At the March 17 meeting of the Pearl District Neighborhood Association's Planning and Transportation Committee, we learned about a proposed cycle track in the North Park Blocks. A cycle track is a "segregated" bike route that separates bikes from cars. The proposal also creates a bike boulevard along the South Park Blocks, and defines connecting routes between the North and South Park Blocks. The goal is to create a safer route for bikes to move between downtown and the Northwest District.
The proposed design, illustrated above, would move curbside parking nine feet away from the curb, creating a bike path that uses parked cars as a barrier between bikes and moving cars. This path consist of a six-foot bike lane and three-foot "shy" zone. The shy zone provides access to cars without interfering with bike traffic.
Parking would not be allowed within the 40 feet leading an intersection, increasing visibility for both bikes and cars. A green "Copenhagen" box will alert cross traffic to the cycle track.
Bike Portland has a good story about the Cully cycle track. Included in their story was the above photo of a cycle track in Montreal, Canada. While the proposed cycle tracks for the North Park Blocks are one-way, this provides a good example of how the cycle track will work.
The proposed route, shown above, establishes NW Hoyt St. as the connector from NW Broadway to the North Park Blocks. The little bit of green with the number 1 is a future extension of the North Park Blocks. The parking lot behind the Government building at 511 NW Broadway has been given to the city. This will like be converted to a park when PNCA takes possession of the 511 Building. At the south end, SW 9th and SW Park become the connectors to the South Park Blocks.
The cycle track proposal is very preliminary and subject to change, but is a very exciting prospect. We'll let you know when we learn more.
Fantastic Transportation and recreational improvement
to the N. Park Blocks. Also, a traffic 'calming' device. I live
@ 8th&Flanders, and will welcome this bit of needed and
creative urban design. I may even buy a bike,and try it!
Also...Use this concept to completely redo the Pedestrian
Crossings along the Park Blocks. They are currently in-
or out-at the intersections, and are confusing to peds and
drivers. A COMBINED PED/BIKE CROSSING is way to go.
I ride and drive on the streets right by the park blocks everyday. I have for almost 10 years and there is no issue with sharing the road as things are set up now.
I would prefer any money for the park blocks to be spent on improving the condition of the park first. The grass is in horrible condition - especially in the block between Everett and Flanders. This grass barely re-grows after Art in the Pearl and right when it starts to look good, it is time for Art in the Pearl to happen again.
It would be wonderful to have some dispensers for 'doggie bags'. I can't tell you how often I see people who do not pick up after their dogs. Maybe easily accessible bags would nudge them to do the right thing.
I think the city needs to settle down the excessive plans to accommodate bicyclists when there is a lot of other improvement that could be done to make things more livable for everyone.
I ride and drive on the streets right by the park blocks everyday. I have for almost 10 years and there is no issue with sharing the road as things are set up now.
I would prefer any money for the park blocks to be spent on improving the condition of the park first. The grass is in horrible condition - especially in the block between Everett and Flanders. This grass barely re-grows after Art in the Pearl and right when it starts to look good, it is time for Art in the Pearl to happen again.
It would be wonderful to have some dispensers for 'doggie bags'. I can't tell you how often I see people who do not pick up after their dogs. Maybe easily accessible bags would nudge them to do the right thing.
I think the city needs to settle down the excessive plans to accommodate bicyclists when there is a lot of other improvement that could be done to make things more livable for everyone.
On the last image, there is a note "See design detail" at the Burnside crossing. I am curious how this crossing will be improved; do you have an image of that design detail?
Patrick,
Unfortunately, I don't have that detail. You might contact Michelle Poyourow at the BTA. I believe she is familiar with the proposal, michelle@bta4bikes.org. Just to be clear, these are preliminary designs and subject to change.