Bicycling in Milwaukie

It’s easier to bike in Milwaukie than you might think. On average, a two-mile trip by bicycle takes just ten minutes. In Milwaukie, that’s the distance from downtown Milwaukie to SE 60^th and Monroe Street!

Milwaukie Bike Map

Check out the city's bike map to plan your route ahead of time, or carry a copy with you when you ride.

Improving Cycling in Milwaukie
Bicycling promotes the well-being of people who live and work in Milwaukie, with the added benefit of reducing auto traffic on city streets. The city's adopted plan for improving our network of safe and comfortable bicycle routes is in the Transportation System Plan, including the following strategies to improve conditions for bicycling in Milwaukie:

• Fill in gaps in the existing bike corridor network (on arterials and collectors).
• Construct new bike lanes on strategic arterials and collectors.
• Connect key bicycle corridors to schools, parks, and activity centers.
• Improve crossing safety and connectivity.
• Designate bike boulevards on lower-volume streets that connect major bicycle facilities and/or bicycle destinations.
• Maintain bike lanes, off-street paths, signage, and other facility improvements.
• Construct and improve multi-use paths for recreational and commuter use.
• Involve cyclists in the design and planning of bicycle and road facilities.
• Educate cyclists and motorists about bicycle routes, laws, and opportunities.

Follow this link to review the city’s bicycle policy, priorities, and master plan, or check out the Bicycle Master Plan.

Current Initiatives

The city incorporates bicycle improvements into many programs and projects. Here is a sampling of ways the city is working to make Milwaukie more bicycle friendly.

• Monroe Street Neighborhood Greenway. The city has secured a state grant to create a concept plan that defines neighborhood greenway improvements along Monroe Street from 21^st Avenue to Linwood Avenue (Milwaukie's eastern boundary).
   
• 17th Avenue Multi-Use Path. It's complete! Go ride it! The project goal was to construct a multi-use regional trail on the west side of SE 17^th Avenue within existing right-of-way between McLoughlin Boulevard and SE Ochoco Street. These improvements connected two significant regional multi-use trails: the Trolley Trail to the south and the Springwater Corridor to the north.
   
• Wayfinding signage. The city rolled out a series of Bikeway signs in 2010 that show everyone where the established bicycle routes are and help cyclists avoid the troublesome spots.
   
• Ongoing bike lane maintenance. Bike lane sweeping occurs every 8 days. If you know of a bike lane in Milwaukie that needs maintenance or street sweeping, the city’s street staff would like to hear from you. Call the Milwaukie Street Department at 503.786.7617.
   
• Adding Bike Parking. Most new and expansion development is required to provide bicycle parking near the front door.
   
• Milwaukie Police Bicycle Fleet.  The police department uses their bike fleet to patrol and assist in areas like downtown and community events.

Bike Laws
The State of Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Program provides a summary of Oregon Statutes and Administrative Rules that pertain to Bicyclists and Pedestrians.

A few useful rules for bicyclists and motor-vehicles:

• Bicycles are allowed to use any roadway not specifically signed as closed to bicycles or other non-motorized vehicles.
• Bicyclists must use appropriate signals when preparing to turn or rapidly decelerate, except where doing so would prevent the safe operation of the bicycle.
• Bicycles operating in a shared lane of travel with motor-vehicle traffic are required to operate at the normal speed of traffic.
• If unable to operate at the normal speed of traffic, bicyclists are required to ride as close as practicable to the right curb or edge of the roadway except when:
  • Passing another vehicle
  • Preparing to execute a left turn
  • Avoiding hazardous road conditions
  • Riding in a bike lane

Register Your Bike - Protect Your Investment and Help Deter Theft

• Milwaukie Police Department Bike Registration - www.milwaukieoregon.gov/bikeregister

Other Resources

For more information on bicycling in Milwaukie and the region, check out the following resources:

• Check out Metro's Biking Resources page for biking resources, from videos to maps and more. 
• Bike Milwaukie! - Community organized monthly bike trips 
• The citizen-driven MilwaukieBIKES! list-serve
• The Street Trust (Formerly known as the BTA) - Nonprofit membership organization working to promote and improve public transit, walking, and bicycling conditions in Oregon since 1990. 
• Bike Portland Blog - To inform and inspire
• The Intertwine Alliance - A coalition of 150+ public, private, and nonprofit organizations working to integrate nature more deeply into the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan region. 
• Shift! - Revels in expressing Portland's creative bike culture through performance events and bike fun intended to highlight the positive contributions of bicycling for the community at large. 
• Bikes on TriMet - TriMet makes it easy to combine biking and transit. You can park your bike at the station or bring it with you on the bus or train (if there's room).