For Sunday Parkways, a pedestrian route (sort of)
We walked on a couple of Sunday Parkways events in Portland when they first started four years ago. But our second time around, there were too many bikes, and the party was not pedestrian-friendly. We found a better walk on nearby streets. And once you do that, it's just another day -- why not walk wherever you want on a nice Sunday?
Tomorrow, when Parkways invades the southwest section of town, we hear they're going to inaugurate a separate walking route. It's certainly worth a try. But if the route isn't going to be closed off to vehicular traffic, it doesn't seem like anything special.
We're also still skeptical about how the many inexperienced bicyclists who turn out in droves for Parkways are going to do on the steep hills of the west side. We observed some of them having a fair amount of difficulty even on the flats of North and Northeast. Guess we'll see about that. Let's hope everybody stays upright on the downhills.
| Posted at 8:46 AM | Permalink |
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Comments (4)
Willamette Pedestrian Coalition will once again be bringing the fun to Sunday Parkways. Join them as they dance walk their way from the Multnomah Arts Center (Capital Hwy and SW 33rd), 11AM, around part of the route.
Forgive me, as I only live in the area, but I believe that the correct spelling is Capitol. Apparently, PBOT is unfamiliar with the roads under its jurisdiction. Too busy with loot rail and streetcars, I guess.
Posted by Max | July 21, 2012 11:50 AM
All together now.... "Urban bicycling is inherently..."
Posted by Nate Conrad | July 21, 2012 5:18 PM
We did the Parkeways today with our almost 6-year-old bike obsessed daughter. It was a nightmare. We encountered rude after rude Lance Armstrong wanna bees who swerved in and and out and all over our child and apparently didn't get the memo that this is supposed to be a relaxed, family-friendly event. The day culminated in a crash that came very close to being catastrophic. Thank god it was not (she was more scared than hurt). My husband and I both have large bruises on our legs from the incident (and trying to get to her). There was way too much car/bike traffic. The police officers on duty were irritated and (like us) felt like it was a bad idea.
Posted by Edie | July 22, 2012 9:16 PM
I'm sorry you ran into so many jerks, Edie. Also, I'm sorry you had a crash. Hope everyone's OK.
My family and I had a completely different experience with the people at least- everyone was great, and the kids enjoyed the sights in Gabriel Park.
We knew the route was going to be a bit much for our youngest, so we cut the ride short as soon as she started wobbling and carried her and her brother's bikes as we walked back to our start point. It seems like crashes always happen when people run out of steam.
The planners were definitely up against it when it came to route layout. Between terrain and the last sixty years of piecemeal planning in the area, there really aren't many decent ways to put a bike path, much less lay out a family ride. The climb up Vermont kicks my butt on a regular basis and I live nearby- not sure the rest of the city realizes just how hilly the neighborhood is.
Posted by Scott | July 23, 2012 11:18 AM