Category: Front

Coordinated Response Needed to Prevent Street Racing Events in Portland

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August 3, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Portland, OR – As Oregon’s leading safe streets advocacy group, The Street Trust is appalled by the City of Portland’s inability to effectively address the street takeovers and racing events posing a threat to street safety for its residents. Despite the additional measures provided by state lawmakers in 2023 via SB 615, the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) claims they cannot track basic data or muster adequate resources to counter these dangerous gatherings and life-threatening behavior. This contrasts sharply with PPB’s swift and resource-intensive responses to the 2020 protests, where they frequently deployed significant personnel and equipment to disperse gatherings in Portland’s streets.

These illegal street racing events predominantly occur within Portland’s High Crash Network, areas already suffering from poor infrastructure and high crash rates. These streets and intersections are located in neighborhoods which are, according to PBOT’s Equity Matrix, often lower-income and home to higher percentages of BIPOC and immigrant residents. These areas require immediate traffic calming measures, such as raised hardened centerlines, which are effective at stopping street takeovers without compromising the safety of other street users such as bicyclists and motorcyclists. Portland’s deadliest streets, like Marine Drive, should be a priority for these interventions. The lack of immediate investment in these areas poses a daily threat to Portland’s most vulnerable communities.

Moreover, the city’s response continues to be dominated by a failing law enforcement-centric approach when a coordinated, community-oriented approach is essential for sustainable solutions. Engaging with other bureaus and government agencies, traffic safety advocacy groups, neighborhood associations, and community-based organizations is crucial. The Street Trust is calling on City of Portland leadership to mount a unified community response to address these takeovers, emphasizing diverse community engagement, awareness campaigns, and proactive data-driven and equity-focused public safety interventions.

To truly safeguard our communities and address the epidemic of traffic fatalities on our streets, Portland must invest with urgency in traffic calming measures and work to foster collaboration with the community in an ongoing manner. Additionally, addressing the thrill-seeking and competitive attitudes driving these street racers requires a long-term public health approach. Educational campaigns and youth intervention models are vital to changing risky driving behaviors and ensuring lasting safety improvements.

We urge Portland city officials and the PPB to reevaluate their strategies and prioritize the safety and well-being of all residents by adopting these comprehensive, collaborative, community-centered solutions as recommended by The Street Trust. 

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Nicole’s Story: Championing Safe Routes to School in Clackamas County

Posted on by Kayla Kennett

In Clackamas County, where diverse geography and demographics present unique transportation challenges, our Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program is at the forefront, offering customized solutions with a strong focus on equity.

Our SRTS work in Clackamas County includes infrastructure safety assessment and evaluation, community engagement through events, education programming, a K-8 art poster contest, and creating action plans alongside communities. These initiatives empower students, families, and communities to recommend vital projects and activities, ensuring the safety and equity of all students, regardless of their background or location.

The driving force behind this program is Nicole Perry, our dedicated Clackamas County Safe Routes to School Coordinator.

A Personal Journey for a Safer Community

Nicole’s personal journey within the Clackamas County Safe Routes to School program began when her eldest child started kindergarten. They intentionally moved to be within walking distance of their local school. However, she soon realized that while she had a relatively complete pathway system for her kids, some neighbors on the other side of the school did not. This prompted Nicole to work alongside Safe Routes to School advocates, securing grants, creating action plans, and organizing encouragement events at Linwood Elementary/Sojourner School in Milwaukie.

Advocacy That Creates Lasting Impact

Nicole continued her involvement in Clackamas Safe Routes to School as a Confluence AmeriCorps member, serving Clackamas County. Her advocacy efforts focused on House Bill 2017, which played a crucial role in securing cyclical grant funding crucial to sustain the program and support the Linwood Ave Improvement project. This project stands as Nicole’s proudest accomplishment, as it had a profound impact on her community.

“The Linwood connection is the proudest one for me as it is literally my community. I live in the neighborhood. The improvements were completed well after my children went to school there, but my neighbors are using them with their kids and the entire community benefits, including my dog!”“I believe that everyone deserves safe, reliable access to the places they want to go, and that we need more options to make this a reality. When someone can’t access work, community or recreation, just because they can’t drive or don’t have a car, it has countless ripple effects on their health and well-being.”

Impact on Safety, Participation, and Community Engagement

Over the years, Nicole has seen her efforts lead to increased community involvement and higher participation of kids in active transportation, all while raising safety awareness. Her motivation to continue stems from the program’s increasing longevity and the growing interest from school districts and cities in collaborating on solutions to transportation challenges. Nicole is passionate about teaching kids how to safely navigate their communities and is optimistic about the revitalization of programs that encourage active transportation choices.

“There are so many ways kids can get to school and around their community, and there needs to be resources to teach them how to do so safely. Clackamas County is considering multiple modes of transportation. By prioritizing pedestrians, bicyclists, and other wheel-operated contraptions, the awareness of all users grows. I envision my role as a conduit of information and opportunities for people to grow their knowledge and put forth action toward more active transportation choices.”

A Promising Future

Looking ahead, Nicole envisions a promising future for the Clackamas Safe Routes to School program. Today, she supports the program full time as a staff member of The Street Trust. She is hopeful for the resurgence of programs like Safety Town and crossing guard initiatives, and anticipates additional pedestrian and bicycle education opportunities. The program’s focus on multiple modes of transportation in Clackamas County is set to raise awareness among all users, encouraging active transportation choices.

Get Involved

To learn more about the Clackamas Safe Routes to School program visit: https://www.clackamas.us/engineering/srts.html

To learn more about how you can support Safe Routes to School, contact [email protected].

World Day of Remembrance 2023

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World Day of Remembrance Graphic

 

Families for Safe Streets of Oregon and SW Washington, in partnership with The Street Trust, invites you to join us for the observance of World Day of Remembrance 2023 on November 19. This international event honors the memory of those who have lost their lives in road traffic crashes and advocates for safer streets.

Event Details:
11:00 am Gathering begins outside The Street Trust offices at 1259 Lloyd Center

11:30 Processional Walk led by Oregon Walks departs Lloyd Center for Memorial Coliseum

12:00 Program with Invited Speakers starts at Veterans Memorial Coliseum

  • Charlene McGee, Director Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion, Multnomah County Health Department
  • Wendy Serrano, Equity and Inclusion Manager, City of Portland Bureau of Transportation

The Morrison Bridge will be lit up yellow all day in observance and participants will wear yellow, as well. There will be an installation under the portico of Memorial Coliseum of black “body bags” representing the lives lost in traffic on Portland streets to date in 2023. (Actually sleeping bags, they will be donated to people in need following the event.)

Objectives of the Event:

  • Remember all individuals killed and injured in traffic crashes this year
  • Advocate for improved support for road traffic victims and their families
  • Raise awareness about the legal response to culpable road deaths and injuries
  • Promote evidence-based actions to prevent future road traffic incidents

The Challenge in Oregon:
Between 2010 and 2022, annual traffic fatalities in Oregon increased from 351 to 606. The rate per 100,000 residents surged from nine to 14. This alarming rise highlights a public health epidemic, emphasizing the urgent need for safer and complete public streets.

Policy Makers Pledge:
Transportation leaders and decision-makers will be challenged to commit to meaningful action to reverse this epidemic, ensuring safer streets for all. We are asking leaders to sign this pledge acknowledging the harms and inequities of this crisis and committing to actions that can save lives. Signers are encouraged to attend the event and the full list of signers and their comments will be shared with attendees.

Transportation Options:
Veterans Memorial Coliseum is easily accessible by MAX (red, green, blue lines to Rose Quarter Transit Center or yellow line to Interstate/Rose Quarter) and *TriMet* bus lines (*4, 8, 35, 44, 77 to Rose Quarter Transit Center*).

Join Us:
We encourage all concerned residents, road safety stakeholders, elected leaders, and members of the media to participate in this crucial event. Help us remember those we’ve lost, advocate for safer streets, and support initiatives that can save lives. 

Please visit the event page to RSVP.

“A Place for People” – TST Board Member Randy Miller on Portland’s Secret to Success

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Screenshot of The Street Trust Board Member Randy MIller on KATU

The Street Trust Board Member Randy Miller was recently featured in an  in-depth interview series conducted by KATU called, ‘City in Crisis: Broken Bridges, New Pathways‘ which spoke with community leaders and changemakers tackling some of the city’s most pressing challenges. 

According to Miller, who for over thirty years has hosted best practices trips for hundreds of Portland’s civic leaders domestically and internationally, there are no “cookie cutter formulas” to make a city great. “You have to really understand the ethos and the culture of that community,” he insists. 

And Portland’s ethos? Focus on making Portland a great place for people in the community. “We were outliers… we created a community that [is] attractive for people… not necessarily anything else,” he stresses, “for people.” 

Randy shares The Street Trust’s optimism that Portland can reclaim its status as a great place by focusing on core elements such as compact neighborhoods, safe infrastructure for people walking and bicycling, robust public transit, and investments in environmental sustainability and climate adaptation. 

Ride2Own: A Pioneering Step Towards eBike Accessibility in Oregon

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Oregon’s eBike enthusiasts were abuzz this fall with the electrifying news of the Ride2Own launch in Portland’s Portsmouth neighborhood. This groundbreaking initiative, a brainchild of The Street Trust in collaboration with We All Rise,Oregon DEQ, and PGE is set to revolutionize eBike accessibility in Oregon, particularly for historically excluded communities.

The Ride2Own program is not merely about providing eBikes. It’s a comprehensive approach that encompasses education, gear, and community-building. The overarching goal? To create transformative experiences through e-mobility and initiate a ripple effect that expands sustainable transportation options across the region.

The program’s first pilot kicked off on October 1st, 2023, with a year-long pilot in the Portsmouth neighborhood of Portland, reported by KPTV. The program is providing the first cohort of 15 electric bicycles to community members with low-incomes who would otherwise lack access, education, or support for e-mobility. Participants will track their experiences over twelve months and, upon successful completion, keep their bikes for free.

This is the first of four pilots Ride2Own will be conducting across the Portland metro region. The other neighborhoods are Portland’s Parkrose, Milwaukie, and Hillsboro. A total of approximately 90 eBikes will be distributed to qualifying community members across the four pilot areas.

“I am excited about the opportunity to be a part of making bike commuting even more accessible to members of communities of color like myself,” said one program participant in their application.

It’s hard to overstate the significance of this launch. At a time when Oregon’s transportation sector contributes a staggering 40% of the state’s GHG pollution, initiatives like Ride2Own are not just welcome; they’re imperative. Ride2Own’s overarching goal is to create positive, transformative experiences through eBiking and initiate a ripple effect that expands sustainable transportation options for residents and reduces the amount that people need to drive (VMT, vehicle miles traveled) across the region.

“Portland General Electric is excited to award funds from DEQ’s Oregon Clean Fuels Program to support our partners in expanding cleaner transportation systems across the state,” said Elyssia Lawrence, senior manager, Product Manager and head of PGE’s Transportation Electrification team. “Transportation electrification plays an essential role in accelerating the clean energy transition. It is going to take all of us working together to achieve a cleaner and more equitable future for all Oregonians.”

Ride2Own stands as a testament to what’s possible when innovation meets determination.
In a world where the status quo often reigns supreme, Ride2Own is a reminder that with the right vision and commitment, we can build transportation systems that serve everyone equitably. As we celebrate this launch, let’s also recommit to a future where every Oregonian, regardless of background or zip code, has access to safe, sustainable, and inclusive transportation options.

Special thanks to The Street Trust Board Member Paul Buchanan, for helping bring the Portsmouth Neighborhood Pilot from idea to reality and to PGE Drive Change Fund, which is funded via the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Clean Fuels Program. Funded by the sale of Oregon CFP credits, which PGE aggregates on behalf of residential customers who charge their electric vehicles at home, the fund supports projects aimed at expanding electric mobility options and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The DCF prioritizes projects focused on serving vulnerable populations and underserved communities.

“A City for People First” – Board Member Victor Duong featured in Forbes, Strongtowns

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Screenshot of Victor Duong Testifying Planning Commission

 

The national spotlight recently shone on Victor Duong, a distinguished board member of The Street Trust, in a Forbes article that delved into the complexity of bike parking regulations in Portland. As a housing architect of Vietnamese descent, an avid sport cyclist, and a former Portland Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) member, Victor’s multifaceted background offers a fresh and informed perspective on the challenges and opportunities surrounding urban planning and transportation.

The piece highlighted the paradox of bike parking mandates in cities like Portland. While there’s a growing trend to reduce or eliminate car parking requirements, bike parking regulations seem to be on the rise. Such mandates, though well-intentioned, can inadvertently inflate housing costs. The logic is simple: when housing developers are compelled to allocate space for bike storage, it can lead to larger unit sizes, which in turn can push up rents.

Victor, in his professional capacity as a Project Manager at Leeb Architects, has witnessed firsthand the implications of these regulations. He notes, “The previous revision of the bike parking code removed approximately 1-2 units for every 200 units; the current bike parking code now removes approximately 1 out of 15 units.” Such reductions come at a time when housing efficiency is paramount.

The crux of the matter isn’t about diminishing the importance of bikes or undermining their role in sustainable urban mobility. It’s about striking a balance. As Victor aptly puts it, “We are crafting a city for people, not just buildings and bikes.”

At a public hearing on October 24th before the Portland Planning Commission, Victor brought his unwavering commitment to fostering a safe, equitable, and sustainable transportation system, promoting a conversation and vision that harmoniously integrates the needs of all Portlanders. (Full  video of the meeting available on YouTube.) He followed up his terstimony with a think piece in Strongtowns, where he emphasized, “Our regulatory priorities are backwards… bike parking is important, but not more important than housing, not even close. Resources should first go to housing, then figure out bike parking from there.”

We are inspired by Victor’s unique insights and dedication to service on our board’s Policy Working Group, where he reminds us weekly that when we advocate, it must be through an equity lens, via respectful dialogue, and with a focus on the collective well-being of our community.

Kotek Appoints Iannarone to Jurisdictional Transfer Advisory Committee

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Last month, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek appointed The Street Trust Director Sarah Iannarone to represent road users on the state’s new Jurisdictional Transfer Advisory Committee. This appointment recognizes The Street Trust’s subject area expertise and dedication to fighting for safety and multimodal investments on behalf of all street users, irrespective of their zip code or primary transportation mode.

House Bill 2793, sponsored by State Representative Ben Bowman (HD 25) and supported by The Street Trust, was passed in the 2023 legislative session. The bill establishes the Jurisdictional Transfer Advisory Committee within the Department of Transportation. This committee, consisting of 11 members appointed by the Governor, is tasked with reviewing jurisdictional transfer applications and recommending a list of jurisdictional transfers for funding.

The committee’s composition ensures a diverse range of perspectives. It includes transportation engineers, representatives from cities, counties, and regional governments, law enforcement, transit users, and members from the state bicycle and pedestrian advisory committee, and the Transportation Safety Committee. By having a seat at the table, The Street Trust can help ensure that these decisions prioritize safety, accessibility, equity, and climate action for all Oregonians.

As you probably know, dangerous arterials such as Powell Boulevard in Portland (pictured above, source: KGW news) were originally constructed across Oregon to connect communities to each other and goods to market. But as our state has urbanized – in some areas quite rapidly – these deadly “orphan highways” no longer reflect the land use and mobility needs of the community. Jurisdictional transfers are more than just administrative decisions; they can be matters of life and death. 

Transferring these facilities from ODOT to local jurisdictions – as was recently done on 82nd Avenue in Portland – is a pathway to transforming them for improved safety, equity, and mobility. The Jurisdictional Transfer Advisory Committee’s mandate is to review and recommend jurisdictional transfers, ensuring that our roads are managed effectively and safely.

“As we celebrate this appointment,” said Iannarone, “it reminds us of the importance of our work and the impact transportation decisions have on the lives of Oregonians. The Street Trust remains committed to collaborative approaches in which diverse voices come together to shape a safer, more efficient transportation system for all Oregonians. Whether you’re a farmer delivering produce to market, a worker eBiking to your job at the port, or a care provider catching the next bus, we believe that you deserve to get home safely to your loved ones at the end of the day.”

Recap of the 2023 Alice Awards

Posted on by Kayla Kennett

On Saturday, October 14th, the Oregon Zoo became a habitat for one of our favorite species—transportation visionaries. The 2023 Alice Awards brought together nearly 200 people who share a common commitment to help create a safer, more accessible, and more sustainable transportation system. 

Together, we enjoyed an evening filled with inspiration, community, and generosity, raising an astounding $70,267 through sponsorships and individual donations to further our mission.

 

 

Highlights

The program kicked off with a special video message from Congressman Earl Blumenauer, a national champion for bike and pedestrian issues. In his remarks, he emphasized the importance of community-based transportation advocacy and extended his sincere thanks to our award recipients for their dedication to improving Oregon’s transportation system.

Congratulations again to our 2023 Alice Awards winners and finalists. Learn more about them here.

Then, Poison Waters brought her signature style and charisma to the stage as our emcee. She helped pay a heartfelt tribute to her close friend, Darcelle XV, who was posthumously recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

We were also delighted to have auctioneer Amanda Valley, who led an exciting and successful live appeal, generating dozens of individual donations.

The evening culminated with the long-awaited results of the Alice Awards Raffle. One participant walked away with a brand new Tern E-Cargo bike, complete with a front rack and rear bags, courtesy of Clever Cycles. Another lucky winner received a car rear rack for two bikes, thanks to ReRack Portland. Finally, a weekend getaway to the Society Hotel was awarded to our Last Hero donor.

Thank you to our local business community for making these prizes possible.

 

 

 

Thank You!

The resounding success of the 2023 Alice Awards would not have been possible without the dedication and support of numerous individuals and organizations. We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who attended, our generous sponsors, and the staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes.

Your contributions will reach far beyond this event’s success. As we look to the year ahead, we’re filled with hope, knowing that the momentum generated by your investments of time, talent, and resources will inspire others to join the movement, make donations, and further our cause. Together, we can continue building a transportation system that’s safe, accessible, and sustainable for all.

 

Thank you to our 2023 Alice Awards Sponsors

 

 

Announcing the 2023 Alice Awards Winners

Posted on by Kayla Kennett

The Alice Awards honors individuals and organizations shaping Oregon’s transportation landscape, leading with a commitment to The Street Trust’s mission to create a complete, safe, low-carbon, and multimodal transportation system for enhanced accessibility and equity.

The Street Trust is proud to announce the following 2023 award recipients:

The 2023 Alice Award recipient is The City of Tigard. This award acknowledges their outstanding work in building a multimodal transportation system that promotes a healthy and prosperous community. Their contributions include implementing an innovative e-bike sharing program, reducing speed limits, creating safe routes to school, and advocating for improvements on “orphan highways,” notably Hall Boulevard. The City of Tigard’s dedication to safety, accessibility, and sustainability sets an inspiring example for the region.

Walter “Darcelle XV” Cole is the 2023 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. His dedication to better bicycling and safer streets in Portland spanned decades, starting with his involvement in the Bicycle Transportation Alliance in 1992. His enduring advocacy for improved bicycling infrastructure and safer streets in Portland continued steadfastly. Although Darcelle XV is no longer with us, his legacy lives on through the positive impact he had on the city and the cycling community.

Metro Councilor Juan Carlos González is the 2023 recipient of the Elizabeth Jennings Graham Award. He has shown exceptional dedication to championing transportation justice and equity, particularly through his roles on the Metro Council and Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation (JPACT). His work truly embodies the spirit of the award, making a lasting impact on transportation justice in the region and creating a more equitable and accessible transportation system for all.

Shawne Martinez is the recipient of the 2023 Safe Streets for All Award for his unwavering dedication to promoting safer streets and sustainable modes of transportation, driven by his commitment as a parent to provide a healthier lifestyle for his daughter and combat climate change. His innovative approach, including documenting his transition from a diesel pickup to eco-friendly transportation, and advocating for responsible driving, sets a remarkable example and significantly contributes to improving street safety for all.

Recipients Reflects on Their Motivations

Dave Roth, Principal Transportation Planner at City of Tigard, shared his vision for Tigard’s mobility future:

“Our community is working together to ensure that everyone can participate, prosper, and thrive, regardless of their identity, experience, age, ability, or preferred mode of travel. We’re building a vibrant, equitable, and healthy city for generations to come, with safe, sustainable, and accessible mobility options at the core of our decisions.”

Poison Waters, a close friend of Walter “Darcelle XV” Cole, reflects on the legacy of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient:

“Darcelle taught me to be a person, not just a personality. Locally, he was part of numerous nonprofits, worked with the homeless long before it became a crisis, and always supported the houseless in our community. He and Roxy spent nearly five decades building their business, raising funds for charities, caring for friends affected by HIV/AIDS, and advocating for LGBTQ rights.”

Metro Councilor Juan Carlos González shares his commitment to creating an equitable and accessible transportation system:

“As the youngest and first elected Latino Metro Councilor, my commitment is unwavering in ensuring that underrepresented communities have a seat at the decision-making table. I’ve dedicated myself to advocating for safe, equitable, and accessible transportation systems, especially in neglected areas like TV Highway. Equity, accessibility, and safety are at the forefront of my vision for our community.”

Shawne Martinez, the 2023 Safe Streets for All Award recipient, reveals the motivation behind his advocacy for safer streets and sustainable transportation:

“Becoming a parent brought tremendous positive change to my life! I realized that driving a big stinky pickup truck was harmful to my daughter and everyone else around us. I made transportation choices to promote a healthy lifestyle. I want to be able to tell my daughter that I did everything I could to end car dependency and fight climate change.”

In addition to our winners, we’d like to recognize the following finalists who were nominated for an award this year!

 

 

Meet our Development Director, Brittany Morris!

Posted on by Kayla Kennett

Last month, we welcomed a new member to The Street Trust team! As Development Director, Brittany Morris (she/her/dia) will lead fundraising and supporter relations, creating unique opportunities for individuals, families, and organizations to invest in our mission.

How can you help to create a safer, more sustainable and equitable transportation system? Contact Brittany at [email protected]to explore your options.


Brittany moved to Portland eight years ago: 5,000 miles by bicycle from her home state of Florida. It was a formative experience that added to her already formidable leadership skills, developing her patience, grit, and sense of wonder.

She immediately fell into Portland’s nonprofit scene, working in the Schools United Neighborhood program at Buckman Elementary School managed by Impact NW. Her role as site coordinator involved some small fundraisers and sparked her initial interest in development work. She later worked as development associate, hosting large events, conducting major donor cultivation, and more.

Brittany comes to us from another transportation nonprofit, Community Cycling Center, where she was most recently Development Director. When asked what inspired her to shift focus to multimodal transportation, Brittany said:

“I believe that everyone deserves safe, reliable access to the places they want to go, and that we need more options to make this a reality. When someone can’t access work, community or recreation, just because they can’t drive or don’t have a car, it has countless ripple effects on their health and well-being.

Outside of her day job, Brittany continues to pursue that mission by volunteering and organizing activities for Adventure Cycling Association, Cycle Oregon, Radical Adventure Riders, BikePOC PNW and Next Up. She’s excited to be at a point in her career where she has the time and skills to give back and mentor others in the nonprofit community.

What do you most enjoy about working at The Street Trust?

I enjoy being a part of a dynamic team of people who aren’t afraid to ask difficult questions and present creative solutions. It’s inspiring!

Lately, I’ve been leading this year’s Alice Awards, The Street Trust’s annual award ceremony honoring champions for the future of transportation. I hope to see you there on Saturday, October 14th at the Oregon Zoo! Tickets and nominations are open at the link below.

 

Get Tickets