The right-turn warning at NE Couch and Grand is the only such sign in the country. (Photos: J.Maus/BikePortland)
As Portland edges closer to possibly adding protected bike lanes to its downtown, a new study has found that one of its most unusual bike-lane intersection treatments seems to be working.
The LED sign above the intersection at NE Couch and Grand that flashes “Turning Vehicle Yield to Bikes” seems to have reduced right-turn conflicts by more than 60 percent since its 2011 installation.
A 158-unit building proposed at 419 E. Burnside would feature a “bicycle lounge,” possibly with free coffee and video games. (Images: Myhre Group Architects)
After two decades of waiting for Portland’s bike network to arrive downtown, it looks like downtown is headed for Portland’s bike network.
Now that life on the city’s eastside grid has exploded in popularity (and therefore in expense), major developers are making a lunge across the Burnside Bridge in an effort to bring 9-story living to the east side of the Willamette.
And as construction start dates approach for the first projects of the so-called “Burnside Bridgehead,” the excellent bike access is turning out to be central to their plans.
Lance and Becky Poehler attempt to find takers for a very large Voodoo Doughnut. (Photos: M.Andersen/BikePortland)
The Burnside Bridge often goes unsung and unappreciated by bikers: Blame the slightly hairy merge with turning traffic on its west landing, or the awkward approach from the east. But as of today, the Burnside won’t be going unfed.
The suit has been filed by Portland-based Shulman DuBois LLC. According to a statement, they allege that United Rentals was “negligent in their failure to train [driver Drue] Kearsley properly and prevent this accident.” The suit seeks over $178,000 for Jill Michaelree, who suffered a broken foot and other injuries after she was struck by the truck while riding through the intersection in the bike lane. [Read more…]
The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) turned on an illuminated bicycle sign on NE Couch at Grand Avenue. As we reported last month, the intention of the sign is to reduce the risk of right-hooks at an intersection where several injury collisions have taken place.
A bike box has already been installed at the intersection, but collisions have continued. The problem is that, even though there’s no right turn on red allowed, that law — and the presence of the colored bike box and lane — don’t work as effectively to deter right-hooks during green lights. This sign is an attempt to address that issue.
The new sign was turned on yesterday and it’s the first of its kind in Portland. I observed it in action as people streamed down Couch during this morning’s rush hour. [Read more…]
Mock-up of new sign coming to NE Couch at Grand. (Image: PBOT)
Back in August, Portlander Owen Spencer was right-hooked while traveling westbound on NE Couch at the intersection of NE Grand. Unfortunately, Spencer’s experience was far too common. That intersection is well-known by riders and by the Portland Bureau of Transportation as a hot-spot for bike/car collisions.
PBOT had already installed green pavement markings and a bike box at the intersection, but after Spencer’s collision — and the community outcry that followed — they realized more needed to be done. [Read more…]
This just in from our friend @mrbowers on Twitter, PBOT has striped a new bike lane on the eastern end of the Burnside Bridge prior to the crossing of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd (and I think further on along Burnside as well)…
Looking east on Burnside, just west of MLK. (Photo: @mrbowers/Twitter)
Mayor Sam Adams emceed an event this morning to mark the official grand opening of the East Burnside/Couch Couplet project. The project (which is still not quite finished) began nearly eight years ago and the estimated cost is about $17.8 million. Adams touted the project as a beacon for everything Portland stands for, saying it’s now a multi-modal, “green” corridor that will reduce traffic crashes and boost local businesses, all while being easier to navigate on foot and by bike.[Read more…]
This just in from City of Portland Bureau of Transportation:
MEDIA ADVISORY: East Burnside/Couch Couplet ribbon cutting will be Oct. 12
WHAT The City of Portland is hosting a celebration of the East Burnside/Couch Couplet with elected officials and local leaders. The project invested in E Burnside and NE Couch on the Central Eastside, changing them from two-way to one-way streets and enhancing the opportunity for redevelopment and business growth in the Central Eastside.
WHEN Tuesday, October 12, from 9 to 11 a.m.
WHO Congressman Earl Blumenauer, Mayor Sam Adams, business owner Bob Wentworth, Bicycle Transportation Alliance’s Rob Sadowsky and a member of Friends of Burnside Couch will address the audience.
WHERE The event will be at the northwest corner of E Burnside St. and NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
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