State drops proposal to ban bikes on freeways

Published August 31, 2006 by The Oregonian
By James Mayer

Oregon – The state has backed off from a proposal to ban bicycles on
Portland-area freeways.

“I think what we have is ODOT listening to the people,
and that’s good,” said Evan Manvel, executive
director of the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, which
opposed the ban when officials proposed it in April.

The proposed ban — particularly on a well-used stretch of
U.S. 26 from the Oregon Zoo to the Jefferson Street exit –
raised the hackles of the city’s politically acute
cyclists. The Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
Committee, which advises the Oregon Department of
Transportation, gave the idea a cool reception.

“When I looked into the issue, it seemed to be a good
idea to step back and look at our options,” said Jason
Tell, who took over as ODOT’s Portland regional manager
about six months ago.

Recently, state officials and cycling groups have been
getting together to talk about the issues, Tell said. He
said the state’s goal is to assure safety on its
highways.

Jonathan Maus, cycling advocate, said cyclists are more
concerned with access to the state’s transportation
system.

“They need to provide equal opportunity and access for
bikes and safe alternatives that are comfortable and
efficient,” he said.

Oregon is one of the few states that allow bicycles on
freeways at all. Over the years, “non-motorized”
vehicles have been banned on portions of the Portland
freeway system, including the Vista Ridge Tunnel on U.S. 26,
Interstate 5 from Oregon 217 to the Washington border, and
Interstate 84 from I-5 to Northeast 122nd Avenue eastbound
and Northeast Sandy Boulevard to I-5 westbound.

But where there are no signs indicating a prohibition,
bicycles are legal, including the entire length of Oregon
217.

At the advisory committee meeting in April, ODOT officials
said speed, congestion, lane changes and increased use of
the freeway shoulder for breakdowns contribute to an unsafe
situation for cyclists and motorists. They acknowledged that
there have been few freeway crashes involving bicycles.

It’s not clear how many cyclists use freeways, but
several said they frequently ride on the short stretch of
U.S. 26 from the zoo to the Jefferson Street exit, the most
direct bike route from the West Hills into downtown.

James Mayer: 503-294-4109; jimmayer@news.oregonian.com