Esplanade path gets national recognition

That image of the Steel Bridge is gorgeous. One of the very best things about the Eastbank Esplanade is its views of that wonderful, ugly-beautiful bridge.

What ever happened to that project to replace all the transition strips on ramps to the floating section?

Since it’s referring specifically to “bike paths” I’d have rated them on the additional criterion of how well do they separate the pedestrian traffic from the cycling traffic. Only the second photo from the top gives a more typical riding scenario visible in the distance, with pedestrians spread three abreast, often walking dogs and strollers as I’m sure everyone has experienced. Add to that Chris Froome wannabes and 4-wheeled rentals. Hawthorne Bridge at least indicates where pedestrians and cyclists are supposed to travel though not everyone follows it. The best treatment I’ve seen is in Vancouver, BC where they have a slightly raised portion of the path where pedestrians are supposed to walk, and the lower section for cyclists and skaters, etc. I’ve stopped riding on the Eastbank after about 9 am on the weekends because it just gets too crazy. I’d love to ride it more because it definitely has the scenery, but I stay out on Water Street once the world wakes up.

Well deserved recognition. Major kudos to all the bike planners, advocates, and political leaders who “did the impossible” in the 1990s. Think where we’d be, as a bicycling city, if this wouldn’t have been put in. Like riding Water St. and MLK? Like crossing the top deck of the Steel Bridge? Me neither.

& think for the future — where do you want to see infrastructure 20 years from now? What awards for fabulous facilities do you want to see awarded in 2033? Now, share the vision, pitch in your time and energy, and make it happen.

Ted Buehler

Every time I ride the floating section it blows my mind that we have a FLOATING bike path.

That said, it also blows my mind to look up from the same place and see a flying freeway 100+ feet in the air.

Way to go, esplanade! I like you, please have a bunch of babies all across the city.

The Eastside Esplanade is a lesson, demonstrating the value of unconventional infrastructure that many people may reflexively reject at the point of its conception and suggestion to be built. At its onset, the idea of the Esplanade was regarded as an oddity, a nutty idea…way too expensive…doubtful as to who, or whether much of anyone would use it.

Look at it now. Super popular. Heavily used. Best views of the city from the east side. It was an investment, but as it turns out, a smart investment.

Somewhat different situations of course, but also similar in some respects: a number of well designed, appealing to use cycle tracks along key arterials throughout the city, such as Foster Rd, would also likely be well worth the significant investment and initial inconvenience involved in building them.

“commuting arteries that give cyclists direct access to business districts while avoiding city traffic and making few street crossings.”

The only path in town that satisfies this to me is parts of the 205 path (think the Powell and Foster overpasses). Most of the springwater (at least the WIllamette portion) is completely cut off from accessing nearby businesses, and the Esplanade does this a little better, but it is still jammed up against a freeway and you only have access to a few of the bridges.