(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)
A Portland real estate firm is handing out free signs that encourage people to ‘Watch for Kids on Bikes.’
I spotted one of the signs this morning on SE 20th just south of Hawthorne and called Living Room Realty to learn more.
According to Living Room’s Agent Services Manager Sarah McBee the signs were inspired by other signs in the neighborhood. Jenelle Isaacson, the owner of the 70-agent company that has two local offices (and two more on the way), lives in the area and spotted a similar sign while on a walk about a month ago.
“She [Jenelle] saw this sign and it was hand-written. She just loved the message and said, ‘Let’s help this mom or dad get the message out’.”
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I just so happened to see what I think is the sign that inspired this one a few minutes later over on Clinton at 17th.
Now anyone can walk into the Living Room Realty office at NE 14th and Alberta or SE 26th and Clinton and pick up one of the signs for free. McBee said agents are also passing them out to their clients and putting them up in their own neighborhoods.
Isaacson, the owner of the company, has a special interest in safe streets because she regularly bikes with her 7 and 6-year-old daughters. McBee said the company also participates in the BTA’s Bike Commute Challenge.
While it’s disappointing that people feel they have to put up DIY signs to tame traffic on their neighborhood streets, it’s encouraging to see a local business get on board. Who knows, maybe these will become as popular as the “Drive like your kids live here” signs we see popping up all over the place.
Thanks for reading.
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FABULOUS. Thank you, Living Room Realty! I will pick one up. Wish I could get a hundred and post them up and down SE 26th between Clinton and Powell. And yes–it’s ridiculous that these are the kind of homemade things we have to resort to to fight unsafe speeding jerk drivers.
Rachel, we’re glad you like the signs and we look forward sharing a sign with you!
Thank you, Sarah! 🙂
Thank you, Sarah! This mom whose (adult) son didn’t make it thanks you for actively looking out for others.
PBOT already does this:
http://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/article/141759
WashCo gives out free signs to people who want to put out a ‘slow down’ message in their yard.
The wide roads don’t help.
Where would I get one?
Contact the Neighborhood Streets Program coordinator. More info here: http://www.co.washington.or.us/LUT/Divisions/TrafficEngineering/NSP/index.cfm
Wow, someone just stole our sign. Weird.
Love it.
I think this is great and have always wondered why the similar signs that PBOT has been giving out for years fail to mention cyclists at all, I think they say something like ‘Slow Down for Children and Pedestrians’ if I’m not mistaken.
PBOT gives out free signs? I think I’m in danger of creating one of those houses that is way overly decorated for xmas, only my decoration will be signs… 😉
Buzz,
look again
http://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/article/141759
That makes me so happy! I hosted the sign-making event back in May that produced this hand-made sign (along with several others). It was part of Safer Clinton’s “Clinton Greenway 30th Birthday Celebration” month. Glad to see the signs are still being displayed and appreciated today.
That sign is in the public right-of-way. Streets trees help more.
Super cute idea for some feel-good marketing. It is really a shame we can’t make it encourage safety for more than just kids, but I understand why they took this route.
Everyone must watch where they are going. Need to also watch out for kids who are not on bikes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zR4Okh23Zlo
Seems pretty limited to me. Watch out for kids (few of whom have good traffic sense yet) generally; watch out for bicyclists, each of whom is less visible than an SUV. In a motor vehicle, consider yourself a threat.
Way too much to put on a sign.
My friends and family have taken to calling these sort of things “signs of the times”.
I wish we would return to the days of yore when moving violations were criminal offenses, we actually did meaningful traffic law enforcement (and no one accused the cops of just trying to raise revenue) and motorists had to at least retake the written test with every renewal, which happened every three years.
Signs like this (should be larger) should be located in both directions on every street crossing of the Springwater and Banks-Vernonia Trails. Metro should get involved with this, too. Excellent idea!
Business sponsored safety signs…
:Watch for Kids on Bikes: brought to you by Lenscrafters and Silvania Lighting.
The sign pictured has white legend and border on a red background, like a stop sign.
City of Portland shouldn’t allow non-MUTCD signs that may conflict with other signs or confuse road users because of their color, shape, location, text, etc.
?
If anyone mistakes these signs for stop signs, it might be time for that person to enter the At-Risk Driver Program.
http://www.oregon.gov/odot/dmv/pages/driverid/medical.aspx
I wish Portland drivers would mistake stop signs for stop signs.
Clearly..it’s confusing. Like when motorists see a speed sign…and they think..that’s the number +10.