Now that summer has really arrived in Central Oregon, it is time to dust off the bicycle and revisit the idea of commuting by bike to work. For Eastside Bend commuters, improvements made last summer to two major shared-use trails make it easier than ever to do a large part of the commute on dedicated paths that travel through scenic natural areas.
The Bend Park & Recreation District made major improvements last summer to two of its existing trails, Larkspur Trail and Coyner Trail. About one additional mile was paved on the Larkspur Trail, from Pilot Butte State Park north to Neff Road. “These separate facilities for bicyclists mean bicycle commuters and others can now travel outside of the street right-of-way from Neff Road to the Senior Center and Larkspur Park at Reed Market Road,” said Steve Jorgensen, planning manager for the Bend Park & Recreation District.
“While these trails have been in use by year-round bike commuters, fair weather bicyclists or pedestrians may not realize what new opportunities are out there for getting off the roads and finding a more pleasurable route to work,” said Jeff Monson, executive director of Commute Options.
A section of the Coyner trail, previously accessible mostly to mountain bikers and pedestrians, is now an eight to ten foot wide ADA-compatible asphalt trail. This improved section goes from Juniper Park (intersection of Eighth and Franklin) south behind Bear Creek Elementary, through Ponderosa Park, and continues south to the intersection at Wilson and Fifteenth.
“The paved extension of the Coyner Trail gives bicyclists a connection that cuts down on street use,” said Jorgensen. “It takes you off the regular streets and connects two of our parks as well as Bear Creek Elementary for a safer route to school.” Although the Coyner Trail may be less attractive as a commuter route because it is farther from major employers, it still offers an alternative route for residents of southeast Bend.
“It all adds up to several more miles of commuter trails for north-south travel on Bend’s Eastside,” said Jorgensen. Future plans for improvements call for a tie between the Larkspur and Coyner trails at the south end, but these plans are dependent on future private development, said Jorgensen.
The Bend Park & Recreation District develops recreational trail routes with district funding and grants, working with other state, city and private land owners to develop trails. These trails, along with bicycle and pedestrian routes developed as part of the City of Bend’s transportation plan, provide safer opportunities for people who choose active modes of transportation.
“The best way to ensure a safe bike commute is to plan your route using bike lanes and trails wherever possible, wear a bike helmet and know the rules of the road,” said Monson. Commute Options provides resources to anyone interested in bicycle commuting, and can even help employers to set up incentives for bicycle commuters at businesses of any size.
To download and print the Larkspur and Coyner trail routes or the more general BendUrban Trails Map, visit http://www.bendparksandrec.org/Parks__Trails/trail_List/. Printed copies of the Bend Urban Trails Map are also available at the Bend Park & Recreation District office located at Riverbend Park (799 SW Columbia St).
Commute Options promotes choices that reduce the impacts of driving alone. For more information about Commute Options, contact Jeff Monson, Executive Director of Commute Options at 541/330-2647 or visit www.commuteoptions.org.
Annissa Anderson is a freelance writer and PR consultant in Bend.
