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County lowers velocity restrict on common Sauvie Island biking route

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Pack of bike riders on a rural road

A pack of motorcycle riders on NW Gillihan Street.
(Photographs: Jonathan Maus/BikePortland)

New velocity restrict indicators put in by Multnomah County late final month ought to encourage decrease speeds on a significant biking route on Sauvie Island.

NW Gillihan Street is the southern half of the principle loop across the rural, farm-dotted island about 10 miles north of downtown Portland. The scenic and often low-traffic roads on Sauvie Island are a giant draw for bicycle riders who search a fast escape from the town. The one draw back is that, like with many rural roads, there isn’t a lot room on the shoulder. When automobile customers move bike riders at excessive speeds, it may be very annoying.

Island residents formally requested the decrease velocity limits. Multnomah County responded to the considerations by requesting a velocity restrict discount from 55 mph to 45 mph on the six-mile stretch of highway. The Oregon Division of Transportation studied the highway and granted their request in fall 2021. These will probably be new indicators, for the reason that highway beforehand had a statutory velocity (default speeds set in Oregon legislation for particular forms of roads) and was not required to have velocity restrict indicators.

a speed reader tool at side of rural road

A velocity reader board was in operation on NW Gillihan in 2017.

This transfer comes 4 years after Multnomah County banned booze on the island in the course of the summer season due largely to site visitors security considerations.

The decrease speeds on Gillihan ought to assist enhance highway security on the island and would possibly even assist tamp down ongoing tensions between some drivers and bike riders.

When you experience on the market commonly, tell us if you happen to discover any distinction.