This short route takes you from Hillside Park to Juniper Swim and Fitness using the newly reopened Olney bike infrastructure (which is great!). Start your ride at Hillside Park and head downhill on 9th Street, an easy roll that quickly gets you moving. Turn left onto Portland Avenue, where you’ll find comfortable bollard-protected bike lanes that make this stretch feel calm and inviting, even during busier times of day.
Portland turns into Olney Avenue, which has been newly reopened and features a fantastic grade-separated bike lane—one of the highlights of the ride.
Continue east on Olney until you reach 3rd Street. This is the diciest part of the route, but there’s a traffic signal to help you cross safely. Once across, stay on Olney briefly, then turn right onto NE 6th Street, a pleasant bike neighborhood greenway with low traffic and a relaxed feel. Use the flashing light crossing to get across Greenwood / Highway 20, then continue south on 6th Street. From there, it’s a short, easy ride to Juniper Swim & Fitness Center. This is a great example of how Bend’s growing bike network can connect neighborhoods to everyday destinations.
-by Elisa Cheng