City Council set a Transportation and Infrastructure Goal for the 2023-2025 biennium to “Implement near-term multimodal and safety projects to capitalize on the existing system, including building one connected and protected North-South and one East-West key route, and wayfinding.” It’s now late 2026, but there has been a flurry of recent construction as part of the Bend Bikeway Project. Have they met their goal? While there have been improvements in multiple places, the East-West key route currently requires significant diversions due to the closure of the Gilchrist bridge at Columbia Park, and the ongoing work on the Franklin underpass area. We will revisit that route in mid-2027. The North-South Route is in better shape, so we recently went for a ride to check out progress.
The North-South Route
This 7 mile route traverses Bend from Caldera High School in the south, up to Pine Nursery Park in the northeast. The route travels up SE 15th St past Alpenglow Park, takes the Coyner Trail past Bear Creek Elementary School to Juniper Park, goes on the 6th St Greenway, before heading out towards Pine Nursery Park on NE Butler Market Rd.
Some good progress
Recent construction of separated bike lanes and multi-use trails, including on 15th St and Butler Market Rd, means that 60% of this route is on paved, separated trails, which is our favorite option for low stress, safe biking.
Another 20% of the route is on the NE 6th St Greenway, which has a 20 mph speed limit, and speed humps to calm traffic. The Greenway includes crosswalks with flashing beacons to get you across NE Greenwood Ave. At NE Olney Ave or NE Revere Ave there are center islands and crossing signs, but no crossing stripes on the road.
Missing connections
The final 20% of the route (nearly a mile) remains unprotected for cyclists, with sections on busy SE 15th St and NE Butler Market Rd that currently only have unbuffered bike lanes. To make the short connection from the separated bike lanes on NE Butler Market Rd to the North Unit Canal Trail at NE Brinson Blvd, riders have to use the traffic lane or the narrow sidewalk over the bridge. The North Unit Canal Trail is currently quite rocky in places, so not great for all riders, and not suitable for most bike commuters when it is dark.
Future plans
Bend Parks and Recreation District have plans to improve the North Unit Canal Trail, but the work is not yet scheduled. The City plans to create dura-curb protected bike lanes in the section of NE Butler Market Rd from NE 8th St to Boyd Acres Road at a date still to be determined.
Overall assessment
The new shared trails and separated bike lanes on this route are great. However, the usefulness of the route overall is still compromised by the lack of connection between sections, and some dangerous intersections. Needing to traverse the multi-lane roundabout at Reed Market Road is a particular safety concern. We know from speaking with residents that a single unprotected intersection or segment of high stress, unsafe bike lane can prevent someone from using a route.
What you can do
We will be tracking the progress of the Bend Bikeways and pushing hard to prioritize their development and quick, safe connections to complete the routes. Stay tuned for opportunities to weigh in on the future of these vital routes.