The Hand Signal Bill
The Willamette
Pedestrian Coalition is excited to announce that the Hand Signal Bill
will be
brought to the 2009 Legislature. The proposed legislation provides
pedestrian’s
legal passage when they raise their hand to signal to drivers their
intent to
cross the street at marked and unmarked crosswalks. The current law
requires
pedestrians to step off the curb and into traffic to signal their
intent to
cross and lawfully claim the right of way.
Enforcement of Oregon’s
present
crosswalk law is difficult because a motorist’s failure to
stop is not a
violation unless a pedestrian actually steps into traffic. In essence current law
creates a right that
is exercised only by placing oneself into an unsafe situation.
The bill has
support from the Portland Police Bureau Traffic Division and other
police
departments from throughout the state. A growing list of organizations
including the Bicycle Transportation Alliance and the Portland
Pedestrian
Advisory Committee also support the bill.
For a complete
description of the bill (including legal description and current press
release)
or to get involved email
the WPC with Hand Bill as the subject line.
Pedestrian Rights
Clinics
Three legal
clinics scheduled for 2009. If you
haven’t had the opportunity to attend a clinic we hope you
will be able to join
us for one this year.
Host:
Central Northeast Neighbors - CNN
Date:
March 19, 2009
Time:
6:30 – 7:45
Location: 4415 NE 87th
The
Pedestrian Legal Clinics are a presentation by the Willamette Pedestrian Coalition
and lawyer Ray Thomas. The 90 minute course will use : "Oregon Pedestrian Rights; A Legal Guide for
Persons on
Foot" and cover the laws that protect pedestrians and
information on how to use the courts to
prosecute dangerous drivers. This is an
opportunities to learn how to make our street safer for those who run,
walk and use mobility devices on our city streets.
Walking
is the most sustainable and oldest form of transportation. It is
good for
us and it is an activity many of use enjoy, together we can
make our streets and
sidewalks safe for the young, the old and everyone in between.
Register in
Advance (walk-ins ok): 503-223-1597
For more Information or a flier email us.
Download a flier.
Check our website for the time and location of the next Pedestrian
Legal Clinic. Ray
Thomas and the Willamette Pedestrian Coalition
will be presenting clinics
around the Portland
metro region. If your group or neighborhood would like to sponsor a
clinic, call Lynn and 503-223-1597.
WPC
receives Grant from the
Northwest Health Foundation
WPC
has been awarded a three
year grant from the Northwest Health Foundation.
The grant is an exciting step for the WPC and will enable us to
increase our
profile in the community as an advocate for pedestrian projects,
empowerment,
and education. The Northwest Health Foundation awarded this grant to
WPC to
help build, train and mobilize a grassroots constituency of community
residents
who will advocate for better pedestrian infrastructure.
We
will also develop the Getting
Around on Foot: Pedestrian Facilities Action Plan - a list
of priority pedestrian
improvements needed to make walking safer and more convenient, and the Pedestrian
Transport Series- a three part pedestrian safety, legal
rights, and
advocacy training conducted by the WPC.
If
you would like to
participate in the survey that will be developed for Getting
Around on Foot:
Pedestrian Facilities Action Plan or host a Pedestrian
Transport Series,
visit the WPC/NWHF
page.
WPC
on OPB
The
WPC director was
interviewed twice on OPB radio. The first interview aired on November 16th. The
second interview aired on November 25. Michael
Dennis
and Ray Thomas
were also featured.
It is not available online and is too large for our current website
capacity.
If you would like a copy please email the WPC and we will forward a
copy to
you.
The WPC
weighs in on the
Governor’s Stimulus Package
The
current international fiscal
crisis is also an opportunity. As the US Congress considers a national
infrastructure-based economic stimulus program, Governor Kulongoski has
proposed
the “Jobs and Transportation Act of 2009”. The Oregon
Environmental Council and
1000
Friends of Oregon are taking a leadership role in advocating
for smart,
sustainable investments in alternative modes of transportation that can
also
expand affordable transportation options for Oregonians. Position
papers and
advocacy letters are now being drafted. The Coalition for a Livable
Future,
including the WPC, is supporting this effort and we welcome your ideas
for
inclusion of pedestrian and bicycling infrastructure improvements into
these
programs. For more information read Climate-Friendly,
People-Friendly Transportation.
Is
everyone thinking about
building more sidewalks? We hope so!
This
is an exciting time for pedestrians, cyclists, and those who advocate
for
active transportation. As the country looks forward to the next
administration,
Transportation
for America
has opportunities to encourage our government to invest in
infrastructure that
accommodates all users. Even David Brooks, a
columnist at the New
York Times, is thinking about place making.
Citizen
Prosecution of Dangerous Drivers:
A User’s Guide on
How Others Have Done it and How You can Do It for Your Self
Pedestrians
and Cyclists have a new tool available to
against dangerous drivers. The new guide by Ray Thomas provides
examples
of how bicyclists have used the law to make the roads safer. This site
also provides
information and resources pedestrians need to make a case and
prosecute dangerous drivers.
