(Image by Dero Racks, taken from PBOT grant application)
Earlier this week we shared news of a bike-friendly signal project the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) hopes to fund (in part) with grant money from a pot of federal cash doled out by the Oregon Department of Transportation. ODOT has about $21 million federal flexible funds set aside for transit, biking, walking, and transportation demand management (TDM) projects.
Yesterday, I learned of another exciting project PBOT hopes to get funded with this pot of money. They’ve applied for $450,000 (which includes about $46,000 in pre-approved matching funds from increased vehicle registration fees and gas tax revenue from the state of Oregon) to design and construct a Bike & Ride facility and to improve biking conditions at the Gateway Transit Center (near the I-205/I-84 interchange). The grant application (read it below) details a new facility with 80-90 bike parking spaces as well as a safer crossing of the light rail tracks from the I-205 multi-use path into the transit center. There is also money in the grant for an outreach/awareness campaign. The new bike and ride facility would be the first in East Portland.
Bike-transit facilities have gained a lot of momentum this year. TriMet opened their first ever Bike & Ride at the Beaverton Transit Center back in July. The City of Hillsboro celebrated Oregon’s first Bikestation facility back in Octoiber and Portland State University has a new bike parking garage that include some bike spaces subsidized by TriMet due to the facility’s proximity to transit stops.
In their grant application, PBOT says the new Gateway Bike & Ride would provide for, “seamless integration of the I-205 multi-use path, local bicycle network, and the regional transit system.”
Here are some project details:
- An 825 square foot new pre-fabricated enclosed shelter will be built adjacent to the bus and MAX platforms at the Gateway Transit Center.
- 80 to 90 bicycle spaces will be created using a combination of double-decker bicycle parking racks and standard staple racks. Other features include repair stand, air pump and bike map
- The facility will feature lighting, key card entry, and closed circuit security cameras to prevent theft and vandalism.
- An outreach component will engage adjacent neighborhoods and transit center users about the new bicycle parking opportunities.
- Safety upgrades will include improving access to the facility, including improvements to the rail crossing and the connection to the I-205 multi-use path.
TriMet would assume responsibility for maintenance and administration of the new facility. In their application, PBOT estimates that the new Bike & Ride has the potential to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by 251,000 miles each year, saving the region about $339,000 in annual road maintenance and other costs. Better integration of bikes with transit is also listed as an action item in the 2030 Bike Plan.
The Oregon Transportation Commission will select which projects get funded through this program in February 2011. If awarded, PBOT estimates they would complete construction by fall of next year.
Read the full application below:
Gateway Bike and Ride Grant Application
Thanks for reading.
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I would so park here.
The first Bike N Ride was actually at Sunset Transit Center. I commute there five times a week. I have never seen more than 4 bikes using it at any one time. I fully support providing transportation alternatives but we need to be smart about where we invest this money. Sunset is difficult to access by bike and really designed for autos to park in ride. I will be surprised if it ever gets much use.
Gateway has better bike connections. Hopefully it will get more use.
These are great projects, but how about a park -n- ride near PGE Park, or Goose Hollow? As a daily Tri-Met user who lives in Portland and works in Hillsboro, I need something on THIS side of the Tualatin Mountains
I absolute agree. There really needs to be one in the city center. Going to the Airport is one example where I would like to be able to bike to the max, park my bike where I know it will be safe, then get on the max.
There is a day use park and ride at the Doubletree at the 9th street max stop but it is not the same as the trimet park and rides
That’s great. Now can they just include the Gateway transit center in Zone 2 instead of Zone 3? I’d be much more likely to bike to that transit center instead of drive to, say, the 122nd street transit stop, if Tri-Met made it worth my while to do so.
Matt,
Good question – a Bike & Ride at Goose Hollow/PGE Park is a high priority but unlike Gateway, that location isn’t “shovel ready” yet because neither TriMet nor the City has acquired the necessary land for construction. We’re working on acquiring space near Goose Hollow.
Colin Maher
TriMet
Excellent, glad to hear it. There isn’t a day that goes by where there aren’t 8-10 bikes PER CAR during peak commuting hours going over the hill. I know that Tri-Met is aware of the issue, but the organization is somewhat less than stellar at communicating information on current and future plans to the public – especially regarding bike projects. The I-205 Multiuse path being one of the best examples – neither Tri-Met nor ODOT provided timely information in many instances during that project, and there was no real citizen participation or oversight. I hope that both organizations continue to make an effort towards greater transparency.
Point taken, Matt. As part of an effort to improve transparency, we’re developing a “bike portal” on trimet.org to provide information and get feedback on plans and projects to improve bike access. This should be up by the end of the year.
Colin
I am all for making the crossing safer at Gateway (since I cross it everyday) but putting in a covered space will just attract all the smokers from the multi-use path (apparently multi-use also includes standing and smoking).
This is a great location for a bike and ride. Not only is it surrounded by several neighborhoods and has trail access, it also has most frequent MAX service and access in the region..
Actually, TriMet opened their first bike and ride at Sunset TC this July, not Beaverton TC.
prepare for theft.
Why can’t they just take apart the one in Sunset and move it? Shipping cost would be simple if they just used the MAX trains.
I’ve never had a problem with removing my quick release wheels from the frame when the bike areas are full. I just find a place to stow them. Works on the bus as well. Just do it before the bus arrives.
I will totally use this, yes. It will eliminate waiting for a changeover to another Max line; I’d much rather spend that time pedaling in the (relatively) fresh air down to the TC. Otherwise odds are I’d jump in the car instead of having to switch lines. And this will make it so I don’t have to ride a grumpy old *bus* at all for many trips.
I’ve been biking long enough to remember NO biking infrastructure except a few old bike route signs hidden behind leafy tree branches. I’ll not begrudge anybody any facilities that will help legitimize bicycle use in the eyes of some of the brain stems driving around that still don’t get it. Hehehehe.
There are a whole lot of hungary contracters out there that would build these for pretty cheap. It would be nice at schools also, it would be a good incentive mentally to ride more if you knew that when you came out your bike would be dry.
I know that those metal garage type buildings that often go up in rural back yards are very inexpensive. Those companies could put that up in a flash
Seems like a nice addition to transportation options. Perhaps the final design might include a living roof, some PV awnings since we have several local manufacturers, a Loo, of course, and some pervious concrete flanking the structure. Since biking is a restorative mode of transportation, it would be appropriate to see public facilities associated with biking also demonstrate restorative building features. One for the ages.
That all sounds real nice in a utopian world. We are in a budget tight world. I think a better approach would be a simple inexpensive design that could be used in a lot of places, more bang for the buck, just something functional