Whats missing from this picture? (Hint: Its the Better Naito Project!)
What's missing from this picture? (Hint: It's the Better Naito Project!) Mercury Staff

If you're biking downtown today, and planning on using the Better Naito bike path—make other plans. Because the much beloved bike lane has been removed for the season, and earlier than planned. While the lane was previously scheduled to be retired at the end of summer's heavy bike/pedestrian season, PBOT first announced it would be gone on Sunday, September 23, and then only yesterday switched it to Saturday, September 22. However, cyclists were surprised (and in at least one case, put in danger) this morning to see Better Naito was already packed away on Friday, September 21.


It would've been nice to have those flaggers during the actual bike rush hour, and nicer still to get the info that Better Naito was closing down early more than half a day before the closure. PBOT says the early closure was intended "to support the Burnside (Bridge) Maintenance Project."

But that grumbling aside, Better Naito is one of the most positive transportation projects the city has undertaken, and PBOT assures us they are working to make it a permanent fixture, which is probably needed now that e-scooters have been added to the transportation mix, and it's currently against the law to scoot around on the waterfront sidewalks... even though many obviously still do so with impunity. (But then again, e-scooterists do a lot of things they aren't supposed to. ) [Note, because I know some of you are gonna @ me: I SUPPORT E-SCOOTERS. I do not support turning a blind-eye to those who ride them in a dangerous, dumbbell manner.]

The plans for Better Naito to go year-round probably isn't great news for the Portland Business Alliance, who have a history of whining, crying, and trying to exert their political clout to stop it altogether. Until then the rest of us will hang tight until at least next May when the Better Naito project is scheduled to come back online.