In remarks eventually evening’s Bicycle Advisory Committee assembly about what to do when biking advocates and the Metropolis of Portland have “uncomfortable conversations,” transportation bureau Director Millicent Williams urged of us to be keen to compromise and see the large image.
On the outset of her go to — the place she touched on a variety of points talking from each her personal perspective and from pre-written statements ready by PBOT employees — Williams stated, “I’ll use the freight instance: There are some routes which are simply freight routes. And if in reality we’re going to make sure that all customers use the system safely, now we have to be trustworthy with ourselves once we say, ‘Hey, that is our freight route.’ Can cyclists select this? Sure. Ought to we make that secure for them? Completely. However there could must be an actual dialog about the place and what we do.”
“So I wanna share that as a result of I can’t fail to notice the entire neighborhood,” Williams continued. “And typically it’s an equal imaginative and prescient, typically it’s a preferential imaginative and prescient. However I’ve to just be sure you aren’t closing our eyes to the entire metropolis and the entire set of options which are in entrance of us.” It’s unclear what particular mission or coverage prompted Williams to say that, or if it was simply one thing she wished to get off her chest.
Williams spent about thirty minutes on the month-to-month assembly the place she was on the agenda to “share her imaginative and prescient about bicycling in Portland.” Williams gave an summary of main bike initiatives, then responded to questions collected from Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) members. The questions had been given to PBOT employees beforehand and Williams switched between private feedback and solutions to the questions that had been pre-written by employees.
“Biking within the metropolis is one thing that’s broadly supported. And folks don’t wish to see that compromised upon.”
– Millicent Williams, PBOT
Along with the remark about seeing the ‘complete metropolis,’ Williams addressed many points — from how PBOT is navigating the brand new type of metropolis authorities, to how her company has aided Mayor Keith Wilson’s drive to finish unsheltered homelessness. And regardless that she wasn’t requested about it by the BAC, Williams addressed the controversial plan to take away visitors diverters on neighborhood greenways in Northwest Portland again in August.
Director Williams acknowledged that when PBOT was first advised concerning the challenge by town’s administrative wing (particularly, a bunch referred to as Downside Solvers that was fashioned to deal with issues like graffiti, homeless camps, and different associated points), the company opposed the plan to take away the diverters. When Downside Solvers urged PBOT to rethink and take a look at how the diverters influence a wider vary of “nuisance behaviors” within the space, Williams stated the company as soon as once more demurred. In the end, Williams stated PBOT agreed to “look extra broadly” on the considerations and the company got here up with another plan that, “would create a possibility for bike owner security, for pedestrians, and hopefully, be capable of create the chance for among the nuisance behaviors to be curbed.”
As for an replace on the diverter removals (that are nonetheless in a state of pause), Williams stated PBOT is continuous to assemble knowledge, “On whether or not or not among the nuisance behaviors are persevering with to occur in that house to find out whether or not or not we have to transfer down that path [of implementing an alternative plan].”
Williams clarified to the committee that when PBOT is requested a few proposal that has a transportation-related answer (as was the case with the diverter elimination proposal), the company might be completely satisfied to weigh in; however not with out doing vital outreach and gathering knowledge first. “They could must pay for us to do the outreach, however we’ll guarantee that we do our half to convey ahead the considerations and a collection of responses that replicate the perfect pondering we will.”
She added that typically the bureau might want to act shortly (“typically excessive circumstances require excessive measures” is how she put it), however when that occurs PBOT will talk instantly with BAC management. Her last touch upon the subject made it clear town heard neighborhood pushback across the diverter plan loud and clear: “Biking within the metropolis is one thing that’s broadly supported,” she stated. “And folks don’t wish to see that compromised upon.”
Listed here are a couple of different updates and tidbits she talked about on the assembly:
Portland has a complete of 463 miles of bikeways and PBOT has 36 extra miles which are funded however not but constructed.
She spoke positively concerning the NE Broadway Pave and Paint and SW 4th Avenue bikeway initiatives, calling each examples, “what transformation seems to be like.”
PBOT expects the SW 4th Ave protected bike lane to be accomplished subsequent month. “I imagine it’s going to be fairly pretty,” she stated.
PBOT has carried out customized visitors sign timing on some bike bus routes to assist the bigger teams get by means of intersections collectively. I’ve requested for particulars and can share extra quickly.
Daylighting intersections (a.ok.a. “imaginative and prescient clearance”) is presently taking place at 9 public faculties and so they plan to finish 9 extra by July 2026.
PBOT and Metropolis Councilor Olivia Clark (in her position as chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee) are presently in talks a few new transportation income supply that would supply “sustainable funding”. Williams stated they’re discussing technique and a plan for shifting ahead on that proper now.
Williams stated PBOT and the Mayor’s Workplace at the moment are working collectively to maintain streets cleaner. Previously, PBOT couldn’t preserve streets resulting from encampments, however Williams stated there’s now a greater understanding with the mayor that if camps are eliminated, PBOT can maintain proper of method upkeep extra simply.
On the subject of the brand new authorities construction, Williams stated, “We do must guarantee that all the things that we’re being requested to do conforms with mayoral expectations and are aligned across the funds and his goals,” and that, “It’s a rigorously curated relationship that we proceed to navigate every day.”
Portland’s new metropolis administrator is predicted to be in place by the tip of December.

Requested how the BAC can greatest assist PBOT in reaching the targets outlined within the Bicycle Grasp Plan for 2030, Williams stated she hopes advocates don’t lose perspective on how good Portland already has it. PBOT’s longtime Bicycle Coordinator Roger Geller usually reminds us our current bike community is best than it ever has been, Williams identified. “And I imagine him. I believe it’s relatively spectacular,” she stated. “We need to encourage individuals to make use of the bike infrastructure that now we have whereas persevering with to put money into the system.” Then she inspired BAC members to accomplice with PBOT in sharing the narrative that “biking is a secure, handy alternative.”
What about responding to haters? The ultimate query from the BAC was about how PBOT responds to pushback on bike-centric initiatives. “We at all times hear from people who find themselves supportive, however we additionally hear from those that should not,” Williams responded. At this level she was talking from her personal voice and never studying a pre-written reply. “And it’s our alternative, to not persuade individuals, however reveal to individuals which you could have a mission that serves many, many pursuits and infrequently acknowledge…” After which she abruptly stated: “I’m gonna cease.”
Williams then added: “We are able to serve many, many pursuits. Interval.”