The McKenzie Pass Conundrum

OREGON: The popular Cascades scenic bikeway reopens after a confusing spring.

Cyclists are advised not to ride beyond the McKenzie Pass road closure gates until barricades are removed / © Dan Shryock photo

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The McKenzie Pass squabble downshifted last week with little change in the apparent standoff between Oregon state officials and avid road cyclists. And, as it happens every June, one of the state’s most popular destination routes is now officially open to bicycles and all other vehicles.

The McKenzie Pass Scenic Bikeway, a 38-mile ride over the Cascade Range, follows state Highway 242 between Belknap Springs in the west foothills and Sisters in Central Oregon. The road closes each winter due to snow accumulation that makes the highway impassable.

In a long-standing tradition, cyclists flock to the two communities on each side of the mountains every May and June once the pavement is cleared by the state Department of Transportation (ODOT) road crews. It’s an excellent opportunity to ascend and descend before the highway officially opens to vehicular traffic.

But there’s the rub. Bikes are vehicles, according to the state of Oregon.

A controversy began to surface more than two years ago when ODOT officials began mentioning that, oh, by the way, please remember that the winter road closure applies to all vehicles, including bikes. ODOT then elevated public awareness – and cyclists’ disapproval – by issuing a formal statement in November 2024 to this effect.

The two-lane highway is closed to all vehicles until the third Monday in June or later if more work is required.

This riled both cyclists and the Sisters business community that benefits from the spring influx of bike riders.

So, what happened this year?