2024 was a good year for transportation improvements in Ashland —and Streets for Everyone played an important role in that effort.
Green Bike Lanes and Bollards
Earlier this year, the city installed bollard-protected bike lanes on Ashland Street from Siskiyou to the railroad overpass where ODOT’s jurisdiction starts. As a part of that project, the city also installed a bright green bike box at Walker Avenue and Ashland Street. Cyclists have reported feeling so much safer on the roads!
Wider Bike Lanes on East Main
At SFE’s suggestion, the city increased the width of the bike lanes on East Main from Mountain to Walker Street as a part of a chip seal project. The widened bike lane ends where the County’s jurisdiction begins.
First Friday Bike Rides
SFE instituted First Friday Bike Rides (FFBR) in 2024. They happen every 1st Friday of the month at 5:00 on the Plaza. FFBR’s demonstrate how easy it is to make short, in-town trips by bicycle. Come and join the fun. FFBR’s are for people of all ages, abilities, and sizes.
Monster Dash
SFE loved being a part of one of Ashland’s favorite events — the Monster Dash! Our booth welcomed many families — kids enjoyed making bike buttons and stickers while parents learned about all our programs. We were psyched to tote everything — tables, canopy, banners, activities — by bike!
Festival of Lights Parade
SFE participated in Ashland’s Festival of Lights parade. 45 bicyclists ranging in age from 6 to 80 joined in our Lights on Bikes celebration. A participant towed a trailer containing a neon Christmas tree, while another had an inflatable Grinch in their trailer/sleigh. Special thanks to everyone who participated. If you missed it, plan on joining SFE for the 4th of July parade or next year’s Festival of Lights. Check out the event photos at Ashland.news.
Bike Buses
We want to see more bike buses in Ashland! SFE continues to operate a bike bus that makes it possible for students at Willow Wind and Trails Outdoor School to get to school; arriving happier and healthier than if they would have been driven in a car or ridden the bus.. A shout out to SFE Team member Mike Vergeer for his dedication as the bike bus ride leader. With more volunteers the routes can be expanded serving more kids and schools. Contact Mike at mvergeer@yahoo.com to learn more.
Pedal Power Community Bike Program
Ashland has a Pedal Power Community Bike Program through a joint effort by RVTD and Ashland Parks and Recreation. It is operated on Tuesdays from 5 to 8 and Thursdays from 9 to noon. The Shop accepts bike donations, recruits (and trains) volunteers to refurbish them, and then gives them away to people who need them. The Shop also sponsors (and sells some bikes at) the annual Rogue Valley Bike Swap, which is always the last Saturday in April. SFE supports this program with volunteers and also partners in events (like the Lights on Bikes parade).
A big push is underway to expand the 4th and 5th grade bicycle education program. Currently, service is limited to just Helman and Bellview Elementary Schools but through the efforts of SFE and others we plan to purchase a new bike fleet and a large trailer to transport them between schools. SFE wrote grants to purchase a trailer and a fleet of bikes for this rapidly expanding program.
Vision Zero
The City Council adopted Vision Zero as a formal transportation policy in 2024. The policy will serve to ensure that the transportation system is managed so there are fewer serious injuries and deaths. That emphasis will have a positive impact on the safety of people walking and bicycling. That is because traffic deaths and most serious injuries in Ashland occur when a motor vehicle driver hits a person walking or bicycling. Unwillingness to share the road with motor vehicles is a common reason that more people don’t bicycle for short in-town trips.
Expanded Bike Parking
The city’s Transportation Advisory Committee has completed a citywide inventory of bicycle parking and hopes, in 2025, to expand the availability of bicycle parking. Parking is vital to making short in-town trips by bicycle possible. There currently aren’t enough racks in the needed locations to meet demand. Consequently, people often chain their bikes to trees, and light and sign posts.
B Street Corridor
SFE provided comments on the city’s plan for the “B” street corridor. The city’s Public Works Department hired Kittleson and Associates, a private engineering firm, to prepare a corridor plan for “B” Street. View a draft of their report beginning on page 91. SFE’s comments, available HERE, focused on improving bicycle and pedestrian safety, parking, connectivity, and improvement priorities. Look for changes on “B” Street in 2025.
North Mountain Bike Improvements
In 2025 the city will reconstruct North Mountain Avenue which will include bollard-protected bike lanes, sidewalks where missing, and a bike box at North Mountain and East Main. Also in 2025, the city will begin its update of its Transportation System Plan. There is a lot at stake but the biggest challenge is securing specific bicycle and pedestrian funding so active transportation projects can be undertaken at an accelerated pace distinct from roadway projects.
Join Us!
Want to dive deeper into SFE’s efforts to make it safe and convenient to walk or bicycle (for people of all ages and abilities) to make short in-town trips? Join our Slack community and connect directly with the SFE Team, who are at the forefront of this work — and have been for years – join us on Slack.