Back in June, I wrote about a new traffic citation diversion class that would be offered to bicyclists. Then in October, the man behind the class — Multnomah County Judge Pro Tem Christopher Larsen — shared more details about the class with the Portland Bicycle Advisory Committee.
Since that time, a diverse group of experts have been writing the class curriculum and finalizing details. The idea is to offer cyclists the same option motorists have to attend traffic school and get a ticket cleared from their record and have the fine reduced or dismissed completely.
Now the class is finally open for business.
The “Share the Road Safety Class” will start on March 14th. It will meet on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at Legacy Hospital in NE Portland.
Nurses Talk Tough was involved
in the creation of the class.]
The class — which is open to motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians — is tailored to first-time offenders of certain bicycle and pedestrian-related traffic violations, including running a stop sign/light on a bike. In lieu of the citation and $240+ fine, cyclists can take the 2-hour, $30 class instead.
The class is funded by a grant and put together by Trauma Nurses Talk Tough, the City of Portland’s Community and Schools Traffic Safety Partnership, The BTA and others.
I’m still trying to find out at which date violations become eligible for the class. Watch the comments and/or stay tuned for updates.*
For more information on the Share the Road Safety Class, contact Mike Morrison from Legacy Hospital’s Trauma Nurses Talk Tough program at (503) 413-2672 or MMorriso [at] lhs [dot] org.
=========
*UPDATE: BTA Policy Advocate Emily Gardner has more details on eligibility:
“Regarding when citations become eligible for the class…
If you have a current citation for running a stop sign, coasting thru a yellow light, etc., chances are you will be going to court in advance of the March 14th start date for the class.
In that case, contact me at the BTA offices and I will find a way to get the class information flyer into your hands. Contest the ticket, go to traffic court, plead not-guilty and request that the ticket be waived and you be allowed to attend the class. Show the flyer to the judge.
The judges should be aware that the class is starting so hopefully it won’t be a hassle, but just in case, bring the info flyer so you can show them.
I don’t have the list of citations in front of me at the moment, but can answer specific questions if you contact me.
Emily Gardner
BTA Policy Advocate
emily@bta4bikes.org
503/226-0676 x. 11”