This morning Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) and Willamette Pedestrian Coalition (WPC) volunteers greeted morning cyclists on the Steel Bridge with smiles and free bike bells. Summer is here, and that means more people biking and walking on our community's streets and pathways. The bike bells are specifically a reminder to cyclists that the law requires them to give an audible signal when passing pedestrians. The broader message: no matter what mode of transportation we’re using, let’s all give each other some room to breathe.

A morning cyclist trys out his new bike bell.

This morning’s bike bell giveaway was accompanied by a press conference to kick off this summer’s Eye to Eye campaign outreach. The Eye to Eye campaign serves as a banner over messages of what all road users can do to be safe. Scott Bricker of the BTA reminded cyclists to give pedestrians and other cyclists an audible signal and plenty of space while passing.

Other speakers pointed to other times and places when different kinds of road users intersect. Fred Hansen, General Manager of TriMet stated that it is critical for cyclists and bus operators to make eye contact on shared routes. Stephanie Routh of the WPC reminded everyone that every intersection is a crosswalk, whether there are lines painted or not.

The mood at this morning’s event was positive. While bicycle usage in the City of Portland has shown a double-digit increase each of the last four years, the crash rate for all modes has been going down. In 2008 the City of Portland had the lowest number of traffic crashes and fatalities on record, and everyone wants to see that trend continue.

As more people take advantage of summer weather to get out their bike or their walking shoes, to get some fresh air, get healthy, and enjoy our city, it’s important that all of us give each other some room to breathe. Whether you’re driving or cycling, that might mean slowing down, increasing passing distance, using turn signals, and for cyclists, using bells or verbal signals when passing.

Other Eye to Eye campaign efforts scheduled for this summer include family bike safety trainings at Sunday Parkways and the Providence Bridge Pedal Health Expo, a bike light education and enforcement campaign with the Portland Police Bureau, the launch of Eye to Eye transit ads on ten TriMet buses, and on-site trainings for professional drivers and commuters at their workplaces. There is also an Eye to Eye PSA on the internet and in Eugene movie theaters and television markets. You can view the PSA, take the Eye to Eye Pledge, and see this summer's calendar of events at SeeingEyetoEye.org.

TriMet General Manager, Fred Hansen, with an example of the Eye to Eye bus ad to his right

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