COMMUNITY SPIN
Roger Geller, Portland Bicycle Coordinator, presented to the Bicycle Advisory Committee an update to the Bicycle Master Plan to identify streets in NORTH PORTLAND that could potentially be developed as BICYCLE BOULEVARDS (low-traffic streets where bicycle travel is given priority). “Our network is very bike lane heavy,” Geller told the committee. “One of the important elements of the Bicycle Master Plan is for us to identify a network that really focuses more on bike boulevards.” The largest remaining gap is N. Lombard Ave. (a state highway). Next they’ll develop cost estimates and take maps and more information into neighborhoods for feedback.
Last month I reported how you must “stop forward progress” but not necessarily put your foot down at a STOP SIGN. At the notorious intersection of N Flint and Broadway cyclists on their way into work recently noticed bright white “BIKES STOP” lettering in the bike lane on Flint, accompanied by a re-painted bike lane and a new extension of the existing stop bar. Also there is a sign that says “Share the Road - Look for Bikes - Pass Safely.” Just a few yards west of Flint is N. Wheeler St. and the threat of right-turning vehicles. This intersection was recently the site of a police effort to educate and make sure all vehicles were obeying the law. All this attention is resulting in compliance by all vehicles and should make the intersection much safer.
Another common misunderstanding of Oregon traffic statutes is WHAT TO DO AT YELLOW LIGHTS. In most other states, a yellow light is simply a warning to drivers that the light will soon turn to red. The Oregon statute, however, says that not only is the yellow light a warning, but that vehicle operators must stop at a yellow light, with the only justification for not stopping being that it would be unsafe to do so. (A bicycle is considered a vehicle.) In Oregon a yellow light should generally be treated the same as a red one.
And what about all those intersections in residential areas WITHOUT ANY STOP OR YIELD SIGNS at all, otherwise known as “uncontrolled” intersections? Oregon Revised Statute 811.275 says that you have to yield to any vehicle approaching from the right, even if you arrive at the intersection before that other vehicle. However, 811.277 stipulates that if it is an uncontrolled T-intersection, and yours is the road that is ending, you have to yield to traffic approaching from both directions. This information is from an article by Officer Robert Pickett, Portland Police Bureau. He’s also a member of the BAC.
SWTrails has submitted a document to the Portland Office of Transportation for consideration in the Bicycle Master Plan update. SWTrails, a neighborhood advocacy organization, led neighborhood rides, conducted open houses and worked with SW residents to develop a facilities strategy to IMPROVE BICYCLING CONDITIONS IN SW PORTLAND. The effort focused on creating a less costly system of “bicycle boulevards” on low traffic streets with a pleasant and safe bicycling environment, something that is certainly lacking in SW Portland today, partly because of the hilly terrain and meandering streets. It is hoped that many of these recommendations will become part of the Bicycle Master Plan and eventually lead to improvements in cycling in SW Portland.