(Photos © J. Maus)
Last week I shared how the East Burnside/Couch couplet project would impact bikeways. One of the biggest changes I warned you about was a new lane configuration on NE 12th at Sandy. PBOT crews installed the new treatment over the weekend and I ventured over to check it out yesterday.
NE 12th is a key street for bike traffic heading north/south, but for northbound traffic trying to cross Sandy Blvd., it was never a pleasant experience. There used to be three lanes with no dedicated space for bikes, no shoulder, and bikes were forced to share a lane with buses.
Now PBOT has converted one lane into a bike-only lane that is to the left of right-turning car traffic and through bus traffic. The result is a much less nerve-wracking experience. Notice how much room bikes have in the before-and-after photos below…
Before:
After:
The bike lane is also dashed through the intersection. Have you used this new lane? What do you think about it?