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

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

: Construction of massive Samsung semiconductor fabrication plant

In Texas, data centers are swallowing promised parkland

Residents who moved to Taylor, Texas for a rural community now have to contend with three data centers in their backyard.

November 3 - Inside Climate News

A construction crew working on SunZia.

How a Chicago-sized wind farm beat the odds and powered on

The project spanned five presidential administrations and a standoff with a U.S. military base.

November 3 - Grist

A rendering of the basketball court, a green court under a blue sky.

MTA gives itself 30 days to transform pit into basketball court

The site has been under construction since 2022; the city originally estimated it would finish the court in 2024.

November 3 - Gothamist