image: bikeportland.org

The Rose Quarter Transit Center, where hundreds of buses and MAX trains pass throgh everyday, has long been a barrier to cyclists between inner North/Northeast Portland and downtown.

Over the last several years the Bicycle Transportation Alliance has worked to open up NE Wheeler, the main road through the transit center.  Wheeler connects to one of the city's most heavily used bike routes - the N Williams/Vancouver couplet.

While the new access is exciting, it also means more cyclists mixing with trains and buses - extra caution is absolutely imperative!

TriMet is distributing a card to better let cyclists and pedestrians know what to expect.  Here's what it says:

Bike safely at Rose Quarter TC

• Use the bike lane.  Buses only in the bus lane. 
• Yeild to buses.  If the yield sign is flashing, let the bus out of the stop.
• Red means stop! Even if you don't see a train, pedestrians need to cross too.

This is a unique bikeway and it's success depends on everyone following the law.  Be patient!  We're all just trying to get there safely.

Walk safely at Rose Quarter TC

• Please use crosswalks.
• Obey signals and look both ways before crossing.
• It's not worth the risk! If your bus ortain is leaving, another will arrive soon.

Bikeportland has extensive coverage of the new development and its long road to fruition. 

TriMet sponsored a super fun contest solicitating brief, punchy comments that would be placed on the sides of buses like "thought bubbles" (think comic strips).  TriMet picked 18 quips that we'll be seeing on 45 new buses the transit agency is introducing over the next 6 months.  My personal favorite?  "This is how I roll," submitted by Beaverton commuter, Jennie Smith.

TriMet just released an updated fact sheet about its bus and rail system. Here are some quick facts:

• Weekly ridership on bus and MAX has increased for 20 consecutive years, outpacing population growth for more than a decade;
• MAX carries 26% of afternoon rush hour commuters from the Banfield freeway/I-84 and Sunset Highway corridors;
• 71% of TriMet riders are "choice riders" who own a car but chose to use transit for that trip.

Yesterday's Oregonian has a sizable story on the many types of bikes that parent can choose to travel with their young children by bicycle.