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I cross the Sellwood Bridge, on foot or on bike almost daily. When I am on my
bike, I prefer riding in the roadway. I stay as close as I can to the curb.
Regular size vehicles and small trucks usually can pass without much trouble,
and it seems that, for the most part, everyone is patient about it.
Last year, I was involved in a near-accident, that illustrates the danger of
riding on the sidewalk. A mountain biker, that had not dismounted, chose to
move close to the railing as she approached me. Her handlebars struck part of
the railing, and she was thrown into the roadway. Fortunately, the closest
approaching vehicle (a cement truck) was still 30-40 yards away. I was on foot
(running), and was able to stop and help her get back up onto the sidewalk
before anything else happened.
Of course, the safest way over the bridge is to walk, but since this is not
reasonable with cycling cleats, considering the narrowness of the sidewalk, and
the lack of any safe access for cyclists approaching the bridge from the
west end, I believe the roadway is ultimately a safer place to ride.
One last comment. I recently responded to a BTA survey with a suggestion
that the speed limit on the Sellwood Bridge be reduced to 15 mph, and the the
weight limit be decreased, as it has for the Sauvie Island bridge. This would
make it safer for cyclists in the roadway, but just as importantly, might extend
the life of the bridge while the county searches for funding to replace the
structure.
The state recently denied $45 million in funding for a new bridge, primarily
because the plans include a bike lane! As cyclists, we need to voice our
support for the use of the Sellwood Bridge as a primary cycling route in Portland.
-Steven Mullen.
In a message dated 4/29/2004 9:02:48 AM Pacific Standard Time,
Steve-@clark.wa.gov writes:
Here's Matt's response folks.
-----Original Message-----
From: LARSEN Matthew F [mailto:matthew.-@co.multnomah.or.us]
Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2004 9:57 AM
To: Steve-@clark.wa.gov
Subject: RE: Sellwood Bridge
Steve,
Actually, the new signs are not a change. Signs requiring bicyclists to
walk their bikes across the sidewalk had been up since 1987. They had only
been down from the bridge for the last several months, most likely due to
vandalism. In looking to replace the old signs, I pursued using "Bikes
Yield to Peds" signs instead, but County legal council felt this was not
prudent. The legal concern is that if there is an accident after changing
the signs from being more restrictive to less restrictive, the County could
be liable.
In addition to the legal concerns, the Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan
recommends that narrow sidewalks on bridges be signed in this way. Michael
Ronkin, the State Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator, is looking into
changing this recommendation in the next update to the plan, and we have
asked jurisdictions in other states how they sign narrow sidewalks on
bridges. So far the response has been that narrow sidewalks on bridges are
typically signed to require bicyclists to walk their bikes.
We have also considered adding cautionary signs to the bridge that warn
drivers that bikes are in the roadway. I have not talked to many bicyclists
who are interested in biking in the roadway on the Sellwood Bridge, so I
have not pursued this option. I plan on bringing this issue before the
County Bicycle and Pedestrian Citizen Advisory Committee to get their input
and ideas next month.
Hopefully this won't be a problem for many more years, because the County is
currently seeking funds to replace the Sellwood Bridge. The new bridge
would have full bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
Thanks for you concerns on this issue.
Matthew Larsen
Transportation Planning Specialist
Multnomah County
503-988-5050 ext. 29640
matthew.-@co.multnomah.or.us
-----Original Message-----
From: Steve-@clark.wa.gov [mailto:Steve-@clark.wa.gov]
Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2004 9:23 AM
To: LARSEN Matthew F
Subject: Sellwood Bridge
Matt,
I just wanted to weigh in on the recent changes to the Sellwood bridge that
force cyclists to walk across the bridge. This seems a bit unreasonable as
it is easy enough for both biker and walkers to yield to each other. I ride
across the I-5 bridge at least 3 days a week and there never seems to be
that much of a problem and that is a very narrow walkway. How can we get
this changed back to the way it was?
Steve Long (I live in Milwaukie)
GIS Analyst
Clark County Assessment & GIS
360-397-2391 ext. 4421
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<DIV>I cross the Sellwood Bridge, on foot or on bike almost daily. When I am on my bike, I prefer riding in the roadway. I stay as close as I can to the curb. Regular size vehicles and small trucks usually can pass without much trouble, and it seems that, for the most part, everyone is patient about it.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Last year, I was involved in a near-accident, that illustrates the danger of riding on the sidewalk. A mountain biker, that had not dismounted, chose to move close to the railing as she approached me. Her handlebars struck part of the railing, and she was thrown into the roadway. Fortunately, the closest approaching vehicle (a cement truck) was still 30-40 yards away. I was on foot (running), and was able to stop and help her get back up onto the sidewalk before anything else happened.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Of course, the safest way over the bridge is to walk, but since this is not reasonable with cycling cleats, considering the narrowness of the sidewalk, and the lack of any safe access for cyclists approaching the bridge from the west end, I believe the roadway is ultimately a safer place to ride.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>One last comment. I recently responded to a BTA survey with a suggestion that the speed limit on the Sellwood Bridge be reduced to 15 mph, and the the weight limit be decreased, as it has for the Sauvie Island bridge. This would make it safer for cyclists in the roadway, but just as importantly, might extend the life of the bridge while the county searches for funding to replace the structure.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The state recently denied $45 million in funding for a new bridge, primarily because the plans include a bike lane! As cyclists, we need to voice our support for the use of the Sellwood Bridge as a primary cycling route in Portland.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>-Steven Mullen.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>In a message dated 4/29/2004 9:02:48 AM Pacific Standard Time, Steve-@clark.wa.gov writes:</DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: blue 2px solid"><BR><FONT face=Arial>Here's Matt's response folks.<BR><BR>-----Original Message-----<BR>From: LARSEN Matthew F [mailto:matthew.-@co.multnomah.or.us] <BR>Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2004 9:57 AM<BR>To: Steve-@clark.wa.gov<BR>Subject: RE: Sellwood Bridge<BR><BR><BR>Steve,<BR><BR>Actually, the new signs are not a change. Signs requiring bicyclists to<BR>walk their bikes across the sidewalk had been up since 1987. They had only<BR>been down from the bridge for the last several months, most likely due to<BR>vandalism. In looking to replace the old signs, I pursued using "Bikes<BR>Yield to Peds" signs instead, but County legal council felt this was not<BR>prudent. The legal concern is that if there is an accident after changing<BR>the signs from being more restrictive to less restrictive, the County could<BR>be liable. <BR><BR>In addition to the legal concerns, the Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan<BR>recommends that narrow sidewalks on bridges be signed in this way. Michael<BR>Ronkin, the State Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator, is looking into<BR>changing this recommendation in the next update to the plan, and we have<BR>asked jurisdictions in other states how they sign narrow sidewalks on<BR>bridges. So far the response has been that narrow sidewalks on bridges are<BR>typically signed to require bicyclists to walk their bikes.<BR><BR>We have also considered adding cautionary signs to the bridge that warn<BR>drivers that bikes are in the roadway. I have not talked to many bicyclists<BR>who are interested in biking in the roadway on the Sellwood Bridge, so I<BR>have not pursued this option. I plan on bringing this issue before the<BR>County Bicycle and Pedestrian Citizen Advisory Committee to get their input<BR>and ideas next month.<BR><BR>Hopefully this won't be a problem for many more years, because the County is<BR>currently seeking funds to replace the Sellwood Bridge. The new bridge<BR>would have full bicycle and pedestrian facilities.<BR><BR>Thanks for you concerns on this issue.<BR><BR>Matthew Larsen<BR>Transportation Planning Specialist<BR>Multnomah County<BR>503-988-5050 ext. 29640<BR>matthew.-@co.multnomah.or.us<BR><BR><BR>-----Original Message-----<BR>From: Steve-@clark.wa.gov [mailto:Steve-@clark.wa.gov] <BR>Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2004 9:23 AM<BR>To: LARSEN Matthew F<BR>Subject: Sellwood Bridge<BR><BR>Matt,<BR>I just wanted to weigh in on the recent changes to the Sellwood bridge that<BR>force cyclists to walk across the bridge. This seems a bit unreasonable as<BR>it is easy enough for both biker and walkers to yield to each other. I ride<BR>across the I-5 bridge at least 3 days a week and there never seems to be<BR>that much of a problem and that is a very narrow walkway. How can we get<BR>this changed back to the way it was?<BR><BR>Steve Long (I live in Milwaukie)<BR>GIS Analyst<BR>Clark County Assessment & GIS<BR>360-397-2391 ext. 4421</FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV>
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