THE URBAN-RURAL PARITY 

Though Portland is often touted as a bikeable paradise, cyclists still face dangerous conflicts with drivers on the streets. At least one cyclist was fed up enough to post some homemade MUTCD regulatory signs to emphasize that bikes are allowed to use the whole lane on this bit of SW Harrison St. with a steep climb.

La Grande is the perfect size to be bikeable, however its aging infrastructure and community adversity to slowing down drivers has promoted an anti-cycling culture. Drivers are not particularly eager to share the roads with bikes, and the sidewalks (where they exist) are illegal to ride on in some places in the day time.

Used by commuters, students, shoppers, and tourists alike, TriMet’s MAX is an expansive light-rail network serving the Portland Metro area. Frequent services across five lines (six technically) allow Portlanders to get from one side of town to the other to reach popular destinations and connect with bus lines without a car.

The Eagle Cap Excursion Train is a seasonal tourist train. Metro rail is not seen or available as a true option for transportation in the La Grande area. Local organizations are working to build a trail alongside the right-of-way this train uses for tourists and residents alike to use for mostly recreational purposes.

Though there are many streets in Portland and The Pearl District that are closed to cars, the majority of streets are still mostly dedicated to vehicular traffic and parking. Hindering the walkability of streets where the loading docks of the buildings serve as the sidewalk, cars clog the street and make it hostile for pedestrians.

Rural areas are not immune to being clogged up by cars. Wide streets lined with parking serve as a route through La Grande. This makes it difficult to cross the road and creates a noisy, shade-less streetscape when visiting the district to shop. Through-traffic is catered to much more than folks who stop and shop.

In Portland, we got from place to place by transit. Over a couple of days, we rode Portland Streetcar, TriMet Bus services, walked, and rode bikes to various destinations. All of this was normal, and a popular choice of mode for other Portlanders going to similar destinations. 

Car is king in La Grande. We got from place to place in our vans, caravaning in a line down neighborhood streets and rural highways. When walking places, we did not seem to encounter folks with particular destinations. In fact, when suggesting a walk to the neighborhood grocer, I was met with uncertainty from locals.