A "Ghost Bike" at North Interstate and Greeley honored a life lost.

The ten speed, spray-painted white, was drenched in flowers, personal notes and photographs. Cyclist Brett Jarolimek was killed at the intersection October 22nd.

He collided with a garbage truck as it turned right across the bike lane. Jarolimek is the second Portland cyclist killed by a truck as it was turning right.

Neither truck driver was cited.

KGW photo

This deadly collision on North Interstate re-ignited debate about "sharing the road" safely.

But more often than not, it's the everyday experiences that impact people most. Go to Ladd's Addition in Southeast Portland and you'll get an earful from folks who live and work there.

Patrick Gonzales now teaches his young daughters to watch out for the speeding cyclists. He recalls watching a recent police crack-down on stop sign runners.

"We sat at the table and watched as cyclists blew through the stop sign, I mean - they don't slow down!"

Shop co-owner Debbi McCreary says she was nearly hit by cyclists several times and she's concerned about safety. Resident Laura Lamey adds another view, "I'm fine with bicyclists rolling through stop signs."

Their Southeast neighborhood is part of a designated Bike Boulevard, and a favorite route for cyclists commuting into Downtown.

Most welcome the increased bike traffic. Most also want cyclists to abide by Oregon law and stop at the traffic lights and stop signs while passing through their neighborhood.

The conversation is not limited to the Ladd's Addition neighborhood. As more cyclists and drivers share the road, the topic of 'sharing road rules' inevitably arises.

For a short time, legislators took up the issue. In 2003 House Bill 2768 sought to change Oregon law regarding cyclists and stop signs.

The bill read, in part, "to permit person operating bicycle to enter intersection with specified traffic control devise without stopping providing person operating bicycle slows to safe speed and yields right of way to traffic or pedestrians."

It also sought to lower the fine for cyclists who ignore a stop sign, from the current fine of $242.00.

House Bill 2768 may have died in 2003, but the discussion of sharing the road is still very much alive.

Especially now - given the dramatic rise in cycling numbers.

Recent Portland Department of Transportation numbers show nearly one in five commuters crossing the Hawthorne Bridge is now doing so on a bicycle.

And so far in 2007, an average of 14,563 cyclists every day are crossing the Willamette into Downtown. Greg Raisman, with PDOT, says "since the early 1990's, we've seen a five-fold increase in the number of people riding their bikes across bridges."

The trend implies more people are commuting city-wide.

When asked recently about their experiences with cyclists, drivers at a Southeast coffee shop have plenty to say. One man laments "I've noticed they don't stop as stop signs the way they're supposed to."

Another driver claims "I ride my bike too, but when I'm driving and someone (on a bike) darts out, it's kind of scary you know."

Cyclists in Downtown have their own views of unsafe behavior on the road. One woman says "(drivers) talking on cell phones, that's probably the worst thing!"

Another cyclist shakes his head, adds "bikes are still not necessarily what cars are looking for."

It may feel that way as they navigate our streets, or after news of driver-on-cyclist "Road Rage" last August in Southeast Portland, but numbers show otherwise. While the amount of cyclists has increased five-fold since the 1990's, the amount of vehicle-bicycle collisions has not.

Raisman, at PDOT, compiles crash reports in Portland. He says Portland is following International trends, "you have a flat amount of reported crash activity, while you have a significant increase in the number of people actually riding." He says our streets are actually safer for cyclists today.

Cycling Advocate Jonathan Maus explains, it's about 'safety in numbers.' "There's something to be said for cars getting used to seeing more bicyclists in larger numbers."

While the number of crashes may be unchanged, there are still three trouble spots in the city of Portland. PDOT numbers show, during the past ten years, an average of eight bicycle-vehicle collisions each year at SW 69th Avenue and SW Garden Home Road.

Another problem area includes Northeast Broadway between Grand and Flint, with an average of six or seven crashes a year. A third dangerous area includes Southeast Foster between 72nd and 82nd.

So who's at fault?

While cyclists and drivers may point fingers at one-another, PDOT numbers show it's nearly half and half.

Raisman explains "when we look at crash statistics, it's about fifty-fifty in terms of who's in error in crashes, drivers or cyclists."

He adds we're all responsible for safety on the roads. Raisman says that includes drivers "looking (for cyclists) before turning", and cyclists "riding predictably with traffic" and obeying traffic stops.

October's deadly collisions aside, Maus is encouraged by what he sees as a result of more cyclists on our streets.

"We recently had this car versus bike debate, and it turned out it really wasn't a debate because we all wanted the same."

That "same" includes "safe streets for everyone". A sentiment echoed in Ladd's Addition and North Interstate.

One parent who also happens to be a cyclist sums it up "it's for the cyclists safety, and the cars and the people's safety."

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