Guest Opinion

Protect the pedestrians

Portland’s livability hinges on safety issue

By Lynn Lindgren-schreuder

, Jul 3, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (14 Reader comments)

I felt encouraged seeing Eric Bartels’ column “Law’s not a lifeline when drivers err” (Life with Children, May 29) on walking. He brought pedestrian issues to the forefront.

As the director of the Willamette Pedestrian Coalition, I would like make a few comments. Mr. Bartels is right: The motor-driven lifestyle is deeply entrenched in our culture. Many pedestrians and cyclists who navigate our highly walkable and bikeable city have stories similar to the near-fatal crash Mr. Bartels shared in his column.

We would like to suggest another option: Let’s evolve into a culture where the car is not king, where all users are respected and vehicle drivers know and follow the rules we have in place to protect “vulnerable users.”

• Motorists stop at intersections and remain stopped while pedestrians are in a marked or unmarked crosswalk.

• When a car is stopped at a crosswalk or intersection, drivers traveling in the same direction stop even when they do not see the person who is crossing the street.

• Travel at lower speeds (25 mph or less) in neighborhoods, around schools and when pedestrians are present.

• Right on red, only after pedestrians and cyclists have crossed a full lane width from the lane they are turning into.

Willamette Pedestrian Coalition encourages people to take responsibility for their own safety, but we also encourage drivers to remember that – at some point during our day – we are all pedestrians.

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