by the Portland Police Bureau
On Sept. 28, 2005, the Portland Police Bureau conducted a bicycle-motorist safety campaign in Northeast Portland geared toward educating drivers about bicycle lanes.
The Police Bureau’s Traffic Division focused on a 150-foot stretch of road on southbound NE 122nd Avenue as it intersects with NE Halsey Street. A solid bike lane separates the vehicle lanes from what could appear to be a lane, but is actually a shoulder. Motorists cross over the solid bike lane, a violation, and use the shoulder lane – and in some cases, part of the bike lane – as a right-turn lane.
Officers on motorcycles and two on bikes were on hand to educate drivers about two vehicle codes: ORS 811.050 (Failure to yield to rider on a bicycle lane) and ORS 811.435 (Operation of motor vehicle on a bicycle trail).
As of the end of September 2005, four bicyclists have died on Portland roads, according to Lt. Vince Jarmer of the Traffic Division, which is a dramatic rise from last year’s one fatality. By conducting these missions, the Police Bureau is bringing awareness to drivers about vehicle and bicycle safety.
Lorie Tipton of The Dalles was one of 83 drivers that day to be pulled over for crossing over the solid bike lane and onto the shoulder lane to make a right turn. To her, the warning she received served as a wake-up call.
“I feel so ignorant,” said Tipton, who along with her family are avid bicyclists. “It’s great that the police are out here making motorists more aware. I am definitely not doing that again.”
Within a two-hour period that afternoon, officers issued 62 warnings, 19 citations, and two cars were towed for having no proof of insurance.
Jarmer said those who received citations were the ones who got dangerously close to the officers on bikes. But for those who received warnings, it served as a face-to-face educational experience.
“Most drivers try to follow the law and drive responsibly,” said Jarmer. “Safety is a mind-set first, then behavior follows that. If you are not sabyfe-thinking, you won’t be safe-acting.”
Rules of the Road from Portland Office of Transportation
• Do not drive on a bicycle lane. You may cross a bicycle lane when turning or when entering or leaving an alley, private road or driveway. You may use a bicycle lane as part of an official duty, such as delivering mail. Farm equipment may briefly use a bicycle lane to let other traffic pass.
• You must yield to bicycles in a bicycle lane or on a sidewalk before you turn across the lane or sidewalk.
• You may not park any motorized vehicle on a bicycle path or lane.
• You must yield to bicycle riders at intersections, the same as you do for other types of vehicles.
• Do not crowd bicyclists. Wait for a clear stretch of road before passing a bicycle that is moving slower than your motor vehicle in a lane too narrow to share. Remember, the bicycle is a slow-moving vehicle and may require you to slow down. The greater the speed difference between you and a bicyclist, the more room you should allow when passing.
• Do not honk at a bicyclist unless you have good cause to warn them you are close by. The loud noise could startle the rider. There may be good reason for the bicyclist to be riding in the travel lane, such as roadway hazards not visible to motorists.
Collisions with bicycles
Four common errors that could cause you to strike a bicyclist:
• Turning left without noticing an oncoming bicyclist.
• Turning right at an intersection or driveway without checking for a bicyclist on the right who is continuing straight ahead.
• Entering or crossing a street without checking for a bicyclist is the street or on the sidewalk.
• Opening a vehicle door into the path of a bicyclist.