The Surprising Truth About Bike Commuting in Bend
Bend Bikes board president Elisa Cheng at one of Bend’s many roundabouts
Bend is well-known as a mountain biking hotspot, with more than 300 miles of mountain bike trails in our desert and forest lands. Bend is also a jumping-off point for several scenic road rides. And, with 30-some bike shops in town, you could find a bike to buy as easily as you could find a sandwich.
One might presume this zest for recreational riding would translate directly into a strong bike commuting scene, with loads of people out on two wheels during business hours, using bikes to get to work or run errands. What you wouldn’t expect is this: it’s a bit too quiet in our bike lanes!
What’s keeping Bendites from cycling with the enthusiasm for which West Coast cities, like Portland, Seattle, or San Francisco, are known?
Some of this is mindset. Some could be attributed to the reality of snow on the ground for several months each year. And, a good deal of the lower-than-you-might-expect ridership is due to the gaps in connectivity and missing infrastructure that would support safer biking options.
LandWatch has our sights set on tackling the pieces that we can have a direct positive impact on to encourage more cycling, more often, by more folks of every age and ability!
For this advice piece, we asked five cyclists with extensive experience with “practical cycling” — the kind of riding that takes us to and from schools, shops, and workplaces — to share their advice for people who are curious about bike commuting. We polled:
Chris Cheng, active transportation planner, Oregon Department of Transportation and LandWatch board member
Elisa Cheng, web designer and Bend Bikes president
Susan Connor, owner, Sunnyside Sports
Brian Potwin, executive director, Commute Options
Peter Werner, lawyer and independent bike advocate
Collectively, their advice boiled down to this simple nudge: Get out there and ride!
With bike lanes on most arterial roads now, there are already a number of low-stress routes in Bend to enjoy - and your options are going to get better in the next few years!
Five key takeaways to help you do more practical cycling
First, A Word About Safety
If you love biking on area trails for fun, but have been hesitant about cycling in town, there is one likely reason: vehicles.
Bicyclists often have to share the roads with cars and trucks. In Bend and Central Oregon we’re still working on getting parts of our bike network and infrastructure up to a level that makes more routes safer.
So, if you are completely new to biking, you will need to learn some basics before you start commuting.
For a short and sweet primer, check out Oregon Department of Transportation’s Safe Biking guide.
As an urban cyclist, you will need to be vigilant and ride defensively. Always wear your helmet and always presume that drivers can’t or don’t see you. Know that there are many distracted drivers out there.
To be a better driver, take this free, 75-minute interactive class and get an “Oregon Friendly Driver” stamp of approval. (We love how this program puts the responsibility for safe driving on drivers!)
Takeaway #1) A Little Route Practice Goes a Long Way
Don’t presume that the way you drive to work will be the same as the way you bike to work. With a little investigation, you might find that there’s a better way to bike there.
Commute Options staff members out on a ride.
“In Bend, the bike-friendliest route is typically on a street adjacent to the most direct route. Choosing a route one street over from a main road can make the ride safer and more enjoyable, but still get you there promptly,” said Brian Potwin, executive director for Commute Options.
Bend Bikes provides a terrific free resource for route planning: Bend, Oregon City Bike Map.
With your route selected, Brian recommends riding it beforehand on a weekend afternoon when there are fewer drivers out. This will allow you to identify the intersections and barriers while the roadway is calmer and you aren’t on a time crunch, which will make it easier for you to navigate it during the work week.
This anticipation helps a lot. As bike advocate Peter Werner explained, “After cycling the routes every day, you develop a sense for the fastest route, balanced by right of way … that means what is easiest for the cyclist competing for space with cars … where do cars expect me to be, where do they not expect me?”
As you grow familiar with your route, you will learn its trickier parts and be able to choose the safest way to navigate through them with ease.
Takeaway #2) This is Not a ‘Go Big or Go Home’ Situation
If you start commuting by bike, and then find yourself needing or wanting to drive here and there, don’t give up entirely. It’s okay to mix it up!
“Commuting by bike is a habit, and like any habit, it takes some effort to start until it becomes natural,” says Susan Connor, owner of Sunnyside Sports.
Her advice is to take a “start small” approach: “Don't start with long, epic commutes. Just ease in and get started. Eventually, it becomes an alternative you consider every time you leave the house.”
Takeaway #3) You Probably Have the Gear You Need
If you were expecting an extensive gear list, you won't find one here.
You only need a few items: a helmet, a bike, visible clothing (think light bright colors or reflective materials), lights and reflectors, and a lock.
Working at Sunnyside Sports, Susan is often asked "How do I make my bike into a commuter?" and her favorite way to answer that question is: "Ride it to work."
As she says, “Don't wait for a special bike or special racks or the stars to align. Just ride your bike — to work or wherever else you want to go. It's a beautiful machine that can take you anywhere!”
Along with riding whatever bike you have, you can also wear the clothes you have.
“I bring layers! I have a waterproof jacket that I can throw on over anything I'm wearing and it keeps me dry and warm,” said Bend Bikes board member Elisa Cheng, adding, “Even if it suddenly starts raining, being in the rain for a few minutes in Bend usually isn't terrible. I chalk it up to building my ability to be tough and carry on.”
Takeaway #4) Commuting by Bike Brings More Joy
“Being on my bike brings joy to my day. Being in a car does not,” said Elisa. “That little bit of extra fun is worth a lot and having to deal with the occasional weather or other challenge is well worth it!”
We couldn’t agree with Elisa more on that point. Biking offers exercise and movement while commuting.
Cruising along at 12 miles per hour, give or take, you’ll also notice much more about the world and our community. Stopped at an intersection you can strike up a chat with folks in a way that is not at all possible from a car. You’ll soon know which front yards are brightened by spring bulbs and see leaf buds growing larger by the day. You may start to wave as you recognize neighbors and kiddos out in their yards and neighborhoods.
Takeaway #5) Bike Commuting in Bend is About to Get Way Better
Aside from a few buttes, Bend is fairly flat and it doesn’t rain much here, making it naturally inclined to be a pretty sweet place to be a bike commuter. And, thanks to the hard work of our community, local leaders, and advocacy groups like Bend Bikes and LandWatch, the City of Bend has embarked on several major infrastructure projects that will make commuting by bike a safer and much more pleasant experience.
ODOT’s Active Transportation Planner Chris Cheng is most excited about the improvements that will serve school-aged commuters. As he said, “I am looking forward to bike facilities that are comfortable enough for children to use on their own — such as separated paths like the Haul Trail, the paths in Drake Park, or the Larkspur Trail — and connected enough that children can access their schools and local parks without any dangerous segments or intersections.”
Anticipation and excitement for the Midtown Crossings project is running especially high.
As Elisa said, “Crossing town from the west to east and vice versa can be a challenge so the Midtown Crossings are going to be huge!”
Noting how the parkway and railroad have long been barriers, Brian agrees. “The Hawthorne Bridge is going to be a game-changer for Bend.”
Happy National Bike Month! See you in the bike lane!
What ABOUT THE Roundabouts?
Bend is famous for it’s roundabouts, and they work really well for bikes! Take the lane and ride through as if you were a car.
Watch this short primer to see how it’s done.
At some roundabouts, you’ll encounter an intentional nudge from bike lane to sidewalk. You’ll know these when you get there and shifting off the roadway will feel natural.
WIN THIS BIKE TRAINER
Take part in our Spring Challenge Match during the month of May and you’ll be entered to win this Wahoo Kickr Power Trainer, generously donated by Sunnyside Sports.
GETTING STARTED
Local Bike Organizations
National Bike Organizations
More Commuting Advice
The League of American Bicyclists: Commuting
Visit Bend: Pro Cyclist Serena Gordon Shares Everything You Need To Know About Biking In Bend