Irco Walk Smart Pres

IRCOwww.irco.org

Willamette Pedestrian Coalitionwww.wpcwalks.org

IRCOwww.irco.org


The Willamette Pedestrian Coalition is a non-profit community-based membership organization dedicated to promoting walking and making the conditions for walking safe and attractive.

IRCOwww.irco.org


The Bicycle Transportation Alliance works to create healthy and sustainable communities by making bicycling safe, convenient, and accessible.

IRCOwww.irco.org


Choosing Transportation

Choosing the best form of transportation depends on:

• Expense (Cost)• Convenience• Purpose

IRCOwww.irco.org


We’ll talk about the following types of transportation within the Portland metropolitan area:

• Walking• Bicycle• Public Transit (Bus, MAX, Streetcar)

• Car (Carpooling, Zip Car, Used Cars)

IRCOwww.irco.org


Why Walk?

Health and WellnessBuilding Community

It’s Free, Clean, “Green” Transportation

IRCOwww.irco.org


Walking Connects YouWalking Connects You• Walking builds community and helps prevent crime• Know your neighbors, connect with families, kids, and

seniors in the area • Gives you the time to know your neighborhood • The more people who walk, the safer walking is for

everyone

IRCOwww.irco.org


DisadvantagesDisadvantages

• It is only practical for shorter distances• Walking can be difficult with very small children or with

others who have physical limitations• Carrying heavy loads while walking is difficult• There may be no safe place to walk near your home or

work

IRCOwww.irco.org


The Walking WorldThe Walking World

TTop Three Issues - Look before crossing and continue to look while you cross - Be seen and make eye contact with drivers - Cross legally

IRCOwww.irco.org


Safety Issue #1: Safety Issue: Yielding to Pedestrians in Marked and Unmarked

Crosswalks – IT’S THE LAW!

IRCOwww.irco.org


Every Corner Is a Crosswalk•Unmarked•Mid-Block•Marked and/or Signalized

IRCOwww.irco.org


IRCOwww.irco.org


Safety Issue #2: Seeing & Being Seen as a Pedestrian

IRCOwww.irco.org


Be seen and make eye contact with drivers. Make yourself visible especially during dark and sometimes rainy days and evenings. Carry a flashlight or flashing strobe and wear contrasting clothing or reflective wear so something on you is light or bright.

IRCOwww.irco.org


Safety Issue #3:Jaywalking

IRCOwww.irco.org


Cross LegallyCross Legally It is legal to cross at any

intersection (some are marked with pavement markings, many are unmarked) and designated mid-block crossings. Crossing anywhere else is illegal.

IRCOwww.irco.org


Walking Safely with Walking Safely with Children Children

- Children are short - Children have less peripheral vision - Children have difficulty judging a car’s speed and distance - Children think that if they can see the driver, the driver can see them

IRCOwww.irco.org


• Supervise your children when walking or waiting for the school bus.

• Provide a good example• Make sure your children wear visible

clothing• Provide a safe place to play• Teach your children how to walk safely

IRCOwww.irco.org


Bicycling

IRCOwww.irco.org


Why Bike?

• Inexpensive• A good source of exercise• You can go faster and farther on a bike than walking• A bicycle can carry a fair amount of cargo• You can take a bicycle on the bus or MAX

IRCOwww.irco.org


Disadvantages

• More safety considerations• It may be inconvenient for long distances• Safe routes to some destinations are lacking• It is more difficult to carry cargo and children

IRCOwww.irco.org


Carrying Children

IRCOwww.irco.org


Carrying Cargo

IRCOwww.irco.org


IRCOwww.irco.org


IRCOwww.irco.org


Public Transit

IRCOwww.irco.org


Why Ride?• It can cover the entire metro area• It can carry your entire family and a fair amount of cargo• It is relaxing: You can read, study English or look at scenery

while traveling• It’s relatively cheap. An All-Zone monthly pass is $76.00• You don’t have to worry about finding or paying for parking

IRCOwww.irco.org


IRCOwww.irco.org


Disadvantages• It can be time-consuming to go to certain areas• It can be difficult to carry bulky loads or many small packages on

the bus• You must pay attention to the schedule to avoid long waits• It can be difficult to ride with many small children• The bus doesn’t go to all areas at all times

IRCOwww.irco.org


How to Use Public Transit

• Get a Tri-Met map• Get a schedule for the routes you need• Buy a ticket or monthly pass

IRCOwww.irco.org


Trip Planning – Online

1. Go to www.tri-met.org 2. Enter your starting street address

and final destination street address in the Trip Planner box

3. Enter the time you wish to leave or the time you wish to arrive at your destination

4. Click on the green Plan Trip button

http://www.tri-met.org/

IRCOwww.irco.org


Where to Buy Tickets/Passes

• Most Fred Meyer, Safeway and Albertsons stores in Portland • Ticket vending machines at all MAX stations• Online: www.trimet.org• The TriMet Ticket Office at Pioneer Courthouse Square in

downtown Portland

http://www.trimet.org/

IRCOwww.irco.org


Using Public Transit and . . .

• Busing and walking• Busing and driving (park & ride)• Busing and cycling

IRCOwww.irco.org


Bikes on Buses

IRCOwww.irco.org


Bikes on MAX

IRCOwww.irco.org


Being Safe Near Public Transit

• Never cross MAX tracks at non-crossing areas. MAX trains run very quietly and cannot stop quickly

• Never run across the street against the light to catch a bus or the MAX• The driver will help you if there is a problem.• If you feel uncomfortable with another passenger, sit near the driver

IRCOwww.irco.org


Thank You!

www.wpcwalks.orgwww.irco.org

www.trimet.orgwww.bta4bikes.org

http://www.wpcwalks.org/

http://www.irco.org/

http://www.trimet.org/

http://www.bta4bikes.org/

Irco Walk Smart Pres

Education

small children

safer walking

short children

distance children

withchildren children

shorter distances walking

safe near public transit

safety issue