Yesterday morning (7/23) the Portland Police Bureau’s Traffic Division conducted their second of three “educational warning missions” focused on bicycle operators at the intersection of North Flint and North Broadway.
The results?
According to Traffic Division Captain Larry O’Dea there were 61 total stops. 8 motor vehicle operators were stopped (all were given warnings) and 53 “bicycle operators” were stopped. Of those, 51 received warnings and 2 were written up for citations (for “egregious behavior”).
stop sign at N. Flint onto Broadway.
The street to his right is N. Wheeler.
There are many issues at this intersection. Not only is there a very low compliance of the stop sign by bicycle operators, but there are right-hook issues at Wheeler Ave., and O’Dea says bicycles cause there are also “numerous issues” for pedestrians crossing Broadway at Ross. During Wednesday morning’s mission, he said that, “Neighbors from the apartment building, visitors and employees from the Northwest Cancer Center, and passing pedestrians thanked officers for addressing this location.”
Wednesday’s mission was the second of three such efforts that are, in the words of O’Dea, “designed to improve safety by raising awareness in a very positive manner of the importance for all roadway users to follow the traffic control devices for safety.”
This morning in North Portland the last of these bike-focused missions will be carried out (Ladds Circle was the first).
This time, the Police will be stationed at North Vancouver Ave. and North Russell St. from 7:30 – 8:30 am. UPDATE, 8:08am: This morning’s mission has been canceled.
If you ride through that intersection, feel free to stop and talk with Traffic Division personnel. They will be on scene to answer your questions and hear your feedback.
Also, if you rode through that intersection this morning, share your experiences in the comments below.