About the Off-road Cycling Master Plan

Information
Bikes on Springwater Trail
Purpose and background information for the Off-road Cycling Master Plan.

Project purpose

The Off-road Cycling Master Plan (ORCMP) identifies the best locations for expanded off-road cycling facilities (sustainable trail networks, skill parks and pump tracks) to provide close-to-home opportunities for recreation across Portland. These trails and parks provide places for healthy and safe outdoor recreation for children, families and people of all abilities and make access to green spaces easier and more equitable.

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The Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) developed this plan in collaboration with Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R), the Bureau of Environmental Services (BES), the Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), the Portland Water Bureau, and other local government and community partners. These recommendations are based on community input, a needs assessment, level of service goals, site screening process, and technical analysis.

Project background

From Forest Park in Northwest Portland and River View Natural Area in Southwest Portland to Powell Butte Nature Park and Gateway Green in East Portland, Portlanders have access to the existing off-road cycling system. But as the sport of off-road cycling increases in popularity and the demand for more facilities grows, the City of Portland is preparing for a future off-road cycling system capable of providing more opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.

The City had previously undertaken site-specific planning efforts that considered off-road cycling use on public properties, but this plan is the first effort to perform a comprehensive review to identify potential off-road cycling trails and facilities across Portland.

The ORCMP makes recommendations for improvement and management of existing and future trails and facilities. Recommendations are based on community needs and input, site opportunities and constraints, and best practices in design, development, and management of off-road cycling facilities.

The plan recommends improvements at all existing off-road cycling facilities, as well as the development of 19 additional trail and bike park locations and three urban off-road cycling trail corridors. These recommendations are not intended to be an exclusive list of projects. Other opportunities will emerge and be evaluated against the core recommendations of this plan.

Building these facilities will require significant additional site-specific planning, community involvement, environmental review, and funding. PP&R will begin to incorporate these off-road cycling projects into their Capital Improvement Program so the projects can be considered for future funding ― as all parks and recreation planned projects are ― each year with the annual budget process. PP&R’s Capital Improvement Program prioritizes equity, gaps in park service, and traditionally underserved populations in selecting projects for parks investment dollars.