We could make lots of livable/bikeable neighborhoods like Portland has in the outer boroughs.

Thanks for the comment. It’s interesting to me that our lower level of density jumps out at you that way. The one thing I’d say is that transportation decisions are ALWAYS about balancing multiple interests in the right-of-way.

Even though we don’t have the density you do, we still have limited space in a few ways and numerous needs to meet within that space. For example, our blocks are small — 200 feet. Our roads are relatively narrow (thank goodness). Also, our density is intensifying.

The biggest increases in density for us are the Pearl District (almost complete) and South Waterfront (largest development in the city’s history — just begun construction). These downtown neighborhoods are the most dense in our state. As our downtown becomes a much more dense place that is far more residential, our city is still working to balance those competing needs (e.g.: freight, cars, bikes, kids, seniors, blind people, people with mobility devices, other pedestrians, and trains of various kinds).

Here’s an example of balancing needs: One of our neighborhoods has a ton of bicycle trips. The sidewalks there are narrow (8.5′). The sidewalks are narrow because it is an older neighborhood — old for us — and that’s how wide sidewalks were built 100 years ago.

All the bicycle parking on the sidewalk was congesting the sidewalk. This congestion was a problem for pedestrians, especially blind people and people with mobility devices, as well as local businesses who wanted more tables and planters.

To open space for all of these competing needs, we converted 1.5 on-street car parking spaces into 13 bicycle racks. The racks are installed right in the asphalt. By converting those 1.5 spaces, we helped the businesses and pedestrians. We also think this encourages more people to take walking and biking trips in their neighborhood which also helps with neighborhood traffic congestion.

Two weeks after the installation of the facility, all of the businesses two blocks away asked for one to be installed in front of their shops.

Clarence took some footage of this on-street bike parking facility that I believe will be made into a viewable form some time in the near future.

Thanks again for the great comment.

Greg Raisman
Community and School Traffic Safety Partnership
Portland Office of Transportation

Lisa
Toronto