DeFazio, Norton, and Larsen Take on Dangerous Street Design
by Gary Shaff on Dec, 20 2014
Oregon’s 4th District Representative, Congressman Peter DeFazio and colleagues Representative Norton, and Representative Larsen are asking the Government Accounting Office to investigate “the relationship between vehicle speed and roadway fatalities” and more specifically, “challenges that states face in improving pedestrian and cyclist safety (including roadway design speeds and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) guidelines for road design)” — particularly “the effects of the common road engineering standard that sets speed limits at the rate 85 percent of drivers would use under regular conditions.“ In their letter they state ”[W]e are concerned that conventional engineering practices have encouraged engineers to design roads at 5-15 miles per hour faster than the posted speed for the street. This typically means roads are designed and built with wider, straighter lanes and have fewer objects near the edges, more turn lanes, and wider turning radii at intersections. While these practices improve driving safety, a suspected unintended consequence is that drivers travel faster when they feel safer. Greater speeds can increase the frequency and severity of crashes with pedestrians and cyclists who are moving at much slower speeds and have much less protection than a motorized vehicle affords.“
Please email FHWA imploring them to update the non-interstate highway standards to prioritize safety for all road users, over vehicle speed and convenience. Adding, updated standards should embody the goal of eliminating pedestrian and cyclist deaths. Zero is the only acceptable number!
Leave a Comment
Scheduled Rides
View All Scheduled Rides-
Saturday, Sep 30
-
Velo Melo Ride 9/30
10:00am: Meet at Lower Table Rock Trailhead in White City
34 Miles, Moderate (11-14 mph), Some Hills
Contact: Lisa Brill - lisa4bikes@gmail.com
-
Velo Melo
Start time Varies: Start Location Varies
25-30 Miles, Mellow (11-14 mph), Some Hills
Contact: Lisa Brill -
-
Brisk Ride
Start time Varies: Start Location Varies
50+ Miles, Brisk (>18 mph), Hilly
Contact: Dennis Cramer - 541-773-5804
-
-
Monday, Oct 2
-
Monday Coffee Ride
9:30am: Meet at Colver Park in Phoenix
25-30 Miles, Moderate / Brisk (14 - 18+ mph), Some Hills
Contact: Dennis Cramer - 541-773-5804
-
-
Thursday, Oct 5
-
Thursday morning Ride
Start time Varies: Meet at Jacksonville Library
20-40 Miles, Moderate / Brisk (14 - 18+ mph), Hilly
Contact: John Fries - 541-973-1586
-
Blogs & News
-
Weekend Event Guide: Nerds in Cully, Speedvagen sale, and more
All the best things to do by bike this weekend.
Latest headlines from BikePortland | 09/29/23 | 12:11pm
-
Let’s ride Broadway together, tonight!
Share gratitude for each other, remind ourselves why we are so committed to safe streets, and ride together on a protected bike lane that's...
Latest headlines from BikePortland | 09/29/23 | 10:35am
-
New Keller Auditorium plans include carfree 3rd Avenue plaza
This would be a perfect place for a plaza and should be a no-brainer.
Latest headlines from BikePortland | 09/29/23 | 9:44am
-
Geared Up Sneak Peak: Liv Devote Advanced Pro
Liv has created some harmonious geometry in their new gravel bike, and we got to be one of the first to try it.
Adventure Cyclist Blog | 09/27/23 | 7:00am
-
7 Solutions For Saddle Pain & Discomfort “Down There”
The post 7 Solutions For Saddle Pain & Discomfort “Down There” appeared first on Femme Cyclist.
Femme Cyclist | 09/25/23 | 9:46pm
-
Your Guide To Mountain Biking Ontario, Canada
The post Your Guide To Mountain Biking Ontario, Canada appeared first on Femme Cyclist.
Femme Cyclist | 09/25/23 | 10:29am
-
Trip Recap: Bike Camping with WeBike in Oregon
WeBike inspires trans people of all genders, gender non-conforming people, non-binary people, Two Spirit, and women (both trans and cis...
Adventure Cyclist Blog | 09/19/23 | 1:20pm
-
Tips For Cycling After 40 With Sylvie D’Aoust
The post Tips For Cycling After 40 With Sylvie D’Aoust appeared first on Femme Cyclist.
Femme Cyclist | 09/18/23 | 11:37pm
-
Finding Bliss in a Slice of Pie
With very little cycling experience, Julian tackled the Southern Tier route across the country ... and found a deep appreciation for a...
Adventure Cyclist Blog | 09/12/23 | 11:17am