[Get Lit display at the 2005 BikeCraft.] The Community Cycling Center (CCC) plans to take over the popular Get Lit program, run by citizen activist Jeff Bernards since 2003. The plan is “still in the works” according to the CCC’s Alison Hill, who also says, “We’re excited about the opportunity to continue Get Lit. It’s … Read more
The Community Cycling Center has just announced their annual Bicyclist Safety Mini-Grant Program. These grants (up to $5,000) are available for projects that, “promote the safety of bicyclists in Oregon.” Last year, these grants helped fund the Share the Road Mural, a Shift helmet giveaway, and the popular Get Lit program. The grants are available … Read more
“Oregon needs a new law making it illegal to cause serious bodily injury or death to a bicyclist due to ordinary negligence.”-Lawyer Ray Thomas Lawyer Ray Thomas is working to add language to existing driver negligence laws to make it easier to charge motorists with serious crimes when they cause major injury or death to … Read more
PDOT’s Transportation Options division is working on a new safety campaign tentatively called “See and Be Seen.” The program will encourage cyclists to use lights and increase their visibility as well as reminding motorists to take extra care around cyclists. They’re still working on final pieces of the program but I’ve gotten word that a … Read more
Two weeks ago, I wrote about the new “hotel zone” bike lane markings on SW Broadway in front of the Heathman and Benson Hotels. Since that post I’ve been observing both hotels to see how quickly they try to remove vehicles from the bike lane and how proactive they are in preventing encroachment in the … Read more
Yesterday I posted some unconfirmed information about safety improvements coming to the intersection of West Union and Helvetia Roads in Washington County. This intersection recently claimed the life of a cyclist and has been a notorious place for close calls.
[UPDATE: Improvements have been confirmed. Read this post for all the details.] [Intersection of WestUnion and Helvetia Rd.] OregonLive bike blogger and Washington County resident Peter LaPorte says Washington County is finally planning to add safety improvements to the intersection of West Union and Helvetia Roads. This is the intersection where Mike Kalan was killed … Read more
[Scroll down for update] Carye Bye noticed something strange in the bike lane on SW Broadway this morning. There are new markings in the bike lane as it crosses SW Oak Street and in front of the Benson that read, “Hotel Zone Ahead,” and “Slow, Hotel Zone.”
[Curbside service] You’ve just gotta’ love Portland. Where else would the installation of a new bicycle and pedestrian traffic signal stir up so much media interest? Just activated on Monday morning, the new experimental HAWK (High Intensity Activated Walk) signal on 41st and Burnside has already been featured in the Oregonian, on OPB radio and … Read more
[Circuit Court JudgeChristopher Larsen] Last week, I attended a meeting of PDOT’s Community and Schools Traffic Safety Partnership (CSTSP) Coordination Council and got an update on Portland’s effort to be the first city to offer a traffic law violation diversion class to bicyclists and pedestrians. Back in June I reported on the progress of this … Read more
At a meeting last night of the Community and Schools Traffic Safety Partnership Coordination Council, PDOT announced three exciting new programs within their Share the Road campaign; a Speed Reader Board program, a Yard Sign Lender program, and an “I Share the Road Pledge” program. For more on these new programs, read all the details … Read more
I received an amazing Close Call report yesterday: I was driving down NE 28th today and as I was passing Fred Meyers, noticed someone laying in the gutter on the corner. I stopped to help. What I understand, was that a cyclist headed north on 28th had been clipped at relatively low speed by a … Read more