(Photos © J. Maus)
We’ve reported quite a bit on PBOT’s East Burnside-Couch Couplet project; but I felt like the bikeway centerpiece of the whole thing — a new six-foot wide bike lane on Burnside from Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd to SE 13th Avenue — deserved a closer look. I spent some time on it this morning and invite you to join me for a ride-along…
It was nice to see that PBOT rolled out the green carpet as you approach Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd from the Burnside Bridge. This color in the bike lane helps draw attention to a conflict with right-turning vehicles…
Burnside has more than just green thermoplastic, it’s now a “green street“, and it will likely get even greener as all the plants and trees grow up. It’s impossible to miss all the bioswales built into the new curb extensions…
Due to the highly commercial zoning on Burnside, big trucks unloading supplies into stores are common. Thankfully there are turnouts for them and, once parked, they shouldn’t block the bike lane…
It’s unfortunately too rare in Portland, but I love when our main streets have dedicated space for bicycles. I’d rather have a wider and separated place to ride, but even with a six-foot wide bike lane it’s possible to do some window shopping…
Speaking of the bike lane and lack of separation. While it’s nice to have some space, is this the type of cycling environment that will attract the 8-80 year-old or the coveted “interested but concerned”?…
As you approach the 12th and Sandy intersection, the bike lane goes uphill and jogs over. There’s also a TriMet bus stop just east of the intersection below. This section felt a bit precarious to me…
At the end of the new bikeway, you get rather unceremoniously shown the door. At SE 13th, the bike lane terminates into a curb extension and you are encouraged (via a sign) to head one block south to Ankeny to continue eastbound…
It’s great to have a wide bike lane on Burnside. It would be even greater to someday have real, world-class bike access on this street with physical separation from motor vehicle traffic. I’d love to enjoy the same level of safe access to this street that other vehicles enjoy. If I did, I’d be able to bike comfortably with my kids to the many interesting businesses in the area.
What about you? Do you use the new bike lane on Burnside? How does it feel to you?