Biking from Sellwood during construction

[Sherwoody]

Originally Posted by Kcolsen

Thanks for the thoughts about biking from Sellwood. We definitely aren't set on living there and are exploring some of the west side neighborhoods as well. As others have said we just like the neighborhood feel of Sellwood and the ability to take public transport to OHSU easily by bus or soon by train. If biking wasn't going to be an option for a year due to construction though, it would rule out Sellwood as a place to live. As far as getting up the hill, one of us will be working up the hill and the other at the waterfront so someone will likely be taking the tram, which is free with a OHSU ID.

I ride this area from time to time recreationally with my little one on the back of my bike. I use the bikeway wherever possible, but due to construction one needs to take to the bike paths on the roadways. I'm usually there mid-day and have always felt safe while on the road section and feel Portlands drivers are cautious with bikers, especially when a child is concerned.

Riding north into Downtown I think I switch to the roadway here where it says "Bikepath" next to the building with the black roof: https://maps.google.com/maps?q=lower...+Terminal&z=18

I rejoin the waterfront bike path at the south end of Waterfront Park here: https://maps.google.com/maps?q=lower...+Terminal&z=18

This is the narrow sidewalk on the current Sellwood bridge someone described earlier: https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Willa...31.41,,0,17.46

The construction zone that Google maps shows is completely outdated. The bike lane is large and completely safe now, but not necessarily pleasant due to noise and fumes from construction.

[oldtintype]

Public transportation from Sellwood isn't that great after they closed the bridge to buses. Once the new bridge is built it should improve, but you're looking at having to change buses a few times to get to OHSU from Sellwood right now (two to four buses/streetcar depending on the time) due to only the one line running. Sellwood is a nice community for kids though.

[5cents]

Just as an aside, Skiffrace said "Cyclists typically take the (illegal) shortcut through River View Cemetery." I don't think it's illegal - I rode this a few times in the past several months and I believe there is a sign saying that cyclists are welcome but to please stay on the marked path for bikes to go up or down the winding cemetery roads. I'm not aware of the heated debates on this topic either.

And FYI, I live in Bridlemile and while it is more hilly than the east side for sure, the commute to OHSU wouldn't be all that bad. Going through Hillsdale and then onto Terwilliger is very nice, but yeah I guess there is another decent climb from Terwilliger up to the actual OHSU buildings. Good luck!