Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Streetsblog.net

In Portland, Construction Can’t Kill a Bike Lane

4540400421_b3bf6596d6.jpgThis temporary bike lane is actually wider than the permanent one that's being blocked by construciton. (Photo: Portlandize)

Here's an indicator of how important bike lanes are in the city of Portland.

From Streetsblog Network member Portlandize comes a report on a case in which a bike lane was recently closed because of streetcar construction. Instead of expecting cyclists to take their chances by going out into motor traffic, the city actually striped a new space for bikes -- by taking away a lane of cars. And guess what? The drivers' world has not come to a screeching halt:

[I]t's interesting that closing this lane to motor vehicle traffic for some distance hasn't created a traffic nightmare. I think a lot of our roads have a good bit of extra space that could easily be used for other things (cycle tracks!) without really affecting automobile traffic much, if at all. Here's hoping.


Anyway, it's just nice again to see cyclists being taken into account when temporary road changes are made. It seems like they've done a good job of that in general on this project. Keep it up, Portland, we appreciate it!

Here in New York, I've never seen a temporary bike lane created to replace one blocked by construction, even when that construction goes on for months. Anyone else out there ever observe anything along these lines?

More from around the network: Human Transit takes on planners who wonder if transit should be slower (really). Urban Velo has the news on how to help a group getting bicycles to people in the developing world. And the US DOT's blog, The Fast Lane, files a story about how some DOT employees out on their daily walk came to the aid of a pedestrian hit and injured by a driver.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Friday’s Headlines Put the Pedal to the Metal

How is Denver's e-bike rebate program working out? David Zipper went to see for himself.

November 1, 2024

Public Transportation is On the Ballot Across America

Here are just a few of the races we'll be watching on Tuesday.

November 1, 2024

How Great Could Bay Area Public Transit Be?

A short summit brought together a who's who of advocates, officials, and leaders to talk about their vision for the future of public transportation in the Bay Area.

November 1, 2024

Even Families of Rock Stars like Billy Corgan Aren’t Immune to Chicagoland Traffic Violence

This was at least the third time since June that a driver crashed into a Chicagoland restaurant, shutting it down.

October 31, 2024

Talking Headways Podcast: Transit Wins and Co-Benefits from Climate Work

Julie Eaton Ernst and Cris Liban on the co-benefits of transportation, the evolution of the definition of transportation and making change in small steps.

October 31, 2024
See all posts