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Cemetery allows cycling, for now

River View takes measures to reduce conflicts and risks

By Steve Law

The Portland Tribune, Nov 19, 2009 (5 Reader comments)

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The nonprofit cemetery is not obligated to open its gates to bike commuters, but cemetery trustees want to serve the broader community, Noble says. “I think my sense is that they want to try to keep it open” for bicycling, he says.

However, the cemetery trustees are very concerned about bike commuters pedaling through the property’s dark grounds this time of year. The cemetery closes at dusk, but some commuters are returning from work after 5 p.m., when the cemetery is closed.

“They just find places in the hedge where they can squeeze through,” Noble says. Then they pedal over grave sites to find the road.

Cemetery trustees fear bicyclists could get injured and nobody would realize it at night.

Noble predicts the cemetery will adopt new restrictions to keep out bicyclists when the cemetery is closed.

Following a Portland Tribune story in October and a resulting spate of media publicity about the conflicts, bicyclists do seem to be more sensitive to the cemetery’s operations, Noble says. Many have thanked the cemetery for allowing them to use the property. There have not been any serious accidents at the speed bumps since an initial flurry, at least as far as Noble knows.

Michelle Poyourow, advocate and educator for the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, says she’s pleased with the cemetery trustees’ plans.

“I am sympathetic to their issue with nighttime closure,” says Poyourow, who is aware of the problem of bicyclists going through the bushes to enter the cemetery after dusk. “It’s happening enough where you can see wear in the grass where they’ve been going through.”

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Reader comments

Re: Cemetery allows cycling, for now

Why does the article's first sentence indicate that cyclists have a "right to pedal" through the cemetery?

It would seem more accurate to say that the cemetery is allowing riders the privilege to trespass upon the property. I wasn't aware that cyclists have rights on other people's property, but I think that that is part of the cyclist's special entitlement attitude.

"Bill"

(email verified)

Thu, Nov 19, 2009 at 08:51 AM

Re: Cemetery allows cycling, for now

Why is the cemetary even "negotiating with the bicyclists, AND going to all the trouble of researching the speed bump issues?" It is private property..After the way the bicyclists have behaved, I would lock the gates and they can take their chances...

"Klaatu"

(email verified)

Thu, Nov 19, 2009 at 09:52 AM

Re: Cemetery allows cycling, for now

Good news for all. Thank you Mr. Nobel.

The city get (another) pass on building/ maintaining infrastructure.

Bikes are kept off of Taylor's Ferry.

Cemetery visitors are not getting the rude bike riders.

Perhaps the BTA could cough up some cash to offset the expense that the cemetery is incurring to accommodate the bike riders.

"Anton_Chigurh"

(email verified)

Thu, Nov 19, 2009 at 11:19 AM

Re: Cemetery allows cycling, for now

Klaatu, Maybe it's because the cemetery trustees and the executive director are considerate folks who actually support the local cyclists (at least the polite ones). It's called community.

"Rob"

(email verified)

Mon, Nov 23, 2009 at 10:02 PM

Re: Cemetery allows cycling, for now

Rob: That may bet true, but my son is buried there and I think my expectations of respect and courtesy for families that have loved ones buried there is also called community. Why dont you think about how others might feel and realize that riding your bikes on private property is a priviledge and not a right...show some respect for your community and dont act like you have a right to do this...cuz you dont...its a courtesy that the cemetary is extended....so behave and show you appreciate the consideration the cemetary is giving you.