Buffered bicycle lanes open downtown

(Portland, Ore.) - Southwest Stark and Southwest Oak streets now feature the first buffered bicycle lanes in the downtown core. The Portland Bureau of Transportation opened these lanes to maximize connectivity with the existing bicycle network, parks and open spaces, and large populations of cyclists.

"We are providing better infrastructure for cyclists to take you to where you need to go safely and quickly, and making sure businesses and drivers aren't negatively impacted," commented Portland Mayor Sam Adams. "Projects like buffered bike lanes ensure that innovative transportation decisions made with safety in mind keep Portland a great place to live and work."

The Bureau of Transportation is monitoring traffic flow and safety on these streets to ensure the new configuration meets expectations for both cars and bicycles. The street space for the new lanes was created by removing one vehicle lane from both Southwest Stark and Southwest Oak streets. City crews will be putting additional markings in place this week.

"A buffered bicycle lane is a more protected, comfortable experience for cyclists than a conventional one because it reserves space for the bicyclist between parked cars and moving traffic," said Kyle Chisek, the project manager at the Bureau of Transportation.   "This demonstration project is running concurrently with the PSU Cycle Track on Southwest Broadway to judge whether one design is preferable and see how people use them," Chisek said.

By keeping on-street parking and eliminating one travel lane for cars, Chisek expects this improvement will not only make for safer cycling, but provide a calmer, more inviting pedestrian environment for neighborhood retailers.

The lanes on Southwest Stark Street extend eastbound from the intersection of West Burnside Street and Southwest 13th Avenue to Southwest Naito Parkway. The lanes on Southwest Oak Street extend westbound from Southwest Naito Parkway to the intersection of West Burnside Street and Southwest 10th Avenue.

As a part of this project, two segments of Southwest Oak were altered. The two-block section from Southwest Naito Parkway to Southwest Second Avenue is a one-way street again, and the one-block section from Southwest Ninth Avenue to Southwest 10th Avenue is a two-way street that will facilitate future development.

As commissioner-in-charge of transportation, Mayor Adams sees the change as part of a broader strategy.

"These innovative designs will keep Portland the nation's leader in cycling, and give people who want to ride - but currently don't - a safer and more comfortable option," he said.

The Bureau of Transportation also installed buffered bicycle lanes on Southeast Holgate from Southeast 92nd Avenue to Southeast 122nd Avenue and is currently evaluating their performance.

For more information about the project, please visit the project web site at http://www.portlandonline.com/transportation/index.cfm?c=50346