TriMet has issued the results of bicycling related surveys they conducted last August via the web, and subsequently onboard MAX trains. Here is an executive summary of their executive summary:

Background:

According to a recent national study, integrating bikes and transit:

• Extends the range of transit
• Provides greater mobility options to customers at the beginning and end of their transit trips
• Has the potential to increase transit ridership
• Encourages cycling by giving cyclists the option of avoiding unsafe streets, hills, fatigue, and poor conditions (darkness and weather) if bikes are allowed onboard
• Has the potential to decrease congestion and help reduce air pollution by providing an alternative to driving

Back Story:
Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams believes that a way to fast track the addition of sidewalks and other street improvements to what are called collector streets could be through the use of Halo LIDS, a concept that would spread the cost of improving streets across a larger benefiting area versus a conventional LID (Local Improvement District), which is typically used for local streets in which most or all of the benefiting properties abut the street being improved.

In Bridlemile SW Hamilton and SW Shattuck are its two collector streets.

Read why Hamilton is so critical to pedestrian, bicycle, and auto flow in and across Bridlemile. Base map from Google maps, graphic by Victor von Salza.

Last year, Sam Adams asked neighborhood associations to suggest which of their neighborhood collector streets could most benefit from sidewalks or other pedestrian improvements. And after some discussion those attending the January 2007 BNA meeting voted to designate SW Shattuck from Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy to SW Hamilton, and SW Hamilton from SW 60th Place to SW 42nd, as the portions of Bridlemile's collector streets that are most in need of pedestrian improvements.

The trail is named for Portland’s alternative transportation modes: trail, tram, trolley and train. It is designed to be a tourist attraction that shows off Portland’s diverse transportation alternatives. The trail will start at the zoo, go through the west hills, with some spectacular view stops along the way. Then, walkers will board the tram (for free since it is the downhill leg) and ride to south waterfront. From there people would take the streetcar and MAX back to the zoo, using just one two-zone TriMet ticket.

The Red Electric Railroad, Southern Pacific’s Oregon Interurban did not run through Bridlemile but it was close. It ran just south of the current Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway. It was built in 1871 and ran until the mid 1920’s. There are a few stories about Bridlemile folks riding it, if you have any please share.

Working to make walking, biking, and even driving to school a safer healthier experience.
Unless otherwise noted photos by Victor von Salza

Early Summer 2007 - Update path at Bridemile Elementary Cleared

have been among the most often asked about and requested improvements in Bridlemile. The major impediment has always been funding. If you're looking for the SW Hamilton Halo LID pilot project page, this is it! And its also about pedestrian improvements that meet ADA standards, and bicycle improvements too.

Bridlemile Neighborhood Association Board consists of a group of committee chairpersons; it does not have officers such as president, secretary, etc.

Open Board Positions

Safety and Crime - volunteer needed

Please see description on the Safety and Crime page.

Portland Mall bus service to be relocated from January 2007 through spring 2009. TriMet is looking for public feedback on how to best disrupt service during the renovation of the Portland Mall (all bus traffic will be moved off 5th and 6th avenues). Two options are under consideration.

TriMet has added Pearl, a black Labrador retriever, to its transit police division. Pearl’s human companion is Officer John Blair. Pearl will be in charge of sniffing out explosives aboard buses and MAX trains. Details may be found here.

Briefly, two news items relating to TriMet transit maps:

1. An article last summer on the WorldChanging web site, A Call for Open-Source Public Transit Mapping, mentions TriMet’s mapping system (and how it could be improved).
2. A recent TriMet press release, TriMet gets Googled - transit mapping 1st in nation, discusses how TriMet will be the first transit system listed on an experimental new Google service.

Taylors Ferry Road Vision Plan

Joint Neighborhood Task Force Report & Recommendations
From Capitol Highway to the County Line

Ashcreek / Crestwood Neighborhood Associations
December 2004