Yesterday I met with Bill Sinnott, Commander of the Traffic Division of the Portland Police. First, I want to thank everyone who emailed and left comments with questions for him. I printed them all up and left a copy with him so he could see first-hand what’s on your mind. You might be thinking…isn’t this … Read more
At a meeting last week between the BTA, the Portland Police Traffic Division and citizen bike advocates, Commander Bill Sinnott told us about a cool new program they’ve started. In recent weeks they have carried out undercover “bike missions” that put officers on bikes in order to observe and ticket motorists that violate laws and … Read more
[UPDATE: Don’t miss this very informative comment by Greg Raisman from PDOT.] As I first reported back in September, Portland traffic cops are embarking on a new program to install free lights on bikes. This morning, the Oregonian has a more in-depth story that lays it all out. Making appearances in the article are traffic … Read more
Just got some photos from the victims of the recent “Wet Paint” incident. The riders have contacted ODOT’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Manager, Michael Ronkin. From the looks of his cool personal website and bio, and from what I’ve heard through the grapevine he does great work on behalf of cyclists. If we hear something … Read more
Last night, five ghost bikes were placed in four locations around the city. Eight cyclists showed up in SE Portland to load their bike trailers with the white bikes, signs and tools to install them. According to reports, onlookers were very curious and everyone was supportive. Here’s a quote from someone on the ride: “Ghost … Read more
I hate to be so blunt, but ever since I attended one of those Bike Safety Workshops, I can’t stop thinking about two things. The difference of a mere 10mph in a car (which is barely perceptible), can mean a vast difference in the fatality rate if that car strikes a biker or walker. Cops … Read more
Next week is Oregon’s statewide “Walk + Bike to School Day.” On Wednesday thousands of kids across the state will walk and ride bikes to school instead of driving. The event is meant to raise awareness for the Safe Routes to School Program which is headed up locally by the BTA. Robert Ping, program director … Read more
“Sharrow” lane markings have just been painted on a few streets in NW Portland. Here’s an excerpt from the official news release from the City of Portland: The Portland Office of Transportation began installing “shared lane pavement markings” on three streets in northwest and southwest Portland today. Known as “sharrows,” these markings are intended to … Read more
The local “Ghost Bike” effort is coming together. Several people in the bike community have been working hard to create the memorials and place them at the sites of fallen cyclists. The Portland Observer was first to report the Ghost Bike for Chris Burris, who was killed by a hit-and-run driver on Sept. 3rd. The … Read more
Just released from the City of Portland are impressive stats for daily bike traffic over the four main Portland bridges. These stats are from this summer and they reflect the largest jump in bike traffic since records started being kept back in 1992 and how a nearly 15% jump since last year alone. The bridges … Read more
How are local advocacy groups, the City of Portland, and the bike community working to make our streets safer? Here’s an update on some of the latest efforts: The BTA Besides their usual diligence of writing letters to the editor and op-eds, the BTA has assembled a Crash Response and Safety Team. This team consists … Read more
Tough punishment has been given to a cyclist in Corvallis who ran a stop sign and killed a 71 year-old woman. From the Associated Press: A bicyclist was charged with manslaughter after he ran through a stop sign and struck and killed a 71-year-old woman, police said Monday. Jean Calder died at Good Samaritan Hospital … Read more