Soon there will be a paved but off-street, car-free area where cyclists can safely practice their riding skills at the vacant Tower Mall redevelopment site in downtown Vancouver. The grand opening of the new Heights Bike Garden is scheduled for 10 a. m. to 1 p. m. on Saturday at 5411 E. Mill Plain Blvd.
What is a motorcycle garden? It’s a child-style cityscape where young riders of all ages can safely hone their style or just ride with confidence, knowing that no car will cross their path.
“The goal is to help young people know the rules of the road without being on an actual road,” said Amy Stewart, the city’s project manager. “They are also known as flow gardens and are spread throughout the country. however, I think it’s the first in Southwest Washington. “
The Heights Bike Garden is about two blocks tall, Stewart said, making it one of the largest in the U. S. U. S. Its small roads, intersections, roundabouts, prevention and passing signs, crosswalks and other elements were recently painted by volunteers in one section. from the surface of the Tower Mall parking lot, just east of River Maiden Coffee.
The design of the motorcycle turf was created through First Forty Feet, a Portland-based urban design firm, with input from East Coast representative Discover Traffic Gardens. The middle of the two-block design is a pedestrian island painted with colorful street murals as well as real images. picnic tables.
“We have heard a lot of enthusiasm from the community. We think it will be put to smart use,” Stewart said.
From the official opening on Saturday, the motorcycle lawn will be loose and open to everyone (non-motorized cars only) from five to 5 a. m. M. A. 10 p. m. Bike Clark County volunteers will be available for the ribbon unveiling and the nonprofit will then be using the address for their own regular motorcycle education sessions, he said.
The same security patrolling the Tower Mall site will also keep an eye on the motorcycle garden, he said. The spaces of adjacent structures will remain fenced.
According to the BikePortland newspaper, motorcycle lawns began to flourish in Europe in the 1950s. Many gave the impression in and around Portland of the first summer of the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when safe outdoor recreation was highly sought after, but many public recreational services were closed. Homemade motorcycle grass designs have been created with everything from sidewalk chalk and spray paint to plastic cups and orange traffic cones.
What: Heights Bike Garden Grand Opening
When: Saturday from 10 a. m. to 1 p. m.
Where: 5411 E. Mill Plain Boulevard, Vancouver
Admission Fees
Information: www. cityofvancouver. us/events/heights-bike-garden-grand-opening