The Future of Portland Bicycling

Portland is classified around the country as the safest place to ride a bicycle. The odd thing about this is that only 5% of the town has bike lanes and bike parking available in the central downtown area and less than 2% in the more rural areas outside the Portland Metro area. With the increased popularity of cycling, it is critical for Portland to improve its bike paths and parking. 


The key elements of the plan include:

1) policies and objectives that form part of Portland's Comprehensive Plan Transportation Element;

2) developing a recommended bikeway network;

3) providing end-of-trip facilities;

4) improving the bicycle-transit link; and

5) promoting bicycling through education and encouragement.

A new policy enacted is 6.12 stating:

Make the bicycle an integral part of daily life in Portland, particularly for trips of less than five miles, by implementing a bikeway network, providing end-of-trip facilities, improving bicycle/transit integration, encouraging bicycle use, and making bicycling safer.

The success of this plan is reliant on the community for which it is evolving. Members need to participate and support and promote the idea of riding bicycles to school and work especially. Bicycles save the environment and create much less noise, congestion, and pollution which would help preserve our natural environment and keep Oregon green. 

Article Link:
PDX Bicycle Master Plan