I-205 Portland/Vancouver bridge experiences
 

A few months ago I attended a meeting at the Clarion on Airport Way in Portland. I commuted by bike from the Whipple Creek area of Vancouver (near where I-5 and I-205 join). I was going back to Whipple Creek one evening and crossing the I-205 bridge northbound. There were lights from car traffic and noise all around. Suddenly I saw a pencil point of light coming toward me like a shot. It was another biker southbound. Fortunately we were both behaving ourselves and staying to the right of our portions of the bikeway. We were probably closing on one another at about 40 miles per hour.

Have there been cyclist on cyclist collisions on that bridge bikeway, especially at night?

I'm not familiar with the collision stats between various user types on the I-205 MUP, but it is narrow, and traffic noise means pedestrians and other cyclists have to see you to be aware of you. The bridge itself is pretty well lit at night, but the north end entrance to the MUP drops beneath the bridge and would be pretty dark (I've only ridden it during the day). I'd definitely use a light at night while crossing it, but then I always ride with lights at night anyway. With that, keeping alert and slowing down when encountering other people, it shouldn't be a problem.

I noticed that all of the automobile lights and all of the noise from tires on the concrete roadway make it hard to notice another cyclist coming toward you until he is shooting past you. The bridge has a grade built into it so that you are descending when southbound, as you know. I found that without pedaling I was hitting 30 miles per hour before the incline levelled out near the south end and speed dropped off. I did not find going down the northside entrance/exit ramp a problem, even at night. Actually, things became quiet and more sane once I got to the ramp. For those who have never been on that bridge bikeway, it is 2.4 miles long before you are getting off of it. Being high up in the air when there is a breeze can get a little cool before you get off of the bridge.