Portland may allow bikes, walkers to use drive-thrus

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Portland is considering adopting rules that require businesses with drive-thru windows to serve customers on bicycle or on foot, under certain conditions.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reports the city Planning and Sustainability Commission has added language to rules governing drive-thrus that state they must serve pedestrians and bicyclists if the store is still open and the regular pedestrian entrances are unavailable or locked.

According to city documents, the rules are part of a plan that aims to reduce the number of reduce drive-thrus in Portland’s urban core. The city is also considering a ban on new drive-thrus in the central area in an effort “to encourage a high density, pedestrian and transit oriented urban form.”

The new rules are expected to go into effect in July.

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Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com