Better Block volunteers prep for Broadway and Burnside demos in May and June
Posted by Michael Andersen (Contributor) on April 20th, 2016 at 3:34 pm
(Photo: Greg Raisman)
Dozens of volunteers are now meeting weekly to plan temporary human-friendly makeovers of Northeast Broadway and the Burnside Bridge this spring and summer.
Better Block PDX’s next “work party” is tonight at Pizza Schmizza at NE 7th and Broadway, from 6-7:30 p.m. Next Wednesday it’s the same time at Black Water Bar, NE 9th and Broadway.
The Broadway demo will create a protected bike lane for one week, from May 9-15.
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For the Burnside Bridge, advocates are piloting a dedicated eastbound bus lane and protected bike lanes from June 18-26. Work parties for that project are more sporadic for the moment; the next one is set for April 28, also 6-7:30 p.m., at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, 75 NW Couch St.
Better Block organizer Ryan Hashagen said the work parties have drawn about 30 people so far, and more are welcome. Volunteers can join one of several subcommittees to focus on aspects of each project.
“It’s been a wide mix of neighborhood businesses, families, residents, students,” Hashagen said. “A good cross-section of the community.”
— Michael Andersen, (503) 333-7824 – michael@bikeportland.org
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“The Broadway demo will create a protected bike lane for one week, from May 9-15.”
Right when MAX is going to be crippled, due to the planned repairs downtown. It’s going to be so bad that TriMet is recommending that transit users “think twice” before buying a monthly pass for May.
A good time to be snarling buses and other motor vehicles – I’m sure it will help build a political coalition for permanent changes on NE Broadway.
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Good to see Better Block volunteers are getting something done!
RecommendedThis is exactly the right time to do this! There will likely be more bike traffic, and so there’s a perfect time for a demo project. Also… the whole point is that adding bike infrastructure usually does NOT snarl motor vehicle traffic. Broadway has way too much motor vehicle capacity.
RecommendedYes! and Max is also telling cyclists to not bring their bikes on MAX during the listed period of the repairs. This is because the trains are running less often and will be full.
RecommendedAnd no one caught in the traffic snarl on Broadway will notice that there is an existing protected bike lane paralleling Broadway five blocks away.
RecommendedWill anybody notice that there are existing lanes for drivers to use one block west and one block east of Broadway? Or, you know, whole grade-separated spaces JUST for drivers 7 blocks west (405) and 8 blocks east (I-5) of Broadway?
RecommendedJust five blocks away? That’s practically next door!
RecommendedBy the way the Broadway bridge was closed eastbound on Monday. I did not see anyone working when I rode both directions mid-day, but the sidewalk was closed with gates.
RecommendedThey are still working on the railing on the south (eastbound) side of the bridge.
Recommended“Dig We Must.” Consolidated Edison’s signage for New Yorkers complaining about dug up streets for utility work.
RecommendedHow will Better Burnside Bridge work when the bridge is raised? Won’t the wooden boxes just slide off? I’m sure they’ll figure out a solution though. 🙂
RecommendedCan’t wait for the Broadway project!
RecommendedI might change my bike commute for these days to experience the protected bike lanes!
Better Block folks, one thought regarding the time of your planning meetings: 6-7:30pm is really tricky for families with young kids. I live really close but swinging by is unfortunately out of question because of that. Biking parents are really sensitive about safe space so perhaps having some planning meetings late Saturday / Sunday morning could attract some of them.
RecommendedWhy can’t bicyclists leave the main thoroughfares for cars alone. You live in a grid city. Go one block over from any main street and you have a bike route. This city has some of the worst traffic congestion because there aren’t enough freeways. Converting all the 2 lane, and in the case of Broadway 3 lane, high traffic corridors to bike friendly streets is pompus arrogance.
RecommendedWhat about when I’m cycling and want to visit a business that’s on Broadway? Am I not welcome there because “Broadway is for cars”?
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