The Current N/S Bike Route
The current N/S bike route through downtown, while buffered at times and certainly safer than some major routes in Portland, is still very problematic. Broadway is often used to travel South, but there is no designated bike lane Northbound.
The main safety concerns on this route:
The main safety concerns on this route:
- Right hooks are a concern at several intersections
- Hotels and other businesses often need curb space to pick up passengers
- Left turns on Broadway require merging across two lanes of traffic
- Parking requires people who drive cars to often move into the cycle lane
- Space for expanded ROW for bikes is limited for most of Broadway
- The sheer amount of traffic on Broadway means collisions are more possible
- Grade changes toward PSU are much steeper than other possible streets
1. Right hooks
The Broadway and Hoyt intersection has had many changes, but proves difficult for people driving cars and people on bikes. Several solutions to this were considered in the bikeportland.org article. |
3. Left Turns
The only way to get onto Couch st. or the Burnside Bridge is to first merge with traffic.
The only way to get onto Couch st. or the Burnside Bridge is to first merge with traffic.
4. Parking
Sharing the lane with people who are trying to park a car is sometimes difficult and unsafe. Open doors can impede the lane. Pedestrians trying to get to their cars must share the bike lane with people on bikes limiting safety and space.
Sharing the lane with people who are trying to park a car is sometimes difficult and unsafe. Open doors can impede the lane. Pedestrians trying to get to their cars must share the bike lane with people on bikes limiting safety and space.
6. Traffic
Broadway is a major N/S motor vehicle thoroughfare for downtown. Pedestrian, auto, and bike traffic is often very heavy.
Broadway is a major N/S motor vehicle thoroughfare for downtown. Pedestrian, auto, and bike traffic is often very heavy.
7. Grade
Broadway has several steep grade changes which tend to quickly speed and slow traffic. For people on bicycles, this can be hazardous and more difficult. Right hooks have already been mentioned, but for casual bicyclists, the speed and effort involved with hills can deter people from using Broadway. The Park blocks have a much gradual grade in SW.
Broadway has several steep grade changes which tend to quickly speed and slow traffic. For people on bicycles, this can be hazardous and more difficult. Right hooks have already been mentioned, but for casual bicyclists, the speed and effort involved with hills can deter people from using Broadway. The Park blocks have a much gradual grade in SW.