near the Burnside Bridge, might be
coming to Marine Drive.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)
Earlier this week, I shared that the Bureau of Transportation was considering the installation of rumble strips out on NE Marine Drive. Citing stats that show a higher than average amount of “lane departure” collisions involving motor vehicles, PBOT felt rumble strips would help alert drivers that they were leaving the roadway.
A big issue with rumble strips, however, is that they can cause problems for people on bikes.
Today I’m happy to report that PBOT heard concerns from the community and it looks like they’ll be looking to other solutions.
In an email to Oregon Bicycle Racing Association director Kenji Sugahara, PBOT bike project coordinator Jeff Smith wrote that, “Thanks to all of you for your insightful comments…we’re going to examine other treatments that are more benign to cyclists.” (PBOT reached out to OBRA specifically, because Marine Drive is very popular with serious riders who use the route for training and long weekend rides.)
Smith went on to say that they’ll likely do a treatment known as “raised thermoplastic striping” similar to what they installed to keep people from driving into the bike lane on NE Couch as it curves onto the Burnside Bridge (see photo above). Smith also said that it’s the same treatment used extensively by ODOT along the Oregon Coast on Highway 101.
I think people riding bikes will find this a much more pleasant solution than rumble strips. Thanks to PBOT for asking, and then listening to, community feedback!