Portland Transportation History

Newspaper archives, research from historians, generational trends — we love looking back as much as looking forward. Scroll down for stories that help put our current transportation policies and projects into perspective.

In 1934, The Oregonian’s ‘Let’s Quit Killing’ campaign declared a war on traffic deaths

by Michael Andersen (Contributor) on April 17th, 2015 at 8:55 am

As Clinton Street’s bikeway turns 30, locals plan a celebration

by Michael Andersen (Contributor) on March 16th, 2015 at 3:04 pm

130 years of Portland’s transportation history in one chart

by Michael Andersen (Contributor) on February 3rd, 2015 at 11:27 am

From the Portland city archives: A tall bike on Union Avenue in 1980

by Michael Andersen (Contributor) on August 12th, 2014 at 8:22 am

Sam Oakland, leader of the ‘Shift of the 1970s,’ dies at 80

by Michael Andersen (Contributor) on April 1st, 2014 at 9:55 am

From The Oregonian, Jan. 1, 1895: ‘Reign of the wheel’

by Michael Andersen (Contributor) on January 2nd, 2014 at 8:25 am

What caused Portland’s biking boom?

by Michael Andersen (Contributor) on July 2nd, 2013 at 3:57 pm

1967 National Road Championships were ‘Portland’s Finest Hour’

by Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor) on May 24th, 2013 at 3:20 pm

Bicycle license tax, separated bikeways in Oregon’s 1901 ‘Bicycle Path Bill’

by Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor) on August 28th, 2012 at 1:37 pm

State of Oregon plans ‘Governor’s Ride’ to mark historic event

by Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor) on January 25th, 2012 at 1:33 pm

Latest Forum Topics

Fun bike article for kids (10 cool things about bicycles)

If you have kids or know one this might be fun for them to check out. https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/ten-fun-facts-about-bikes 1 post - 1 participant Read full topic Read Post »

Heirloom Apartments Bike Through

I noticed that there is a large apartment complex and additionally roads being built east of the Fred Meyer on 82nd and Johnson Creek. This intrigues me as getting from Mt Scott Arleta or… Read Post »

8th traffic death of 2022 in Portland, Actions you can do today!

A hit and run pedestrian death marked the 8th traffic fatality in January and we still have 8 days to go in the month. Only takes a few minutes to act to help our… Read Post »

A gravel casualty

Today I finally fell victim to a absurdly heavy layer of road gravel and fell to the pavement at Capitol hwy and Bertha.There are heavy layers of gravel in the bike path and it… Read Post »

Some ? To the People for Portland posters

This is a small discussion forum, and I would consider being incorrect on these assumptions, but I doubt that: They really stick out with their attempts of manipulation and complaining throughout some of these… Read Post »

Riding in bus lanes?

What is the etiquette/rules about riding a bike in the bus only lanes where there is not a bike lane? I often ride through downtown and will sometimes ride in the bus/max only lanes… Read Post »

Portland Transportation History

Portland Transportation History

In 1934, The Oregonian’s ‘Let’s Quit Killing’ campaign declared a war on traffic deaths

As Clinton Street’s bikeway turns 30, locals plan a celebration

130 years of Portland’s transportation history in one chart

From the Portland city archives: A tall bike on Union Avenue in 1980

Sam Oakland, leader of the ‘Shift of the 1970s,’ dies at 80

From The Oregonian, Jan. 1, 1895: ‘Reign of the wheel’

What caused Portland’s biking boom?

1967 National Road Championships were ‘Portland’s Finest Hour’

Bicycle license tax, separated bikeways in Oregon’s 1901 ‘Bicycle Path Bill’

State of Oregon plans ‘Governor’s Ride’ to mark historic event

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