Bike Month Shines Spotlight on Projects Geared Toward a Connected Community
By Mayor Tim Knapp’s April 16 proclamation, May is Bike Month in Wilsonville. The designation provides an opportune time to recognize many City projects aimed at developing a more connected community for cyclists.
Wilsonville is committed to helping riders enjoy safe and convenient transportation within city limits; 73 percent of residents rated ease of bicycle travel as excellent or good in the City’s most recent community survey.
“As we continue to grow, we are very motivated to develop an infrastructure less reliant on motor vehicles to keep Wilsonville moving,” said Planning Director Chris Neamtzu. “Virtually every planning and engineering decision the City makes is considerate of providing cyclists and pedestrians with safe and convenient passageways.”
Beyond recreational benefits, cycling provides an environmentally friendly and less expensive alternative for commuters. Riding can also be less stressful. Bike commuting has increased by 62 percent nationally from 2000 to 2013.
Wilsonville includes about 21 miles of bike lanes, including recent projects and programs outlined in the City’s Connectivity Action Plan, first developed in 2013.
The 5th Street to Kinsman Road extension project includes a cutting-edge buffered bike lane that is adjacent to the sidewalk, behind the curb and planter strips. Several other current or recently completed projects – including those at Tooze Road, Advance Road, Barber Street and Grahams Ferry Road – include bike lane additions or improvements. New projects are adding bike lanes on a segment of Parkway Avenue and on the east side of Boones Ferry Road between Bailey Street and 5th Street.
Trail development includes a recent project to widen and improve the trail under the I-5 Boone Bridge that connects Boones Ferry Park to Memorial Park and a newly-complete segment of the regional Ice Age Tonquin Trail, which eventually will extend from Boones Ferry Park north to Sherwood and Tualatin.
“Our Connectivity Action Plan is pretty unique for a community of our size,” said Nancy Kraushaar, Community Development Director. “The plan has guided us toward an aggressive and innovative approach that is providing safe, well-designed pathways for riders.”
SMART Transit supports cyclists by providing bike racks on all buses. Wilsonville’s SMART Transit Center has bike parking, a free bike repair station and 48 free bike lockers. Additionally, SMART is partnering with West Linn-Wilsonville School District on the Safe Routes to School program.
SMART Transit is commemorating Bike Month by sending Bike Fairies to Meridian Creek Middle School and other sites on Bike to School Day, May 9, with rewards and incentives for those who ride.
“We have a lot in common with cyclists,” SMART Transit Director Dwight Brashear said. “We want a safe, convenient and enjoyable method of travel that doesn’t require putting another car on the road. We try to support bike riders as much as possible.”
Three major Connectivity Action Plan improvements on the horizon address Wilsonville’s biggest barriers to connectivity: The bike/pedestrian/emergency access French Prairie Bridge over the Willamette River, a bike/pedestrian bridge over I-5 at Barber Street and the Boeckman Bridge over the dip east of Canyon Creek Road.
Also in development is a citywide signage and wayfinding plan designed to yield thoughtful, easy-to-read signage to help riders navigate city streets; an interim measure has already provided green bike signage now present on City streets.
Wilsonville residents and businesses are encouraged to participate in National Bike Month activities, including Bike to Work Week (May 14–18), and Bike to Work Day (May 18).
For more information on SMART programs for cyclists, including Bike to School Day, call 503-682-7790 or visit www.ridesmart.com. For more information on City of Wilsonville programs, visit www.ci.wilsonville.or.us .
