N Vancouver until it intersects with Broadway.
That intersection (here it is on Google Maps) can be a daunting place on a bike (see photo below). It gets a high volume of car and bus traffic and there’s a strange, split lane situation that has always befuddled me.
But the other day, I noticed (for the first time) some new lane markings that make it feel a little safer. Here’s a photo:
(File photo)
According to PDOT, these markings were completed a few months ago during the resurfacing of Vancouver (a street that, incidentally has the widest bike lanes in the city). They also said it’s one of only two bike/bus lane markings in the city (the other is on NW Glisan and 15th near I-405).
Unfortunately, there’s still a dicey gap for one block where you have to merge with traffic on Vancouver before making a left turn into the bike lane on Weidler. Beyond defensive cycling, I’m not sure what the solution should be for that situation. Anyone have ideas?