Two visitors recently commented that the signal at N. Broadway and Larrabee was too short to make it across the intersection on time. Then, the ever-present Jessica Roberts (from the BTA) urged them to call 823-SAFE to get the signal timing changed.
One of them took her advice and here’s what happened:
“Just wanted to let everyone know that I called the 503-823-SAFE number today in regards to the intersecton at N Broadway and Larrabee and Todd Rosenbaum with the city called back within a couple hours. He apparently rides the same route and was familiar with the problem. He told me that he went ahead and changed the timing of the light from 5 seconds to 10 seconds. Hey look, sometimes the “city that works” actually does work! Props to the city of Portland for being so responsive. “
As a reminder, here’s what you can call 823-SAFE about:
- Intersection safety (pavement markings, signals, stop signs)
- Pedestrian & bicycle safety (crosswalks, bike lanes, ramps, sidewalks)
- School safety (crossing, education, safe routes, school drop-offs)
- Speeding (enforcement, speed zones, traffic calming)
- Visibility (lighting, pruning, signage)
- Parking (limited parking/no parking)
And a few other numbers you should program into your cell phone:
- 503-823-CYCL for bike lane/path maintenance, bike maps & cycling information, and bike rack installation request
OR call the maintenance dispatch line (24-hr) to request sweeping directly: 503-823-1700 - 503-823-BUMP for pavement repair & potholes
- 503-823-5195 for parking enforcement
- 503-962-7644 for TriMet info on bikes & buses/MAX
If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, feel free to contact me at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a supporter.
Wow . . . I was just wondering who to call to try and get a bike rack installed at my work . . . a cop came by this week and said if we keep locking our bikes to the no parking sign they’ll come by and cut them off, but that leaves us without a good backup uption, as the closest bike rack is a block away.
Thanks for posting that!
I live in Beaverton, but I’ve noticed some roads are a bit dangerous on a bike. Who should I contact to request bike lanes (if that is possible)?
If it’s a road in incorporated Beaverton, contact Beaverton Bicycle Coordinator Margaret Middleton (503-526-2424 or mmiddleton@ci.beaverton.or.us). If it’s in unincorporated Washington County, contact Gregg Leion (503-846-3969 or Gregg_Leion@co.washington.or.us).
Asking for bike lanes is a much bigger proposition than asking for a road to be swept, so they may or may not be able to help you in the short run, but they’re definitely the best place to start.
I live in Beaverton, OR. Are there maps and/or recommendations for bike trails suitable for families with small, inexperienced bikers (and trikers) in our area? Must be off street and within, say 20 miles. Thamnks
I sent an email to Margaret Middleton, and she forwarded my email to the correct traffic engineer. I got a response from him a little over an hour after my first email with a nice explanation, and a promise to look into the problem. Very nice service!