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The Joys of Autumn Riding

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Enjoying the weather on your bike

The golden leaves, balmy days and cool misty mornings have made for some lovely fall bike commuting. Yesterday I came back to the Portland Building and every single bike rack (about 50) in the covered outdoor lobby was full.

As usual, I was stunned by the beauty of our city and the Steel Bridge on my ride this morning. About 20 geese swam under the bridge as I got closer. What a great, healthy and free way to start the day!

The rain is supposed to arrive this weekend, but that doesn't mean that your riding season needs to end. A pair of rain paints and fenders make for a drier commuting experience, although my SmartTrips Downtown co-pilot argues for eschewing rain pants and packing a change of clothes.

Here are some tips for riding in the rain.

Biking with kids in the cold weather? BikePortland has some great tips from some super-cool moms.

Photo taken this morning by gleeful bureaucrat

Examining the Rise in Transit Ridership

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How is TriMet doing?

A recent article on Salon.com takes a look at the rise in transit ridership since gas prices hit $3.00, "Who says Americans won't ride transit?". But, as the article explains, there's a glitch:

"The rise in mass transit ridership should be great news. . .But the news isn't all that sunny. In fact, the mini-exodus from driving has exposed significant cracks in the country's mass transit systems, which are struggling to accommodate new riders. Having spent decades forsaking the bus and the train for the convenience and privacy of cars, Americans are now finding that the buses, streetcars, trolleys and trains that they left behind are strapped for cash, if they still exist at all."

We are lucky to have well-run transit systems like TriMet and C-Tran here, but do you think their are "significant cracks" in our region's transit systems? What could our region do better for transit? What is functioning well?

NYC Making Streets More Ped Friendly

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Streetfilms is the video arm of the Livable Streets Network, an online community for people working to create sustainable cities through sensible urban planning, design, and transportation policy. They recently released a video documenting New York City's flurry of streetscape design that cater to pedestrians and public spaces that are transforming the city's livability.

It's well worth watching to see how easily the urban landscaped can accommodate people and transportation.

Click the video player to check it out.

C-Tran Adds Trip Planner

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Clark County transit gets even easier

C-Tran's website recently added an easy-to-use feature that makes planning your Clark County transit trip easier than ever. Simply enter your starting and ending addresses and click "plan trip" - the site will then give you step-by-step instruction on how to get to your nearest transit stop and to your final destination (see below). TriMet.org also has a great trip planning feature as well.

Rose Quarter Adds Bike Access

Oct 17, 2008 at 12:00 AM 0 Comments | Add a Comment

City, TriMet and others work to allow cyclists

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.

The City of Portland, Oregon

Portland Bureau of Transportation

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