News Release: Traffic enforcement and education action on SE Clinton Street to highlight safety on neighborhood greenways

(February 9, 2016) – The Portland Bureau of Transportation and Portland Police Bureau advise the traveling public that a traffic education and enforcement action is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 10 on SE Clinton Street between SE 12^th Avenue and SE 50^th Avenue from 7 to 9:30 a.m. and from 3 to 6:30 p.m.

The action is part of the project to enhance the Clinton Neighborhood Greenway and make it more inviting for people who are walking and biking. As part of the overall improvement of the Clinton Neighborhood Greenway, PBOT installed two traffic diverters on SE Clinton Street at SE 17th Avenue and SE 32nd Avenue in early January. During public meetings to discuss the project last year, community members asked PBOT to initiate an education and enforcement campaign to make people driving aware of the unique role that neighborhood greenways play in encouraging walking and biking. Police and PBOT collaborated on an enforcement action Dec. 15, before the diverters were installed, and are returning for additional enforcement now that the diverters have been in place for a month.

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 people driving who violate “do not enter- except bicycles” sign, illegal and unsafe U-turns, and people driving vehicles (including scooters and motorcycles) through the new diverters. Police will also monitor stop sign compliance on streets surrounding Clinton, including the SE Woodward and 32^nd Avenue intersection.

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 motor vehicle 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 per 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

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.

Learn more about rights and responsibilities for walking safely across a street at: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/article/435879

View the results of previous actions at: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/article/134382

Education and enforcement actions such as the Feb. 10 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