Dangerous close pass on Marine Drive captured on video

Screengrab from video by Chris Ho.

Portlander Chris Ho was cycling on Northeast Marine Drive this week when the driver of a large freight truck passed him very closely. Chris shared the video online and it has spurred conversation and confusion about Oregon passing laws and road user choices. I want to elevate the incident because this is an important issue that deserves clarity and understanding.

Chris is an experienced bicycle rider. He’s a veteran volunteer in local bicycle advocacy circles, a regular at Bike Happy Hour, a collector of road bikes, and a participant at local races. On Wednesday around 4:00 pm he was cycling westbound on Northeast Marine Drive about 1.5 miles west of I-205 and adjacent to Portland Airport runways. There are two route options for bicycle riders at this location: there’s a dedicated, off-street path along the Columbia River and a shoulder on the main road. Chris was (obviously) riding on the shoulder.

As Chris pedaled on a clear and sunny day, the truck driver whizzed past, just inches away from his body and bicycle. The pass was so close it created air suction effect that threw off Chris’s trajectory, and pulled his bicycle even closer to the big rig. (This is a well-known effect that has led to many fatal bicycle crashes over the years — even if police reports often fail to take it into account and instead blame the bicycle rider for “falling into” the truck operator’s path.) “This was a very close call, and super scary!” Chris shared in a post on his Instagram. Chris’s video captured the truck driver’s license plate number and he’s considering pursuing charges.

When I shared Chris’s video on BikePortland’s social media, I heard two main responses that stood out to me: some folks didn’t think the truck driver did anything wrong, and others wondered why Chris was even on the road in the first place (and not the path).

First let’s talk about the pass itself. Chris was in a legal cycling position, riding on what’s technically known as a shoulder bikeway. It’s not a “bicycle lane” as defined in Oregon law. The way we can tell the difference is by the width of the white stripe and the absence of bicycle lane markings and signage. (The distinction between a shoulder and a bike lane matters because different laws apply in each situation.)

The speed limit in this location is 40 mph and it’s a “no passing” zone. Given all those conditions, the truck driver clearly made an illegal pass. Oregon Revised Statute 811.065 states that motor vehicle operators must pass bicycle riders at a “safe distance” which is defined as a distance that is, “sufficient to prevent contact with the person operating the bicycle if the person were to fall into the driver’s lane of traffic.” Based on Chris’s video, that provision of the law was broken. The passing law was expanded in 2023 to require that drivers slow to at least five miles under the posted speed limit and to clarify that they can move over across a double yellow line in order to complete the safe pass.

After the law went into effect in 2024, the Oregon Department of Transportation made a PSA video that includes an example of a pass that closely resembles this situation.

For folks who think Chris should have been cycling on the adjacent path, keep in mind that not all bicycle riders are the same and people are allowed to choose where they ride. And in this case, not only was it entirely legal for Chris to be on the shoulder (which is classified as a “City Bikeway” in our Transportation System Plan), but the path option isn’t as attractive as you might think. This part of Marine Drive has a reputation for people pitching tents along the path. Public safety concerns get exacerbated here because the path is far below the street, which means it lacks visibility. Many riders also don’t like taking the path because it requires them to criss-cross Marine Drive at several locations and they feel these crossings are more hazardous that just riding on the shoulder. For fast, road cyclists, off-street paths can also be less desirable because they often have uneven surfaces, bumps and cracks that make for an unpleasant ride.

Dangerous and illegal passes like this are way too common. They are a symptom of our dysfunctional road user culture and illustrate the blatant disregard for human life far too many people have when they get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle.

I hope this post helps add context to this dangerous incident. And I’m very glad that Chris was not injured or worse.

For anyone who drives on Marine Drive, please slow down and pass bicycle riders with the utmost caution. And remember, “This isn’t some sort of video game!” as Chris shared on Instagram Thursday. “I could have very easily died today.”

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, contact me via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a paying subscriber.

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david hampsten
david hampsten
1 day ago

Is this section of Marine Drive still a designated Major City Freight Route in the TSP? I remember for years various advocacy groups have tried to get it downgraded so that fewer truck drivers would use it and the city could put in traffic calming.

maxD
maxD
1 day ago

This is an excellent example and very explanation of a common problem! I hope this article gets sent to the Mayor, the governor, the chief of police, every council member, etc. Very nice write-up!

Josh G
Josh G
1 day ago

After many years as a twice daily all weather biker on the narrowest section of Marine Dr (just west of NE 33rd) I can say that, A. the word hasn’t gotten out about any stronger passing laws.
And B. Training or driver culture/time pressure varies noticeably between CDL companies.
The company in the video, Oak Harbor is pretty far down the safe operator list, and runs lots of double and triple trailers (when are we going to join the overwhelming majority of states and outlaw these?) Anyone hauling shipping containers seems much more likely to make a dangerous pass. I can’t decide if there is any difference in safety training results between UPS/ Fed Ex/ Amazon.
We all want to get to work and home alive.

Angus Peters
Angus Peters
1 day ago

Wow, scary. I’m so glad he wasn’t injured. Unfortunately drivers in Portland know that enforcement of our traffic laws is an infrequent occurrence and respond accordingly. I’m afraid until that changes these types of situations will continue.

Nick
Nick
1 day ago

he’s considering pursuing charges

I’d be happy to donate to that, had a number of scary interactions on Marine Drive where I look back and think “if something was slightly different I’d be dead”

CityRider
CityRider
1 day ago

I hope the cyclist will press charges and make an example of the driver.

Angus Peters
Angus Peters
1 day ago
Reply to  CityRider

I’m all for this driver being held accountable. Unfortunately I don’t think holding one driver is going to move the needle much. We need consistent, widespread enforcement of our traffic laws instead of the “hands off” approach Portland has opted for since the racial justice protests of 2020. The expression “it’s hard to put the genie back in the bottle” applies here.

Fred
Fred
1 day ago
Reply to  Angus Peters

I disagree. One driver gets prosecuted and the word will spread throughout the truck-driving corps like wildfire.

Skid Mark
Skid Mark
1 day ago

It’s hard so say whether or not that truck was as far left as it could possibly be, given that the lane is narrow and there’s a double solid yellow line. In his instagram post he states that he is aware of how you can get sucked under a truck by the air going around the truck. He didn’t falter or swerve when the truck passed him. Riding a bike is inherently dangerous and he seems to be an experienced rider. I really don’t see what the issue is.

Brian
Brian
3 hours ago

Your bars don’t bobble, You Bobble from not holding yourself to your line. That’s why they make mirrors for cycling…Use your mirrors and brace yourself for this situation. The video doesn’t show whether or not the truck was facing oncoming traffic or a big pothole or??? If your gonna ride in this kind of lane “adjacent to Portland Airport runways” and at the same time describe yourself as an “experienced bicycle rider” and then contend for the whole lane above a massive commercial truck…DEAL WITH IT. To say, “He’s a veteran volunteer in local bicycle advocacy circles.” Well, that I can believe…a big crybaby purist who dosen’t consider anything other than himself to matter…WOKE IS OVER!!!

bjorn
bjorn
23 hours ago
Reply to  Skid Mark

You are required to move over, full stop. There are no exceptions for it didn’t feel like I had room to move over to pass, if you don’t have the space you slow down until you do, this isn’t complicated.

cwmoss
cwmoss
2 hours ago
Reply to  Skid Mark

Do you also think that Chris was dressed too sexy? If you’re going to blame the victim, why not go all the way and say he was asking for it.

J_R
J_R
1 day ago

Some years ago I learned that the license plate on the trailer is of no value in making a complaint. The car in which I was a passenger was passed in a no passing zone by a truck. If my friend who was driving had not slammed on the brakes, the rear end of the trailer would have hit the front of the car as the trucker swerved into the lane. As far as a complaint, the official line was “we can’t know who was driving, the trailer could have been attached to any truck with any driver.”

Also, can it be proven that the trucker had not slowed down to 5mph under the posted speed? I doubt it. The cops and DA will undoubtedly believe the trucker or the truck company’s attorney that he did. And who will be believed? Not the cyclist, that’s for certain.

I don’t disbelieve Chris and have had countless close calls just like his. Until or unless we get lots more cops, DAs, judges, and other elected officials to “feel” how scary it can be on the roads as bicyclists, we’re just an annoying group of elitists who should find a better place to enjoy our “recreation.”

Sorry. I’m afraid that’s reality for now.

Tony
Tony
1 day ago

It seems from the video that the truck driver was centered in his lane and the cyclist was not. I am a cyclist and always ride as far right as practical as I take responsibility for my own safety. I also drive an automobile. I have on more occasions than I can count seen cyclists putting themselves in unneeded danger by riding near to or over the white line. Sometimes two or three wide. The question I would ask myself is if I felt that I was in danger was I doing my best to prevent that danger?

NR
NR
1 day ago
Reply to  Tony

Please take a moment to read Oregon Revised Statute 811.065. The truck driver violated the law by passing unsafely while the cyclist was still within the lane. The cyclist was entirely within their legal rights—your opinion doesn’t override state traffic law.

Also, “riding as far right as possible” isn’t just unnecessary—it can be dangerous. Cyclists are not required to hug the edge of the road, especially when it compromises visibility or safety. In fact, riding too far right can increase the risk of being overlooked by upstream drivers or forced into hazards like opening car doors, debris, or uneven pavement.

Taking the lane when appropriate is not only legal—it’s often the safest choice.

cwmoss
cwmoss
2 hours ago
Reply to  Tony

“Many times, I’ve seen cyclists ride two or three abreast. Therefore, Chris was wrong even though he wasn’t doing that.”

Micah Prange
Micah Prange
1 day ago

Thanks for this post. I cycle on Marine Dr. a lot (just got back from a ride there). Passes like this are very common and nerve wracking. I’m a pretty confident cyclist, but I find that road scary for exactly this reason. I’m glad Chris is OK, but it’s just a matter of time before there are more fatalities on this road.

)-:

idlebytes
idlebytes
1 day ago

That was so horrific and unnecessary; even from a driver’s perspective of not wanting to be delayed for half second. There was no oncoming traffic the driver could have moved over to give space without having to slow down at all. That still would have been illegal, if the driver didn’t slow down, but it would have been much safer. This person shouldn’t be allowed to drive.

Fred
Fred
1 day ago

Funny that you waited til the very end of the video to reveal that the truck was operated by Oak Harbor Freight Lines. That’s known as “burying the lede.”

Mark smith
Mark smith
18 hours ago

I drive for a living. This driver intended to be (insert bad word here). He saw the cyclist and meant to pass close. That’s all there is to it. A good company would fire this driver. Probably won’t though as trucking companies are full of people that hate people biking. I see it all the time.

Vance jones
Vance jones
17 hours ago

The bike trail is there for safety. The crosswalk have blinking lights and require cars to stop. If a bike can go 40 mph, the speed limit, for the length of that piece of road that would be amazing. He put himself in harms way. Be smart not what a few think is their right. If you can’t do the speed limit oregon law says you must pull over if your impeding traffic.

Caleb
Caleb
5 hours ago
Reply to  Vance jones

He wasn’t impeding traffic. Nobody needs to go the speed limit to ride that shoulder. Would you say the same BS to people who bicycle tour across the country on highway shoulders?

anonymous
anonymous
3 hours ago

Compact vehicles can also generate surprising amounts of suction if the wheel-wells are damaged.

Thomas
Thomas
50 minutes ago

Why was the cyclist in the story riding on the shoulder of a busy road with a very narrow shoulder and lots of trucks when there is a very nice independent paved bike path running parallel to that road? I understand vehicles should give way to bikes but what happens when another vehicle is coming the other way?