Pedestrian & Bicycle News
|
|
 January 2019
Welcome to the first Pedestrian & Bicycle Programs newsletter! This quarterly update will share opportunities to give us your feedback on plans and projects, learn about project milestones, funding opportunities and upcoming events, and discover other resources related to growing and supporting our bicycle and pedestrian programs across the state. Please share this newsletter with others who might be interested, and we invite you to learn more.
First up: There are just a few days left to let us know your thoughts about the Oregon Coast Bike Route.
|
Program updates
|
 24 Safe Routes to School grants awarded
The Oregon Transportation Commission has approved awarding funds to 24 applicants for 24 projects – investing more than $15 million to create safer ways for students to get to and from schools. For this first round of competitive grant awards, ODOT received proposals from 112 applicants. Applications went through a thorough review process, including analysis by the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee. Remember, we also have a non-infrastructure Safe Routes to School program with funding available.
Safety Division's Bicycle and Pedestrian Program updates
Walk+Roll: The program provides statewide support for Oregon schools (K-8) to encourage kids to get out of the car! Our challenge will encourage students to walk and roll to and from school during the entire month. The Street Trust will be hosting sign-ups, free incentives and tips for school organizers to run their events. Learn more on the website.
Bicycle Safety Education and Training: The program provides train-the-trainer instruction and technical assistance to communities implementing bike safety in schools. The Street Trust, in its sixth year of support, provides the Jump Start Bicycle Fleet program to a community demonstrating readiness to establish a bike safety program in local schools. Jump Start is in Baker City this year, focusing right now on pedestrian safety.
|
|
OBPAC welcomes new member, Emma Newman
Governor Kate Brown has appointed Emma Newman to serve as the newest member of the Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (OBPAC). Emma is a Senior Transportation Planner at the city of Springfield with a passion and strong background in improving conditions for walking and biking. Emma, selected through a competitive statewide recruitment, will join OBPAC at its next meeting on February 13.
Oregon Friendly Driver: This statewide program promotes driver education classes on pedestrian and bicycle laws and best practices from partners in Eugene, Bend and Portland, and anyone from around the state is invited. The Street Trust (Portland) is working with Commute Options (Bend) and Lane Council of Governments (Eugene) to plan a panel at the Oregon Active Transportation Summit about the Oregon Friendly Driver Program and other vision zero education programs. “Collaboration and Partnership: Keys to Success in Vision Zero” will be on the first day of the conference. Contact these providers for more information!
|
|
|
|
Regional roundup
Streets Alive! event “opens” Highway 281 in Hood River
“I’ve noticed MYSELF driving more slowly even w/those pseudo bump-outs and I think others were too. Honestly, I was a little skeptical about the concept at first, but I now hope the city will implement them. In my opinion, it would nicely slow the traffic and make it safer for everyone in the heights.” – Streets Alive participant
Hundreds of people filled the streets of the Heights neighborhood for Hood River’s first “open streets” event. The street fair encompassed 20 city blocks and included a temporary installation of a two-way bike lane, curb extensions, and enhanced crossings on Highway 281. We are working with the city to recreate the event in September.
|
Road Diet improves safety on Highway 11 in Milton-Freewater
"The project of changing our main thoroughfare from 4 lanes to 3 had us worried, although we agreed to try it. We are so glad we did, because it has turned out to be a huge benefit to our community and we are extremely pleased! Traffic has slowed down, visibility for pedestrians crossing the street has improved, and we have safer parking opportunities for our businesses that front South Main.
"Thank you very much for engineering and funding this project and working with us on our concerns and suggestions. It was a great example of governments working together for the benefit of communities and citizens." – Milton-Freewater city manager
|
New Active Transportation Liaisons
We're excited to welcome Heidi Guenin and Chris Cheng to our growing Active Transportation Team! Heidi Guenin recently started as the Active Transportation Liaison (ATL) for our Region 1 office (Portland Metro), and Chris Cheng will serve as Interim ATL for Region 4 (central Oregon) (former Liaison David Amiton is serving as Interim Region 4 Planning and Projects manager). Welcome, Heidi and Chris!
|
Learn more about ODOT's Bicycle and Pedestrian Program. See what's happening with the Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. Note: Advisory Committee meetings are open to the public and accommodations for people with disabilities can be made available; materials in alternate format can also be made available. Contact the Bike/Ped Program at 503-986-3555 or statewide relay 7-1-1.
Contacts
Heidi Manlove, Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Program, 503-986-4196
Jessica Horning, Bicycle and Pedestrian Program, 503-986-3555
|
