Portland by Bike

Portland by Bike

In the mid-1990s the City of Portland adopted a Bicycle Master Plan to provide direction over a 20-year period for improvements that encourage more bicycles. Thanks to this plan, locals and travelers alike can take advantage of Portland's incredible bicycle-friendliness. If you prefer two nonmotorized wheels for getting around, then Portland will tantalize you with a network of more than 150 mi of bicycle boulevards, lanes, and off-street paths. Add to that thorough, accessible maps, specialized tours, and parking capacity (including lockers and racks downtown), and bicycling becomes not only a feasible but a sought-after mode of transportation.

An active collective of educators, advocates, riding groups, and businesses, along with government support, are working toward making Portland even more bike-friendly and safe. According to TriMet, whose entire bus fleet is equipped with bicycle racks, more than 80,000 bicycles are taken on MAX or bus each year. An intended 400-plus mi of bike paths are to be added over the next decade.

For a wealth of bicycle transportation resources and information, visit www.portlandonline.com/transportation.