On Monday morning, the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee for the City of Portland unanimously approved a resolution championed by Councilor Tiffany Koyama Lane to reaffirm the City’s commitment to Vision Zero.
Vision Zero is a concept with the basic goal of eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries. Portland first committed to Vision Zero in June 2015, but the city remains far from achieving that goal of zero traffic deaths. Last year alone, 58 people were killed in traffic crashes on Portland streets. The most recent deadly crash occurred on Southeast 80th Avenue and Powell Boulevard last week. According to the City’s Vision Zero dashboard, just in the past 10 years, there have been 23 reported crashes involving vulnerable road users within seven blocks of the fatal crash.
“These are our streets, and we have a responsibility to make them safe for everyone, regardless of where they live, how much money they make, or what mode they are using at any given time,” said Councilor Koyama Lane as she introduced the resolution. “And we need to make them safe for all ages, upholding Portland both as an Age-Friendly City and a great place to raise a family.”
During the public hearing, community members acknowledged the difficult budget choices that City Councilors will have to make in the next month, but they asserted that saving lives is a moral obligation.
Zachary Lauritzen, Executive Director of Oregon Walks, said, “Today is the beginning of a journey, and I hope you have the political courage today to pass this.”
Portland is the first member of the Age-Friendly Network from the state of Oregon. Stacey Triplett, Engagement Director with AARP Oregon, connected that distinction with the goals of Vision Zero. “This network of age-friendly communities is made up of those who strive for communities where people of all ages and abilities can thrive; have safe, secure, and comfortable homes; and can get around easily and, very importantly, safely, regardless of what mode they rely on so they can lead engaged, connected, and purposeful lives.”
Lauren McCune, a volunteer with Bike Bus, illustrated how walking and biking improves children’s lives: “By fostering camaraderie and providing a sense of security, the Bike Bus encourages kids to embrace cycling as a joyful, social, and independence giving activity. Getting kids on bikes not only reduces traffic congestion and carbon emissions, but creates healthier and more empowered members of society.”
David Sale is the father of Danielle Sale, an energetic and caring young woman who was killed in a TriMet bus crash in 2010. Sale offered moving testimony as a representative of Families for Safe Streets. “Speed enforcement is a mandatory tool to be proactive in this reactive world we live in. We need to be more proactive in the infrastructure. We need to be more proactive in the road design and how these things come together as one…So please pay close attention to Vision Zero, because it’s up-and-coming still, and we will not stop until we fix a lot of these situations.”
Prior to the Committee hearing, community members joined a celebration of Mayor Keith Wilson’s proclamation making the week of May 19 as Walk & Bike to School & Work Week. Councilor Koyama Lane described that her passion for walking and biking has been shaped by her former role as an elementary school teacher.
“Many people have known me by a different name, and that is as Teacher Tiffany, at Sunnyside Elementary School. While one in three people in Oregon do not or cannot drive, that number shoots up to 100% for the elementary students I taught. They’re children. They don’t drive — thank goodness. But let me tell you: They have places to go and people to see, and our streets should make their walking and biking journeys safe and joyful.”
After the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee hearing, all four other members of the Committee joined Councilor Koyama Lane in sponsoring the resolution. Committee Chair Olivia Clark explained her commitment to Vision Zero: “I am alarmed that our highest-crash streets and intersections are disproportionately impacting low-income Portlanders and Portlanders of color. This is unacceptable, and these areas must be prioritized for safety investments. Safe streets are critical elements of a vibrant city, and I will continue to support every effort to encourage active transportation.”
The resolution will go to the full City Council next month for consideration.