Biking is a Part of Active Transportation
In this edition, we’re focusing on active transportation and its vital role in fostering a healthier, more connected Bend. Explore why biking matters for our community, share your voice in an online open house about Franklin Avenue—a key corridor for people who walk, bike, and roll—and give input on the exciting Bend Bikeways project, set to create the city’s first north-south and east-west bike routes. Join us in shaping a more bike-friendly future for everyone!
Stay engaged and get involved—your input makes a difference!
Connecting Bend
Read about how biking can connect communities, enhance health, and support sustainability in Bend. We explore the importance of safe, inclusive infrastructure for active transportation and its role in building vibrant, equitable neighborhoods. Learn more about strategies for fostering connected pathways and advocating for better outdoor spaces.
Franklin Corridor Open House
The Franklin Corridor is one of the most heavily used bike routes from east to west in the central Bend area. Planning for the Franklin Corridor Project is nearly completed and the city is hosting a final online open house through January 7th. Be sure to respond!
The Franklin Corridor will not fix the underpass but will do some other really nice things. The city is asking for input on how to reconfigure the Franklin Ave and 3rd St intersection. The project could also be improved by adding raised crossings at the side streets.
Key Points:
- Traffic speeds through the underpass are too fast for safe sharing by bikes and cars. Traffic calming is needed to keep vehicles at or below the speed limit.
- Raised crossings at each side street intersection will help to keep people walking, biking, and rolling more visible along this corridor and will slow vehicles as they turn off Franklin into adjacent neighborhoods.
- Option 2 for the Franklin and 3rd intersection is preferred as keeping bikes and pedestrians separated will reduce conflict and confusion.
- No right turns on red at the intersection of Franklin and 3rd will further reduce conflict
Submit your comments to the online option house by January 7th!
Raised Crossings
A raised crossing is an elevated section of a road or intersection designed to prioritize the safety of people on bikes by slowing down vehicle traffic and creating a smoother transition across intersections. It aligns with the adjacent bike path, providing people on bikes with a continuous and accessible route. Raised crossings improve visibility for both people driving and people on bikes, reduce vehicle speeds, and create safer interactions at conflict points. By promoting a bike-friendly environment, raised crossings encourage biking as a sustainable and safe mode of transportation.
Bend Bikeways
The Bend Bikeways Open House is open until January 2, 2025. The open house consists of a map with points and lines you can click on to get more information about each part of the project. Much of the project is greatly improved since the last open house and we are pleased with the direction this project is going. We invite you to make comments through the open house with the following points in mind.
Key Points:
- Multi-use path crossings of side streets along 15th St should be raised to sidewalk level.
- The round-about at 15th and Reed Market is a major barrier for people walking and biking and needs to be improved by prioritizng the safety of people walking, biking, and rolling.
- The new path through the Bear Creek Elementary School campus is important. Any conflicts with the proposed new parking lots at the school need to be resolved.
- The crossings at 14th and Cumberland and at 15th and Galveston need more improvements than planned. Traffic calming and pedestrian warning lights would help.
Submit your comments to the online option house by January 2nd!
Our Favorite Routes – Cascades Village Mall
The Cascades Village Mall and its surroundings is one of the most important shopping areas in Bend, and one of the most inaccessible by walking and biking. This version of “Our Favorite Routes” is an update of the very first route in the series.