New path along Sandy River in Troutdale. Sure beats dodging semis near freeway on-ramps!
(Photos by J. Maus/BikePortland)

Marine Drive is a valuable gem in our regional biking network. Its combination of off-street paths and bike lanes make it an excellent way to connect to Troutdale, the Sandy River, and the gorgeous roads in around the Columbia River Gorge.

Unfortunately, the route most people take from Marine Drive through Troutdale to the Historic Columbia River Highway is a real pain. For years I’ve ridden through that section by going under I-84, then riding a sketchy bike lane adjacent to a huge truck stop and the busy driveways of shops and fast food joints. Now, thanks to a mix of old paths and trails (forgotten sections of the 40-Mile Loop), combined with a recently completed Oregon Department of Transportation project, there’s a much better way to make this connection.[Read more…]

A reader sent in this photo of the method used
by a PBOT contractor to warn people about
the dangerous and incorrectly installed
rumble strips on Marine Drive.

PBOT’s effort to implement safety upgrades on Marine Drive as part of their High Crash Corridor program took a bit of a detour last week when one of their contractors incorrectly installed rumble strips in the bike lane near NE 122nd Ave. The grooves in the pavement have created dangerous bicycling conditions and have sparked major concerns from road users.

Because the of the incorrect installation and location of the grooves, the usable biking space has been cut in half (creating a space so narrow that it falls below even FHWA standards). And when you are forced to roll over them, the impact is so jarring it could lead to crashes, swerving, equipment failure, and so on.

Thankfully, PBOT admitted the error and they’re working to make things right.
[Read more…]

Section of new path in Blue Lake Park adjacent to Marine Drive.
(Photo J. Maus/BikePortland)

[Read more…]

Marine Drive and its adjacent mulit-use path along the Columbia River is a popular place to ride; but tighter federal levee regulations might impact future access.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

[Read more…]

A treatment like this one on NE Couch
near the Burnside Bridge, might be
coming to Marine Drive.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

Earlier this week, I shared that the Bureau of Transportation was considering the installation of rumble strips out on NE Marine Drive. Citing stats that show a higher than average amount of “lane departure” collisions involving motor vehicles, PBOT felt rumble strips would help alert drivers that they were leaving the roadway.

A big issue with rumble strips, however, is that they can cause problems for people on bikes.

Today I’m happy to report that PBOT heard concerns from the community and it looks like they’ll be looking to other solutions.

In an email to Oregon Bicycle Racing Association director Kenji Sugahara, PBOT bike project coordinator Jeff Smith wrote that, “Thanks to all of you for your insightful comments…we’re going to examine other treatments that are more benign to cyclists.” (PBOT reached out to OBRA specifically, because Marine Drive is very popular with serious riders who use the route for training and long weekend rides.)
[Read more…]

The bike/car collision this morning on NE Marine Drive happened in a location where Metro owns an easement for a future trail that would place the bikeway off the main road.

In a rare blend of advocacy and communications, Metro has posted a story on their website about the crash, saying that the collision, “highlights the importance of Metro’s work to close trail gaps” (but unfortunately calls it an “accident”).[Read more…]

Now just an on-street bike lane, the Staples
donation will make it easier for Metro to
complete the pathway.

Metro announced today that office supply company Staples Inc. has donated the easement rights for future development of the Marine Drive trail.

Staples owns a distribution center that backs up against Marine Drive just east of the Portland-Gresham border (east of NE 185th, see map below). Marine Drive is a popular bicycling route and is part of the 40 Mile Loop. However, while much of Marine Drive is a multi-use path separated from high-speed motor vehicle traffic, there are still portions with on-street bike lanes where Metro would like to fill the gaps in non-motorized corridor.[Read more…]

Detail map of easements Metro has purchased.

[Read more…]