Is it safe to cross the I-5 and or the I-205, or is there a lane in the center of one or both of them for bikes? What is the best way to cross over to Vancouver from SE/Gresh area? On one bike map I looked at showed a route going east down I-84. I was basically told (by a couple ppl on this forum) to avoid I-84 altogether. What are some other roads that are best to avoid in PDX/Vancouver or in Oregon Washington in general? Its kinda scary to think....a bike map that could lead you in to very dangerous situation! You would think you would be able to trust these maps! Are there others that think it wouldn't be that big of a deal to ride down I-84?

Here is the map mentioned: https://www.skamania.com/pdf/biking-guide.pdf




P.S. Also, does anyone know if you can get to Rooster Rock from the Columbia River Highway?

maybe check the forums at bikeportland.org

I-5 and I-205 both have bike lanes going over the bridges. Stay away from I-84--lots of other routes available. For route info check:

https://www.portlandonline.com/shared....cfm?id=100362

and

https://www.40mileloop.org/maps/40MileLoop_map.pdf

edit: just saw your second question. Rooster Rock is across I-5 from the Columbia Scenic Hwy, so no dice there. Also, at that particular point the Columbia Hwy is high above the river near Crown Point. As far as I know, the best options would be to see if there's any kind of road by the river off of the Troudale exit, or go on the Columbia Highway until you can get off at the Corbett exit and backtrack on the shoulder of I-5 to get to Rooster Rock.

I do not trust bike maps. Many seem to determine the appropriateness of a route by the amount of traffic and the posted speed limit rather than how safe the road actually is.

For example, a lot of rides to the beach recommend Hwy 22. That ride is scenic, but suicidal. Lots of blind curves, no shoulder or law enforcement, and people seem to treat it like a test of their driving skills. The only way I'd ride that is with at least 20 people in front of me and 20 people behind.

The Willamette Valley bikeway makes the same type of error. For example, it puts you on 51 which is fairly scenic, and not particularly heavily trafficked, but cars really drive fast there. River Road near Salem is listed as an alternate route, and again, there are serious problems with speeding cars, no shoulders for most of the way, and very poor visibility.

I have personally taken these roads and others, and find that some of the highways that are marked as dangerous are actually far safer.