Reading the text of Alan Webber’s TechFest NW keynote speech in which he challenged listeners to envision a 2.0 version of Portland made me think of what I’d like to see in this city. Portland is definitely a good place to be for someone who rides a bike but it can be something much better than a good place. It can be a place where bikes come first.
Even with all the factors Portland has in its favor — the flat terrain, mild climate, supportive culture, decent infrastructure, and active bike community — it doesn’t take long before you start to notice a lot of gaps. I’ve lived here for less than 6 months and my list of gaps is growing. For example, we have greenways and bike boulevards that enable us to have nice long stretches of low stress riding throughout the city, but when those greenways cross main thoroughfares like Ceasar Chavez, MLK, and Grand, cars should yield to bikes at each crossing. Ideally, there would be bike lights at each crossing.
The Springwater Corridor is routinely touted as a “Bike Highway” but has anyone ever heard of a highway that you couldn’t use at night? Even though I bring this up all the time as an issue that particularly concerns women, I’ve talked with plenty of men who say they won’t ride on the Springwater at night either. Why don’t bikers feel safe on the Bike Highway? Why isn’t the entire corridor well lit at night?
The Esplanade is the most direct route from close-in SE to NoPo and cuts out a lot of jogs and zigzags for bikers who would otherwise have to wend their way through the LLoyd Center area, but it’s another area I avoid at night. I wish I could rely on the Esplanade but without lighting and more bikers using it at night, I don’t feel safe there after dark.
A city that puts bikes before cars would put some muscle behind making it safer for bikers to move throughout the city. While I do find Portland motorists to be much more courteous and polite than drivers I’ve encountered elsewhere, it should be the law within the core of city (as well as SE/NE close-in and NoPo) that cars yield to bikes/pedestrians. Period.
Beyond making the city core more accessible to people on bikes (more green lanes please!!!), the immediate surroundings should also be accessible. Where is the bike parking at Forest Park? Or the Rose Garden or the Japanese Garden? Ideally, there would be bike lockers where bikers could store a bike, helmet, messenger bag etc while using the trails at Forest Park for hiking. I’d also like to see well marked routes to Kelly Point and Sauvie Island. Making those two popular destinations easier to reach by bike would allow more people to enjoy recreational opportunities without having to resort to using a car.
Why isn’t there more covered bike parking throughout the city? It certainly rains a lot here.
I realize that some of these things cost money, but a city that puts bikes first puts money into making more of the city available to its non-motorized residents. Why are we cutting bikers off from some of the most incredible assets of the city or making it very difficult to enjoy them without the use of safe routes and secure bike parking?
My version of Portland 2.0 would see 6% motorists and everyone else biking, walking, and using public transportation in the city. That is my bold vision for this place and that is what would possibly make Portland the Best City in the World for biking.
