From THE OREGONIAN

Bike Ban (http://www.oregonlive.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news/1156991119175710.xml?oregonian?lcfp&coll=7)

The Oregonian

State drops proposal to ban bikes on freeways

Transportation - A bicycle and pedestrian committee, which advises ODOT, was cool to the original idea
Thursday, August 31, 2006 JAMES MAYER

The state has backed off from a proposal to ban bicycles on Portland-area freeways.

"I think what we have is ODOT listening to the people, and that's good," said Evan Manvel, executive director of the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, which opposed the ban when officials proposed it in April.

The proposed ban -- particularly on a well-used stretch of U.S. 26 from the Oregon Zoo to the Jefferson Street exit -- raised the hackles of the city's politically acute cyclists. The Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, which advises the Oregon Department of Transportation, gave the idea a cool reception.

"When I looked into the issue, it seemed to be a good idea to step back and look at our options," said Jason Tell, who took over as ODOT's Portland regional manager about six months ago.

Recently, state officials and cycling groups have been getting together to talk about the issues, Tell said. He said the state's goal is to assure safety on its highways.

Jonathan Maus, cycling advocate, said cyclists are more concerned with access to the state's transportation system.

"They need to provide equal opportunity and access for bikes and safe alternatives that are comfortable and efficient," he said.

Oregon is one of the few states that allow bicycles on freeways at all. Over the years, "non-motorized" vehicles have been banned on portions of the Portland freeway system, including the Vista Ridge Tunnel on U.S. 26, Interstate 5 from Oregon 217 to the Washington border, and Interstate 84 from I-5 to Northeast 122nd Avenue eastbound and Northeast Sandy Boulevard to I-5 westbound.

But where there are no signs indicating a prohibition, bicycles are legal, including the entire length of Oregon 217.

At the advisory committee meeting in April, ODOT officials said speed, congestion, lane changes and increased use of the freeway shoulder for breakdowns contribute to an unsafe situation for cyclists and motorists. They acknowledged that there have been few freeway crashes involving bicycles.

It's not clear how many cyclists use freeways, but several said they frequently ride on the short stretch of U.S. 26 from the zoo to the Jefferson Street exit, the most direct bike route from the West Hills into downtown.

James Mayer: 503-294-4109; jimmayer@news.oregonian.com

A wide, well-maintained freeway shoulder is actually a pretty safe place to ride, as long as one exits and re-enters at each ramp set (as is generally required on California freeways), to avoid having to deal with free merges and diverges. I feel more comfortable on the I-5 shoulder between Genesee and Roselle/Sorrento Valley than on certain prime arterials.

In some 700-800 miles of Freeway/Interstate riding I have had only one tense moment when a CHP sergeant wanted me to get off of his road. When I showed him my CalTrans map stating that this section of "Freeway" was actually open road and was OK for cycling he backed down. I have had many more friendly responses from civilians and police. I especially like pieces of surperhighway where I have passed hundreds of jammed cars.

In some 700-800 miles of Freeway/Interstate riding I have had only one tense moment when a CHP sergeant wanted me to get off of his road. When I showed him my CalTrans map stating that this section of "Freeway" was actually open road and was OK for cycling he backed down. I have had many more friendly responses from civilians and police. I especially like pieces of surperhighway where I have passed hundreds of jammed cars.
When people say freeway I imagine 101, 880, 580 cars going anywhere from 50-90 mph. With shoulder littered with bunch of crap. On ramps it says no bicycles allowed. Even it the sign wasn't there I don't think I would WANT to ride there.
What freeways are you ridding on???

It was reported on the Shift list that one of the TV stations (KGW) ran a 'poll' on this issue and it was something like 86-14 in favor of the ban. Couldn't find that poll when I looked for it, though. Of course, their viewing audience is mostly motorists, and their polls are sponsored by an auto insurance company...

http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_083106_news_freeway_bicyclists.52c7343d.html
http://www.kgw.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D8JR8IFG0.html

When people say freeway I imagine 101, 880, 580 cars going anywhere from 50-90 mph. With shoulder littered with bunch of crap. On ramps it says no bicycles allowed. Even it the sign wasn't there I don't think I would WANT to ride there.
What freeways are you ridding on???
I-76 in Colorado alows bikes on some strtches. Not that i saw anyone doing it.
Seemed pretty safe, except a few narrow bridges and they seemed to refuse to get ride of wide rumble strips.
Still, I wouldn't want to ride it, seems not too enjoyable. Not to mention that wide roads are much hotter than 2 lane roads.

It was reported on the Shift list that one of the TV stations (KGW) ran a 'poll' on this issue and it was something like 86-14 in favor of the ban. Couldn't find that poll when I looked for it, though. Of course, their viewing audience is mostly motorists, and their polls are sponsored by an auto insurance company...

http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_083106_news_freeway_bicyclists.52c7343d.html
http://www.kgw.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D8JR8IFG0.html

I'm confused by the title of the story in the top link...something about, "Can't stop zoobombers from racing down freeways????" I thought they "bombed" down the curvy hillside, not down the freeway? A bit misleading -- to what end?