Sharing the road


Trimet News Release (February 26, 2008)

TriMet & BTA will work to make it safer for bicyclists & buses

Two weeks ago, 15-year-old Austin Miller died while riding his bike home from his Beaverton high school when he and a TriMet bus collided at the intersection of SW Farmington and Murray. As the police investigated this tragic collision, it became clear to the leadership at TriMet and at the Bicycle Transportation Alliance that preventing future crashes like this one would take more than simply admonishing bicyclists and drivers.

While all early indications are that the bus operator followed TriMet safety procedures, we would be remiss if we did not take action to improve road safety in our region following this crash. With more bicyclists and vehicles sharing the road, a more critical look at general causes is needed, including road and trail design, education for cyclists and drivers, street connectivity (or lack thereof) and traffic volumes in the area.

Just days after the incident, TriMet General Manager Fred Hansen called a meeting at the BTA offices to discuss how TriMet can actively improve its operations and planning for bicycles in the region. Here are the actions TriMet and BTA commit to taking in cooperation with one another:
Immediate action:

* Following the crash, TriMet trainers immediately began reinforcing to every operator (nearly 1,200 of them) the safe operating requirements when cyclists are present, including anticipating bicyclists’ movements, and yielding to cyclists before pulling into or out of a bus stop, or turning or changing lanes.

Near-term actions:

* TriMet trainers will emphasize operating a bus around bicyclists in the 2008 training cycle above the level of attention it has received in years past.
* The BTA and TriMet will work together to identify routes with high levels of bus/bike congestion or conflict and will explore ways to minimize conflicts. Improvements could include more space dedicated to buses and bikes, enhancements to alternative routes for bicycle travel, or moving bus stops or bike lanes to minimize conflicts.

TriMet will work with the BTA and other regional bike groups to encourage county and local governments to adequately plan for and build safer bicycle infrastructure.
Long-term actions:

* TriMet planners will look at nearby bike routes and crossings when bus and train stops are built, moved or enhanced to determine if improvements can be made as part of or concurrently with the project.
* TriMet and the BTA will research designs for bus stops and bike lanes that minimize conflict in areas of bike/bus congestion. TriMet will look at developing a pilot project to design new bus stops with a focus on both pedestrian and bike safety along bike/bus routes.

The Bicycle Transportation Alliance is a statewide non-profit organization that works to open minds and roads to bicycling. We represent bicyclists and the bicycle industry with over 5000 members in Oregon and SW Washington, and have seventeen years of experience in bicycle engineering, planning, education and advocacy.

BTA Contact: Karl Rohde, 503-226-0676 Ext. 12
TriMet Contact: Mary Fetsch, 503-962-6403


0 responses to “Sharing the road”

  1. Interesting because I just posted this over at our TRIMETOPERATORS blog, I think mine and Erik’s comments are relevant:
    —————————
    Re: hooray for the bureacrats!

    I find this funny because here we have a terrible accident, most likely caused by traffic engineering and Austin probably not seeing the bus coming into the intersection, etc etc, ergo;

    A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT!

    And now we have all the pencil pushers having meetings about all this WHEN THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT,

    NOT A DAMN THING.

    They can have 1,000,000 meetings and it can’t prevent this sort of thing from happening.

    I’m mean it ridiculous.

    “ok bus drivers, watch out for bikes” (signed training department)
    ””””””””’
    Erik’s response:

    Re: hooray for the bureacrats!

    — In trimetoperators@yahoogroups.com, “al m” wrote:
    >
    > I find this funny

    What I find funny is that every time something like this happens,
    there is virtually zero responsibility placed upon bicyclists.

    I don’t see the BTA standing up for “Ride your bike safely”,
    encouraging its riders to ride within the lane (don’t weave unless
    you have to), follow all traffic laws (yes, pesky red lights and stop
    signs mean bicyclists too), not passing vehicles if it’s not safe
    (technically if there is no bike lane and not enough room to pass a
    vehicle, it’s illegal to pass; which means if cars are stopped the
    bike must stop behind the last stopped vehicle it came up to), etc.

    Until they take their role responsibly, I can’t give them two cents.

    And I speak this as a bicyclist, a bus rider, and a motor vehicle
    driver. When I’m on my bike, I follow the law, just as I do in my
    car. I’ve actually had drivers give me strange looks when I stop at
    a stop sign, because I actually obey the law and respect motorists
    (and in return I receive respect from them).

  2. While I think Al is correct about the need for cylists to obey laws, at least when any traffic is nearby, I disagree with the assertion that there is nothing to be done here.

    Better bike facilities are very possible. While Oregon’s are better than most other states, we still have a lot to improve. European cities manage to accomodate a much higher percentage of cyclists in cities small and large, and physics are the same on our half of the Earth as on theirs.

    We can’t prevent tragedies like the loss of Austin Miller, but we can minimize the risk.

    I’m glad TriMet sees the big picture value of supporting the needs of peds and cyclists.

  3. Having read and viewed many of the media reports about the bus bike crash at SW Farmington and Murray, the real possibility exists the bicyclist Austin Miller blew through the red signal before making right turn, or rode off the sidewalk directly in front of the bus. Bicycle safety starts with bicyclists themselves. That means bicyclists must abide by all rules of the road including traffic control devices such as stopping (foot on the pavement) at all red traffic signals and stop signs. However both TriMet and the BTA appear to be encouraging the status quo and ignoring the facts that bicyclists routinely and intentionally disregard traffic laws. Instead, any program must include instructing bicyclists the need to follow the rules for their own safety and provide support for strict and rigorous enforcement aimed specifically at bicyclists who choose to disrespect any and all traffic laws. Additionally, to change the bicyclist mindset from one of irresponsibility to one of accepting accountability, sharing the road also must include sharing the financial responsibility; and that includes bicyclists purchasing their own headlights, using it or be the recipient of a traffic citation.

  4. … rigorous enforcement aimed specifically at bicyclists who choose to disrespect any and all traffic laws.

    I agree. At the same time, we can ramp up enforcement to be equally rigorous with regard to motorists who choose to disrespect any and all traffic laws, including speeding, driving in the bike lane, turning in front of pedestrians and cyclists who have the right-of-way, etc.

    Additionally, to change the bicyclist mindset from one of irresponsibility to one of accepting accountability,

    That’s a great idea. At the same time, we can work to change the motorist mindset from one of irresponsibility to one of accepting accountability.

  5. (And no, I don’t believe that all motorists, or even a majority, are irresponsible. Just as I don’t believe that all bicyclists, or even a majority, are irresponsible. However, I do believe it is irresponsible to frequently and repeatedly demonize cyclists as a whole, while ignoring the frequent and far more dangerous sins of a significant number of motorists.)

  6. Bob,

    Bicyclists as a whole are irresponsible! One, they do not directly pay any user fees (a bicycle tax, license or registration fee) to use not only streets and roads, but the exclusive bicycle infrastructure taxpaying motorists are restricted from using. Two, a much higher percentage (as compared to motorists), undoubtedly in the 90 to 99 percent range, do not stop at stop signs. Three, at least 50 percent do not use proper lighting (as the law requires) when riding after dusk and at night. So on and so forth…

    As for speeding, I would like to see a cop with a radar gun clock bicyclists racing down the North Interstate hill approaching Greeley. They go as fast as they can so they can then coast halfway to the Broadway Bridge. The speed in the bike lane should be immediately reduced and posted (for bikes) at a safe 20 MPH so they are able to stop when slow moving (5 MPH) garbage trucks make right turns.

    Your turn to comment as I know you will.

  7. Bicyclists as a whole are irresponsible!

    Terry, that’s prejudice plain and simple.

    You’ve taken an entire category of people, 99%+ of whom you’ve never met, from a diverse array of backgrounds, and painted them with a broad brush in a negative light.

    There could even be bicyclists out there who support your tax and transportation policy, but you’ve ruled them “irresponsible” with your “as a whole” rhetoric.

    Your turn to comment as I know you will.

    Harsh, absolutist and discriminatory rhetoric such as you’ve demonstrated demands repudiation.

  8. Terry Parker said:
    Two, a much higher percentage (as compared to motorists), undoubtedly in the 90 to 99 percent range, do not stop at stop signs.

    There is no way this is true. If you want to pick an intersection, tape any and all bicyclists moving through the intersection, and then report back a 90% “run” rate, i’ll be happy to compensate you for your time. Don’t throw out complete BS like this.

  9. “If you want to pick an intersection, tape any and all bicyclists moving through the intersection, and then report back”

    You know what?

    That would make another great video research project!

  10. Bob said: “Terry, that’s prejudice plain and simple.

    You’ve taken an entire category of people, 99%+ of whom you’ve never met, from a diverse array of backgrounds, and painted them with a broad brush in a negative light.”

    Point counter point – much of what is posted here and even the site itself is predicated on a prejudice against motorists, motor vehicles and driving thereby attempting to paint an over all negative context on the how the majority of people choose to travel, including the jobs and employment opportunities that choice creates.

    As for suggesting it is your turn to comment: I was simply being gentlemen like with the invitation since nearly 99 percent of the posts I make are followed up with a comment from you with the intent to discredit my post, sometimes even in a somewhat hostile manner. Even though Chris and I disagreed on many points, when he was moderating, he would follow up questioning some of my statements, but not the lion’s share and not always attempting to repute everything I say.

    MRB said: If you want to pick an intersection, tape any and all bicyclists moving through the intersection, and then report back a 90% “run” rate, i’ll be happy to compensate you for your time. Don’t throw out complete BS like this.”

    The only BS here is the bicycle babble. The news media, Channel 8 I believe, has already done this at the traffic circle in Ladd’s Edition. It aired some time ago. Nearly all if not all of the bicyclists did not stop at the STOP sign while only six motorists out of a greater number did not stop. I believe they let the camera run for five minutes or more, but did not show all the tape in the news story.

    [Moderator: Italics added for clarity.]

  11. Terry wrote, regarding me: “since nearly 99 percent of the posts I make are followed up with a comment from you with the intent to discredit my post”

    It may seem that way to you Terry, but I just checked and (prior to this latest response), I’ve replied to three of your comments in the calendar month of March, once to specifically state that I agreed with you. One of the other responses was to correct a demonstrable falsehood.

    I do respond to a large percentage of your comments, that’s true. If you want to merely post rhetoric and not have your arguments dissected or verified, then I suggest you create your own blog and disable the comments section.

  12. There’s also the little matter of the dramatic difference between the danger created by a 200-pound cycle-cyclist combination and a 3,000-6,000-pound auto-driver combination. Law-breaking cyclists are not deadly. Autos kill about 43,000 Americans annually. I don’t condone lawbreaking, but let’s not overlook the mountain for the molehill TP so desperately wants to send us to.

  13. Unit –

    Sorry to post this on the blog, but can you contact me privately about an unrelated matter? Use bob [at] peak dot org. Thanks!

  14. Law-breaking cyclists are not deadly. Autos kill about 43,000 Americans annually. I don’t condone lawbreaking, but let’s not overlook the mountain for the molehill TP so desperately wants to send us to.

    Law breaking cyclists can be deadly for themselves, and can cause other accidents as well by making cars swerve to avoid them.

    Speaking from my own dumbassery as a teenager, I managed to hit a car that was stopping to make a right at a stop sign. I was planning to run that sign. D’oh.

    Yeah, it could be called a right hook, but I was in the wrong and I know it. I was running a stop sign, and scared the living hell out of an older woman who was just driving to the store.

    Fortunately, I was able to slow enough I was okay other than a few bruises, and her car wasn’t damaged (scuff marks from my tire, but nothing she was worried about), but it could have been a lot worse.

  15. Law-breaking cyclists are not deadly. Autos kill about 43,000 Americans annually.

    And I am in possession of a report that shows that for every billion megawatthours of electricity produced, 101 people were killed by hydroelectric power, 39 were killed by coal, 10 by natural gas and less than one by nuclear power generation. Does that mean we should start building dozens of nuclear power plants – maybe one right in the heart of downtown Portland? The Post Office site would make a good location…

    I don’t care if “the impact of a bike breaking the law” is less – it’s still breaking the law, and every law has a reason behind it – sometimes it is for their own safety. Running a red light on a bike is dangerous, just as it is dangerous to walk against a don’t walk signal. I’ve been given funny looks when I’m on my bike when I stop for a red light – but you know what? In the last several days that I’ve been on my bike, I’ve not had ONE single near-miss by an automobile. NOT ONE. I’ve been treated with courtesy and have had motorists stop for me and smile when I need to cross at a crosswalk; I have not had one motorist cut me off (it helps that I was wearing a bright yellow jersey and had working front and rear lights too.) I can’t say that about other bicyclists on the road, though, in one day I had three-near misses WITH OTHER BIKES that stopped or pulled out in front of me, or passed me dangerously. Like the tandem-bike rider who ran a stop sign (while I was crossing at a crosswalk, after first yielding to other vehicles stopped at the multiple-way stop), then stopped and dismounted his bike RIGHT AT THE OPPOSITE END OF THE CROSSWALK – forcing me to STOP IN THE STREET so he could look and see that he blocked me.

    And all I got was “I’m sorry.” (Guess that’s better than getting the birdie, which I’ve gotten from other bicyclists in the past because I had to slam on my brakes to avoid hitting them after they ran a red light and ended up in my path.)

  16. Cyclists don’t usually kill others but could severely maim someone. One of my coworkers here in Salem was hit by a cyclist and hurt badly. I had one nearly hit me when I was walking (and mind you I had a white signal, the cyclist was running a red) across the street in Corvallis. I yelled and said “we’re not in Portland, you (expletive)” and then he flipped me off. He was in the wrong, I wasn’t. True when autos break the law usually the injuries are far worse, but cyclists aren’t immune to laws though many think they are and flagrantly thumb their nose at pedestrians and people in autos.

  17. I yelled and said “we’re not in Portland, you (expletive)”

    I’m willing to bet that Corvallis has a higher percentage of the population who bikes regularly than Portland. There’s the university, a local bike culture, and just in general traffic was calmer and it was much easier for me to get around by bike in Corvallis than in Portland.

    Sometime in the late ’80’s there was a rare heavy snow, and I actually got around by using cross-country skis right down the middle of streets (amazing what you could rent from student organizations) when most people were having trouble with cars, but that only lasted a day or so.

  18. I’m willing to bet that Corvallis has a higher percentage of the population who bikes regularly than Portland. There’s the university, a local bike culture, and just in general traffic was calmer and it was much easier for me to get around by bike in Corvallis than in Portland.

    This forgives a bicyclist for almost running someone over how…?

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