Since the Holgate buffered bike lane opened last August, opposition from a vocal minority of East Portland residents – spurred by a provocative local TV news story – has grown louder. At a public meeting with the city last month, angry neighbors shouted demands at city transportation staff to “give them their street back” and turn the bike lane back into a car lane. Supportive voices in the room were strong, but few and far between.
At the first public meeting to discuss the project last month, opponents shouted demands that the city return the street to the way people want it – designed for driving, not for bicycling. Supportive voices in the room were strong, but few and far between.
The second meeting is this Thursday, July 22, and there’s more than just a bike lane at stake. Kiel Johnson, BTA volunteer, activist, and founder of Friends of Holgate Bike Lanes, encourages East Portland residents to speak up for the future of bicycling in their community:
“The city wants to work with East Portland to transform this community into a place where children feel comfortable walking to school and neighbors interact positively on the street. Don’t let a group of reactionary opponents demand streets that promote speeding and divide neighborhoods and pretend that they are speaking for you.”
If you live or work in East Portland, speak up for a street that’s moving forward. Tell your neighbors why the Holgate buffered bike lane makes a difference to you.
Holgate Buffered Bike Lane Open House
Thursday, July 22, 7:00 pm
Holgate Baptist Church (11242 SE Holgate)
Sorry – as both a cyclist and a driver who lives in the area the uses Holgate not-infrequently, I have to say that the changes the city made to the street were very poorly designed. Having them there is more dangerous than not.
The buffered lane *looks* like a car lane, and people frequently drive in them. The markings are not clear or evident to drivers.
This is the comment I just sent to Jeff Smith at PBOT:
I regret that I may not be able to attend the Open House re: the Holgate bike lanes Thursday night. I think it’s important for those of us who bike in East Portland to make our voices heard. Frankly, I live nearby but rarely bike to the area east of 92nd because there are not enough safe streets for cycling. The recent Sunday Parkways offered a rare opportunity to see what could happen if the streets in this area were calmer, and I loved every minute of it.
This Holgate bike lane is just the start of what should be happening in East Portland. We need MORE streets with bike lanes and calmer traffic, not fewer.
We need MORE pressure from PBOT to make streets safer and more appropriate for all users, not PBOT caving in to a few car drivers who were used to treating a neighborhood street like a freeway.
We need STRONGER protections for cyclists, pedestrians, and other vulnerable road users, not weaker ones.
My husband drives this part of Holgate every day on his work commute, and said he’s seen no difference in congestion or travel times for cars since the bike lane was added.
The major problem he’s seen: car drivers crashing the bike lane when they feel like making an extra lane or speeding past others. This sort of behavior has to be challenged, and keeping the Holgate bike lane is one way to send the message that ALL users need to show respect for everyone else on our East Portland roads.
I also will not be able to attend, but just wanted to add my support for the above two comments:
- the Holgate bike lane is poorly designed. It does not integrate well with the I-205 bike path. I think if this were improved, perhaps with better directional signs, that this would improve usage, which, by my observation, has been limited.
- I commute extensively through SE Portland via bike, and have for years. Bike usage is increasing, and facilities are needed. While I can be critical of elements of this particular bike lane, overall I hope this doesn’t become a sounding board for some people who simply don’t like bikes. I’ve been accused of everything from being a “socialist” to “gay”. Its ridiculous, and detrimental to a bicycle future which I believe is beginning to define our great city in a positive way that will attract talent, investment, and youth.
I wish I could make this meeting!
Cycling serves lots of social purposes like it encourages the good health and solve oil crisis, and helps to fight against air pollution etc. So it’s our duty encourage people to cycling.
Umm… how about maximize visibilty and safety?? How about driving with the same laws and defesiveness as when behind the wheel?? Seems to me that being a defensive driver/rider – really embracing what that means – is an abundantly safe way to roll. Hey… how about we use the money saved on painting streets, and plug it into the prosecution of Portland’s notorious lawless riders. Less cyclo-nazi jackholes and more considerate ridership is what Portland really needs. Stop riding like a Kamakazie and start riding with the mindset that people ARE trying to kill you… now that is defensive driving. Seriously, you’re – we’re – not so special as to need, demand or cry about special lanes. Roll Right & Obey The Light(s).