Job: Climate Program Coordinator (Limited Duration) – Oregon Department of Transportation

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Job Title

Climate Program Coordinator (Limited Duration)

Company / Organization

Oregon Department of Transportation

Job Description

Planner 3 – Climate Program Coordinator (Limited Duration)
Oregon Department of Transportation
Policy, Data & Analysis Division
Climate Office
Salem

Salary: $6,240 – $9,674 (Per month)

The role:
Are you passionate about making a positive impact on transportation and the environment? We are seeking a dedicated and skilled individual to join our team as a climate programs coordinator. In this role, you will develop and implement innovative transportation funding programs, plans and policies aimed at mitigating greenhouse gas emissions while enhancing the resilience of our transportation infrastructure in the face of climate change. Apply today!

This is a limited duration appointment that is expected to end on or before June 30, 2025. Limited duration appointments are benefits eligible and have a designated maximum length of service. This position has the potential to become permanent.

We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for our positions. We hope you’ll join us on our path to increasing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging through our values, commitments, strategies and actions.

Before applying, visit our applicant information website to learn more about our process. If you are a current State of Oregon employee, you must apply through your employee Workday profile.

A day in the life:
• Manage and implement a competitive grant program based on ODOT’s Carbon Reduction Strategy.
• Research and evaluate the effectiveness of climate policies, programs, procedures and recommend changes.
• Lead workgroups of internal and external partners in the development of climate program funding and implementation plans, and work plans for climate actions.
• Develop funding policies that address climate equity in practice and outcomes.
• Propose improvements to program policies and procedures.
• Provide technical expertise on the Carbon Reduction Program and respond to internal and external inquiries.
• Give comprehensive presentations to department staff, other Oregon agencies, federal and local agencies, other states and to the public.
• Hybrid work options available – work in an office environment with occasional limited in and out-of-state travel required. Will need to work in office at a minimum of 8 times per year.
• To request a copy of the position description, which includes all duties and working conditions, please email ODOTRecruitment@odot.oregon.gov.

What’s in it for you:
• Work/life balance, 11 paid holidays a year, flexible work schedules, paid leave and so much more. Learn more about working at the Oregon Department of Transportation and the benefits we offer.
• Comprehensive and equitable base salary offer within the listed range. Through an equal pay assessment, we will determine the salary offer using the information you provide in your submitted application materials. Please ensure your application materials are detailed, accurate and reflect your skills, experience (paid and unpaid) and education as they relate to the position when applying.
• The salary range listed is the non-PERS monthly salary range. If you are already a participating PERS member or once you become PERS eligible, the salary range will increase by 6%.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness opportunity!

How to Apply

Minimum qualifications:
Six (6) years of planning experience related to the job;

OR

A bachelor's degree in urban or regional planning, public administration, social science, civil engineering, architecture, economics, geography or a related field AND three (3) years of progressively responsible planning experience related to the job;

Note: A master's degree in regional planning, public administration, social science, civil engineering, architecture, economics, geography or a related field may substitute for one (1) year of experience.
OR

An equivalent combination of relevant education, training, and experience.

What we’d like to see:
If you have these attributes, let us know in your application materials! It's how we will choose whom to move forward! You do not need to have all these qualities to be eligible for this position. We may also use transferable skills, experience, education and alignment with ODOT values to help us decide who will move forward.
• Demonstrated experience in program management or project delivery processes, enabling effective integration of climate-focused initiatives into existing frameworks.
• Able to identify and implement creative solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions while balancing efficiency, equity and practicality.
• A proven track record of committing to centering equity in all programs, ensuring that disadvantaged and frontline communities benefit from transportation and climate initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience creating and presenting technical information to diverse audiences, including policymakers, internal and external partners and the public.
• Demonstrated experience working in dynamic and fast-paced environments, with the ability to navigate changing priorities, emerging challenges and evolving policy landscapes.

Learn more and apply:
This recruitment closes at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, February 25, 2025.

Please note that we can only accept applications through our website.

For questions, call 503-779-9733 or email ODOTRecruitmentJB@odot.oregon.gov

ODOT is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer

Job: Kerr Bikes Mechanic – Albertina Kerr

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title

Kerr Bikes Mechanic

Company / Organization

Albertina Kerr

Job Description

We’re seeking staff for our Kerr Bikes rental store!

Kerr Bikes provides the public with seasonal bike rental services, bicycle service, and adaptive equipment recreation for the benefit of non-profit Albertina Kerr.

The Kerr Bikes Mechanic is a part-time position, approximately 4-12 hours weekly, with flexible hours to fit your schedule.

Click here to learn more about Kerr Bikes!

Essential Duties:
– Assesses fleet for repairs needed, makes repairs, and performs bike maintenance.
– Communicates with manager repairs that need to be done, are in the process of being completed, and have been completed.
– Organizes tools and workspaces.
– Notifies manager of parts needed, parts that are running low, or tools needed.
– Acts within the interests of Kerr Bikes and creates value while on shift.
– Keeps up to date fleet maintenance log, and adaptive fleet maintenance log.
– Effectively uses time keeping app (Paycom).
– Puts parts on order.
– Trains staff on how to do common repairs.
– May be asked to assist with customers or rentals.
– Other duties at the request of the manager.

How to Apply

Please visit https://www.albertinakerr.org/careers/ to apply!

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

Gotta’ do what you gotta’ do. (Photo: Jonathan Maus/BikePortland)

Don’t let the weather get you down. There are plenty of fun ride options to inspire you and people who will face the cold, rain, snow — or whatever else is thrown our way — with you!

Friday, February 7th

Bike Dykes – 6:15 pm at Wilshire Park (NE)
There’s a country dance happenin’ and the fun crew at Bike Dykes wants to take you there. More info here.

Saturday, February 8th

New Library Day Ride – 9:00 am at Grand Central Bakery (NE)
The new North Portland Library is re-opening after major renovations and since bike lovers and book lovers are one in the same, it’s very fitting to ride together and celebrate this awesome new community resource. More info here.

Saturday Social Ride – 10:00 am at Woodstock Park (SE)
An experienced road ride leader from Portland Bicycling Club will lead this 20-mile or so excursion in the metro area. More info here.

Illuminated Bike Ride – 6:30 am at Roses Equipment and Supply (SE)
The Winter Light Fest is here and there’s no better way to see it all than from the seat of your bike… especially if your bike is all lit up! More info here.

Sunday, February 9th

Ride Westside – 10:00 am at Garden Home Recreation Center (SW)
Explore new sections of the wonderful Fanno Creek Trail with a merry band of cyclists and advocates. More info here.

All Bodies on Bikes Chapter Kickoff – 1:00 pm at Hollywood Library (NE)
Don’t miss the launch event for Portland’s very own chapter of All Bodies on Bikes — a nonprofit that promotes inclusivity and bicycle for everybody. This event begins with a film screening followed by a ride. A co-founder of ABOB will be on hand for inspirations and questions. More info here.


— Did I miss your event? Please let me know by filling out our contact form, or just email me at maus.jonathan@gmail.com.

Portland will daylight 200 intersections over next two years

A large truck completely blocks visibility of a curb ramp in Portland. This type of parking is illegal in Portland. Trucks over six feet high are not allowed to parking within 50 feet of an intersection. (Photo: Melissa Kostelecky)

The City of Portland has made a new commitment to daylight 200 more intersections over the next two years. The news comes in the form of a quiet update to the Portland Bureau of Transportation’s website.

Daylighting, or what PBOT refers to as “vision clearance”, is an intersection treatment that removes visible barriers like parked cars and trucks from corners in order to improve visibility. The treatment has gained popularity among transportation advocates nationwide because of how it can radically improve safety at intersections (where most serious injury and fatal crashes occur) and it’s extremely inexpensive. In Oregon it also has legal backing.

In 2020 nonprofit Oregon Walks launched a “Clear the Corners” campaign to ratchet up pressure on the City of Portland to abide by the Oregon Vehicle Code (ORS 811.550 section 17) which says drivers can’t park within 20-feet of a crosswalk. But the law makes individual cities responsible for parking regulations, and road safety activists think PBOT is using that to shirk legal requirements. Also in 2020, the City of Portland was slapped with a lawsuit brought by a person who was hit as a result of what his lawyer claims was negligence on the part of the city to enforce the daylighting law. Pressure from the lawsuit (which is still pending in the Court of Appeals) and advocates worked. In 2021, former Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty secured $200,000 to daylight 350 intersections.

But as BikePortland reported one year ago, there are still way too many intersections in Portland with terrible visibility due to people parking cars at the corner.

In fact, an analysis by Portland State University student and road safety advocate Melissa Kostelecky found that there are about 4,000 intersections in Portland that should be cleared of parking. At around $600 per intersection (the price for signs and poles at four corners), that would cost about $2.3 million. Kostelecky’s report analyzed 18,143 intersections citywide and looked at factors such as proximity to a school, presence of ADA ramps, crash history, speeding patterns, bike network connections, and so on.

Determining which corners to clear first is part of the challenge. PBOT’s standard practice is to apply vision clearance standards (no parking within 20-feet of the corners) on all major paving and capital projects. But when they find extra funding, they have expanded that scope to include more locations. The upcoming treatments will be targeted near schools, neighborhood greenways, and in designated pedestrian districts (as identified in city plans). PBOT will also respond to specific locations based on complaints. Anyone can call PBOT Parking Enforcement at 503-823-5195 (and wait for option 3) to report a dangerous corner for consideration.

The latest promise from PBOT to daylight 200 intersections will be funded from a $50,000 commitment from the Fixing Our Streets (local gas tax) program and from a portion of PBOT’s General Fund allocation for safety improvements.

View a map of eligible daylighting corridors and learn more on PBOT’s Vision Clearance website.

Bike travel tales slideshow series kicks off Tuesday!

Colleen Barclay stopped for a portrait of her trusty steed with the bridge at Deception Pass, on Hwy 20 between Fidalgo and Whidbey islands, during a tour of the Olympic Peninsula last year.

As we hunker down in Portland winter, why not let your mind wander to the possibilities of you and your bike on the open road? There’s simply nothing like traveling our world on two wheels and there’s an event tomorrow (Tuesday, February 4th) that will help bring you closer to that undisputed truth. Ted Buehler, a longtime friend of mine through his tireless advocacy for cycling, is hosting the first in a series of bike touring slideshows.

“I’ve been bike touring since I was 18, and have met a lot of fellow Portlanders who have also gone to far flung parts of the world on their bicycles,” Ted says. “So I’m organizing this slideshow series to give us all an opportunity to learn from each other, and provide motivation and instruction for people who would like to begin touring the world by bicycle.”

Join Ted and three other special guests for a night of storytelling and tips to help you take that trip you’ve always dreamed about. The event will take place at Migration Brewing on North Williams Ave (same place as Bike Happy Hour). Below are the folks who will be presenting at the kickoff event tomorrow:

6:30: Ted Buehler — Bike touring in Rural Ukraine I rode through the Carpathian Mountains, visited the cities of Lviv, Odesa and Kyiv. Rode trains from place to place. Enjoyed the chill pleasantness that was Ukrainian Culture pre-2022. Photos, maps, stories on my Facebook page.

7:00: Maren Souders — Touring Around the USA by Amtrak, with a Brompton and Trailer
Maren took about 15 months in 2021 and 2022 to visit dozens of Intentional Communities and botanical gardens, from Portland to San Diego, to Florida, to Quebec, to British Columbia. Many adventures along the way, on the backroads and highways getting from Amtrak stations to outlying destinations. See Maren’s blog for more.

7:30: Emily Wilson (and maybe Ben Foote) — Vashon Island by Bicycle, Train and Ferry
It’s an easy starter bike tour — Amtrak to Tacoma, ride to the ferry, ride the length of Vashon Island (Seattle’s greenest suburb in many ways), then ferry to Seattle and Amtrak back to Portland.

8:00: Colleen Barclay — Olympic Peninsula by Bicycle
Colleen is new to Portland, and bicycled Whidbey Island and the Olympic Discovery trail in 2023, self-supported. But she is not new to the Pacific Northwest — in 1978 she and a friend did a much longer bike camping trip up Vancouver Island, then to Prince Rupert by ferry, and across British Columbia and through the Canadian Rockies to Banff.

This is the first event in a three-part series at Migration’s back patio o North Williams Ave. Free and informal. Come and go as you’d like. Enjoy Nicaraguan food from Papas Frita Chef Rene. And the beer and other drinks are good too! See the Shift Calendar listing for more details.

Woman killed on SE Cesar Chavez was Tuyet Nguyen, and she’s not latest victim

Detail of funeral service for Tuyet T. Nguyen, the 71-year-old killed while walking on SE Cesar Chavez on Sunday, January 26th.

The bad news is another person was hit. The good news is changes are likely coming soon.

As a southeast Portland neighborhood grapples with the loss of a beloved member of their community due to a fatal traffic crash along Southeast Cesar Chavez Blvd, BikePortland has confirmed that yet another person on foot was hit by a driver on that street yesterday. 

According to the Portland Police Bureau, a person walking at the intersection of SE Stark and Cesar Chavez (Laurelhurst Park) was hit and injured around 4:15 pm on Sunday. Officers responded to the collision and found an adult female had been struck by a car driver. A Reddit user posted that they drove by and “saw a car… on top of a pedestrian.” The victim was taken to a hospital for treatment of back pain. PPB have confirmed the case with BikePortland and say the driver was given a traffic citation for failing to stop for a pedestrian (ORS 811.028).

That collision comes just one week after 71-year-old Tuyet Nguyen was killed by a car driver two miles south of Stark St. That crash is still under investigation and I’m working to learn more about how it happened.

I’ve also learned that a memorial service is planned for Nguyen. A witness who was one of the first people to arrive on the scene of the collision reached out to BikePortland and shared the memorial event flyer. The flyer gives us a photo of Nguyen and shares names of the people she left behind — including three daughters, a son, and eight grandchildren. The memorial will be held in Newberg on February 8th.

Many Reed and Woodstock neighborhood residents were familiar with Nguyen as she walked their streets constantly. “She was the most kind and gentle woman who always had a smile on her face,” one witness told me, then added: “I truly hope something is done to make Cesar Chavez safer. I live two houses off Cesar Chavez and Cora and it’s awful. The speeding, reckless driving, and amount of accidents is insane.”

On that note, there’s some good news to share: In response to questions about the future of SE Cesar Chavez Blvd today, PBOT Communications Director Hannah Schafer said they are in the process of setting up a project page on their website for, “a new safety project in the area” funded through the Oregon Department of Transportation’s All Roads Transportation Safety Program (ARTS).

This is the project I mentioned in the wake of the Jeanie Diaz tragedy in 2023 where PBOT is going to consider safety updates on SE Cesar Chavez between SE Powell and Holgate. A lane reconfiguration (aka “road diet”) is not guaranteed yet (since public outreach hasn’t started), but after Diaz was killed by a driver while waiting for the bus at SE Chavez and SE Taylor, PBOT City Traffic Engineer Wendy Cawley told the Richmond Neighborhood Association that PBOT would consider going from the current four-lane cross-section to a three-lane cross-section, “or potentially even a two-lane cross-section.”

Today Schafer confirmed we will know more very soon about the safety project between Powell and Holgate, and said a separate project will bring a new signal at SE Gladstone. PBOT is still working to make sure full funding is in place before moving forward, and we will know more once the project webpage is published. Stay tuned.

Monday Roundup: Mt. Tam, Trump, tunnels, and more

Welcome to the week. It’s a strange, confusing, and concerning time as the Trump Administration runs wild over our government and institutions. As we continue to understand how he will impact our country, this week’s roundup should help you learn what’s going on with transportation policy and beyond.

Trump and transportation: Biggest story of the week is what the impact of the Trump Administration will be on transportation policy and projects. David Zipper has a solid look at what’s going on and what cities can do about it. (Fast Company)

Trump doing Trump things: President Donald Trump’s zeal for upending everything he thinks liberals like has led to a funding freeze of road safety grants. (Streetsblog USA)

Social engineering: The US DOT under Trump has floated a memo that would tie transportation funding to very specific demographic statistics including giving priority to places with high birth rates. But yeah let’s talk about how bike lanes are social engineering. (Construction Dive)

Boring Tunnel is actually, well, boring: Noted transit expert Jarrett Walker has long been skeptical of Elon Musk’s “Vegas Loop” and using it for the first time has only strengthened that skepticism. (Human Transit)

Same ol’, same ol’?: After off-road cycling advocates spent six years of working in good faith to successfully gain access to trails on Mt. Tam (the birthplace of mountain biking) in California, a few conservation groups have filed a lawsuit to prevent it from happening. It’s the same playbook of stalling and NIMBYism every damn time and it’s getting old. “Liberate Mt. Tam” is the very fitting riders’ battle cry. (Outside)

Humans make the difference: Turns out that when people put their bodies on the line, it inspires change. Protesting gets the goods, says a new study that looked at People Protected Bike Lanes. (Streetsblog SF)

Speed limit(ers): You won’t agree to speed limiting technology in every car? Fine. How about requiring them in the car of people with a history of reckless and fast driving? That’s what a bill in the Washington Legislature aims to do. (Washington Standard)


Thanks to everyone who sent in links this week. The Monday Roundup is a community effort, so please feel free to send us any great stories you come across.

You’re invited to my 50th birthday party at Bike Happy Hour next week

Selfie at BHH #1, April 6th, 2023. (Note: We no longer meet on this patio on SE Ankeny. Current location is Migration Brewing on N Williams Ave.)

February 5th is my 50th birthday. And it just so happens to be a Wednesday, so that means I’m celebrating at Bike Happy Hour! I hope you can join us!

For the past 95 weeks in a row (give or take a few when I was out of town), I’ve spent my Wednesday evenings with a delightful group of people who loves bikes, love Portland, and who believe strength comes from community. Every week I meet new people and connect with regulars. I had no idea when we started doing this in April 2023 that I’d meet so many awesome people who I now consider my friends and who I look forward to seeing every week.

So it feels totally natural and serendipitous that I’ll get to spend this milestone birthday with all of you!

I don’t expect or want anything grand or special. I plan to be there from 3:00 to whenever it’s time to go. I’ll have some family there and I’m not sure who else might show up. As always, everyone is welcome and I look forward to seeing you!

— Bike Happy Hour – Jonathan’s 50th Birthday Edition!
3:00 to later on Wednesday, February 5th
BHH event listing on the Shift calendar

Councilor Morillo wants SE Cesar Chavez Blvd safety concerns on transportation committee agenda

A tragic collision between a driver and someone walking on SE Cesar Chavez Blvd over the weekend has re-ignited discussions about how to make the street safer. It also might be the first test of how Portland’s new form of government responds to high profile road fatalities.

Thiet Nguyen, a well-known figure among people who frequent the Reed and Woodstock neighborhoods, was killed after being struck by a car driver near the intersection of SE Cesar Chavez and SE Cora on Sunday. Details of how it happened are still unknown, but the dangerous history of this stretch of Cesar Chavez Blvd is not. Nguyen is the fourth non-driver to be killed within a two-mile section of the street since 2015.

The death of another person on this four-lane road caught the attention of Portland City Councilor Angelita Morillo. Morillo, who represents the district where this fatality occurred (District 3) left a comment on a BikePortland Instagram post yesterday:

“Thiet and their family deserve better. I saw that news story last week and I plan to work with PBOT to bring this to the Transportation and Infrastructure committee to see what safety changes can be made to the entire strip. Thank you for continuing to highlight these issues and honoring the lives taken from us too soon.”

The committee Morillo referred to is one of eight new committees that were just established two weeks ago. The City of Portland has published a new website for the Transportation and Infrastructure (T & I) Committee, but it’s light on process details. Given Councilor Morillo’s comment, we’re curious what we can expect in terms of getting specific topics on the agendas. What we do know is that a lot of substantive city policy will originate in these committees. Councilor Morillo is vice chair of the T & I Committee, so she will have some influence to set the agenda. But only the chair, Councilor Olivia Clark, has final say on what becomes an agenda item.

We still don’t know if public testimony will be allowed at committee meetings or when they’ll be scheduled. According to Oregon public meetings law, if three out of five committee members discuss a topic, a public meeting would automatically be triggered. It’s clear Councilor Morillo is talking about it, but so far we haven’t heard if or when SE Cesar Chavez Blvd will make it onto the agenda.

In the past, advocates would contact the commissioner-in-charge of the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) directly and urge them to take action in coordination with the bureau. Now that PBOT answers to an administrator, and the administrator implements policy crafted by City Council, we’ll have to wait and see how specific issues make their way through the process.

Councilors are currently still drafting official committee rules for procedures, decorum, community engagement, and so on. Meetings could begin the second week of February. I’ve reached out to Councilor Clark’s office but haven’t heard back yet. Stay tuned to learn more. And if you have more information about the committee process, please share in the comments.

Job: Email Marketing Coordinator – Castelli

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Job Title

Email Marketing Coordinator

Company / Organization

Castelli

Job Description

Position Description:
The Castelli US Email Marketing Coordinator is a Portland-based position that works closely with the US and Italian ecommerce and marketing teams to activate our US email marketing communications and oversee our US customer database.

Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Email Communications:
o Work with the marketing/e-commerce teams to create engaging email campaigns unique to the US market.
o Collaborate with the Creative Director to set up weekly emails and update automated workflows, ensuring they are sent out correctly and on schedule.
o Research endemic and non-endemic email and content strategy; use those learnings to improve US email communications.
2. CRM
o Oversee the US customer database and ensure that it’s up-to-date and accurate.
o Proactively create segmented lists within the database based on various criteria such as demographics, behavior, etc. to better understand our customers and refine our communications.
o Identify and implement strategies to improve contact information and grow the database.
o Collaborate with the Global CRM Manager to align with – and to create – best practices.
3. Analytics & Reporting:
o Track the performance of email campaigns, analyze metrics such as click-through rates, unsubscribes, etc., and report the results to the team.
o Regularly update/develop key performance indicators (KPIs).
o Use data analysis to make informed recommendations for future email campaigns and CRM strategies.
4. Ecommerce and Marketing Support:
o Provide additional support to the ecommerce and marketing teams. May include website content management, event support, etc.

Personal Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will have a passion for cycling and understands the importance of quality cycling apparel and its importance, has excellent communication skills, and enjoys collaborating with internal teams.

Growth Opportunities:
Depending on applicant experience, this role could evolve over time to also provide communications support for our partner brand, Zoot, which specializes in triathlon apparel.

Education & Work Experience Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree
• 2-3 years of experience in digital marketing or ecommerce
• Experience with an e-mail management platform
• Some familiarity with graphics/layout software helpful
• Experience using a CRM platform and managing contacts (knowledge of Hubspot a plus)
• Excellent communication (verbal and written) skills
• Attention to detail with a desire to learn
• Ability to work with and summarize large sets of data
• Knowledge of digital trends
• Ability to self-project manage, and prioritize multiple projects
• Flexibility to work in a decentralized structure (working with US and Italian Ecommerce teams)
• Proactive, can-do approach to problem solving and identifying future tasks
• Strong organizational skills, detail orientation, and commitment
• Ability to adapt to the changing needs of a dynamic growth-oriented business
• Knowledge of the cycling, sports and/or outdoor industries a plus

About Castelli:
Castelli is a premium cycling apparel manufacturer, with world headquarters in Italy and US headquarters in Portland, Oregon. We have a history of product innovation and performance that goes back over 75 years. Our products have been used by Tour de France winners, World Champions, and Olympic Gold Medalists.

How to Apply

Please email cover letter and resume to careers@castelli-us.com

PBOT will reduce driving space on SW 6th to stripe wider bike lanes

Screenshot from video taken on SW 6th north of Caruthers, where PBOT will remove one of three general lanes and repave and widen the bike lane this summer. (Video: Jonathan Maus)

A key portal for people who ride bicycles into downtown Portland from southwest will have more room for cycling and smoother pavement by the end of this summer. As revealed on the City of Portland’s website earlier this week, the Portland Bureau of Transportation plans to eliminate one northbound general purpose lane used by car drivers on SW 6th between SW Caruthers and SW Broadway (just south of I-405) in order to create more space for the bike lane (see before-after image below).

This segment of SW 6th is an important connection to the popular bike route on SW Terwilliger and is an area where PBOT has heard from advocates about the urgent need to improve cycling access. In March 2023 I joined southwest cycling advocate Keith Liden on a ride-along and we met at the exact spot where this new project will begin.

While demands for better bicycling here influenced this project, PBOT says the main impetus is an already-planned repaving project that gives them the opportunity to re-stripe the block any way they want. And as we’ve seen numerous times in recent years, when given a clean slate PBOT is very likely to adhere to their adopted plans and guidelines and reduce space for drivers and improve conditions for bike riders.

You might also recall our reporting over the past year about PBOT’s efforts to make it easier for bike riders to get into downtown from both Terwilliger and SW Barbur. When we checked in back in May, we shared that PBOT’s Bicycle Advisory Committee urged the agency to close the gap between Terwilliger and SW 4th in order to capitalize on the $16.9 million being spent on the SW 4th Avenue Improvement Project (which should be completed by the end of this year). Another reason to improve this section of the bike lane on SW 6th? It will align directly with an upcoming project recommended in the Southwest in Motion Plan (project BP-02, shown below) that will add a new bike lane on SW 6th north of SW Broadway/I-405 where it currently drops off.

PBOT concept drawing of SW 6th north of I-405.

According to PBOT’s project website, the wider bike lanes and other striping changes on SW 6th, “aims to create safer conditions… In particular, the intersection of SW 6th Avenue and SW Broadway was flagged for safety improvements due to bicycle collision[s].” Despite PBOT’s goal of improved safety, the plans do not appear to include any physical protection between bicycle and car users. The paint-only project is likely a cost-saving measure and advocates will have to continue to push PBOT and Portland City Council to take additional steps forward.

The funding source for this project is a mix of Fixing our Streets (local gas tax) and General Transportation Revenue (which comes from State Highway Fund disbursements and parking revenues). PBOT plans to break ground on this project in May and expects to finish by later this summer. Check their website for more details.


UPDATE, 1:24 pm: I asked Keith Liden what he thinks of this project. Here’s what he said:

I like it.  When the city added the third northbound lane on 6th 20(?) years ago, it immediately made things worse for cyclists on the bridge (before it had a bike lane) because drivers were primarily interested in using the 2 left lanes on the bridge.  This was reinforced because the two left lanes on 6th aligned with the two left lanes on the bridge, encouraging drivers to simply proceed forward and not use the right lane on the bridge.  This meant cyclists generally had the right vehicle lane to themselves until the new third lane on 6th arrived.  By going back to two northbound lanes feeding into three lanes on the bridge, I believe traffic will return to the previous pattern of primarily using the two left lanes, creating a more peaceful environment for cyclists on the bridge who will now have a bike lane plus a lesser used travel lane beside them.  Southbound will be better as well with a wider bike lane from Broadway to Caruthers where it feels like cars are traveling the fastest with many coming off I-405 intent on reaching OHSU.