Two women who were crossing SE Foster Blvd at 80th Ave on foot last night were struck by a car. One woman, 23 year old Lindsay Leonard, died on the scene. The other, 29 23 year old Jessica Finlay, is in critical condition.
According to the Oregon State Police, the women were crossing Foster in a crosswalk southbound from the Fred Meyer parking lot. Here's more from the OSP: "The vehicle was travelling westbound on Foster and witnesses stated that it appeared neither pedestrian saw the vehicle approaching."
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Portland is renown for its bike scene and the strong, vibrant advocacy movement that exists around it. But what about our non-motorized friends who use their feet to get around? Where is Portland's 'pedestrian community'?
The Willamette Pedestrian Coalition wants to find out. The non-profit advocacy group holds their annual meeting tonight in Southeast Portland and they've also just launched an online survey with hopes of creating a prioritized list of what walkers want. (more...)
The Willamette Pedestrian Coalition has chosen Stephanie Routh as their new Director. The WPC is a Portland-based non-profit that is, "dedicated to promoting walking and making the conditions for walking safe and attractive."
Here's the official statement:
Stephanie is highly regarded for her non-profit organizational development skills, her passion for promoting sustainability and interest in celebrating community diversity. The Portland native helped found local non-profit Umbrella organization and continues in her part-time role at Green Empowerment as Resource Development Coordinator. (more...)
The Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) and the Willamette Pedestrian Coalition are teaming up on a new bill that will seek to improve public safety by rewriting and expanding on Oregon's crosswalk laws.
The new law proposal will amend ORS 811.028 (Failure to stop and remain stopped for pedestrian) to create a new violation for motor vehicle operators that fail to stop for a pedestrian (or someone on a bicycle) that extends their hand toward oncoming traffic with intent to cross.
The impetus for the change is this: Currently, to legally cross a crosswalk in Oregon, pedestrians must step out into traffic before approaching traffic is required to stop. This, advocates feel, is dangerous for pedestrians, confusing for drivers, and unclear for law enforcement professionals. (more...)
The story below from the Oregonian was sent to me by a reader. It's sad on so many levels (emphasis mine):
A 97-year-old woman was killed Saturday in the parking lot of an apartment building in Milwaukie when she was hit by a car that was backing out of a parking space, the Milwaukie Police Department said Sunday morning. (more...)
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