Have you ever ridden a bike on Highway 43 between Lake Oswego and Portland? If so, you know that it’s an embarrassment to our otherwise bike-friendly region: it’s dangerous, dirty and unpleasant.
In fact, the BTA listed this project as one of the primary barriers to bicycling in our region in the Blueprint for Better Biking report we released last year.
Now you have the chance to speak up for a better option: a trail on the old rail line paralleling the Willamette as a trail alternative to Hwy 43. Just think what it’ll be like to bike between Lake O and Portland on a beautiful, quiet, safe and attractive corridor!
BTA staffer Jessica (that’s me) has been attending meetings about the possibility of a trail between Lake Oswego and the Sellwood Bridge; also under discussion are rail and bus options, so the trail is not yet a done deal.
The trail has lots of support but also strong opposition from some adjacent landowners. Your presence will help make sure that the strong community support of a trail is not drowned out by an angry minority.
What:
Lake Oswego to Portland
Transit & Trail Study
Community Design Workshop
When:
May 30, 2006
5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Where:
Riverdale Elementary
11733 SW Breyman Ave.
Please join us! For more information, contact Jessica (jessica@bta4bikes.org or 503-226-0676×11).
Hi, Jessica–
We live in the First Addition neighborhood and we work in Portland. It is dangerous to ride a bike over Elk Rock Hill on Highway 43, because the cars are going fast, the road has blind curves, and there is no shoulder in some areas. This route is a barrier to bike commuting between Lake Oswego and Portland. Currently I travel up Terwilliger to Barbur Boulevard, which is a long way around, to get into Portland. Or, I don’t, because the distance lengthens the travel time significantly.
A bike trail would allow safer, faster bike access between Lake Oswego and Portland. As auto travel continues to increase in cost, having a bike alternative will be more important.
Recreationally, a trail would almost complete the connection to the Willamette River Scenic Trail at Willamette Park just north of the Sellwood Bridge. This would form a very high quality scenic corridor.
Some property owners will resist what they perceive as expanded public acces into their private area. That has been the case at every new park development in Lake Oswego over the past 32
years that we have lived there. However, the oft-predicted troubles and undesirable behaviors never actually happen. Homeowners along the north shore of the lake even get used to having a railroad through their front yards, so bicycles should not be a significant problem.
Best,
Mike and Vana O’Brien
743 Ninth Street
Lake Oswego OR 97034
.
When is the next meeting on this please. Thank you. I am also interested in a bike pathway across Tryon Creek St Pk. I certainly agree that mountain bikes should be kept out of this park. I am talking about a commuter route to connect from Boones Ferry to the eastern bike path. BF is another huge barrier to bike travel from western LO and Lake Grove toward Portland and Lewis and Clark. Thanks