Bike lane art honors late Blazers star Jerome Kersey

Jerome Kersey, the local basketball hero who died last week at age 52, has been granted one of Portland’s highest honors:

Kersey bike lane

The Jerome Kersey Bike Lane outside the Moda Center on NE Multnomah Blvd.
(Photo J Maus/BikePortlnd)

Kersey played with the Blazers for 11 years following his 1984 draft, forming part of the team’s core in its strong years of the late 1980s and early 1990s. He played more games for the franchise than anyone except his teammate Clyde Drexler.

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Kersey’s death last week at his home in Tualatin, of a pulmonary embolism, shocked family, friends and fans alike. As far as we know, it’s only the second time one of Portland’s famous bike lane decorations has been dedicated to a particular person.

The City of Portland Bureau of Transportation is responsible for this artistic bike lane addition. Maintenance crews perform the work on their own time using leftover materials that would otherwise be thrown away.

As longtime Blazers fans here at BikePortland, we’re happy to see PBOT commemorate a Portland character worth remembering. We also look forward to rolling down this bike lane at Blazers Bike Night coming up April 8th!

To get your own photo of the Jerome Kersey Bike Lane (if taking selfies, use caution since this is an active travel lane), roll over to NE Multnomah Blvd, just west of Wheeler Ave in front of the steps at the south end of the Moda Center.

Hat tip to Aaron Brown for the above lede.

Michael Andersen (Contributor)

Michael Andersen (Contributor)

Michael Andersen was news editor of BikePortland.org from 2013 to 2016 and still pops up occasionally.

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Thomas Le Ngo
9 years ago

I know it’s not a bike lane, but I thought about that heart next to the bike plate on Lincoln right outside Mia Birk’s old home as being the first PBOT flourish to a bike facility dedicated to someone.

Blake
Blake
9 years ago
Mike Quiglery
Mike Quiglery
9 years ago
Reply to  Blake

Naaaa. Mariota lost the most important game of the year.

Mark
Mark
9 years ago

What about the caped superhero bike lane superhero character? The glasses and the letter T on the cape must be in honor of Leah Treat.

Adam H.
Adam H.
9 years ago

This is a great – and very Portland – way of honoring someone. Good job, PBOT!

Adam H.
Adam H.
9 years ago

By the way, where is this bike lane decoration located? I’m assuming somewhere near the Rose Quarter?

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)
Admin
Reply to  Adam H.

Adam,

It’s unfortunately at a location that doesn’t see much bike traffic at all… And in fact gets quite a bit of illegal encroachment from people driving cars. The location is NE Multnomah Blvd, just west of Wheeler Ave in front of the steps at the south end of the Moda Center.

Kiel Johnson / Go By Bike
kiel johnson
9 years ago

I wonder what the Jonathan Maus and Michael Anderson bike lanes are going to look like?

Maybe a blazer jacket for Michael and a camera for Jonathan? Although the camera might confuse people

SilkySlim
SilkySlim
9 years ago

I love these lane decorations, and hope they end up everywhere. How about a bunch more Blazer icons within say 1 mile of the arena, with arrows pointing the way to the game. Double win: city spirit and encouraging bike travel. I’m sure others have cool ideas as well.

Adam H.
Adam H.
9 years ago
Reply to  SilkySlim

And Timbers logos near Providence Park!

SW
SW
9 years ago

>>one of Portland’s highest honors.

?? wow, way to go all out for him. it will be faded/defaced in short order.
Does he have any connection to cycling ? I don’t really care for LeBron, but at least he really does cycle.

Will the Novick/Hales combo get a high honor lane marker too ? (for their heroic street tax/fee crusade )

I met him twice. nice guy , but many forget that he was a professional athlete who goes where the pay is best , or as Barkley says “a millionaire in shorts”

Joe
Joe
9 years ago

awesome!

Brian C
Brian C
9 years ago

Just a bit of a correction – Jerome lived in Lake Oswego – But what a cool thing to do R.I.P JK 25

mh
mh
9 years ago

I’m glad to see that the Blazers’ logo they used is the straight-up one that was used in Kersey’s day. Never appreciated the ‘modernization.’