Bike Lanes Continue Through Intersections, According to New Oregon Law

A law recently passed by the Oregon State Legislature redefines the ontology of bike lanes.

1 minute read

May 9, 2019, 2:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Green Bike Lane

Not all bike lanes so generously extend painted demarcations through an intersection. | Vitpho / Shutterstock

"Oregon lawmakers confirmed Monday that a bike lane still exists when interrupted by an intersection, despite the absence of paint on the roadway," reports Andrew Theen.

The ruling is more than a question of legal pedantry—it forces drivers to yield to people on bikes before turning. The legislation is also a "significant victory for bicycling advocates who have pushed for what they said was common sense legislation for years and called it their top priority in the 2019 legislative session."

In two previous cases, "judges determined drivers who hit bicyclists had not violated any right of way laws because bike lanes didn’t exist in an intersection," according to Theen.

Thursday, May 9, 2019 in The Oregonian

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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