With bike ridership in Portland taking place, some level to the metropolis’s “hidden” neighborhood greenway system as a cause extra folks aren’t biking. Since lots of the metropolis’s hottest bike routes — residential streets that function diverters and site visitors calming measures to cut back rider stress — are out of sight, not everyone seems to be conscious they even exist.
Maybe, the pondering goes, extra signage on the greenways may assist flip the tide. For that, we flip to north Portland artist and “public pleasure creator” Mike Bennett, who lately launched some new designs to his roster of “Bennett Buddies” that we’d like to see taking over residence throughout our greenways.
Bennett is the mastermind behind the long-lasting “decelerate” avenue indicators that function famously sluggish animals like snails and sloths telling drivers to take their foot off the fuel and get on their stage. When these indicators began to proliferate on Portland’s streets a pair years in the past, we drew the connection between their reputation and the rise in driver dashing/lack of enforcement in the course of the pandemic.
Sadly, the situations on Portland’s streets haven’t improved a lot in that point, and individuals are nonetheless counting on yard indicators to function de facto site visitors enforcers. Even the Metropolis of Portland is aware of the worth of signage to create an identification for greenways and has an aggressive yard signal program. At a casual gathering of motorbike activists Friday within the Lents neighborhood, BikeLoud PDX Board Member Aaron Kuehn shared draft designs of a brand new giant sticker he’s creating for the group. It will be emblazoned with “Bike Loud” and the thought can be to stay it on site visitors poles alongside good biking routes to assist others discover their manner.
Now Bennett and his new character Dr. Thadeus Fraug, a “self-diagnosed bicycle believer” who desires to maintain his fellow “spoke-folk protected”, will add to that blend.
“Along with his extremely seen ‘Bicycle Zone’ signal at his aspect, he’s a ribbeting reminder for drivers and an cute addition to your neighborhood,” Dr. Fraug’s description reads. We envision him making his mark on greenways from NE Klickitat to NW Pettygrove as quickly as attainable.
Present signage on Portland’s neighborhood greenways is missing, although it’s higher on some routes than others. SE Clinton Road, as an example, options many orange bike avenue signal toppers and yard indicators letting folks know they’re on a greenway. However different greenway streets may actually use a lift.
BikeLoud stickers and Bennett’s buddies received’t be capable of repair Portland’s declining bike ridership on their very own, however extra consciousness of the place bike routes are actually can’t harm.
You may try all of the Bennett Buddies on the market right here, and make sure to try our 2021 Q&A with the artist the place he talks extra about his inventive course of behind making these critters.
Taylor has been BikePortland’s workers author since November 2021. She has additionally written for Road Roots and Eugene Weekly. Contact her at taylorgriggswriter@gmail.com
