(May 22, 2020) Sunny, warm weather is forecast to return, just in time for Memorial Day weekend. As we work to prevent the spread of COVID-19, let’s keep it local this holiday weekend by enjoying our beautiful City of Roses by bike! Whether you are biking alone or with your household, biking is a great way to stay active, while keeping a safe distance from others. PBOT has lots of ideas and information to help you make the most of your ride.
Just starting? Our Biking in Portland page is a great introduction to resources, and the Checklist for getting started on a bike provides pointers for common questions.
The Portland Biking Guide puts a wealth of information at your fingertips and the Portland Family Biking Guide answers your questions about bringing young riders along.
The online Portland Bike Map will show you where to find low-traffic streets, bike lanes, and off-street paths to ride.
Since it’s a good idea to stay close to home, check out the Neighborhood Bike and Walk Map for your quadrant to find the best routes from your home to a park or grocery store, or to take a self-guided tour of heritage trees or public art nearby.
As part of the Safe Streets Initiative, PBOT has restricted access along key streches ofthe neighborhood greenway system to local traffic only. Neighborhood Greenways are low-traffic, calm residential streets that prioritize people walking and bicycling. The points on this Neighborhood Greenway map show where our new local-access signs are located.
And if you find your ride needs a little work – or maybe you need a bike to begin with? – the list of Portland Bike Shops will help you find one near you. Be sure to call ahead to see if they have special hours or procedures for keeping clients and staff safe.
Worried about how to bike or walk, while keeping social distance? This video by the Vancouver Parks Board demonstrates how it’s done.
Finally, please remember these tips and guidelines to ensure a safe and enjoyable ride during COVID-19:
- Stay home if you’re sick.
- Stay local and close to home.
- Only bike on your own or with members of your household: no gathering with others.
- Bring all supplies—food, water, hand cleanser, face coverings—needed for a short trip.
- Plan for where you will use the restroom if you need it. Public restroom access is limited across Portland. As a resource during this public health crisis, the City has placed hygiene stations throughout the community—portable toilets and handwashing stations—so that everyone has access to this critical health tool. Be check the City’s website for a list of 54 parks where restrooms are open during COVID-19. An interactive map of restrooms and hygiene stations is available online as well.
- Wear a face covering even if others aren’t. Homemade is fine.
- Stay at least 6 feet away from people who aren’t from your household. Further apart is better.
- Cover your cough with a tissue (then throw it away), or the inside of your elbow.
- Stick to low-risk activities. Don't put additional stress on our emergency responders and health care systems.
- Announce your presence to others if you are passing them and move aside, when needed, to let others pass.
- Follow guidance from Multnomah County and experts at the CDC and wash your hands before and after your trip.
Most of all, enjoy your weekend!
For more information about the City of Portland’s response to COVID-19, see the City’s Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 website. Multnomah County is the city’s primary resource for public health information. Get public health information and guidance, resources, and updates regarding COVID-19 from the County’s website.
The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is the steward of the City’s transportation system, and a community partner in shaping a livable city. We plan, build, manage and maintain an effective and safe transportation system that provides access and mobility. www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation