The City of Eugene, Oregon, is advancing its 24th Avenue Bike Lanes project, bundling it into a larger South Eugene paving initiative that includes buffered bike lanes, new pavement, and the removal of approximately 73 on-street parking spaces. Preparation work began in late 2025, with substantial construction expected in spring 2026 and completion by summer. This effort responds to safety concerns on a key route near schools and the University of Oregon, backed by strong community support.

Background

24th Avenue from Amazon Path to Agate Street currently features a mix of substandard, door-zone bike lanes and some buffered lanes, which fall short of the city’s emerging design standards calling for at least 6-foot bike lanes and buffers on high-traffic streets. The project addresses these issues by widening bike lanes to 6 feet with 2-foot buffers while maintaining 10-foot vehicle lanes, requiring the removal of parking between Hilyard Street and Agate Street. An administrative order (58-25-06) was signed on April 17, 2025, with no appeals filed.

The corridor serves as a primary biking route for Edison Elementary, Roosevelt Middle, and South Eugene High schools, the University of Oregon, the YMCA, and connects to the Amazon Path. It has a history of bike crashes, including the tragic 2023 death of a University of Oregon student struck by a driver. Community engagement, including a survey with 1,030 responses, showed broad support for protected bike lanes. Parking studies confirm side streets can absorb displaced demand. Initial improvements during the street bond-funded paving will refresh crosswalks and upgrade curb ramps to ADA standards, with physical protections like Zicla Zebra curb elements planned later.

Future Outlook

Contractors are prioritizing Hilyard Street and Alder Street before tackling 24th Avenue, with paving and restriping set for winter 2026. The buffered lanes will prepare the street for full protected bike lanes, pending a safety grant from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). Once funded, the city will install physical barriers among other projects. Ongoing updates are available via project newsletters and the Engage Eugene webpage, with opportunities to enhance side-street parking.

Sources

• 24th Avenue Bike Lanes | Eugene, OR Website
• 24th Avenue Bike Lanes Project | Engage Eugene
• Project Newsletters
• Parking Report
• Community Engagement Report