Bike route from Cedar Mill area to Downtown (Portland, Hillsboro: dangerous, safe)

[_TwentyTwenty_]

Hi,

I was looking at the possible commute methods from Cedar Mill vicinity to Downtown and vice versa. Google map tells me to take the 26 as part of the bike route/path. Is that legal, riding bicycles on the highway? I thought it's illegal to ride bicycle on the highway. If it's legal, how safe is it, especially around night time? Thanks in advance.

[sayulita]

I've never seen bicycles on the freeway. I'm pretty sure it's illegal. Don't the signs say "Motorized Vehicles Only"? From what I know of the area, it seems to me that Barnes Road/West Burnside would be your best bet. But I'm not a bike rider, so hopefully others will chime in.

[_TwentyTwenty_]

I have always known that for safety reasons, only motorized vehicles are permitted on highways. I thought Portland metro might be a special case since it's the only metro I've been to that actually promotes and aggressively do something about alternative mode of transportation like public and bicycle. You don't see public transportation getting this close to a building often

[EnricoV]

Portland's Bureau of Transportation has some good maps that show recommended routes, and the quality of the route, all around town. You'll find links to them here. Looks like there are routes running alongside 26 that would suit.

According to the government the following roads (in the Portland area) are closed to bicycles:

A) I-84: From I-5 (MP 0.00) to
Eastbound: 122nd Street (MP 10.25)
Westbound: Sandy Blvd (MP 15.14)
B) US 26: East of the Jefferson Street On/Off Ramps (MP 73.35),
through the Vista Ridge tunnel, up to I-405.
C) I-5: from the Kruse Way / OR 217 Interchange (MP 292.20) to the Delta Park
Interchange (MP 306.70).
D) I-205: North of the OR 43 (West Linn) Interchange (MP 8.82)
E) I-405: Whole Length
F) US 30: From I-405 (MP 0.00) to 23rd Street (MP 1.99).

[hamellr]

There are bike paths elevated over the highway that I've used before. Most bicyclists use Burnside/Barnes road, or hop the Max to get over the hills.

This map will help you: http://www.portlandonline.com/transp...39402&a=322407

[5cents]

Hi - I commute to Hillsboro from NE. I usually take MAX over the hill, but there are some other options. You could:
- Take Cornell - not much in the way of shoulders but you can go pretty fast downhill to not be dangerous. Uphill you'll have cars whizzing by kinda close
- same for Burnside/Barnes.
- you can cross 26 at the Sylvan MAX station and take the bike trail, then cross again back to the N side of the hwy continuing on the path that leads to the zoo, then take Kingston down the hills which is a fun ride when it's not too slippery.
- you can also just take the MAX from Sylvan into town or vice versa if you wanted to avoid the hills, which I usually do esp this time of year in the dark and wet.

[_TwentyTwenty_]

Thanks so much everyone for the links and route advices. I'll definitely check out those routes.