Local Cycling Issues
What local issues to cyclists need to be aware of and take action on? What hazards do we need to be wary of while out on the road? This page is an index of current issues and hazards. If you know of a local cycling issue that we don't have here, utilize our hazards reporting tool and we will post it. Also take a look at our recent club Portfolio of letters and contributions to improve bicycling in our region. Hopefully with your help, the entries in the Resolved Issues section will soon outnumber the existing hazards & issues.
- Siskiyou Spring Contamination
- The popular spring near the top of the Callahan's Climb has been contaminated by a chemical spill on nearby Interstate 5. The owner of the property has posted signs warning all to avoid the spring & nearby creek but be warned, the water is no longer safe to drink.
- Foothill Road
- Especially with the recent connection with North Phoenix Road, Foothill is the most direct route thru East Medford. Foothill is a vital route for commuters and is popular among cyclists as it is scenic and is rolling but not difficult. That connection with N.Phoenix has made much of this road even more dangerous. Speed Limits are generally implied at 55 without posting but traffic travels much faster and less than a mile of it's duration has a shoulder. An August 2003 Mail Tribune article stated that no enhancements such as widening or adding shoulders are planned and it will likely be 10 years before any such improvment takes place. If you are interested, please see our contact information to get involved in creating possible solutions. This is a marked county bicycle route, but hardly bicycle friendly.
- McAndrews Rd - Crater Lake Ave Intersection
- This intersection is among the 5 busiest in the whole valley. Initially the plan for reworking this intersection involved bicycle lanes - this plan was scrapped and the current plan is to use a multi-use path that will force cyclists in and out of traffic. Click Here to see a recent letter from the Siskiyou Velo to the Mayor and City Council of Medford.
- Need for Safe Bike Routes thru Downtown Medford
- 10th St. has a bike lane for 2.5 blocks & signs "warning drivers" of cyclists on the road for 4 more blocks. Regardless of direction, no route through downtown Medford has a bike lane for its duration. Traffic is relatively slow, but rarely accommodating to cyclists.
- Need for Bike Lanes on Hwy 99
- Hwy 99 between Medford and Ashland is the shortest and therefore the only viable option for many commuting cyclists in the valley. There are sections of shoulder but due to the poor conditions (gravel, metal grates and loose debris) it is unsafe to ride on the shoulder. Click Here to see a recent letter from the Siskiyou Velo to the ODOT district manager addressing the need for bike lanes.
- Completion of Bike Lanes on Talent Ave
- Siskiyou Velo endorses adding bike lanes for the duration of Talent Ave in Talent. Bike lanes are installed for a few blocks, but the majority of this very busy arterial are narrow and unaccommodating to cyclists. Click Here to see a recent letter from the Siskiyou Velo to Talent's City Manager.
Resolved Issues
Hopefully the list of hazards that we've been able to resolve will start to outnumber the existing hazards
- Gutter Obstruction on Houston Rd
- Gutter obstruction on Houston Rd The gutter on the south side of Houston Road at the intersecton of Colver was left incomplete in a 4-foot section for roughly a year. This missing section of gutter was directly adjacent to a bike lane and nearly invisible to cyclists entering that lane. At least one member had a fairly serious crash because of this obstruction. There were six months of apparent inaction after the accident was initially reported, but the gutter was completed in February 2003. Ironically, while the cement is curing, two cones have been placed over the gutter to protect the concrete. While the gutter was incomplete no action such as this was taken to protect cyclists.
- Unnecessary Bollard at Bike Path entrance on Valley View
- A dangerous and unnecessary post on the greenway bike path right before it curves under Butler Creek Rd in Ashland has been removed. The posts, intended to prevent vehicular traffic from driving on the path are common on the path, but this one was poorly placed on a blind curve. The swift removal of this bollard is greatly appreciated by Siskiyou Velo.
View Full Ride Schedule »
Ride Schedule
Meetings & Events
Cycling Related Blogs & News
This landslide resulted in a project that will close Leif Erikson Road for four weeks.(Photo: Portland Parks & Rec) Portland Parks ...
BikePortland.org » Front Page | 09/08/10 | 1:31pm
The BTA is hosting a ride to celebrate new signage and markings in Riverview Cemetery.(Photo: BTA) We're officially in the "take what you c...
BikePortland.org » Front Page | 09/08/10 | 12:19pm
The City of Santa Rosa California (about 55 miles north of San Francisco) installed a new piece of public art last month that's worth a look...
BikePortland.org » Front Page | 09/08/10 | 11:21am
Bicycle Transportation Alliance leader and huge baseball fan Rob Sadowsky has a problem with John Canzano's column on the death of baseball.
Oregon Cycling News | 09/07/10 | 2:28pm
Paul Lebelle’s Cannondale touring bicycle has taken him from Maryland to Oregon on a charity ride to raise money to buy bicycles for child...
Oregon Cycling News | 09/07/10 | 11:41am
Also: Trying to figure out those head-scratching traffic-fine amounts, and what to do when you lose your Kryptonite U-lock keys.
Oregon Cycling News | 09/07/10 | 8:42am
Marshmallows toast on a grill anchored to the back of a bicycle parked outside the Redoux Parlour where a few minutes of browsing turns up a...
Medford Mail Tribune | 08/29/10 | 12:45am
Electrical impulses pumped through electrodes force Matt Thomas' withered legs to churn the pedals on a stationary bicycle, simultaneously c...
Medford Mail Tribune | 08/18/10 | 3:00pm
I’ve been a roadie. Yup. A self avowed spandex wearing road weenie. I started as a Cat 5 and slowly moved my way up to Cat 2 over the...
Racing with K-Man | 07/07/10 | 1:06pm
100 Acre Wood By Carl Decker I think the worst part of the weekend was right after I asked “Do you think we need to take all 10 gallon...
Racing with K-Man | 03/27/10 | 11:46am
Not representative of final product. One shoulder: 53×11/24×7 Other shoulder Dirt Front: (bicycle pic) Bike Race Ahead Back: OBRA...
Racing with K-Man | 03/10/10 | 1:58pm