Dear parents, caregivers, educators, and community,
Last month, we celebrated two big steps toward safer streets in Portland: Mayor Wilson's Walk and Bike to School and Work Week proclamation and Council Vice President Koyama Lane's resolution to reaffirm Portland's commitment to Vision Zero, the city's goal to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries. These directly support Safe Routes to School's goals that "no child is involved in a serious traffic crash on their way to or from school" and "every child who wants to walk, bike, roll, or take transit to school knows how to do so safely." We look forward to safer outcomes that this proclamation and resolution may bring.
Continue reading to learn about a few more celebratory moments, as well as information about Portland State University's free, week-long transportation summer camp for high school students. Applications are due Sunday, June 8!
Make sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook—and tag us in your stories so we can share your successes with our Portland community.
With gratitude,
Safe Routes to School Team | Brittany, Dana, Gui, Janis, Jeri, Josh, and Meaghan
In this newsletter
- Celebrating our 2024-25 school year successes!
- Congrats to schools that participated in Bike+Roll to School Day!
- Community spotlight: Hannah Snyder
- Build walk, bike, and roll habits this summer
- Apply now to attend PSU's free Transportation Summer Camp
- Cycle Oregon Kids Bike Camp
- Parks & Recreation's Summer Free For All Kick-off Event—Thursday, June 26
- Personal safety community resources
- Job and volunteer postings
- What we're reading
Celebrating our 2024-25 school year successes!
Educators are bringing transportation safety education to more schools than ever
Across Portland, more educators are teaching pedestrian and bike safety education—and students are putting those lessons into practice. At Kellogg Middle School, wellness teacher Torey Frisina leads the way with a full transportation safety unit each quarter. Every student learns key skills such as the benefits of walking and biking, traffic safety laws, how to ride transit, and assertive communication in public spaces.
The impact is real. Students have used these skills to stay safe in challenging situations, and the lessons have sparked new conversations at home. Torey will continue the program next year, share his experience at a district training, and is raising funds for a shared bike fleet to support Kellogg and other schools in the Franklin High School cluster.
We're delivering high-quality infrastructure projects that make a difference
Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) continues to build projects that make walking, biking, and rolling safer and more accessible for everyone. A standout this year? The SE 174th Avenue Sidewalk Infill project between Main and Stark streets near Alder Elementary School in the Centennial neighborhood.
Located in a high-equity area, the project received strong community support and funding from Oregon Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School Competitive Infrastructure Grant and Fixing Our Streets—the 10-cent citywide gas tax Portland voters approved in 2016, 2020, and 2024. The project is a "gold standard" among PBOT’s Capital Project Delivery team thanks to excellent traffic control, contractor coordination, and thoughtful design. This new sidewalk provides a critical connection for students, families, and neighbors in East Portland—making it easier and safer for people to get where they need to go.
We're partnering with schools for safer, more efficient travel
Safe Routes to School partnered with 13 schools this year to mitigate congestion and improve student safety during arrival and dismissal. Each school received a custom campus circulation map and multilingual materials, including a Walk and Ride Safe flier to help families safely navigate drop-off and pick-up.
More than half of the schools saw on-the-ground upgrades such as improved signage, adjusted loading zones, and safer travel patterns. We're now gathering feedback to understand the impact and improve future efforts.
Next year, we'll work with schools to share circulation info on school webpages, as well as release a new school circulation kit. The goal? Make sure every student gets to school safely—no matter how they travel.
Learn more about Safe Routes to School
Congrats to schools that participated in Bike+Roll to School Day!
You make our community great!
Abernethy, Alameda, Atkinson, Beach, Capitol Hill, Chapman, Chief Joseph, Duniway, Forest Park, Glencoe, Grout, Hayhurst, James John, Kelly, Lent, Lincoln Park, Llewellyn, Maplewood, Menlo Park, Peninsula, Richmond, Rigler, Rosa Parks, Rose City Park, Scott, Stephenson, Vestal, Whitman, Woodlawn, and Woodstock elementary schools; César Chávez and Laurelhurst K-8 schools; Beaumont, Kellogg, and Lane middle schools; and Grant, Lincoln, and McDaniel high schools.
Learn more about National Bike+Roll to School Day
Community spotlight: Hannah Snyder
We're interested in sharing stories about the amazing work that everyday folks in Portland do to make our community better. Hannah Snyder is one of those people helping kids and their families safely walk, bike, and roll to and from school!
Hannah is a school counselor who leads walk and roll events for students and families at Lincoln Park Elementary School in the Hazelwood neighborhood in David Douglas School District. Since 2022, she’s used the @lpcounselor account to share her school’s walk and roll efforts—from Walk, Roll and Ride to School Day to traffic playgrounds.
Continue reading to learn more about Hannah!
Question: Why did you get started helping kids and their families walk, bike, and roll to and from school?
Answer: I've always been concerned with pedestrian traffic and safety. I often walked to and from school on a windy country road with no shoulder. On my way to school, I would collect cans and turn them in for Tootsie Pops at the corner store. On the way home, I'd catch snakes. I always had to keep an ear and eye out on the corners! I'm grateful now to live in a city where many (but not all!) of the streets have sidewalks and crosswalks.
Q: What is one bit of wisdom for people who want to do something like what you're doing?
A: It's important to go out and walk the neighborhood when planning your route. Make note of intersections, blind corners, busy driveways, barky dogs, etc. The goal is to really get an impression of what people will be passing on their way to and from school. Also, make sure your school has a place to store bikes, scooters, and helmets!
Q: What is something you've learned while doing this work?
A: Our community really enjoys coming out, no matter the weather—it is always such a nice morning when we do a walk and roll event! I've gotten to meet extended family, rising kindergarteners and some Very Good Dogs, which is always a bonus.
Q: What is something you’ve grappled with while doing this work?
A: Over the years, there have been a couple times when someone was camping under or resting on the stairs of the pedestrian bridge we use to cross SE Division Street. (One of the reasons it's important to walk your route ahead of time!) SE Division Street one of the highest-crash streets in Portland, so it's especially important to use safety features like the pedestrian bridge and protected crossings.
It can hard to find the right balance between safety and fun—but the more people use these safety features, the more drivers come to expect them and watch out for people walking and rolling. We've settled on holding three walk and roll events each year. No organized walking school bus or bike bus yet. But every year, I think about expanding! Maybe sometime soon we'll try a monthly event...
Q: What keeps you motivated?
A: I am an outside kid! I think we all need to get some fresh air every day, whether it's walking or rolling to school, playing outside at recess, or messing around with friends and family in the neighborhood after school. (Or, if you're me, going for a long run with the coyotes, raccoons, and garbage trucks early in the morning—don't worry, I'm always reflective and lit up for safety!). The time I spend outside gives me pep in my step, motivation for a good day, and puts a smile on my face.
Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself!
A: Like Buffy Summers (from Buffy the Vampire Slayer), I'm an avid pedestrian! I run, walk, and hike all over our city and the Pacific Northwest. Come summer, you'll find me on a long trail in the mountains, only stopping for lakes and huckleberries. Fun fact: I can walk and knit (or read a good book) at the same time!
Do you know someone who is helping kids and their families walk, bike, and roll to and from school? Tell us about them by filling out this community spotlight nomination form!
Nominate someone in your community
Build walk, bike, and roll habits this summer
Summer is a great time to practice safe travel skills with children. Invest now to help them build habits that will set them up for success once the start of the school year arrives. Walking, biking, and rolling at free summer events is an easy way to do just that!
Tips and resources
- Practice simple traffic safety rules
- Find your route with a Portland Neighborhood Bike and Walk Map
- Plan your trip with our Getting There guide
- Review the Portland Family Biking Guide to prepare for all stages of family biking, including biking while pregnant, with kids of all ages, and helping kids prepare to bike alone
- Get to know TriMet and review what to know for your first trip
- Learn how to properly fit a bike helmet
- Make sure you know how to bring your bike on public transit
- Pick up TriMet's free summer pass for high school students
Learn more about all stages of family biking in Portland
Free PBOT bike events
- Northeast Cully Neighborhood Bike Fair: Friday, June 6 from 2:30 to 5 p.m. at Rigler Elementary School (5401 NE Prescott St.)
- Basic Bike Maintenance Workshop: Tuesday, June 24 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Central Library (801 SW 10th Ave.)
- Northeast Cully Sunday Parkways: Sunday, June 29 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. stopping along the way at Fernhill, Kʰunamokwst, and Wellington parks and Roseway Parkway
Learn more about free PBOT bike events
Bike Summer (Pedalpalooza)
- Ice Cream Bike Bus: Wednesday, June 11 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. stopping along the way at Glencoe, Richmond, Creston, Sunnyside, and Abernethy elementary schools
- Kidical Mass PDX - Frozen Yogurt Ride: Saturday, June 14 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Tanner Springs Park (NW 11th Avenue and Marshall Street)
- Daycare Ride - Juice Box Bike Club: Saturday, June 28 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Sewallcrest Park (SE 31st Avenue and Market Street)
- Kidical Mass PDX - Bike Bus to Northeast Cully Sunday Parkways: Sunday, June 29 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Irving Park Playground (3149 NE 9th Avenue)
Learn more about Bike Summer (Pedalpalooza)
Apply now to attend PSU's free Transportation Summer Camp
The Portland State University Transportation Summer Camp is a free, week-long experience for Oregon high school students. It offers an immersive introduction to transportation careers and the workings of transportation systems in Portland. Students will hear from guest speakers, develop data collection and STEM skills, and go on daily field trips. Apply by Sunday, June 8!
Learn more about the Transportation Summer Camp
Cycle Oregon Kids Bike Camp
Cycle Oregon's Kids Bike Camp is an exciting, weeklong day camp designed for young riders ages 8-12. Campers will build confidence, independence, and essential bike safety skills while exploring their surroundings on two wheels. With a focus on fun, community, and hands-on learning, this camp is the perfect way for kids to deepen their love for bicycling in a safe and supportive environment. Session runs June 16-20. Register by Sunday, June 8!
Learn more about the Kids Bike Camp
Parks & Recreation's Summer Free For All Kick-off Event—Thursday, June 26
Join Portland Parks & Recreation Summer Free For All to celebrate the start of Free Lunch + Play on Thursday, June 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the new Parklane Park (SE 155th Avenue and Main Street)! Free lunch will be served starting at 11:30 a.m. until meals run out. Arts in the Park will be crafting with kids, Rose City Rollers will have free roller skating for kids (bring socks), DJ George will be spinning tunes, and there will be lots of lawn games and fun!
Learn more about the Summer Free for All Kick-off
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
Job and volunteer postings
The City of Portland posts new job opportunities every Monday.
Park Squad (Summer Recreation Employment)
Apply by Monday, June 30
Are you looking for a part-time job that is flexible and fun? Portland Parks & Recreation is hiring staff to lead activities with the TeenForce program! TeenForce provides safe and fun spaces for teens to hang out with each other and surrounded by caring adults. Our staff are mentors who help teens in this recreation environment. They balance keeping the safe space with building positive relationships and making everyone feel welcome.
Learn more about the Park Squad position
SUN Community Schools (Summer Recreation Employment)
Apply by Monday, June 30
Are you looking for a part-time job that is flexible and fun? Portland Parks & Recreation is hiring at SUN (Schools Uniting Neighborhoods) Community Schools across Portland! SUN Community Schools offer academic support and enrichment classes to students in Multnomah County. Partnering with local agencies and school districts, SUN focuses on helping students and families, especially those from underserved communities, to achieve self-sufficiency.
Learn more about the SUN Community Schools position
What we're reading
- Centering youth in your safety story (Toole Design)
- How youth access to shared micromobility opens new paths (Better Bike Share Partnership)
- Finding our way in a society built for cars (A Human-Scaled Journey)
- New car seat regulations go into effect: What parents need to know (ABC News)
- New study: Teen drivers safer with more practice (Virginia Tech News)
- National Road Safety Foundation asks young drivers and parents to make this summer "the 100 safest days" (The National Road Safety Foundation)
- Safer walking and cycling crucial for road safety and better health (World Health Organization)
Parts of this document were drafted with the support of ChatGPT. The content was edited and fact-checked by city staff.