22 new pace bumps* have been put in on Northeast Ainsworth between NE Grand/sixth and fifteenth. Nearly as quickly as they went in, I heard from varied sources that they weren’t doing something to sluggish individuals down. Since I journey this route and it’s an essential neighborhood road with a historical past of rushing and tensions between drivers and bike riders, I needed to get a better have a look at these bumps.
So I headed over with my cameras to doc how they’re getting used.
In line with the Portland Bureau of Transportation, they put in pace cushions in each instructions of NE Ainsworth between NE Grand and fifteenth final week. There are 11 pace cushions in every route.
(*A fast observe on verbiage: I’ve at all times known as these pace “bumps” as a result of that’s the final time period most people perceive. However I understand there’s an essential distinction between pace bumps and pace “cushions” (a.okay.a. “humps” or “tables”). Velocity cushions, in accordance with the Nationwide Affiliation of Metropolis Transportation Officers (NACTO) have cutouts for wheels and elongated humps which are a lot much less intrusive to auto customers. From right here on out, I’ll differentiate and use “cushions” to match PBOT’s language.)
Like I shared again in June, this part of NE Ainsworth has a 20 mph pace restrict that’s usually exceeded by drivers. This can be a downside as a result of it’s two very slim streets (so slim that individuals who park on it usually roll up onto the curb and sidewalk strip) separated by a large grassy median in a dense residential neighborhood that’s usually shared by bicycle riders and drivers. It needs to be a pleasing, secure place to be; however with so many speeders it may be intimidating.
As for bicycling on it? I do know there are lots of individuals who suppose bikes don’t belong, however I personally favor Ainsworth over the close by neighborhood greenway on Holman as a result of it’s a lot smoother and extra direct. I solely use it if I really feel like going quick, which is simpler as of late with my e-bike that may keep 20 mph with ease. The considered pace bumps was thrilling as a result of it might imply that I (and others) would have the ability to use Ainsworth at or close to the pace restrict with out being harassed by drivers who insist on tailgating (or worse) and going too quick.
What I discovered from private commentary is that they are going to doubtless have some impression, however the cushions are simple to keep away from — particularly for bigger, wider automobiles that make up an more and more bigger portion of the fleet — and many individuals merely go over them with out slowing down in any respect.
PBOT says Ainsworth is a secondary emergency route (NE Dekum a couple of blocks north is the principle one), so their solely possibility to deal with rushing was to put in cushions. This set up is a part of a bigger effort to cut back and tame cut-through site visitors on residential streets. PBOT understands that Ainsworth additional west is an important hyperlink within the bike community that carries quite a lot of bike site visitors even with out a lot devoted bike infrastructure (in addition they just lately put in bike bins at N Interstate as a part of a future neighborhood greenway as per the North Portland in Movement plan).
So do these new pace cushions work? My first impression is sure and no.
You may see quite a lot of proof in my video and pictures that many individuals pace proper over them, utilizing the channels meant for emergency automobiles. Some of us in bigger automobiles may not even know the cushions exist. That being stated, you’ll additionally discover some individuals do really feel the cushions and decelerate and/or try to navigate round them. These behaviors imply they’re having some impression that can result in decrease speeds general. I additionally suppose the symbolism of infrastructure is essential. And these cushions ship a sign to folks that town expects them to drive extra slowly and use warning on this road.
What in regards to the harassment and street ragers who tailgate bike riders on this road? Don’t miss the top of my video the place I check this by driving 20 mph and filming drivers behind me. You’ll see some of us give loads of respiration room, however others are clearly peeved they will’t drive quicker. One man in a truck was so mad he dangerously tailgated the motive force instantly behind me after which yelled an obscenity at me as he turned off.
Six months from now PBOT says they’ll have pace knowledge to report and I’m desirous to see what they discover.
Whatever the impression this has on security or cut-through site visitors, one man who I met whereas I used to be on the market summed up what I believe is a vital level: “It’s such a waste we needed to spend cash on these items simply because individuals received’t drive the pace restrict.”
Bingo!
