COMMUNITY SPIN - June 2012

Community Spin for May 2012

Clackamas County had considered closing the CANBY FERRY, a favorite route of cyclists, because of having to subsidize it $400,000 a year and the need for a new engine.  But a survey found overwhelming support for it as a tourist attraction so they voted to continue it but raise rates.  As of July 1, bicyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists will have to pay $2 rather than free and the auto rate will rise to $4 from $2.  The new fares are estimated to generate $241,600 per year.

OHSU is doing everything it can to make BIKING TO WORK easy and convenient for their faculty and staff.  The “GO BY BIKE” shop, under the west side of the tram, is open from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm every week day and has full repair services and basic bike accessories. They also have a new bike valet service which has 100 spaces and is soon to expand to 150 (for staff and students).  And they offer free rental of 2 Breezer city bikes.  As well as the 150 bikes in valet spaces, they have 232 in self-park and 149 in three secured cages below the Center For Health And Healing.  It’s amazing to walk or cycle through South Waterfront and see all those bikes.  This area is also where the Gibbs St. Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge is scheduled to open by early June.

COMMUNITY SPIN

A downed tree on the east bank of the Willamette River about one mile south of OMSI has damaged part of the SPRINGWATER ON THE WILLAMETTE TRAIL causing erosion beneath the path because of the heavy recent rains.  A short section of the west side of the trail is blocked off but the trail is still open at this time.  Trail users are asked to slow down and yield to slower traffic and be conscious of other trail users.  With all the rain we’ve had, there is a possibility that the erosion will cause the trail to be closed.  This trail is a crucial link in the bike network carrying bike traffic between the Sellwood neighborhood and downtown Portland.

Construction of the SOUTH WATERFRONT GREENWAY is on hold.  This path, which would physically separate cyclists from walkers, has a $2 million funding gap in the $8 million project.  The project also includes environmental restoration and riverfront access improvements which will proceed.  All design plans and permits are completed but there is no estimate as to when the additional funds will be available for construction of the path.  Cyclists now can use the recently completed Moody Ave. Cycle Track as well as Moody and Bond Streets to proceed through South Waterfront.

COMMUNITY SPIN

Completion of a new section of the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail between John B. Yeon State Park and Moffett Creek will allow cyclists and others to travel between TROUTDALE AND CASCADE LOCKS without using the shoulder of I-84.  It should be completed by early fall of 2013.  The $2.1 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration is part of FHWA’s Public Lands Highways Discretion Program.  This program, part of every transportation bill since 1930, will be eliminated along with “Safe Routes to Schools” and many other programs if the upcoming transportation bill (H. R. 7), is passed.

In the latest PORTLAND BICYCLE COUNT REPORT released by PBOT, trips made by bicycle increased by 6.4 % in 2011 compared with 2010.  On the 11 new neighborhood greenways (bike boulevards) bike counts jumped by 61%.  (Build it and they will come.) Overall, bike traffic is up 219% since 2001.  31% of riders are women and 80% of riders counted wore helmets.  Automated bike counters are used on bridges and trails.  Volunteers record counts for each direction during two hour peak periods (morning and/or evening) for all other locations.