BEST supports 3 local projects in DeFazio infrastructure bill

Better Eugene Springfield Transportation (BEST) is proud to support the INVEST in America Act, the $547-billion surface transportation reauthorization bill introduced last Friday by Oregon’s own U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Chair Peter DeFazio.

Earlier this year, BEST connected national transit leaders with staff for Rep. DeFazio, resulting in improvements to already good provisions in his INVEST in America Act.

Since first coming together in 2012 to support the $95-million West Eugene EmX, BEST has continued to support projects we believe are good public investments, including three recently designated by Congressman DeFazio:

Lane County: Territorial Highway Reconstruction Phase 3 ($5 million)
Territorial Highway Wine Trail
In 2006 while she was bicycling along Territorial Highway with friends, Oregon State University nutrition expert Jane Higdon was struck and killed by the driver of a logging truck as she was attempting to avoid another cyclist who had fallen. The road winds through Lane County’s amazing wineries that draw tourists from around the world. Recognizing the dangers for both people bicycling and driving, and with state funding from the 2017 Keep Oregon Moving package, Lane County has begun reconstructing Territorial Highway with wide shoulders and better lines of sight to improve safety for all. Funding designated by DeFazio will help complete this critical project sooner.
City of Eugene: River Road-Santa Clara Ped/Bike Bridge ($1.5 million)
The user experience walking or biking across the bridge
A top priority for Eugene-Springfield Safe Routes to School, this pedestrian and bicycle bridge will connect the River Road and Santa Clara neighborhoods, west of River Road, enabling more people to use active transportation for school, work, shopping, and other trips. The bridge will connect half of the North Eugene High School service area to the high school and allow students to travel on quiet neighborhood streets, avoiding those that are on the Vision Zero “High Crash Network.” Along with other planned improvements, it will also connect residents to shopping, services, transit, and the broader active transportation network.
Lane Transit District: Electric Bus Purchase ($1,844,322)
LTD electric bus
Last year, LTD adopted a climate action policy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its vehicle fleet by 75% over the next 10 years and to eliminate the use of fossil fuels in 15 years. Three months ago, LTD took delivery of all 11 electric buses it had ordered from New Flyer America, Inc. Funding designated by Rep. DeFazio will enable LTD to continue to transition to cleaner buses.

Read the complete message from BEST here: https://mailchi.mp/cfa544ad3926/2021-06-10

May 23 ‘May is Bike Month’ NAACP listening session 1 p.m., ride 4 p.m.

A Mobility Justice Listening Session will be held Sunday, May 23, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Annie Mims Community Garden North, located behind Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 255 Maxwell Rd, Eugene.

Community members who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color), those who identify as female, those who are unhoused, those who are public-transit dependent, and those who identify as disabled are welcomed to speak about transportation issues they experience.

Un traductor de español estará disponible durante el evento.

Regional transportation leaders are invited to listen to concerns specific to underrepresented communities and their mobility challenges. Our goal is for this community feedback to guide policymakers to reprioritize transportation investments as we build back from the effects COVID-19.

On Sunday, May 23, starting at 4:00 p.m. in Alton Baker Park near the picnic shelters south of the parking lot, all are welcomed to a group and family-friendly bike ride using the new app, Strides for Social Justice.

Developed by PeaceHealth, the free, inclusive, family-friendly app engages and educates participants on the contributions, achievements, and milestones of Black residents of Lane County, and also highlights the injustices many have faced.

The ride will follow the Downtown Tour route of the app. The ride will be easy-paced and family-friendly. PeaceHealth Rides bikes will be provided free of charge to anyone upon request.

Although the risk of transmitting COVID-19 at a physically-distanced, outdoor event is low, to support community health, in-person event organizers have agreed to adhere to the following safety protocols:

Asking participants not to attend if they are experiencing any the following symptoms: fever, problems breathing, coughing.

Asking participants not to attend if they have been in contact with anyone experiencing the above symptoms or who has been diagnosed positive for COVID-19.

Announcing that physical distancing of 6 feet or greater is expected.

Announcing that masks are recommended at all times and required anytime physical distancing is not possible.

Having extra masks and hand sanitizer available in case they are needed during the event.

The ‘May is Bike Month’ events are a joint effort by the Eugene/Springfield NAACP, Eugene’s Active Transportation Committee (ATC), Better Eugene Springfield Transportation, and other community partners. Corrie Parrish confirms on Facebook thatall participants attending the session will receive a free one-month pass to the Peacehealth Bike Share here in Eugene, a bike light, and we will be raffling other bike goods… including a Burley People for Bikes Travoy!

Join neighborhood walk audit March 30

Join Better Eugene Springfield Transportation on Tuesday, March 30, at 10:00 a.m. with your questions or observations for the second event in our Safe Streets for All workshop series. We will build on themes from the first event to learn how to compile walk audit information and share it with decision makers to help make our streets safe for all.

Read more about the event here including how to register.

The series is co-sponsored by BEST, AARP® Oregon, and Eugene-Springfield Safe Routes to School.

‘Safe Streets for All’ interactive workshop part two 3/9

It’s time to roll up our sleeves and get to work!

AARP Oregon, Better Eugene Springfield Transportation (BEST) and Safe Routes to School welcome you to join our neighborhood safe streets workshop part 2 on March 9, 2021 from 10 -11:30 a.m.

With inspiration and knowledge from part 1 of our workshop, now we’ll pull together a walk audit information and share it with decision makers.

Using the walk audit tool, we will meet to share and compile any information participants have collected and discuss a plan of action.

1. Download the walk audit tool – www.aarp.org/walkaudit
2. Take a walk by yourself or with a team using the walk (safe street) audit tool.
3. Share what you have learned at the upcoming workshop

You can send the completed work sheets to csnyder@aarp.org before the event. Please put your neighborhood name in the subject line.

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