Special I-5 Bridge tour for bike commuters
Posted by: MichelleSep 09 2008, 2:37 pm
Sorry, this has been canceled for lack of RSVPs.
This Saturday, September 13th, Todd Boulanger from the City of Vancouver will lead guided bike tours across the I-5 bridge bike paths from Vancouver to Portland and back. If you've been wanting to commute across the bridge but aren't sure how, this is your chance to find out!
Vancouver-to-Portland bike tour
11:00 am - 12:00 pm, Saturday, Sept. 13th
Meet at the Farmers' Market, W 8th and Esther, in Vancouver.
Bike maps provided. Helmets required (by Washington state lawVancouver city ordinance).
RSVP
Portland-to-Vancouver bike tour
12:00-1:00 pm, Saturday, Sept. 13th
Meet at the Paul Bunyan statue at 8420 N Denver, in Kenton, Portland.
Bike maps provided. Helmets required (by Washington state lawVancouver city ordinance). Bring lunch money for the Vancouver farmers' market.
RSVP
You can also download a detailed map of the I-5 crossing, and check out other map resources for the Vancouver and Portland metro areas.
Here's hoping every would-be cyclist over there attends. It's a pain in the ass when you end up going head-to-head against another cyclist who decided to cross on the wrong side. Not enough room for two bikes side by side, so one person (either the guy with a full head of steam going downhill, unable to stop on a dime, or the guy pumping away going uphill trying not to lose momentum) has to stop. So much easier when people just bike on the correct side.
Sep 09 2008 at 3:04 pmCould be worse. It could be the Sellwood Bridge which only has one side for bikers regardless.
Sep 09 2008 at 6:57 pmIsn't it technically illegal to ride on the sidewalk of the Sellwood? I have no problem taking the lane, but I wouldn't wish that upon someone pulling a child, for instance.
Back to the topic at hand, it sure would be nice if there were signs encouraging cyclists to go with the flow of the auto traffic while on the Interstate bridge. I could understand exceptions for people with trailers not being able to make it through the 40"-wide pinch points on the northbound side, but otherwise, cyclists need to go with the flow. Even the bike map says to do it.
Sep 10 2008 at 12:25 amIt's usually legal to ride the sidewalk - except if there is a local ordinance. As far as I know only westside-downtown Portland and certain other "core" areas in the Metro Area forbid sidewalk riding. You should be fine on the Sellwood and other bridges.
Sep 10 2008 at 11:43 amIts an ok ride across I5. My biggest issue is the lighting is sporadic, which makes seeing pedestrians in the dark quite difficult. Especially in the rain.
Sep 10 2008 at 5:50 pmI thought the Helmet law was a City of Vancouver thing?!? not a "Washington State Law" as stated above. Am I wrong?
Sep 10 2008 at 8:42 pmI am a Vancouver resident and would love to attend this, but I have already something scheduled for this time. Will there be other opportunities for guided crossings?
Sep 11 2008 at 9:48 amThere are signs on the Sellwood that say no bicycle riding. It's an anomaly. And Todd does "R U Bridge Curious" rides on a somewhat regular basis. There should be chances for this again…
Sep 11 2008 at 12:38 pmcanceled for 'lack of interest'? Todd & Michelle, Was there a deadline of when people needed to express their interest?
Sep 12 2008 at 2:33 pmZero RSVPs by 24 hours out qualifies as Lack of Interest.
Sep 12 2008 at 3:54 pmIf I had known about it sooner I would have signed up. Put me in for the next time.
Sep 12 2008 at 4:28 pmah… I see Michele. That sounds fair. you probably already figured this out, but Stephanie was still encouraging folks to attend in the Bike Commute Challenge Newsletter that was e-mailed out at 3:56 pm this afternoon. Perhaps people will sign up early for the next one?
Sep 13 2008 at 5:56 amI always bike the west side sidewalk on the bridge. The east walk is narrower and the transition from the east walkway to columbia boulevard on the north end is less safe. Who is this "they" claiming directionality on a sidewalk? ( like ODOT or WDOT ? ) Where's the signage ?
Sep 15 2008 at 6:40 amI never ride the east side of the I-5 bridge and I won't be doing so any time soon, either. I'd rather stop and have to walk my bike around other cyclists on the safer west side than ride on the way-too-narrow with guard rail way-too-low east side. And there's just not enough bike traffic on the bridge to make it a problem 90% of the time.
Sep 15 2008 at 9:01 am