Bike/Ped News: $55 million for bike/ped projects coming up plus bike fleets and more

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August 2021

Summer is rolling along and we hope you are enjoying it safely. Have you seen our messages along the Oregon Coast Bike Route? We're hoping to reach people who drive there so your ride is safe and memorable. Read on for more news.


Look out for each other: Share our Oregon Coast Bike Route safety message

Coast Bike Billboard

Bicycling and driving on the coast is a great way to soak up Oregon’s natural beauty. Unfortunately, all of that scenery can also be distracting for everyone on the road, which is why ODOT has launched a campaign reminding travelers how to share the road safely via messages on brochures, social media, billboards and magazines (p. 16). The key messages include “Look out for each other” and “Give people who bicycle plenty of room.” The campaign is partnering with Oregon State Parks, Travel Oregon, and local visitor centers, but you can help get the word out too! Download or place an order for a brochure.

Read More


Bicycle manual

Updated Bicycle Manual: A refresh of the rules of the road

What does “Stop as Yield” mean? How do I bike with cargo? Should I ride to the right or can I “take the lane?” Learn answers to these questions and more with the updated Oregon Bicycling Manual, which is available online (PDF) and in print. The Spanish version will be available soon. Anyone who walks, rolls, or drives should review these rules to make roads and rides safer and better.

Learn More

Program updates

child walking bicycles

Investing in ped, bike, transit

More than $233 million was approved earlier this year by the Oregon Transportation Commission to fund multimodal transportation options across the state. Learn more about how these funds will be distributed into four different programs.

Bike child parent

Bike fleets are coming!

Good news! The Safe Routes to School Program is planning to purchase five bike fleets, one for every ODOT region, over the next couple of years to expand the Jump Start Bike Fleet Program. More details coming soon.

We've got $55 million committed to bike/ped projects; open house coming this fall!

aerial view of neighborhood

We are excited to share our program website for the new Pedestrian and Bicycle Strategic Funding Program and to announce an upcoming online open house, tentatively set to open mid-September - watch for a notice in your email. Our program will distribute $55 million in investments for strategic pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure improvements on state highways, with at least $10 million going to Safe Routes to School projects. Feel free to print and share this one-pager. (Photo by Riley Edwards on Unsplash.)


Safe bike kids booklet

For the kids: Help update our activity guide

We want your input to help us update our Safe Biking for Kids Activity BookActivity Sheet, and Bicycle Safety Gui­­­de. Whether you use the guide as part of your curriculum, keep them on a shelf in your lobby - or even if you’ve never used them before - let us know how we can help kids learn how to walk and roll safely. The survey is anonymous and should take 2-5 minutes. DUE August 10.

Take the survey


Colby Parkinson intern

Meet SRTS/Pedestrian and Bicycle communications intern, Colby Parkinson!

Colby is the summer Safe Routes to School and Ped/Bike Safety Public Relations Intern. He is excited to work on projects that increase community engagement with healthy, equitable and safe modes of outdoor transit. Colby is pursuing a Master of Science in Forest Ecosystems and Society at Oregon State University, where he is researching the relationship between mental health, outdoor recreation and COVID-19. We're thrilled to have Colby on bike... we mean, on board!


Mitchell Point old tunnel

Project Spotlight: Historic Mitchell Point Tunnel

The long-awaited project to reconnect the western and eastern segments of the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail is underway! The Mitchell Point Tunnel was a passage built in 1915 for cars traveling the Historic Columbia River Highway that has been closed for nearly 70 years. A new project will create a 655-feet long tunnel with five arched windows reminiscent of the original design for walkers and bikers. The work will be completed in 2023.


Mark your calendar

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, 503-910-7178

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