The Portland Parks and Recreation bureau is putting the finishing touches on new bike racks near the Naito Fountain area in Waterfront Park. We noticed work crews at the site yesterday and contributor Jim Parsons snapped a photo for us this morning…
Saturday Market in Waterfront Park this morning.
(Photo: Jim “K’Tesh” Parsons)
We got in touch with Parks PIO Beth Sorensen to learn more. Sorensen says demand for bike parking outstripped supply at the location last year. The racks are used by customers of the popular Saturday Market that moved to this location last year.
“We knew we might need to add more when the Saturday Market first moved over to that area,” Sorensen tells us, “but we wanted to wait a full season to confirm that. Bikes were being chained to trees and fences around the Market, so we doubled the number as they begin their 2011 season.”
With the addition of seven additional bike racks on the Waterfront path, Sorensen says they’ve doubled bike parking in the area from seven to 14 racks — enough space for 28 bicycles.
Thanks for reading.
BikePortland has served this community with independent community journalism since 2005. We rely on subscriptions from readers like you to survive. Your financial support is vital in keeping this valuable resource alive and well.
Please subscribe today to strengthen and expand our work.
Two questions:
I can’t tell from the photo, but are those racks far enough away from the concrete barrier to be used properly?
Just out of curiosity, what is the area (square feet) taken up by 28 bicycles parked at these racks vs. parking 28 cars along the street somewhere?
OK, a third question: given the assumed answer to my second question, why does it always seem so difficult to convince the average person that adding bike parking actually saves a ton of street space?
I would second those racks being installed too close to the wall…unless perhaps they are angled and not perpendicular to the wall.
We use them often. During the shamrock run just a few weeks ago we parked our bikes there. Our bikes fit just fine with lots of extra room. The picture is just misjudging. Also, There is 0 auto stalls on the street. Natio has a very skinny bike lane and 5 auto lanes. I would love to see the road go through a major diet (as was the case during construction).
I question whether the 28 bike capacity will be enough. If they fill up, will we have to wait another year to get more? Then again, there are plenty of metal posts to lock to in the area so its not a huge problem 🙂
Hooray for more racks! Thank you Portland Parks and Rec!
Bravo, Parks Bureau!
They shoulda went ahead and *added* 28 for a total of 42. The time will come that they will be full.
And I wonder if filling them with abrasive cement would slow down a cutter/grinder?
We stopped by Saturday Market this morning and used the new racks and indeed they are far enough away from the concrete barrier for our bikes to fit. It’s sure is nicer that locking them to a fence like we did in the past.