Keepin’ it Safe at Crosswalks
In 2011, the city installed rapid-flashing beacons at two Tigard crosswalk
locales: along Durham Road at Tigard High School and Greenburg Road at Center Street.
Both intersections are popular with pedestrians and neither intersection has a traffic signal.
Crosswalk Beacons
The solar-powered beacons, stationed along both sides of the street, are mounted on posts with
typical crosswalk signage. Pedestrians press a button to activate the beacons, which produce
yellow flashing lights. The lights signal motorists to yield to pedestrians waiting at the curb
or walking in the crosswalk. Depending on the width of the crossing, beacons flash for 20 to 40
seconds before turning off automatically. Research shows that crosswalk beacons significantly
increase the number of motorists who yield to pedestrians. In one study, rates improved from
18 percent before beacons to 81 percent after beacons.
This spring, the city plans to install crosswalk beacons at the intersection of Walnut
Street and Grant Avenue.
Crosswalk Reminders
Pedestrians:
- Cross at designated signals or crosswalks where motorists expect to see you.
- Make eye contact with drivers before stepping into the street.
- Make yourself visible to motorists; be predictable and carry a flashlight and wear reflective clothing at night.
Drivers:
- Be alert for pedestrians, particularly at crosswalks and intersections.
- Yield to pedestrians who are crossing or waiting to cross the street.
- Keep in mind that, according to state law, a crosswalk exists across all sides of an intersection—even if the crosswalk is not marked.
Share the Road
New on Burnham
The city has installed its first “sharrow,” or shared-lane marking,
on Burnham Street. The sharrow is painted directly onto the road surface and
shows a cyclist (of the stick figure variety) topped with a double-line chevron.
The signs are intended to:
- Tell motorists and cyclists that they are sharing the same travel lane; there is no separate bike lane.
- Remind motorists that cyclists may use the entire travel lane.
- Help cyclists position themselves to avoid the “door zone” when traveling next to parked cars.
- Encourage cyclists to ride with traffic.
Did you know...
Did you know that when you're riding in the street (acting as a vehicle) and a school bus
stops with flashing red lights, you must stop before reaching it and wait, just
like any other vehicle on the road (see ORS 811.155). Easy enough. But cyclists
also have the ability under Oregon law to become pedestrians (ORS 814.410). If
you choose to exercise that option and use the sidewalk to cautiously pass, keep
these rules (from Dan Pegoda of the Animated Traffic Law Center) in mind:
- yield right-of-way to pedestrians and give an audible signal when passing
- slow to walking speed when crossing a crosswalk or driveway
- don't operate your bicycle in a careless manner
- don't operate an electric-assisted bicycle
Pedestrians and Cyclists Have a Voice
Are you interested in walking and cycling issues in Tigard? If so, we'd like to hear from you!
The group typically meets at 5 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month in the Red Rock Conference
Room at City Hall (13125 SW Hall Blvd., Tigard). Meetings are open to the public.
As some meetings get cancelled, it is best to call (503-718-2462) or e-mail mikem@tigard-or.gov before attending.
The pedestrian/cyclist subcommittee of the
Tigard Transportation Advisory
Committee is a volunteer group of citizens that meets to:
- Advise staff and city leadership about issues affecting pedestrians and cyclists in Tigard
- Enhance and promote the City of Tigard by supporting walking and cycling and related events in the city
Subcommittee’s current tasks include:
- Addressing gaps and key connections in the city’s pedestrian and bicycle transportation system
- Developing community-building events
- Creating programs to help kids acquire walking “smarts” and cycling skills
The group consists of nine volunteers serving one or two-year terms. Applications are
typically accepted in late spring/early summer of each year. Contact Mike McCarthy
at 503-718-2462 or mikem@tigard-or.gov if you're interested in serving.
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