As the school year wraps up and summer looms, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) continues to roll out initiatives designed to ensure that students have safe, eco-friendly transportation options. Highlighting recent successes and upcoming events, the PBOT Safe Routes to School team shared their latest newsletter, brimming with community engagement and forward-looking projects.
The momentum of this movement is palpable, with Safe Routes to School programs making strides across the board. At George Middle School, P.E. Teacher DeAnthony Maza launched a bike safety education curriculum that seems to have quickly resonated with students. "I learned how to ride a bike in like five minutes! I’m great at it!" one student exclaimed, an achievement that not only reflects individual growth but also the communal spirit this initiative fosters.
Summer doesn't signal a halt to these activities. PBOT encourages families to build walk, bike, and roll habits that could ease the transition back into the school year. With resources like neighborhood walk and bike maps, TriMet trip planners, and "Getting There" guides, the bureau aims to keep the community rolling smoothly and safely.
Residents can also look forward to infrastructure improvements like the new neighborhood greenway connecting Beaumont-Wilshire, Cully, and Roseway. This project, which is set to enter the construction phase in late summer 2024, represents a step towards a more connected and accessible Portland. According to the PBOT newsletter, this will be a "new low-traffic and low-speed street" that enhances access to several schools in the city.
In the meantime, the Northeast Cully Sunday Parkways on June 16 offer an opportunity to bike, walk, or roll through the streets, facilitating not just a celebration of summer but also a preview of the new greenway. Additionally, Portlanders can delve into the "summer free for all" program that Portland Parks & Recreation organizes, promising free and inclusive events conducive to community bonding.
The bureau's Street Plaza Program, originating during the Covid-19 pandemic, continues to evolve, supporting cultural events and community gatherings in transformed public spaces. Those interested can contact the PBOT Street Plaza Program team for information on hosting their own events.
