2 May 2017 Archives

470 bollards not enough to protect ‘Better Naito’ bikeway

This is supposed to be a carfree lane.
(Photo by J. Maus/BikePortland)

Let me make this as clear as possible: If Portland wants to get more people cycling, we must provide a network of high-quality, physically protected routes that are connected to destinations. Any bikeway that does not provide physical protection from “A to B” that’s both real and perceived is a gap in the network.

I bring this up because of the fanfare that launched Better Naito last week. Don’t get me wrong, I think the fanfare is justified. The volunteers who advocated for the project initially and the city staff that have embraced it have many reasons to be proud. But let us not forget that this is still second-rate infrastructure designed on the cheap.

Bike corrals have become a common feature of Portland’s streets. Looks like they could use a larger one at Ex Novo on North Flint Ave.
(Photo by J. Maus/BikePortland)

From St. Johns to Lents, and all points in between, the City of Portland has 145 bike parking corrals. The groupings of blue staple racks have become a standard piece of street furniture and a symbol of Portland’s commitment to cycling.

But how often are they used? Are some overcrowded? Should they be larger? Smaller? And how does Biketown figure into the equation?

These are just some of the questions the Bureau of Transportation hopes to answer with a new, crowdsourced bike corral reporting project. Using a short online form, PBOT wants to know three basic pieces of information: How many bikes are parked at the corral, if they include Biketown bikes, and the date/time of the observation.

470 bollards not enough to protect ‘Better Naito’ bikeway

PBOT wants to crowdsource bike corral usage data with eye on improvements

Latest Headlines

Opinion: Portland needs more cul-de-sacs

Monday Roundup: ‘Social safety’ for women, remembering Donald Shoup, and more

Weekend Event Guide: Illuminated, All Bodies on Bikes, new library and more

Portland will daylight 200 intersections over next two years

From the Archives

Escape from Portland with this easy loop on quiet forest roads above Trout Lake