Beaverton Seeks To Improve Bike, Pedestrian Infrastructure

BEAVERTON, OR — As part of its continued effort to improve the traveling experience for cyclists, pedestrians, and anyone else in Beaverton who doesn't use an automobile to get around, the city invites residents to participate in an online, active transportation plan open house.

Available through June 12, the virtual open house offers an update on the direction the active transportation plan is heading; a summary of the public input received from a previous open house, for which the city requested public feedback on what it's really like biking, walking, and rolling around Beaverton; and requests additional feedback on the types of bicycle and pedestrian facilities being proposed in the active transportation plan.

From those who participated in the previous open house, city officials learned pedestrians want to see "improved crossings at existing locations by providing safety enhancements in the form of paint, American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant facilities, and traffic calming features," according to the open house document provided online. The city also received requests to fill gaps in the city's sidewalk infrastructure and enhance crosswalks and ADA features where they already exist throughout the city.

For cyclists, the city identified four types based on comfort when riding around the city and asked each group — from those who are strong and fearless, enthused and confident, interested but concerned, or "No Way No How" — whether they'd be comfortable riding on specific path types or using specific safety features.

Focusing on the "interested but concerned" group (which submitted 50 total responses), the city saw "a clear desire to provide protected bicycle facilities in the form of multi-use trails and protected bicycle lanes," the document read. City officials believe accommodating the interested but concerned group will have the greatest potential for increasing cycling in the city.

Looking at bicycle and pedestrian trail networks throughout the city, officials are considering a variety of corridor types to help improve and enhance the commuting experience for those kinds of travelers. Types of corridors include:

• protected bike lanes, which are walled or sectioned off — sometimes two-lane — bike paths separate from the main roadway;
• buffered bike lines, which are similar to protected bike lanes but without the rigid wall or option for two lanes;
• highlighted or otherwise accentuated bike lanes; and
• mixed traffic or shared lane markers, also known as 'sharrows.'

To participate in the virtual open house, click here to visit the city's active transportation plan website. Additionally, cyclists are encouraged to download the Ride Report app (https://ride.report), which anonymously tracks bicycle routes taken by participants and then allows those riders to rate their experience traveling through the city.

Photo Courtesy: City of Beaverton