Recent Pedestrian Deaths Move Portland Residents to Protest

Portland residents took it upon themselves to redesign a street that has proven dangerous for pedestrians. "Small stacks of hay bales turned Southeast Division Street from a five lane road to a three lane one Saturday afternoon," writes Samantha Matsumoto.

"'What we hope to do is show that five lanes for driving is not necessary on Division," Bike Loud PDX co-chair Emily Guise said. "We need to redesign so we can reach zero deaths and zero serious injuries by 2020,'" Matsumoto reports. The city, whose council recently adopted a Vision Zero plan, has become increasingly concerned about pedestrian after a number of deaths on Division Street.  Matsumoto writes, "Most recently, two pedestrians were killed in separate crashes near Southeast 156th Avenue and Southeast 82nd Avenue on Wednesday night. One of the pedestrians was hit when he crossed the street about a half-block away from a lighted crosswalk, police said."