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Bike safety resources

Sustainable living  ›  Getting around  ›  Bike there!  ›  Bike safety  ›  Bike safety resources

Learn how to report road hazards, learn about tricky spots in the region and get other helpful safety resources for cycling.

dangers on the road

Report gravel, glass and dangerous potholes

• In Portland by phone, call the 24/7 hotline at 503-823-1700.
• In Portland by smart phone, send a picture and details of the danger spot via a smart phone app. Go to Portland's smart phone app
• Outside Portland within Multnomah County, call 503-988-5050.
• In Clackamas County outside city limits, call 503-557-6391.
• In Washington County, call 503-846-7623.
• On state highways, call 503-731-4652.

Report unsafe street design or layout issue

• In Portland call 503-823-SAFE (7233) or e-mail safe@pdxtrans.org.

Tricky spots

Some urban roadways challenge even veteran cyclists. Here are links to maps and resources to help negotiate some of the least bike-friendly terrain in the region.

• The I-5 Bridge over the Columbia River
  Check out the video produced by Metro and Drive Less/Save More that shows, from the rider's point-of-view, how to safely cross the bridge. Watch the video
• The I-5 Bridge Map
  Download this map that focuses just on the bridge as well as the Hayden Island and Delta Park interchanges. Download the map
• Bike to Swan Island?
  The Swan Island Transportation Management Association provides helpful advice on getting to the island safely. Learn more
• I-205 bike route
  Detailed inset maps illustrate tricky intersections on the 19-mile route from Vancouver's Highway 14 to Oregon City. Download the map

Forbidden pavement

Bicycles are not allowed on these stretches of highways and interstates:

• I-5 between Delta Park (Exit 307) and Highway 217 (Exit 292)
• I-84 between its junction with I-5 and Lewis & Clark State Park (Exit 18)
• I-205 between the Columbia River and the Highway 43 overpass at West Linn
• I-405, its entire length, including the Fremont and Marquam bridges
• U.S. 26 between downtown Portland at Southwest 13th Avenue and the west portals of the Vista Ridge tunnels
• U.S. 30 between Northwest 23rd Avenue and I-405

Bike theft

Lock it up

• The best way to avoid having your bike stolen is to always lock it to a secure object.
• Don't use a cable lock. Those can be easily cut. Use a U-lock or heavy-gauge chain.
• Only lock your bike in areas that are well-lit and well-traveled.
• When possible, lock your bike up indoors.

Had your bike stolen?

• File a police report; go to the Portland Police
  Bureau's website for more information. Go
• List your bike as stolen on the BikePortland.org
  "Stolen Bike Registry." Go

Increase the odds of recovering your bike if it is stolen

• Document crucial information about your bike, including the serial numbers.
• Take photos of your bike.

Find more tips and access a Bicycle Recovery Information form on the Portland Police Bureau's site. Learn more

Bike There! Quick Guide

• Bike There! Quick Guide safety information 2.1M Adobe Acrobat PDF

Related Internet links

• Drive less. Save more.

  (http://www.drivelesssavemore.com)