Walking
can be a pleasurable activity that enhances the health of individuals,
communities, and the environment. It is transportation
without pollution. It reduces stress while improving heart
and bone health. It gives people a chance to get to know
their neighbors. It provides independence and mobility for
our children and elders.
Unfortunately, people often
find they cannot walk where they want to because there is no place for
pedestrians, or it does not feel safe.
WPC believes that walking must be safe, so we advocate for:
- safer crosswalks
- sidewalks separating pedestrians from traffic
- laws to keep pedestrians safer
- police enforcement of traffic laws
WPC believes that walking should get you there, so we advocate for:
- construction of sidewalks and paths where none exist
- elimination of the gaps where sidewalks are missing
- routes that go through instead of hitting dead ends
- curb ramps to ensure accessibility for all citizens
WPC believes that walkable communities require careful design, so we
advocate for:
- neighborhoods with a mix of activities so that trips can be
short
- buildings close to the sidewalks, with entrances facing the
street
- streets with trees and generous sidewalk width
WPC believes that streets shared by pedestrians and others are the best
streets, so we:
- support educational efforts to share the road
- undertake Pedestrian Actions so that drivers remember we
are here!
To
learn more about our work, follow these links:
Advocacy - working for changes to improve the pedestrian environment
Projects - initiatives such as Safe Routes to School and walking maps
Events - enforcement actions, pedestrian gatherings, meetings
Partnerships - other groups that we work with
Newsletter - past issues of our newsletter *footnote
WPC Support for a Better Pedestrian Environment
South Waterfront Park
WPC in the News
Pedestrian Rights Clinics, Oregonian, January 8, 2009
Photo Essay on Dutch Streets, BTA Blog, July 14, 2008. Copies of the presentation are available on request from WPC
Protect the Pedestrian, Portland Tribune, July 3, 2008
Pedestrian advocacy group hires first Director, Bike
Portland, April 1, 2008
President Mike Dennis
& Director Lynn Lindgren-Schreuder interviewed by Kate Welch on KBOO, January, 31, 2008 (11 KB
mp3 audio file available on request)
• Willamette
Pedestrian Coalition’s
role in the community
• Laws that protect pedestrians
• Exciting things that are happening in the community
for pedestrians
Walkers, drivers: Be safe, Editorial, Oregonian, November 4, 2008
Fight obesity with food policy, exercise, Editorial,
Oregonian, January 7, 2008
NE Schools take part in Walk + Bike to School Day, Hollywood Star, November 2007
WPC Resources
Stop and Stay Stopped mini-card, you may also
order mini-cards.
Please indicate number of cards needed.
