Cyclists speak out about the safety of Portland’s bike lanes – BikePortland

Considering the number and variety of people who use Portland's bike lanes on weekends, the condition of these valued facilities is much better than one might think.

Given all the stories I've posted here recently about people driving their cars on the trails and other scary situations that have occurred recently (not to mention the ongoing issues related to the people who live along the trails), you'd think the Eastbank Esplanade and Springwater Corridor were lifeless hellscapes where only horizonless fountains dare to venture.

I headed to the riverfront on Sunday to feel the vibe for myself and listen to people riding. I started at the Steel Bridge and rode until just past Sellwood. I talked to six people who represented a pretty good cross-section of cyclists. (It's a lot harder than you'd think to get people to stop, so I don't have much control over who I talk to.)

I met Parker, Aruna, Ariel, Ruben, Jeff, Holly and Dotty. Despite all the gloom I've been reporting on lately, none of these people had anything negative to say. What was really evident was how much people love these trails and what a valuable role they play in our community.

Note that when I spoke to people, I was careful not to bias their responses in any particular direction. I also started our conversations with “What is your experience driving on these trails?” This is completely objective and allows people to respond naturally, rather than me starting with “A lot of terrible things have happened. Does that worry you?” That being said, I also tried to address some of the incidents I reported on, just to see if people had heard of them or if they had reacted to them.

I also asked everyone what they would say to someone who was afraid to ride on these trails.

“Once you're on the bike, you kind of forget about it – at least that's my experience,” Parker said. They then added: “You see things as you ride by, but you just keep riding and doing your thing. My best advice is to just go out and see for yourself.”

Aruna said she often rides the trails and carries pepper spray, but she hasn't seen anything too horrific. “It's better to be prepared than cured,” she advised.

For Ruben, the trails have changed his life. He even bought a house near the Trolley Trail in Milwaukie because he loves biking on the trails so much. And Ruben said, like Parker, they are aware of the people who live next to the trail, but they generally keep to themselves.

The people I spoke with made it clear that “group safety” definitely applies to biking on these trails. Several people mentioned that they become more concerned as the Springwater heads east and there are fewer eyes on the trail. A few people said they don't bike east of Sellwood after dark because the area is heavily wooded with little development and other users are nearby.

But for little Dotty, riding in the back of her mother Holly's electric cargo bike, these more remote places were the most interesting.

“When we go down there,” she said, pointing east over a bridge over McLoughlin Boulevard, “we see animals like nutrias and bunnies. And we even say a snake!”

I hope this video gives you more context to assess the condition of our local trails and decide if they are safe enough for you to ride.