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Newsletter
PBOT's Vision Zero April 2026 newsletter.
Published
Updated
Vision Zero winter 2026 engagement update
Vision Zero works to prevent traffic deaths and serious injuries by building multiple layers of protection into our transportation system. This approach — called the Safe System — focuses on safe speeds safe streets, safe people, safe vehicles, and post-crash response.
While data shows that factors like speed, impairment, street design, and vehicle size have an outsized impact on traffic safety, community awareness and education are also key parts of this work.
Safe people: We all play a role
"Safe people" means we all share responsibility for keeping ourselves and each other safe on Portland streets. The Vision Zero Action Plan includes actions to support this, including partnering with community-based organization that serve people most impacted by traffic violence to raise awareness and share safety resources.
By the numbers
This winter, Vision Zero Community Engagement Lead, Lale Santelices, connected with community members across Portland — especially those most impacted by traffic violence — during the darkest time of the year.
Across all winter engagement efforts:
- 7 collaborations
- 22 events
- 725 people reached
- 1,145 safety lights distributed
This work included:
"I AM..." event series
A collaboration between Portland Solutions' Street Services Coordination Center and the Office of Violence Prevention's Safe Blocks program, these events activate public spaces and connect community members with resources.
- 7 events at Dawson, Delta, and Menlo parks and Old Town
- 240 people reached
- 360 safety lights distributed
Light up the night
Vision Zero staff and Portland Bureau of Transportation Transportation Ambassadors met people where they are — handing out lights and reflectors and encouraging safe travel for people walking, biking, and rolling.
- 8 locations along the High Crash Network
- 461 people reached
- 780 safety lights distributed
- 25 volunteers
- 16 hours in the field
Tabling events
The team also participated in community resource fairs across the city.
- 5 partnerships
- 8 events
- 140 people reached
- 295 safety lights distributed
Each of these efforts adds another layer of protection — helping prevent serious injuries and save lives on Portland streets.
Learn more about the Vision Zero Action Plan
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 don't we make a universal 20mph speed limit for all streets?
Answer: We agree that reducing speed is one of the most effective ways to make streets safer. The Vision Zero team's work is grounded in the Safe System approach, which recognizes two important realities:
- People make mistakes that can lead to crashes
- Human bodies are fragile
Safe travel speeds reduce the likelihood of crashes and, when crashes do occur, significantly reduce the risk of death or serious injury.
Speed limit setting
The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) works in partnership with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to establish speed limits. ORS 810.180 grants ODOT primary authority to designate speeds on all public roadways. PBOT must request approval from ODOT to change speed limits on bigger streets that are not residential. ODOT follows an engineering process that considers crash history, traffic volumes, road design, federal classification, surrounding land use, and observed travel speeds (including 50th- and 85th- percentile speeds, the speed that 50% and 85% of people driving vehicles travel).
Because of this process and state authority, PBOT cannot set a universal 20-mph speed limit on all streets.
Street design and speed limits
PBOT's Transportation System Plan assigns each street a "type" based on a combination of the transportation function and the adjacent land use. There are six traffic classifications that support the movement of people and vehicles as well as the access to homes and business in different ways.
Most streets in Portland fall under the following categories:
- Major City Traffic Streets are intended to serve as principal routes for trips that begin or end in the City of Portland. ODOT guidance may allow 20 mph speed zones in dense commercial or mixed-use zones.
- Collector Streets are intended to serve as distributors of traffic from larger streets to Local Service Streets or to serve trips that both start and end within areas bounded by larger streets. These streets vary widely in design. ODOT guidance allows 20 mph speed limits on many collectors with dense commercial or mixed use zones.
- Local Service Streets provide direct access to homes or businesses. ODOT guidance allows 20 mph speed limits on local service streets.
Explore street types on PBOT's Transportation System Plan map.
Fun fact: 77% of streets in Portland have a 20-mph speed limit!
Learn more about street types in Portland
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.
30 to 25 mph
- César E. Chávez Boulevard from NE Sandy to SE Holgate boulevards
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.
40 to 35 mph
- N Columbia Boulevard from Portsmouth Avenue to Upland Drive
- NE Sandy Boulevard from 124th Place to 200' east of 165th Avenue
40 to 30 mph
- NE 138th Avenue from Marine Drive to Sandy Boulevard
35 to 30 mph
- 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 52nd avenues
- SE Thorburn Street and Gilham Avenue to Washington Street and I-205
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
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
Russian English dual-language pedestrian safety at Kelly Elementary School
Community-based organizations are key partners in helping thousands of students across Portland learn how to travel safely. Slavic Community Center of NW, through funding from the Oregon Department of Transportation, is helping deliver transportation safety education for Russian-speaking youth. Recently, their team led community walks for Russian English dual-language immersion classes at Kelly Elementary School in Lents. Students explored their neighborhood while learning about pedestrian safety, crossing skills, and how street design supports safe travel.
Learn more about pedestrian safety education
Did you know? Helmets are required for e-scooters
People using electric scooters (e-scooters) are required to wear a bicycle helmet. Your helmet should be sized, fitted and fastened. While helmets and other protective gear can't guarantee complete safety, they reduce the risk of injury.
E-scooter rules
- Helmets are required: People using e-scooters — whether they're personal or rental e-scooters — are required to wear a bicycle helmet.
- 14 age limit: You must be at least 14 years old to operate a motorized e-scooter on public roads, bike lanes, or paths. You must be at least 18 to ride Portland's shared e-scooters from Lime or BIKETOWN.
- No sidewalk riding: Using an e-scooter on the sidewalk and in crosswalks is prohibited. People using e-scooters are allowed on Portland city streets, multi-use paths and in bike lanes.
- Yield to pedestrians: People using e-scooters are required to yield to pedestrians.
- One person per e-scooter: Please do not have more than one person on an e-scooter.
- Lock it up: Shared e-scooters must be locked up at the end of rides to a bike rack, street sign, or pole in order to keep the sidewalk paths clear for all pedestrians.
- No riding in Portland parks: E-scooters are prohibited in parks, except on park roads, or in designated vehicle parking areas, or by permit.
Need a helmet?
BIKETOWN for All members get free helmets! BIKETOWN for All offers affordable, accessible, and fun bike-share transportation for those living on low-incomes. Pick up your free helmet at the Portland Building (1120 SW Fifth Ave.). Call 311 ahead of time to arrange a pick-up.
The Portland Bureau of Transportation is planning a big helmet giveaway this summer. Stay tuned for more!
Learn more about Portland's e-scooter program
Portland Sunday Parkways 2026 Season
The Portland Bureau of Transportation is thrilled to announce the return of Portland Sunday Parkways Presented by Kaiser Permanente for the 19th consecutive year! This program promotes healthy active living through a series of four free events opening the city's largest public space — its streets — for walking, biking, rolling, and playing. These community events are accessible for all ages and are multimodal, meaning anyone is welcome to walk, bike, or roll along the routes!
Mark your calendars
- May 17: Southwest Portland
- June 28: East Portland
- Aug. 2: North Portland — brand-new route!
- Sept. 13: Downtown Portland
These four events will provide Portlanders with an opportunity for robust physical movement, community connection, and plenty of shared smiles along the miles of car-free open streets!
Volunteer with Portland Sunday Parkways
Consider signing up to be one of the hundreds of people who help make these events safe, accessible, and fun. There are opportunities to sign up as an individual or as a group. Shifts take place in the morning or afternoon, providing ample time to explore the route and enjoy the event festivities.
Learn more about the 2026 Portland Sunday Parkways season
Free PBOT bike events
Reducing driving is core to our Vision Zero work
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 created to help make biking more desirable and easier to incorporate into your daily routines!
Hazelwood Neighborhood Bike Fair
Friday, April 24
The Hazelwood Neighborhood Bike Fair at Menlo Park Elementary School (12900 NE Glisan St.) is an all-ages event on Friday, April 24 from 3:45 to 5:45 p.m. Activities include biking lessons for kids and adults, bike safety skills station, free quick-fix bike repair, and free helmet distribution. Participants are encouraged to bring their own bikes, but there will also be a limited number of bikes available for children and adults to borrow.
Learn more about the Hazelwood Neighborhood Bike Fair
New to Portland Ride: Lents
Tuesday, May 5
Are you new to town or new to cycling in Portland? Want to explore some of the best low-stress bike routes in the Lents, Foster-Powell, and Mt Scott-Arleta neighborhoods? Join the New to Portland Ride: Lents on Tuesday, May 5 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. starting at Lents Park (SE Steele Street and 89th Avenue). This is an 8-mile, moderate-pace (8 mph), no drop, loop ride. The ride will take you to some great parks, Heritage Trees, and other gems in the area.
Learn more about the New to Portland Ride: Lents
Bike to Books Family Ride
Saturday, May 9
Join the Portland Bureau of Transportation for a fun, family-friendly bike ride exploring bikeways connecting two Southeast libraries. Meet at Woodstock Library (6008 SE 49th Ave.) at 10 a.m. and end at Sellwood Library around 11 a.m. Spot some Bike to Books art along the way! This is a 4-mile, moderate-pace (8 mph), no drop. Stay after the ride to fill out your Bike to Books design sheet.
Learn more about Bike to Books Family Ride
Get There Commute Challenge — go compete!
The Get There Commute Challenge is a friendly, two-week competition among Oregon businesses and organizations, taking place April 13-26, 2026. The goal is to promote greener, more active, and more affordable transportation options, helping our state be an even better place to live, work, and play!
Employees can log their walk, bike, transit, carpool, vanpool, and remote work commute trips to help their workplace climb the leaderboard. First-place workplace networks will be recognized and win a $300 cash prize, delivered to your network manager to spend on participating members of the workplace network.
It's not too late to sign up your workplace for the challenge!
Learn more about the Get There Commute Challenge
Bike Month — get ready!
Bike Month is almost here! May is Portland's annual celebration of biking and fun competition between teams of all abilities! Before May arrives, here's how to get ready: tune up your bike at a local bike shop, explore the Bike Month events happening around the city, and register a team (or teams!). Teams that average the most bike trips during May are in the running for a trophy. Register your team and spread the word this April so your teams hit the pedal on May 1st.
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 a non-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
- Top 10 things to stop doing to advance Vision Zero (Vision Zero Network)
- Breaking silos for safer streets (Transportation Radio)
- Pedestrian deaths saw largest recorded drop in early 2025 (Stateline)
- Searching for the ‘smoking gun' in U.S. pedestrian deaths (Bloomberg CityLab)
- Hit-and-run crashes are killing more people than ever, according to AAA study (Jalopnik)
- Automated traffic safety cameras: life-saving or revenue-raising? (Smart Cities Dive)
- The financial costs of the pedestrian death crisis are still stratospheric (Streetsblog)
- As e-bike crashes send an increasing number of people to the hospital, cities search for solutions (The Guardian)
- With more older drivers on the road, states try to balance safety and mobility (NPR)
- National Transportation Safety Board says "automation overreliance" contributed to fatal SUV crashes in 2024 (CNN)
Parts of this document were edited with the support of ChatGPT. City staff reviewed and fact-checked all content.