(December 14, 2015) – The Portland Bureau of Transportation and Portland Police Bureau advise the traveling public that a traffic education and enforcement action is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 15 on SE Clinton Street between SE 12th Avenue and SE 50th Avenue from 9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
The action is part of the project to enhance the Clinton Greenway and make it more inviting for people who are walking and biking. During the public meetings to discuss the project, community members asked PBOT to initiate an education and enforcement campaign to make drivers aware of the unique role that neighborhood greenways play in encouraging walking and biking. The Portland City Council has also made a commitment to protect and enhance the city’s neighborhood greenways.
During the enforcement action, the Portland Police Bureau will be on the lookout for violations that threaten the safety of people walking and biking. These violations include unsafe passing, speeding, aggressive driving, and noncompliance with stop signs.
Portland’s neighborhood greenways are where people of all ages and abilities have the opportunity to bicycle, walk and play. As such, neighborhood greenways need to maintain low auto volumes and speeds, provide protected crossings at major intersections, and create an environment that encourages people of all ages to travel actively. Between SE 12th Avenue and SE Cesar Chavez Boulevard, traffic volumes currently exceed the upper acceptable limit of 2,000 cars/day by 200 to 1,000 cars. Much of this traffic is believed to be non-local cut-through traffic that should be using either SE Division Street or SE Powell Boulevard. More information about the greenways can be found at: http://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/50518
“Portland’s neighborhood greenways represent some of the best elements of Portland’s transportation culture,” said PBOT Director Leah Treat. “We need to ensure that our city’s greenways remain safe streets where people want to bike, walk and play. We appreciate the support of the Portland Police Bureau in these efforts and for their support of Vision Zero.”
As part of the overall improvement of the Clinton Neighborhood Greenway, PBOT has also scheduled the installation of two traffic diverters on SE Clinton Street at SE 17th Avenue and 32nd Avenue. Weather permitting, the diverters will be installed during the first week of January 2016.
Traffic education and enforcement actions are an effective way to communicate traffic laws to people driving and walking. The transportation and police bureaus do education and enforcement actions about once each month in response to requests by community members, city traffic safety engineers, and Portland Police to educate the general public on the rules at marked and unmarked crossings.
View the results of previous actions at: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/article/134382
Education and enforcement actions such as the Dec. 15 event are a key part of the City of Portland’s citywide effort to reach its Vision Zero goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries. Find out more about PBOT’s safety work and Vision Zero, PBOT’s goal of making our transportation system the safest possible and moving towards zero traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries by 2025: www.visionzeroportland.com.
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The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is the steward of the City’s transportation system, and a community partner in shaping a livable city. We plan, build, manage and maintain an effective and safe transportation system that provides access and mobility. www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation