In this email
- World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
- NW/SW Broadway: Decreased bike crashes, increased bike access, and minimal traffic and travel time impacts
- Help shape a safety project on SE Stark and Washington streets
- Ask a PBOT expert
- Speed limit changes
- Rainy Rider Photo Contest
- Get ready for Leaf Day street sweeping service!
- High Crash Network safety projects
- Adopt your neighborhood storm drain and help prevent street flooding
- Get home safe: Snow and ice travel tips
- Access the latest deadly crash data
- Remember to say crash, not accident!
- Free Vision Zero materials and yard signs
- Personal safety community resources
- What we're reading
World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
Each year, the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims honors those who have been killed and injured on roads around the globe—1.35 million people each year worldwide.
On Sunday, November 16, about 80 people gathered for Portland's World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims event organized by Families for Safe Streets with support from sponsors Oregon Walks, BikeLoud, 1000 Friends of Oregon, The Street Trust, Portland Parks & Recreation, and Portland Bureau of Transportation.
Participants gathered at Luuwit View Park to memorialize community members killed in crashes and advocate for policy change to spare other families from these preventable tragedies. Bereaved parents, siblings, nephews, friends, and partners shared deeply personal stories of their loved ones, and survivors described their personal experiences of traffic violence. All echoed the call for safer street design, and several called for the introduction of a Stop Super Speeders bill in the 2027 Oregon legislative session, which would require speed limiters in the vehicles of egregious repeat speeders. City Council Vice President Tiffany Koyama Lane and Councilor Jamie Dunphy and state legislators Dacia Grayber, Thuy Tran, and Mark Gamba all spoke at the event.
Learn more about World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
NW/SW Broadway: Decreased bike crashes, increased bike access, and minimal traffic and travel time impacts
What are the NW and SW Broadway Bike Improvements Projects?
The NW Broadway and SW Broadway Bike Improvements Projects — identified in the Central City in Motion Plan adopted by city council in 2018— completed construction in 2020 and 2022 respectively to improve safety for bicyclists and pedestrians, increase bike access to the Broadway Bridge, move more people, and improve transit speed and reliability.
Project elements include:
- Converting a motor vehicle lane into a parking protected southbound bike lane
- Adding a new protected northbound bike lane from SW Harvey Milk Street to the Broadway Bridge
- Changing parking on the west side of NW Broadway to prohibited timed parking
- Moving TriMet Line 17 off Broadway and improving signals on Fifth and Sixth avenues
- Adding new passenger loading zones at NW Couch Street and at SW Main Street
Additional safety elements have been constructed along SW Broadway since evaluation data was collected.
Evaluation
Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) staff collected data before and after project construction to evaluate vehicle travel time, micromobility ridership, and compliance with active transportation policies.
Results align with project goals
The NW and SW Broadway Bike Improvements Projects Evaluation Report shows the project achieved desirable outcomes in line with the project goals with minimal undesirable side effects.
Safety
- Substantial decrease in pedestrian and bicycle crashes (78% and 58% respectively) on NW Broadway
Access
- Improved bike access (new bike lanes on NW Broadway and upgraded infrastructure to protected bike lanes)
- Shared e-scooter ridership increased by 69% on NW Broadway
- Shared e-scooter and BIKETOWN ridership increased by 51% on SW Broadway
Traffic
- Minimal impact on traffic
- Few changes to travel time
Once more crash data is available, PBOT staff will update the report to show the project's impact on serious injury and deadly crashes.
Read the NW and SW Broadway Bike Improvements Projects Evaluation Report
Help shape a safety project on SE Stark and Washington streets
The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is seeking input from community members and local businesses before finalizing a new, safer design of SE Stark and Washington streets, between 92nd and 108th avenues.
Background
The SE Stark and Washington streets couplet runs through a major business district, the Gateway Regional Center. However, the segment between SE 92nd and 108th avenues was designed primarily for vehicle traffic. It has 3-4 lanes in both directions and limited on-street parking. Sidewalks and bike lanes are narrow, and it is very difficult to cross these streets as a pedestrian. Data shows a high rate of crashes along this corridor.
Goals
The SE Stark & Washington Street Safety Project aims to:
- Reduce serious and deadly crashes
- Improve biking and walking conditions
- Improve transit reliability and access
- Adding on-street parking and planting trees
- Increase walking, biking and transit use in the area
Learn more about the SE Stark & Washington Street Safety Project
Ask a PBOT expert
Our Vision Zero inbox is filled with thoughtful questions from community members about traffic safety — and our team strives to provide equally thoughtful answers. These exchanges often spark meaningful conversations, and we believe they deserve a bigger audience! That's why we're sharing some of these questions and answers in our newsletter, edited for clarity and brevity, to highlight insights and ideas that benefit us all.
Question: Why does the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) add bike lanes to major streets if it leads to more congestion in areas with low bike use?
Answer: This question really has two parts:
- Why add bike lanes where bike use is low?
- Why build projects that reduce space for motor vehicles?
Not all bike lane projects remove driving lanes, and not all lane-change projects add bike lanes, so it's helpful to address these separately.
Why build projects that reduce space for motor vehicles?
The short answer is safety.
PBOT sometimes narrows or reduces driving lanes to create safer, more efficient streets for everyone. These projects may or may not include bike lanes.
We reallocate space because:
- Narrower or fewer lanes slow speeds and reduce crashes.
- Simple, shorter crossings are safer and more affordable to build.
- Reconfiguring street space makes room for center turn lanes, refuge islands, medians, bus lanes, parking, and yes, also bike lanes.
PBOT evaluations show that these designs lower crash risk with minimal impact on travel times, transit reliability, or nearby residential streets. Research also finds that adding bike infrastructure does not necessarily cause congestion and can help move more people overall.
Why add bike lanes where bike use is low?
PBOT adds bike lanes for two main reasons: providing travel options and building a connected network.
Providing travel options
Not everyone can or wants to drive. Many people want to bike but don't feel safe on busy streets. Bike lanes give people safer ways to get around using bikes or other micromobility devices.
Deciding whether to add bike lanes based on current use is a bit like deciding whether to build a bridge based on how many people are swimming across the river. Some people already biking can't reach all their destinations safely, and others would bike if the route felt comfortable. PBOT has a responsibility to provide safe options for everyone, regardless of how they travel.
Creating safer places to bike also helps reduce the number of vehicle miles traveled, which is strongly linked to fewer traffic deaths and serious injuries — a core part of Portland's Vision Zero commitment.
Building a connected network
Some parts of Portland lack a connected network of safe bike routes. For people to rely on biking, they need safe, comfortable connections for most of their trip. Every new bike lane expands that network and makes biking more practical for more people.
A single project may not draw high use immediately, but cities around the world show that once a complete network is in place, more people choose biking and other alternatives to driving. PBOT also offers education and encouragement programs to help people feel confident biking — whether it's at night, in the rain, to school, or to work.
Learn more about why PBOT sometimes narrows or reduces driving lanes
Speed limit changes
The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is updating speed limits citywide to set safe travel speeds. Why? Because speed is a top contributing factor to traffic deaths. Safe speeds lower the risk of crashes, and when crashes occur, safe speeds make it less likely that people are killed or seriously injured. We track speed limit changes online.
Recent changes
Locations where PBOT reduced the speed limit in the past three months.
35 to 30 mph
- N Basin Avenue from Going Street to end of the road
- NE 105th Avenue from Sandy Boulevard to Airport Way
30 to 25 mph
- N Weidler Street from Ross to NE Grand avenues and 16th to 24th avenues
- N Broadway Street from Larabee to NE Grand avenues and 24th to 33rd avenues
- Miller Road from NW Cornell to SW Barnes roads
30 to 20 mph
- NE Weidler Street from Grand to 16th avenues
- NE Broadway Street from Grand to 24th avenues
25 to 20 mph
- N Russell Street from Interstate to Kerby avenues
Upcoming changes
Locations where PBOT recently received approval from the Oregon Department of Transportation to reduce the speed limit. PBOT will post new speed limit signs in the upcoming months.
45 to 40 mph
- SE McLoughlin Boulevard from Franklin to Harold streets
- NE Killingsworth Street from 450' east of 82nd Avenue to Sandy Boulevard
45 to 35 mph
- NE Killingsworth Street from 82nd Ave to 450' east of 82nd Avenue
40 to 35 mph
- N Columbia Boulevard from Portsmouth Avenue to Upland Drive
40 to 30 mph
- 138th Avenue to Marine Drive and Sandy Boulevard
35 to 30 mph
- N Schmeer Road from Interstate to Vancouver avenues
- N Whitaker Way from 122nd to 138th avenues
- SW Bertha Boulevard from Barbur Boulevard to Chestnut Drive
30 to 25 mph
- NE Killingsworth Street from 42nd Avenue to Lombard Street
- N Mississippi Avenue from Cook to Russell streets
- SE Division Street from Third to Eighth avenues
Establish 25 mph speed limit
- NE Holman Street from 80th Avenue to 82nd Avenue Frontage Road
- NE 82nd Avenue Frontage Road from Holman Street to 82nd Avenue
25 to 20 mph
- SE Belmont Street from Grand to 49th avenues
- S Corbett Avenue from Grover to Hamilton streets
Learn more about speed limit changes in Portland
Rainy Rider Photo Contest
Reducing the amount of driving is core to our Vision Zero work. We can eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries in Portland by significantly changing the design of our most deadly streets to slow drivers — as well as making it easier for people to get around without a car. Traveling fewer vehicle miles is strongly correlated with safer streets. Below are several free events the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) created to help make biking more desirable and easier to incorporate into your daily routines!
Bike in the rain and win bicycling gear!
The days are getting shorter, and the rain is falling, but don't let that stop you from riding your bicycle! PBOT's Rainy Rider Photo Contest is here to encourage bicycle riding in all seasons. This is your chance to win some rain jackets and accessories from Showers Pass, rain capes from Cleverhood, as well as rechargeable bike lights from Portland Design Works!
Text a photo of yourself and your bicycle in the rain to 888-520-0526!
BIKETOWN
If your photo features a BIKETOWN bicycle, you'll be entered into an additional drawing to win a free annual BIKETOWN membership and bike shop gift card!
Kids
If your photo features a kid, you'll have the chance to win a Safe Routes to School goodie bag including bike lights, pencils, and a backpack, water bottle, and reflective sticker!
Learn more about PBOT's Rainy Rider Photo Contest
Get ready for Leaf Day street sweeping service!
From November to mid-January each year, the Portland Bureau of Transportation's (PBOT) Leaf Day service helps us provide cleaner, safer streets, keep our storm drains clear, and ensure our intersections don't flood. Leaf Day pickup is free for residents in Leaf Zones, primarily those with the highest concentration of mature street trees. There is no need to opt in or out.
For emergency road hazards, clogged storm drains, or other hazards in the right-of-way such as downed signs, continue to contact PBOT's 24/7 Maintenance Dispatch at 503-823-1700.
High Crash Network safety projects
Portland Bureau of Transportation prioritizes safety investments on our highest crash streets and intersections in areas with higher proportions of people of color and people living with lower incomes. In 2024, 71% of traffic deaths occurred on the High Crash Network. We track recently completed and currently under construction High Crash Network projects online.
Learn more about High Crash Network safety projects
Adopt your neighborhood storm drain and help prevent street flooding
The leaves are changing colors and rain is in the forecast, which means it is time for the return of the Portland Bureau of Transportation's (PBOT) adopt a storm drain program.
PBOT crews work hard to keep more than 58,000 storm drains clear but with so many, we can't get to them all. By "adopting" a storm drain near you and helping keep them clear of debris, you help keep your street safe and clear from ponding water for your family, friends, and neighbors.
Follow these tips for clearing storm drains:
- Use a rake, shovel, or broom and wear gloves and reflective clothing.
- Only clear drains you can reach from the curb (or the shoulder where there are no sidewalks).
- Clear drain before the rain, whenever possible.
- Never lift storm drain grates.
- Don't put leaves in the street.
Thank you to all Portlanders who have "adopted" storm drains in their neighborhoods and help PBOT keep them free and clear.
Learn more about the adopt a storm drain program
Get home safe: Snow and ice travel tips
During winter storms, crews with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) work 24/7 to clear hazards from city streets and keep emergency routes open. Before the storm arrives, plan for winter weather:
- Create an emergency plan for winter with family and co-workers. Plan to work from home if you can or take public transit.
- Make a checklist for your home, business, and vehicle. Have ice melt and snow shovels ready to clear sidewalks. Consider overhead dangers such as trees or powerlines. Be prepared to keep ditches, culverts, and trash racks clear of debris if your home or business is in an area prone to landslides. Carry snow chains for your vehicles.
- Stay informed. Sign up for PBOT alerts via text or email. Follow @PBOTInfo on all social media. Visit PBOT's Guide to the Winter Weather Center to learn how to track the latest weather, traffic, road closure, and snowplow information.
- Stock up on food, water, clothes, and medications you, your family, your pets, or your business will need in case you are stranded by winter weather — at home or in your vehicle.
- Check in with vulnerable neighbors who may need help ahead of a storm or clearing their sidewalks afterward.
- Prepare to move your car off PBOT's "snow and ice" routes to give room for snowplows and other equipment.
Learn more about how to plan for winter weather
Access the latest deadly crash data
Our Vision Zero dashboard provides an overview of traffic safety improvements from the past five to 10 years — as well as data relating to our performance measures. Staff update the dashboard regularly. Preliminary deadly crash data is updated monthly, while other data is updated quarterly or annually, based on availability.
Learn more about the Vision Zero dashboard
Remember to say crash, not accident!
We want to change the way we talk about crashes and remind each other that they are predictable and preventable. A Vision Zero approach refuses to accept the idea that crashes are inevitable. That's why we're saying crash, not accident! Will you join us?
Learn more about why we say crash, not accident
Free Vision Zero materials and yard signs
Help educate the people in your community about Vision Zero, Portland's commitment to eliminate serious and fatal traffic injuries. Order and receive reflective stickers and pins, brochures, and fliers in the mail or pick-up a yard sign. Materials are available in English, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Lao, Romanian, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.
Return of "20 is plenty" yard signs!
You loved them, and now they're back! Come get your "20 is plenty" yard sign at the Portland Building (1120 SW Fifth Ave.) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
20 mph speed limit supports safety
Most residential streets in Portland are narrow, have few marked crosswalks, and no bike lanes. Given the neighborhood use and lack of protection for people walking, using mobility devices, and biking, it is important that people drive slowly on residential streets.
Slower speeds lower the risk of crashes. When crashes occur, slower speeds make it less likely that people are killed or seriously injured. A pedestrian struck by a person driving 20 mph is four times more likely to survive than a pedestrian struck at 40 mph.
Learn more about how to get free Vision Zero materials
Personal safety community resources
We want to help create a transportation system that allows all people to feel safe getting where they need to go. We put together free, accessible personal safety resources for community members, including how to report anon-urgent traffic safety concern, report bias and hate, participate in a self-defense workshop, and more.
Learn more about personal safety community resources
What we're reading
- Traffic victims all over the world will be remembered Sunday. One was my friend (Greater Greater Washington)
- How state-level ISA bills are gaining ground in a polarized America (Streetsblog)
- Pittsburgh cuts crash deaths by 32% in one year (Planetizen)
- Cartoonish crosswalk signs spark backlash after recent Nashville pedestrian deaths (Nashville Banner)
- Ready for winter driving? (Safety+Health)
Parts of this document were edited with the support of ChatGPT. City staff reviewed and fact-checked all content.