County re-thinks cemetery detour: Bikers will be flagged through work zone

Multnomah County has revised their detour plans for a construction project that was going to close the popular bicycle route through River View Cemetery near the Sellwood Bridge. After our story on Monday, County spokesman says he heard from many people concerned about the safety of the proposed detours (which included a gauntlet-running uphill on … Read more


Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Sellwood Bridge project detour routes riders onto SW Macadam sidewalk

This new culvert will improve wildlife passage; but it comes with a detour off the Westside Trail.(Image: Multnomah County) Multnomah County has announced a major detour that will impact people who ride bicycles between downtown Portland and the Sellwood Bridge on the west side of the Willamette River. As part of the Sellwood Bridge project … Read more


County meeting to discuss bike access on SW Miles Place

A sign that reads ‘Bikers! Please Slow Down!’ greets people at the entrance to SW Miles Place.(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland) Tomorrow night, Multnomah County will hold a public meeting to discuss the future SW Miles Place Regional Trail. As part of the Sellwood Bridge Project, the County has decided to connect the path on the … Read more


Sellwood Bridge plans finalized; County will use green concrete on bike lanes

Adopted plans. Last week, the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners adopted final plans for the new Sellwood Bridge. After a bumpy final week of the six-year process to arrive at a design, people who care about quality bicycle access breathed a sigh of relief on Thursday when the Board voted to shelve their hastily planned, … Read more


Interview with County Commissioner candidate Paul Van Orden

Van Orden, seen here at a Pedalpalooza ride in 2006, is running for Multnomah County Commissioner.(Photo © J. Maus) Paul Van Orden is running for Multnomah County Commissioner Seat #2 (North and Northeast Portland district). Van Orden is a political neophyte but he’s no stranger to community organizing and working in the public policy realm. … Read more


Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Newswire: Public comments sought on Mult. Co. transportation capital plan

Public comments sought on transportation capital plan Multnomah County welcomes comments on its public review draft of the Transportation Capital Improvement Plan and Program (CIPP) for Fiscal Years 2010-2014. The purpose of the CIPP is to ensure limited public funds are invested in transportation projects providing the greatest public benefit. The CIPP is updated every … Read more


Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Signs of life — and a new bike/ped path — on the Morrison Bridge

The Morrison Bridge will soon be a connection for walking and biking, rather than a barrier. (Photo © Elly Blue) The long-planned bicycle and pedestrian facility on the Morrison Bridge has progressed tangibly in the last two weeks. Multnomah County has announced that the new path is expected to be completed by December.


County warned about bridge issues last summer; project in the works

The County installed these markings in November 2005.(Photos © J. Maus) A recent crash between two people riding over the Hawthorne Bridge has raised concerns about the safety of the facility for non-motorized users — and it’s far from the first time these concerns have come up. In December of 2006, we published an editorial … Read more


Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

County decides it won’t suspend citizen bike/ped committee

[Note: I reported this news yesterday as an update to a previous story. This post is being done to clarify the latest development.] “I am pleased to inform you that…we will be able to continue staffing the Bicycle/Pedestrian CAC in the near term.”— Jane McFarland, Senior Transportation Planner for Multnomah County After they initially planned … Read more


Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

County erred in suspension of citizen bike/ped committee (Updated)

[**See updates below**] Multnomah County has admitted an error in their decision to temporarily suspend their Bicycle and Pedestrian Citizen Advisory Committee. Yesterday, after seeing an email that was forwarded to committee members from Senior Transportation Planner Jane McFarland, I reported that the county had decided to not replace their bike/ped coordinator staff position and, … Read more


Multnomah County won’t re-hire bike/ped coordinator, suspends citizen committee

“Due to continued declining transportation revenues, the County has decided not replace that transportation planning staff position in the near future. Regrettably, a consequence is that we are unable to staff the Bicycle and Pedestrian Citizen Advisory Committee, and it will be suspended until further notification.”— Jane McFarland, Multnomah County Tranportation Planner in an email … Read more