Full capacity-interest in Portland cycling

[shootingstar]

On a last minute whim I tried to register for a free public lecture tomorrow night here in our city, where the mayor of Portland will be talking about cycling there.

Nope. I didn't get in. Registration is at full capacity. But my dearie is going. (He registered ages ago and regularily goes to this type of stuff. I don't.) Goes to show you the level of interest of Vancouverites on Portland cycling.

Of course not sure if city of Vancouver, BC mayor would get the same interest about Vancouver, BC if he spoke on similar topic in Portland.

[Tri Girl]

Is the mayor of Portland talking about cycling to get Vancouverites interested in lobbying for a more bike-friendly city?
Sounds like it would be interesting, seeing as how Portland is so famous for bike-friendliness. I'd like to hear how it goes when dearie gets back from it. :)

[ZenSojourner]

Well when I lived there, it's true Portland had bike lanes and what not and plenty of them, but some of those bike lanes had me cycling in the most dangerous situations I've ever been presented with.

I used to have a map I used to navigate from/to work (it was about a 10 mile ride as I recall) and although there were bike lanes ALL the way, there were specific spots (WELL marked on the map I made) where, bike lane or no bike lane, the only truly safe thing to do was to get off the bike and walk.

I threw that map away when I bought the new bike and I regretted it almost immediately. There was one spot where FIVE roads crossed each other. I didn't feel safe even getting off to use the pedestrian crossings there.

This would be about 15 years ago, possibly things have changed since. Yeah, plenty of bike lanes - but still some of the most dangerous biking conditions I've ever seen.

[GLC1968]

Portland has some fan-freaking-tastic biking. Compare it to any other city I've lived in and it'll win, hands-down. There is a HUGE cycling movement here, too. While there seem to be lots of 'us vs them' conflicts, I think you are going to see that anywhere where cycling is this popular.

Susan actually took me riding in the city this winter for my first time (I live out in the boondocks and only cycle from my country roads into somewhat less urban Hillsboro areas for my commute). We rode the light rail into town and then did a little riding (and an errand). While it was a Saturday and less traffic than a weekday, I was surprised at how easy it was. I thought I would be freaked out at riding with my shoulder next to the light rail, the street cars or a bus...but it wasn't bad at all. Contrast that to my last visit to Boston where I watched cyclists taking their life into their hands in Government Center, and it's a paradise here! :p

I actually just heard on the radio the other day that Portland has the highest % of bike commuters of any city in the US. What is pathetic is that it was only like 8% or something (I'm guessing, I don't remember the exact number). Apparently in most cities, you are lucky if you see a 1% bike commute number. That's sad. We, as a country, really need to work on this....

[shootingstar]

Well, dearie seemed vague about his summary comments on last night's session.

Interest by Vancouver in Portland is if and how Portland is sustaining its momentum/initiatives on livability/ cycling/pedestrian friendly city in terms of design, transportation options, etc.

I didn't know this but apparently Portland planners visited Vancouver to understand elements of "Vancouverism". A term/concept used by urban planners and architects on a form of urban design to make a city/city area more livable. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOjbLZrXTH8 Vancouverism design only covers about 5% of the city. It's not the entire metropolitan area.

http://www.sightline.org/publications/enewsletters/price_tags/pricetags99

We were in Portland 2 weekends ago and enjoyed ourselves. Hotel based in downtown area so we cycled out in NW, SW, SE areas but within city limits on this 2nd visit. (lst visit was about 4 years ago where we cycled in the Columbia Gorge area, etc.)