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.”
Thanks for reading.
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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.
Nope. Local Service Truck Street.
Also, a “City Bikeway” FWIW (but that designation is, I think, given to pretty much everything)
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!
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.
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.
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”
I hope the cyclist will press charges and make an example of the driver.
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.
I disagree. One driver gets prosecuted and the word will spread throughout the truck-driving corps like wildfire.
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.
Hi Skid Mark!
I’m surprised you could see this and not see what the issue is. He literally had his bars bobbled by the air forces of a massive truck driver passing him at high speeds. It’s very possible he could have fallen and been run over and killed. And the law clearly states that in this situation, the truck driver (a professional who should have a higher expectation of knowing the law) had the legal right to cross the centerline to give Chris more space). The idea that you would just wave your hands and say, “Riding a bike is inherently dangerous” after seeing this is really unfortunate and I think speaks to larger issues in how our society views roads, traffic, and people who ride bikes.
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!!!
If there was oncoming traffic or potholes, then there was no room to pass. Doesn’t change the fact it was an illegal pass. Driver needed to slow down and wait or pass slowly if there was no room. That’s just the law.
We codify laws because of opinions like Brian’s.
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.
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.
The narrow lane and double solid yellow line are irrelevant. The law is clear that the driver must pass with more clearance than they did, and clear they are allowed to cross the double yellow line.
If the driver couldn’t give the bike rider the required clearance–for whatever reason–they shouldn’t have passed him.
If you’re a driver, you should already know what the passing law says. What’s really scary isn’t just that not only do you not seem to know the law, you STILL don’t even after you just read an article that carefully explains the law.
Not sure what you mean by biking being “inherently dangerous”. Simply riding a bike isn’t dangerous, but people who drive without knowing the relevant laws make it dangerous for bike riders and everyone else on the road.
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.
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?
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.
As the saying goes: “the graveyard is full of people who were right”
Surely it’s just as full of people who were wrong. Death gets us all, and we all hold right and wrong opinions on countless subjects. The graveyard is also full of people who clung to platitudes.
“Many times, I’ve seen cyclists ride two or three abreast. Therefore, Chris was wrong even though he wasn’t doing that.”
Exactly. That was the illegal action that created the danger.
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.
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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.
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.”
How is that funny? It’s not burying the lede but I appreciate your attempt at being my editor.
I’m not interested in the driver of the truck at that level. That’s never been my style. This is more about the behaviors and legal and geographical context of the incident. Going after the driver and the company will happen if and when it needs to.
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.
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.
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?
Compact vehicles can also generate surprising amounts of suction if the wheel-wells are damaged.
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?
Easy, same thing as when you want to pass a car and there is oncoming traffic. You slow down and wait for a chance to pass.
This is a popular and commonly ridden cycling route.
A few years ago, I was paddleboarding and a commercial boat passed me similarly closely, and nearly pinned me between the boat and a dock, with its wake slamming me into the dock, all because the captain didn’t want to wait a few seconds for slip behind me to dock (he told me so himself).
I got his boat’s ID, called the County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol, and they helped me write him a $400+ ticket for unsafe operation, which I used to take him before a judge. His expression in court seeing the paddle boarder who he never expected to see again was priceless. The State Marine Board also wrote a threatening letter stating what law he broke and what the penalties are. Actually their letter went to the boat owner–his wife–which was probably even more impactful to him, since she found out what he did while captaining her $$$ boat.
The process was very simple for me. I wish it were simpler in cases like this–especially when there’s video evidence.
I have rode on marine drive hundreds of times ( since the early 90’s ) , even before the bike path was there . That bike path is dangerous to bicyclist that ride at a good pace , there are too many people that use it just for a casual walk with their kids and dogs . A few years ago I was on that path with one of my daughters riding along when an older person walked in front of her and she crashed into him from behind and hurt his left leg . Those bike paths are not made for the cyclist that click along at above 17 mph , that’s why I never used bike paths .
There is a bike path for a reason. This guy would rather risk getting hit, or killed, to ride next to trucks instead of the beautiful river path…
There is a law for safe passing for a reason. This guy would rather risk getting becoming a murderer instead of slowing down for a few seconds.
I’ve watched the clip about 5x and I’m struggling to see anything that’s especially “scary” about this, other than the rider’s swerve towards the fog line. Skill issue.
It is scary because he could have been sucked under the wheels of the trailer and died. Are you familiar with the referenced ‘air suction effect’? His skill is what saved him, but if he had been distracted by another hazard or an issue with his bike then it could have gone another way.
This is why I want a bike mounted single shot paintball gun. Water soluble. Fight back with Clear Communication.