bike ride Cycling Cycling cycling tips Portland safety springwater corridor

Be Safe

Lisa Eirene

About Lisa Eirene Lisa lost 110 pounds through calorie counting and exercise. She swims, bikes, runs, hikes and is enjoying life in Portland, Oregon. Her weight loss story has been featured in First Magazine, Yahoo Health, Woman's Day and Glamour.com.

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20 Comments

  1. Alex @ Brain, Body, Because

    Wow, that is so scary. The way that some people behave…blows my mind.

    I always carry my cellphone with me (I bought a little running-specific pouch to carry it) and a driver’s license. I also don’t run with music anymore.

    1. Lisa Eirene

      It is scary. And I’m sure it’s more common than we think. It’s not just safety for bikers, but runners and walkers too.

      Good addition–I should have added always carry a cellphone and ID. Thanks.

  2. Lori

    These are great tips. I do a lot of solitary cycling, so I try to be extra vigilant. My big tip is to *always* tell someone your route. Doesn’t matter who – just so someone knows where to start to look if you don’t show up.

    1. Lisa Eirene

      I don’t worry too much about safety when I ride with Michael. But when I bike to work by myself, I do think about safety more. I am much more aware of my surroundings, I’m on the defense when I pass by people that look sketchy, etc. Great tip about sharing your route.

  3. Marc

    Bike softly but carry a big electric zapper.

    1. Lisa Eirene

      Nice! Where do I get one of those zappers??? 🙂

  4. Michelle @ Eat Move Balance

    I wear my RoadID! Has my name, phone number, and my husband’s info. 🙂

    1. Lisa Eirene

      Good tip! I have a Road ID too, so does Michael. I always wear it when I ride.

  5. Roz@weightingfor50

    YIKES!!!! Stay safe out there Lisa!!!!

  6. Biz

    It’s a scary world out there, isn’t it? I do run/walk with my Road I.D., but I think I’ll add pepper spray to the list – you just never know! Thanks for the tips. ;D

  7. Beth

    I’m a runner and not a cyclist, but I definitely abide by a lot of these tips. I carry pepper spray on every outdoor run I go on, primarily to defend myself against dogs if I have to. I also don’t run with music unless I’m on the treadmill or in a race to help keep myself more aware of my surroundings. And, when I’m running outside I try to wear really brightly colored shirts to make myself extra visible.

    1. Lisa Eirene

      Yes, brightly colored clothes is a good tip too!

  8. Katie @ Katie Moves

    Great tips! Bike safety is so important. I also have a Red LED bike light that I use clipped to me seat pack..even in the day time so cars see me sooner. I also have a road ID and if I’m by myself I stay in areas that I would be seen and ALWAYS have my RoadID on! Most times I put my cell phone in my back pocket in a little baggy too.

    1. Lisa Eirene

      Another good tip I forgot! I also have that same Red LED light and I always have it on when I’m biking in traffic, not so much when I’m on the trails. But I have the light on even when it’s bright outside. Just in case.

  9. Christa

    The Springwater is a long trail and varies a lot–I’ve been walking and running the Gresham end of it (getting on near 242nd) regularly for about 9 years, and I’ve never felt unsafe. There are homeless camps along the trail and though I certainly encounter homeless people I’ve never felt threatened by them. This section of the trail is so heavily used that I’m rarely alone out there–even before 6am!

    1. Lisa Eirene

      It is very long and I personally have never had any issues. I just bring up the parts of the trail that are sketchy and unsafe. When I ride in the mornings to work there is hardly anyone on the trail. However, there is an offshoot of the Springwater that goes up to Sellwood (it’s that nature preserve) where some women runners have been attacked. I avoid that stretch as much as possible, especially alone.

  10. Simply Life

    thanks for the important reminder!

  11. Deb

    I don’t bike, but I was walking around our neighborhood for a short time. There were certain streets I did not go down- ever. And tonight, while I was in my craft room which is almost on the alley behind our house, someone was shot and killed in a drive by just a few houses down. Things like that is why my bf refused to take an offered management position again after they demoted him because it would have been on swing shift and he didn’t want me here alone at all. And this happened early evening- it was still broad daylight. Yeah, this happened on one of the worst streets in our neighborhood- but that street is the very next one over form us. I’m done walking around here. There’s always a treadmill.

    1. Lisa Eirene

      Oh my gosh that is so scary!!!! I am sorry to hear about that. Definitely use the treadmill and BE SAFE!

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