What Happens When You Test a Street Before You Build It?
At Mobycon, much of our work happens virtually and across cities, states, and countries, which makes it especially meaningful when we have the opportunity to contribute to projects in our own community. In Portland, we partnered with engineer Adam Zucker and the nonprofit Depave to support the redesign of a challenging five-way intersection: the SE 7th Avenue and Sandy Boulevard intersection.The project is part of a broader vision by the community to transform an over-paved section of Portland into a more vibrant and people-focused environment.
The Goals: Safety, Greenery, and Connection
It is an ambitious project that combines safer multimodal transportation with placemaking, green infrastructure, and public space activation. Working alongside engineers, landscape architects, community and advocacy groups, we explored ways to improve bicycle and pedestrian connectivity while creating a greener and more welcoming public realm. Our team’s challenge was finding a safe way to cross a complex intersection while minimizing delays for cyclists. We developed three options with different crossing locations, giving participants the opportunity to test ride and provide feedback.
Planning by Doing
Mobycon supported both the engagement and intersection design development phases of the project. One of the most impactful components of the process was a live “planning by doing” Street Plaza Test Ride event. Rather than relying solely on renderings or workshop discussions, the project team installed temporary bikeway elements—including lanes, medians, and turn boxes—using tape, cones, and barriers directly within the intersection. Participants then rode through several possible configurations to experience how each design felt in real time.
Watch a video of the test ride here:
This hands-on approach created immediate and actionable feedback about safety, comfort, visibility, and circulation at what is currently a challenging five-way intersection. By testing concepts on the ground, participants could identify opportunities and constraints that are often difficult to capture in traditional engagement settings.
Following the engagement phase, Mobycon contributed to the review and refinement of intersection concepts and helped develop alternative circulation strategies that informed the preferred design direction. During the subsequent engineering phase, we continued to support the project through design review, participation in City-led coordination meetings, and ongoing guidance related to bikeway design and public space integration.
Expanding the Vision
The SE 7th and Sandy project highlights how collaboration between community organizations, advocates, and transportation professionals can transform auto-oriented streets into safer, more inviting spaces for people walking and biking, while also strengthening local businesses, supporting climate goals, and enhancing public life. We are excited to continue our partnership with Depave and are currently advancing a broader bikeway study for the surrounding corridor.
Let’s create safer, greener streets together. At Mobycon, we love turning complex traffic challenges into vibrant public spaces. If you’re looking to improve multimodal connectivity and community engagement in your next project, get in touch with our experts today!
