Category: Events

While We’re Waiting for the Transportation Package…

Posted on by Street Trust

Mid-session updates from the city, state, and more on transportation policy, budgets, where we’re building solutions, and what we’ll be looking for in Oregon’s forthcoming 2025 Transportation Package.

 

At the Oregon Legislature

Lawmakers are still negotiating the details of Oregon’s 2025 transportation package, expected to be the largest in nearly a decade. A draft framework is currently circulating the Capitol and could be released any day now.

The stakes are extremely high, with competing visions for how to fix ODOT’s funding crisis (while providing adequate oversight), complete projects statewide, and address the epidemic of traffic fatalities. Meanwhile, transit providers and local governments are facing their own severe funding shortfalls (more on the situation in Portland below). Lawmakers must act now to stabilize and reinvest in the transportation access Oregonians rely on every day.

What we’ll be looking for:

  • A complete package that fully funds walking, biking, rolling, and transit. Anything less is out of step with what Oregonians actually need. The economic, health, and social benefits of a safe, multimodal transportation system are indisputable. This is our bottom line.
  • The Street Trust has been pushing for solutions that will help provide sustainable, diversified funding to support safety and multimodal investments. We’re cautiously optimistic that some of those solutions will be included in the final package. Whatever quilt lawmakers patch together to cover ODOT’s needs, it cannot leave our communities, transit agencies, or active transportation users out in the cold.

📌 Pro-tip: Check out MN Larry Kraft’s presentation on delivery fees from last year’s Oregon Active Transportation Summit and our panel on Oregon’s transition from the fuels taxes to a tax on miles driven (VMT) aka road user charge (RUC) from OATS in 2023.

It’s time to truly Move Oregon Forward with fully funded safe routes for walking, rolling, biking, and accessing transit. We’re not waiting for someone else to lead while Oregonians are in dire need of transportation options. Guaranteed access to transportation is fundamental – it means access to food, education, health care, family and community.

Panels and discussions from last year’s OATS (like the one pictured above) helped shape our work and demands for the 2025 Transportation Package.

The Street Trust is the only organization in Oregon with a dedicated lobbying presence in Salem focused on fully funding safe routes for walking, rolling, biking, and accessing transit. Our staff, board, and members are working hard to secure a sustainable, equitable transportation package for all at a time when the federal government is slashing budgets and abandoning its commitments.

That means we need your help now to ensure safe streets and transit are prioritized in Oregon. To keep our advocacy strong and independent, we need help from caring people like you to finish this session. If you believe in this movement, now is the time to show it.

PLEASE DONATE TODAY

If you are unable to donate, you can still support safe streets and a better future for all Oregonians:

  1. It’s an understatement to say there is a lot going on, but when you see action alerts from us, please take a moment to act and speak out. Lawmakers need to hear from you, so all Oregonians, not just people who can drive, are at the center of this package.
  2. Know a business or organization who supports active, multimodal transportation and equity? Ask if they can sponsor this year’s Oregon Active Transportation Summit. Details on how to get involved at www.oregontransportationsummit.org/Sponsorship
  3. Attend Oregon’s premier active transportation summit (April 23-25), so you don’t miss out on the conversation. Get your passes to network with Oregon’s transportation leaders and organizers now: www.oregontransportationsummit.org/tix
  4. Sign up for Move Oregon Forward’s Advocacy Day in Salem on April 17 to meet with state lawmakers and tell them why we need green neighborhoods with safe sidewalks, bike paths, public transit, and the freedom to choose how we get around. Sign up here

 

 

 

Image Source: www.portland.gov/council

At the City of Portland

The world has changed a lot since legislators Shemia Fagan and Jessica Vega Pederson convened Salem’s “East Portland Caucus” to win safety funding for sidewalks in their districts. What did Fagan have to say back in 2013?

“Every time I’ve knocked on doors in Portland,” Fagan said, “people are pissed off —because for the last 30 years they’ve been hearing Powell was five to 15 years away from being a priority.” (to Willamette Week)

Portland’s leaders have kicked billions in deferred maintenance down the road budget cycle after budget cycle and now, in addition, PBOT is facing a significant operating budget shortfall with no sustainable funding solution in sight. Essential PBOT staff and safety programs, as well as beloved community initiatives, are on the chopping block.

We’re encouraged by City Council’s ambitious new ordinance to invest $20 million in sidewalks for East and West Portland, led by Councilors Smith (D1) and Green (D4). Yet, we are concerned that this one-time funding does not solve PBOT’s underlying fiscal crisis or protect the everyday work our communities rely on.

You might recall that our sister organization, TST Action Fund, endorsed 7 of the 12 councilors currently on council (a majority, we’re proud to say). To win the Action Fund endorsement, candidates were required to complete a nonpartisan Candidate Transportation School.

As we head into the budget process, we hope Portland electeds will remember core lessons we covered:

  1. Council must make funding for complete streets a legislative priority and direct the city’s government relations team to fully fund safety and transit this session. The stakes could not be higher for local jurisdictions in terms of their share of the pie or access to safety grants.
  2. Price Portland’s system correctly, especially parking, and innovate new funding mechanisms to keep the bureau functioning day-to-day. Options include delivery fees and a transportation utility fee, like you heard about fromMayor Wilson last month (or from the City of Bend at last year’s OATS).
  3. Depoliticize project selection and prioritization. Portland transformed its government to increase equity, not foster parochialism. Council needs to make it a matter of policy to address the needs of vulnerable system users first. What does that mean? Council must lead with race when picking projects (equity areas) and invest first where people are dying in crashes (high crash network).

    Image and Data Source: PBOT’s 2024 Deadly Traffic Crash Report
  4. Finally, don’t launch new plans and projects until you finish the ones already on the books (where some have languished unfinished for a very long time).

What’s Next? Budget Timeline & Action Steps

  • Now through April – City Council is reviewing PBOT and other bureau’s budgets. The decisions made now will determine whether Portland cuts essential safety and transit programs — or invests in the future.
  • March 27 to April 10 – City Council work sessions and public hearings are happening now. This is the most critical window to speak up.
  • April 24 – Mayor releases the Proposed Budget.
  • May to June – City Council holds public hearings and makes final changes before the budget is adopted in mid-June.

Federal Legislation: HR 1668 Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety Act

There’s far too much happening in transportation right now for The Street Trust, with our limited capacity, to reliably monitor and mobilize you at both the state and federal levels (if you wish that were different, please hit

DONATE

 to help). Meanwhile, we suggest heeding 

Transportation For America’s

 national calls to action.

That said, one of our board members, Dr. Armando “AJ” Zelada, just returned from the National Bike Summit in DC with a special request: please email Senator Merkley’s office asking him to sign on to co-sponsor HR 1668.

This bill will help small Oregon communities access federal safety funds without needing local match dollars. Sparked by the tragic death of U.S. diplomat Sarah Debbink, killed by a driver at a stop sign in D.C. after being evacuated from Ukraine, it allows Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funds to be used as match for Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grants.

Image and Data Source: League of American Bicyclists HR 1668 FAQ Sheet

This federal-to-federal match removes a major barrier for places like Klamath Falls, Pendleton, and Talent. It’s not a new idea: Oregon used a similar strategy in the 2010s with its 1% “Bike Bill” HTF dollars. Critics may argue local governments need “skin in the game,” but this bill prioritizes lives and safety where it’s needed most.

P.S. We need your support to continue this transformative advocacy work. Please join us as a member of The Street Trust here. You’ll get discounts, free entry to community events, and insider updates on the legislative session. Thank you!

The Street Trust’s Newest Collab: Parkrose High School

Posted on by Burgin Utaski

 

November 7, 2024

In February of 2023, The Street Trust connected with The Pathfinder Network to discuss community engagement and collaboration with the students at Parkrose High School. The Street Trust is currently working as the backbone organization behind an initiative to build a multi-modal pathway in East Portland at the cross levee spanning from Sandy Blvd to NE Marine Drive at about 142nd (running north-south), strategically linking Argay and Parkrose Neighborhoods to the bustling Columbia River. 

Guided by The Street Trust, this community-driven project will increase accessibility, connectivity, safety, and resilience within our neighborhoods. We envision an interconnected path between Parkrose and Argay Neighborhoods, providing crucial access to the Columbia River. By improving access to green spaces and reducing the urban heat island effect, the path will assist in creating a harmonious relationship between people, nature, and the built environment.

Essential to this project is extensive community engagement, understanding the needs of those living, working, studying, recreating, and playing in the Parkrose, Argay-Terrace, and surrounding neighborhoods. By fostering collaboration across sectors and stakeholders, we aim to enhance the quality of life for residents, creating a more vibrant and accessible community while championing historically underserved populations. 

Thanks to a grant from APTA, The Street Trust was able to fund this collaboration, including a presentation at The PATHfinder Club about civic engagement through public space, the onboarding of a Youth Steering Committee Member (Parkrose sophomore Bradynn D.), and a compensated walk audit with thirteen club members. 

Bradynn, our Youth Steering Committee Member, has participated in stakeholder meetings for the project, where we government, private sector, and community partners oversee the project. Her contributions to the communications and public safety plan as a well-connected Parkrose resident have been invaluable. 

Most recently, Club members joined The Street Trust staff in a walk audit along the proposed pathway. During the walk, students received a meal and provided feedback about what they would like to see on the path. Students highlighted the need for good lighting, a paved path, vibrant public artwork, and security features. Some students even highlighted interest in community activation projects like a community garden or a monthly food truck event. Of all student attendees, 100% said they would use this path if built! At the end of the walk, each student received a $25 Visa gift card.

Looking forward, The Street Trust would love to continue collaboration with The Pathfinder Network and the amazing students at Parkrose High School, encouraging students to get involved with local community projects and feel empowered doing so. One way to encourage this is continued compensated engagement, where students are paid for their time and expertise. This multi-modal path project is a several-year-long process to plan, fund, and build, and we hope to continue this partnership with The PATHfinder Club throughout.

 

World Day of Remembrance 2023

Posted on by staff
World Day of Remembrance Graphic

 

Families for Safe Streets of Oregon and SW Washington, in partnership with The Street Trust, invites you to join us for the observance of World Day of Remembrance 2023 on November 19. This international event honors the memory of those who have lost their lives in road traffic crashes and advocates for safer streets.

Event Details:
11:00 am Gathering begins outside The Street Trust offices at 1259 Lloyd Center

11:30 Processional Walk led by Oregon Walks departs Lloyd Center for Memorial Coliseum

12:00 Program with Invited Speakers starts at Veterans Memorial Coliseum

  • Charlene McGee, Director Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion, Multnomah County Health Department
  • Wendy Serrano, Equity and Inclusion Manager, City of Portland Bureau of Transportation

The Morrison Bridge will be lit up yellow all day in observance and participants will wear yellow, as well. There will be an installation under the portico of Memorial Coliseum of black “body bags” representing the lives lost in traffic on Portland streets to date in 2023. (Actually sleeping bags, they will be donated to people in need following the event.)

Objectives of the Event:

  • Remember all individuals killed and injured in traffic crashes this year
  • Advocate for improved support for road traffic victims and their families
  • Raise awareness about the legal response to culpable road deaths and injuries
  • Promote evidence-based actions to prevent future road traffic incidents

The Challenge in Oregon:
Between 2010 and 2022, annual traffic fatalities in Oregon increased from 351 to 606. The rate per 100,000 residents surged from nine to 14. This alarming rise highlights a public health epidemic, emphasizing the urgent need for safer and complete public streets.

Policy Makers Pledge:
Transportation leaders and decision-makers will be challenged to commit to meaningful action to reverse this epidemic, ensuring safer streets for all. We are asking leaders to sign this pledge acknowledging the harms and inequities of this crisis and committing to actions that can save lives. Signers are encouraged to attend the event and the full list of signers and their comments will be shared with attendees.

Transportation Options:
Veterans Memorial Coliseum is easily accessible by MAX (red, green, blue lines to Rose Quarter Transit Center or yellow line to Interstate/Rose Quarter) and *TriMet* bus lines (*4, 8, 35, 44, 77 to Rose Quarter Transit Center*).

Join Us:
We encourage all concerned residents, road safety stakeholders, elected leaders, and members of the media to participate in this crucial event. Help us remember those we’ve lost, advocate for safer streets, and support initiatives that can save lives. 

Please visit the event page to RSVP.

Ride2Own: A Pioneering Step Towards eBike Accessibility in Oregon

Posted on by staff

 

Oregon’s eBike enthusiasts were abuzz this fall with the electrifying news of the Ride2Own launch in Portland’s Portsmouth neighborhood. This groundbreaking initiative, a brainchild of The Street Trust in collaboration with We All Rise,Oregon DEQ, and PGE is set to revolutionize eBike accessibility in Oregon, particularly for historically excluded communities.

The Ride2Own program is not merely about providing eBikes. It’s a comprehensive approach that encompasses education, gear, and community-building. The overarching goal? To create transformative experiences through e-mobility and initiate a ripple effect that expands sustainable transportation options across the region.

The program’s first pilot kicked off on October 1st, 2023, with a year-long pilot in the Portsmouth neighborhood of Portland, reported by KPTV. The program is providing the first cohort of 15 electric bicycles to community members with low-incomes who would otherwise lack access, education, or support for e-mobility. Participants will track their experiences over twelve months and, upon successful completion, keep their bikes for free.

This is the first of four pilots Ride2Own will be conducting across the Portland metro region. The other neighborhoods are Portland’s Parkrose, Milwaukie, and Hillsboro. A total of approximately 90 eBikes will be distributed to qualifying community members across the four pilot areas.

“I am excited about the opportunity to be a part of making bike commuting even more accessible to members of communities of color like myself,” said one program participant in their application.

It’s hard to overstate the significance of this launch. At a time when Oregon’s transportation sector contributes a staggering 40% of the state’s GHG pollution, initiatives like Ride2Own are not just welcome; they’re imperative. Ride2Own’s overarching goal is to create positive, transformative experiences through eBiking and initiate a ripple effect that expands sustainable transportation options for residents and reduces the amount that people need to drive (VMT, vehicle miles traveled) across the region.

“Portland General Electric is excited to award funds from DEQ’s Oregon Clean Fuels Program to support our partners in expanding cleaner transportation systems across the state,” said Elyssia Lawrence, senior manager, Product Manager and head of PGE’s Transportation Electrification team. “Transportation electrification plays an essential role in accelerating the clean energy transition. It is going to take all of us working together to achieve a cleaner and more equitable future for all Oregonians.”

Ride2Own stands as a testament to what’s possible when innovation meets determination.
In a world where the status quo often reigns supreme, Ride2Own is a reminder that with the right vision and commitment, we can build transportation systems that serve everyone equitably. As we celebrate this launch, let’s also recommit to a future where every Oregonian, regardless of background or zip code, has access to safe, sustainable, and inclusive transportation options.

Special thanks to The Street Trust Board Member Paul Buchanan, for helping bring the Portsmouth Neighborhood Pilot from idea to reality and to PGE Drive Change Fund, which is funded via the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Clean Fuels Program. Funded by the sale of Oregon CFP credits, which PGE aggregates on behalf of residential customers who charge their electric vehicles at home, the fund supports projects aimed at expanding electric mobility options and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The DCF prioritizes projects focused on serving vulnerable populations and underserved communities.

Recap of the 2023 Alice Awards

Posted on by Kayla Kennett

On Saturday, October 14th, the Oregon Zoo became a habitat for one of our favorite species—transportation visionaries. The 2023 Alice Awards brought together nearly 200 people who share a common commitment to help create a safer, more accessible, and more sustainable transportation system. 

Together, we enjoyed an evening filled with inspiration, community, and generosity, raising an astounding $70,267 through sponsorships and individual donations to further our mission.

 

 

Highlights

The program kicked off with a special video message from Congressman Earl Blumenauer, a national champion for bike and pedestrian issues. In his remarks, he emphasized the importance of community-based transportation advocacy and extended his sincere thanks to our award recipients for their dedication to improving Oregon’s transportation system.

Congratulations again to our 2023 Alice Awards winners and finalists. Learn more about them here.

Then, Poison Waters brought her signature style and charisma to the stage as our emcee. She helped pay a heartfelt tribute to her close friend, Darcelle XV, who was posthumously recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

We were also delighted to have auctioneer Amanda Valley, who led an exciting and successful live appeal, generating dozens of individual donations.

The evening culminated with the long-awaited results of the Alice Awards Raffle. One participant walked away with a brand new Tern E-Cargo bike, complete with a front rack and rear bags, courtesy of Clever Cycles. Another lucky winner received a car rear rack for two bikes, thanks to ReRack Portland. Finally, a weekend getaway to the Society Hotel was awarded to our Last Hero donor.

Thank you to our local business community for making these prizes possible.

 

 

 

Thank You!

The resounding success of the 2023 Alice Awards would not have been possible without the dedication and support of numerous individuals and organizations. We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who attended, our generous sponsors, and the staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes.

Your contributions will reach far beyond this event’s success. As we look to the year ahead, we’re filled with hope, knowing that the momentum generated by your investments of time, talent, and resources will inspire others to join the movement, make donations, and further our cause. Together, we can continue building a transportation system that’s safe, accessible, and sustainable for all.

 

Thank you to our 2023 Alice Awards Sponsors

 

 

Announcing the 2023 Alice Awards Winners

Posted on by Kayla Kennett

The Alice Awards honors individuals and organizations shaping Oregon’s transportation landscape, leading with a commitment to The Street Trust’s mission to create a complete, safe, low-carbon, and multimodal transportation system for enhanced accessibility and equity.

The Street Trust is proud to announce the following 2023 award recipients:

The 2023 Alice Award recipient is The City of Tigard. This award acknowledges their outstanding work in building a multimodal transportation system that promotes a healthy and prosperous community. Their contributions include implementing an innovative e-bike sharing program, reducing speed limits, creating safe routes to school, and advocating for improvements on “orphan highways,” notably Hall Boulevard. The City of Tigard’s dedication to safety, accessibility, and sustainability sets an inspiring example for the region.

Walter “Darcelle XV” Cole is the 2023 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. His dedication to better bicycling and safer streets in Portland spanned decades, starting with his involvement in the Bicycle Transportation Alliance in 1992. His enduring advocacy for improved bicycling infrastructure and safer streets in Portland continued steadfastly. Although Darcelle XV is no longer with us, his legacy lives on through the positive impact he had on the city and the cycling community.

Metro Councilor Juan Carlos González is the 2023 recipient of the Elizabeth Jennings Graham Award. He has shown exceptional dedication to championing transportation justice and equity, particularly through his roles on the Metro Council and Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation (JPACT). His work truly embodies the spirit of the award, making a lasting impact on transportation justice in the region and creating a more equitable and accessible transportation system for all.

Shawne Martinez is the recipient of the 2023 Safe Streets for All Award for his unwavering dedication to promoting safer streets and sustainable modes of transportation, driven by his commitment as a parent to provide a healthier lifestyle for his daughter and combat climate change. His innovative approach, including documenting his transition from a diesel pickup to eco-friendly transportation, and advocating for responsible driving, sets a remarkable example and significantly contributes to improving street safety for all.

Recipients Reflects on Their Motivations

Dave Roth, Principal Transportation Planner at City of Tigard, shared his vision for Tigard’s mobility future:

“Our community is working together to ensure that everyone can participate, prosper, and thrive, regardless of their identity, experience, age, ability, or preferred mode of travel. We’re building a vibrant, equitable, and healthy city for generations to come, with safe, sustainable, and accessible mobility options at the core of our decisions.”

Poison Waters, a close friend of Walter “Darcelle XV” Cole, reflects on the legacy of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient:

“Darcelle taught me to be a person, not just a personality. Locally, he was part of numerous nonprofits, worked with the homeless long before it became a crisis, and always supported the houseless in our community. He and Roxy spent nearly five decades building their business, raising funds for charities, caring for friends affected by HIV/AIDS, and advocating for LGBTQ rights.”

Metro Councilor Juan Carlos González shares his commitment to creating an equitable and accessible transportation system:

“As the youngest and first elected Latino Metro Councilor, my commitment is unwavering in ensuring that underrepresented communities have a seat at the decision-making table. I’ve dedicated myself to advocating for safe, equitable, and accessible transportation systems, especially in neglected areas like TV Highway. Equity, accessibility, and safety are at the forefront of my vision for our community.”

Shawne Martinez, the 2023 Safe Streets for All Award recipient, reveals the motivation behind his advocacy for safer streets and sustainable transportation:

“Becoming a parent brought tremendous positive change to my life! I realized that driving a big stinky pickup truck was harmful to my daughter and everyone else around us. I made transportation choices to promote a healthy lifestyle. I want to be able to tell my daughter that I did everything I could to end car dependency and fight climate change.”

In addition to our winners, we’d like to recognize the following finalists who were nominated for an award this year!

 

 

The Street Trust welcomes the New Year in Clackamas County

Posted on by Madi Carlson
The Street Trust's 2023 New Year's Day Ride poses in front of the Welcome to Milwaukie mural by Jeremy Okai Davis featuring Ah Bing alongside Dorothy and Hurtis Hadley.

For over 50 years, Portland area residents have welcomed the new year with a bike ride. The ride serves multiple purposes: to joyfully welcome in the new year, celebrate improvements to our streets, and provide an opportunity to experience new parts of the region with friends old and new. This year, we headed to Clackamas County to explore Milwaukie’s SAFE (Safe Access For Everyone) program innovations and investments.

Outgoing Milwaukie Mayor Mark Gamba addresses the crowd of 80 in front of a MAX train in Milwaukie.
Outgoing Milwaukie Mayor Mark Gamba addresses the crowd of 80 in front of a MAX train in Milwaukie. (Photo by Julian Dunn)

One of our favorite things about riding in a group on New Year’s Day is that streets are generally quieter, allowing us to take routes that at busier times are unfriendly (or highly unpleasant) for less experienced riders. This year, that meant we could comfortably check out both completed and not-yet-implemented SAFE project streets.

Our special guest was outgoing Milwaukie Mayor Mark Gamba and incoming State Representative (D- HD 41), who led on many of these investments. He addressed our assembly of 80 New Year’s Day riders before venturing out with us on our five-mile, family-friendly ride.

What a great turnout we had! Our events in central Portland historically have attracted more participants than in more suburban parts of the region, so the fact that this year’s Milwaukie ride saw a larger crowd than last year’s in downtown Portland is something to celebrate! This is The Street Trust’s mission in action–centering the people, voices, and needs of communities too often left out of transportation decision-making.

The 2023 New Year’s Day Ride was a first for The Street Trust’s Education and Engagement Assistant Citlaly Ramirez-Sierra, a resident of Clackamas County, who shared, “I thoroughly enjoyed the event. It was great to see so many community members show up and ride together. Growing up in the Milwaukie area, I didn’t see many outdoor community-oriented events; it was heartwarming to see Milwaukie shine the way it did in this event.”

The Route
We got a lot of positive feedback about the route so here’s a map if you’d like to explore it on your own, with a description of what you’ll see below:

  • We began our ride at the end of the MAX Orange Line to provide easy access to those arriving multimodally and started out along the Trolley Trail, which predates SAFE and is a regional gem.
  • We left the Trolley Trail to wind our way along the Kronberg Park Multi-Use Trail (SAFE phase 2020) and traversed downtown Milwaukie on quiet streets to reach…
  • Washington Street (SAFE phase 2024) where we climbed uphill alongside what will soon be improved sidewalk and stormwater management.
  • We took advantage of the reduced holiday car traffic to utilize the traffic lights into and out of the Safeway parking lot and easily make our way to the very-recently-completed 43rd Avenue Improvements (SAFE phase 2022). In keeping our ride to a family-friendly/all-ages-and-abilities length and steepness we didn’t pedal all the way to Linwood Avenue (SAFE phase 2021), our favorite new shared pedestrian/bike path, but 43rd Avenue’s shared path is similarly spectactacular and is also the start of a safe and connected network.
  • We finished up along a portion of the future Monroe Street Greenway (SAFE phase 2022 & some segments TBD).
  • Our ride ended at the Milwaukie Station Food Cart Pod, conveniently sited next to the penultimate Orange Line MAX station for those leaving multimodally.

The route proved fun and accessible for all manner of bikes including recumbent trikes, young kids on their own bikes, families on cargo bikes, and EUCs (electric unicycles).

A collage of photos of people (and one dog) at the New Year's Day Ride

But that’s not all! We’ve noticed that as people are getting back into the habit of gathering in public, connecting as a community is what we’re most aching for. So, we book-ended the ride with hot drinks at the start, and a cookie exchange at the end. Over cookies (and other less sugary snacks) we collected “Transportation hopes and dreams for 2023” on index cards from the group, and had a random drawing for four The Street Trust knit caps.

Index cards with transportation hopes and dreams for 2023

Happy 2023 from The Street Trust! We hope you’ll walk and roll through Milwaukie this year and see us at a future event. Please sign up for our newsletter to get updates on events, info on advocacy efforts, and to learn more about the impact we’re having in our community; sign up to volunteer to help assist events like this and others, and donate to The Street Trust to support multimodal transportation options that prioritize safety, accessibility, equity, and climate justice.

When Protesting For Bike Safety Is Scary (And Worth It)

Posted on by staff

 

In my thirteen years living in Oregon, the protest on Powell Blvd last week was the first I’ve ever attended. 

 

Assembling peacefully in the street demanding government accountability on traffic safety was my first exercise of my First Amendment right to assemble as a U.S. Citizen. I’m originally from Nepal and was proud to be naturalized this past year. At this protest, I witnessed firsthand the power of the community coming together to demand something like safer streets from our officials. 

 

Not only was it my first time at a protest, it was my first time being a ‘Human Bike Box,’ meaning participants stood together with our bodies in front of traffic in the intersection representing where safety infrastructure used to be. Each time the light would turn red, I’d step into traffic to form the Human Bike Box; each time, so many feelings welled up within me. I felt a sense of power, to be able to stand arm in arm with other community members, I felt a sense of strength in the statement we all were making. I felt brave and a little bit scared to be standing in front of an oncoming car, especially since I’d brought with me my mother, who is visiting the U.S. from Nepal. Most of all, I felt connected to diverse people from parts of society who use the street in different ways – people who walk, people who ride bikes, people who ride transit and people who drive. There were young people and elders, families, and people with disabilities.

 

Standing in traffic changes your perspective. Even though as Strategic Partnerships Manager for The Street Trust it’s my job to connect with a wide range of people around our mission, it was a new experience to talk with people sitting in stopped cars right in the middle of street – answering questions, sharing information, and for the majority of people, sharing sadness around Chef Pliner’s death and wanting safer intersection for everyone whether they’re walking, rolling, or motoring through it. Many people in cars wanted to know how they could help and how the demands we were making would be put into effect and when. It really put our current strategy in context, and drove home why it’s important to include people who drive cars in the movement for safer streets and a better transportation system. 

 

I live in Washington County but decided to take my mother to the protest because we wanted to gather in solidarity to honor Sarah Pliner, who was killed the previous week in the intersection where we were protesting. My mother shared with me how when they protest in Nepal, the tactics and demands differed a lot from what we were doing at our protest. But at the end of the day, the goal was the same – accountability from the government and justice for the people. 

 

Participating in the protest in the streets was an empowering, and satisfying experience for me, but it was also scary. Scary because there were motorists who didn’t like us being there in the streets. Scary big trucks passing so close to our feet while we stood on the sidelines. And scary because of the aggressive drivers intentionally racing through at high speeds and loudly revving vehicles to make some sort of misguided point. 

 

At the end of the day, the protest on Powell was amazing to see because not only did nearly 200 people come together in silence, with signs and solidarity, to convey the message that enough is enough: we demand safer streets for people now. 

The Street Trust Brings SRTS To Eastern Oregon

Posted on by Henry Latourette Miller

 

Over the Summer, the Oregon Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes To School program unveiled the pilot of the new Jump Start Train-the-Trainer program. This program helps school districts, staff, and other safe routes advocates learn the skills to teach bicycle and pedestrian safety to students across Oregon through onsite training.

Street Trust staff lead the pedestrian safety part of this program. In August, these staff members visited Baker City along with other members of the ODOT SRTS team and worked with advocates to help them prepare for bicycle and pedestrian safety lessons this Fall. Recently, Baker County received funds from a grant to purchase a fleet of bicycles for schools to encourage safe biking practices. 

The team provided the participants lessons in bicycle and pedestrian safety, along with resources so they can easily implement the lessons in their own programming.

“The hands-on portion of the training gave a very informative example of what we will have to do”, said Jessie Wilson, SRTS Coordinator in La Grande, of her time at the training.  “I really appreciated this experience”. 

Thank you to the great team in Baker City for inviting us to do this training! We are excited to continue to bring Jump Start to more communities throughout the state.

Interested in bringing the pilot Jump Start training to your school district? Send in your interest to our form to be considered for the pilot!

 

Bring Jump Start To Your School District!

 

TST Leads on Combining Bike and Bus Trips

Posted on by Madi Carlson
A teenager poses next to his bike on a bus rack

 

Combining bike and bus trips opens up a world of possibilities, making it possible to access places far away, exhaustingly hilly, and otherwise hard to reach.

This is why The Street Trust loves helping people learn and practice this important skill.

On Monday we took a group to visit the PSU Transportation Center demonstration rack. In addition to the usual discussion of rack specs, gear, and security, we took a deep dive into bike lifting–which is a great first step anyone with a bike can practice at home beforehand. There are a variety of spots to place each hand on your bike to comfortably lift it a couple feet straight off the ground and then move forward onto the rack. The weight of your bike and how that weight is distributed will influence what works best for you. You’ll probably put one hand somewhere below your saddle and one on or near your handlebars.

A woman holds a silver ebike aloft in front of her torso by the chainstay and downtube

Holding the chainstay and downtube

A teenager lifts a silver bike up onto a bus rack by holding its seatpost and headset

Holding the seatpost and headset

New to us this session was someone hefting their bike by the chainstay! (The chainstay is the short tube parallel to the ground between pedals and rear wheel.) The chainstay on the far side of the bike, no less! Grasping that and the top of the downtube (the lower main tube between handlebars and pedals) was this person’s preferred method of lifting a very light bike.

Requirements

Not every bike fits on the rack. The below requirements from TriMet are spot on, as we’ve learned from explorations in pushing the boundaries during practice sessions:

  • Wheel sizes 20-29 inches
  • Wheelbase up to 44 inches (this is the distance from the *center* of your front wheel to rear wheel, not end-to-end of your wheel edges)
  • Tires up to 2.35 inches wide
  • 55 pounds and lighter

Tutorials

There are some terrific resources you can watch before setting hand to top tube…or stem, down tube, chain stay, headset, etc…

Want to try?

The PSU Transportation Center is located at 1812 SW 6th Ave, next door to the PSU Bike Hub. The demonstration rack is indoors and masks are encouraged. Summer hours are Monday through Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and once classes begin on September 26th hours will change to Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It’s convenient to arrive by MAX: catch the green or yellow line to PSU Urban Center/SW 6th & Montgomery.

What about FX?

FX2-Division is TriMet’s new high-capacity bus service along Division Street in Southeast Portland, starting September 18th. FX bendy buses have interior floor racks and TriMet has produced a video tutorial: How to load your bike on an FX bus.

Practice with us!

We’ll visit the PSU demo rack again soon, and we’re in the process of coordinating visits to Portland’s other demo rack at Community Cycling Center. These sessions and all our other events can be found on our event calendar. Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll let you know via email.

 

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