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11-14-07, 01:44 PM
Sorry about the cross-post (from A&S), but I think it's important to get the word out on this.
http://bikeportland.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/wearealltraffic.jpg
http://bikeportland.org/wearealltraffic
Please join us to voice our concerns and demonstrate our commitment to justice, equality, and respect for all on the road. Spurred on by the recent string of traffic collisions resulting in cyclists’ deaths and injuries, we are making an appeal to all levels of our government and law enforcement, to the media, and to all citizens who share the roads, to come together and work for a positive change in our communities and in the streets.
When and Where:
Friday, November 16: Press Conference
12:30 - Press conference at City Hall (1221 SW 4th Street)
Saturday, November 17: Community Rally in Waterfront Park
12:00 Noon - Gather by Salmon Street Springs Fountain (between Hawthorne Bridge and Morrison Bridge)
Our concerns:
The high toll of law-abiding cyclists killed and injured in traffic collisions in recent months.
The bias displayed by certain elements in our law enforcement community, when responding or reporting on car-bike collisions.
The apparent lack of accountability for motorists who cause car-bike collisions resulting in injury or death.
The “bikes vs. cars” rhethoric used in certain media to frame the recent string of cyclist fatalities.
The frustration shared by many regarding the current state of traffic safety education and road facilities that perpetuate misunderstandings, confusion, friction, and rage.
We feel strongly that all these issues are unacceptable for a city that is widely recognized as the “best city for cycling in the USA”.
Our appeal:
Make “safety of vulnerable road users” the #1 priority on the agenda of our transportation planning & policy and traffic law enforcement.
End the bias in traffic enforcement and police reporting related to car-bike collisions.
Change our law enforcement policies to investigate all car-bike collisions requiring medical assistance and to issue citations for obvious traffic violations causing these collisions.
Replace the “bikes vs. cars” rhetoric with a positive message of “sharing the road” in a respectful, responsible and courteous way.
Adequately fund bicycle and pedestrian facilities to meet expected demand 10 years out.
A commitment by ALL to make concrete efforts to increase the protection of vulnerable road users, through education, enforcement, and engineering, and increased funding in these areas.
A call to ALL users of the road to respect traffic laws and to ride and drive in a responsible, safe and courteous manner.
This is not just about bicycles — this is a chance for the whole community to come together and address the issues and frustrations we ALL experience daily, whether driving, bicycling, or trying to walk across the street. This is a call for change and action by all parties to make a true commitment to share the roads and make our streets safer for everyone.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please consider gathering before Saturday’s rally at one of the all-too-many sites around town where people have been killed while bicycling or walking, and then riding or walking together to Waterfront Park.
If you can lead a procession (by bike, or for closer-in sites, by bike and foot), please let us know (eleanor”dot”blue”at”gmail”dot”com) which site you will be leaving from, what time the procession will need to leave for downtown, and if you would like a co-leader. Leaders will choose a route downtown, set the pace, and make sure nobody gets left behind. Procession times will depend on the starting point — they should be timed to arrive at Salmon Street Springs by 11:45am. We’ll announce a list of gatherings on Thursday night.
We’ll provide black and red armbands for ride leaders to distribute — black to wear in memorial, red if you’ve been in a crash yourself.
Here is an incomplete list of gathering sites in Portland. There are stars next to sites that still need leaders. Please let me know about other sites that should be on this list (especially if you can lead or co-lead the procession from there).
Downtown:
*SW 14th and Burnside — ghostbike for Tracey Sparling
*SW Broadway and Taylor — ghostbike for Kristine Okins
North Portland:
N Interstate and Greeley — ghostbike for Brett Jarolimek
705 N Alberta — ghostbike
Northwest:
*NW 23rd and Quimby — memorial for pedestrian Sara Cogan
Northeast:
*NE MLK and Wygant — ghostbike for Chris Burris
NE 9th and Killingsworth — ghostbike
Southeast:
*SE Belmont and 41st — ghostbikes for Angela Leazenby and Orion Shatushek
SE 37th and Taylor — cob lighthouse for Matthew Schekel
*SE Belmont and 34th - Curtis Lee Web
*600 SE 49th — ghostbike for Noah Cardamon
*SE 26th and Stark — ghostbike for Nick Bucher
*SE 11th and Stark — Daniel Hunt
*7606 SE Harold — ghostbike
*SE Foster and 115th — Jerry Hinatsu
http://bikeportland.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/wearealltraffic.jpg
http://bikeportland.org/wearealltraffic
Please join us to voice our concerns and demonstrate our commitment to justice, equality, and respect for all on the road. Spurred on by the recent string of traffic collisions resulting in cyclists’ deaths and injuries, we are making an appeal to all levels of our government and law enforcement, to the media, and to all citizens who share the roads, to come together and work for a positive change in our communities and in the streets.
When and Where:
Friday, November 16: Press Conference
12:30 - Press conference at City Hall (1221 SW 4th Street)
Saturday, November 17: Community Rally in Waterfront Park
12:00 Noon - Gather by Salmon Street Springs Fountain (between Hawthorne Bridge and Morrison Bridge)
Our concerns:
The high toll of law-abiding cyclists killed and injured in traffic collisions in recent months.
The bias displayed by certain elements in our law enforcement community, when responding or reporting on car-bike collisions.
The apparent lack of accountability for motorists who cause car-bike collisions resulting in injury or death.
The “bikes vs. cars” rhethoric used in certain media to frame the recent string of cyclist fatalities.
The frustration shared by many regarding the current state of traffic safety education and road facilities that perpetuate misunderstandings, confusion, friction, and rage.
We feel strongly that all these issues are unacceptable for a city that is widely recognized as the “best city for cycling in the USA”.
Our appeal:
Make “safety of vulnerable road users” the #1 priority on the agenda of our transportation planning & policy and traffic law enforcement.
End the bias in traffic enforcement and police reporting related to car-bike collisions.
Change our law enforcement policies to investigate all car-bike collisions requiring medical assistance and to issue citations for obvious traffic violations causing these collisions.
Replace the “bikes vs. cars” rhetoric with a positive message of “sharing the road” in a respectful, responsible and courteous way.
Adequately fund bicycle and pedestrian facilities to meet expected demand 10 years out.
A commitment by ALL to make concrete efforts to increase the protection of vulnerable road users, through education, enforcement, and engineering, and increased funding in these areas.
A call to ALL users of the road to respect traffic laws and to ride and drive in a responsible, safe and courteous manner.
This is not just about bicycles — this is a chance for the whole community to come together and address the issues and frustrations we ALL experience daily, whether driving, bicycling, or trying to walk across the street. This is a call for change and action by all parties to make a true commitment to share the roads and make our streets safer for everyone.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please consider gathering before Saturday’s rally at one of the all-too-many sites around town where people have been killed while bicycling or walking, and then riding or walking together to Waterfront Park.
If you can lead a procession (by bike, or for closer-in sites, by bike and foot), please let us know (eleanor”dot”blue”at”gmail”dot”com) which site you will be leaving from, what time the procession will need to leave for downtown, and if you would like a co-leader. Leaders will choose a route downtown, set the pace, and make sure nobody gets left behind. Procession times will depend on the starting point — they should be timed to arrive at Salmon Street Springs by 11:45am. We’ll announce a list of gatherings on Thursday night.
We’ll provide black and red armbands for ride leaders to distribute — black to wear in memorial, red if you’ve been in a crash yourself.
Here is an incomplete list of gathering sites in Portland. There are stars next to sites that still need leaders. Please let me know about other sites that should be on this list (especially if you can lead or co-lead the procession from there).
Downtown:
*SW 14th and Burnside — ghostbike for Tracey Sparling
*SW Broadway and Taylor — ghostbike for Kristine Okins
North Portland:
N Interstate and Greeley — ghostbike for Brett Jarolimek
705 N Alberta — ghostbike
Northwest:
*NW 23rd and Quimby — memorial for pedestrian Sara Cogan
Northeast:
*NE MLK and Wygant — ghostbike for Chris Burris
NE 9th and Killingsworth — ghostbike
Southeast:
*SE Belmont and 41st — ghostbikes for Angela Leazenby and Orion Shatushek
SE 37th and Taylor — cob lighthouse for Matthew Schekel
*SE Belmont and 34th - Curtis Lee Web
*600 SE 49th — ghostbike for Noah Cardamon
*SE 26th and Stark — ghostbike for Nick Bucher
*SE 11th and Stark — Daniel Hunt
*7606 SE Harold — ghostbike
*SE Foster and 115th — Jerry Hinatsu