Page 8 - LUTAnnualReport1516

WALKING THE TALK

Shelley Oylear drives the County’s

active transportation efforts

By Audrey Chang, University of Oregon Communications Intern

Shelley Oylear, LUT bicycle and pedestrian coordinator,
does more than walk the talk. She rides it, too.

Oylear rides her bicycle to work In 2015, Oylear lead the School
several times a week, often Access Improvement Study (SAIS,)
combining bicycling with public which evaluated 53 public schools
transportation. She is committed, significantly impacted by County
personally and professionally, to roads, to identify traffic
active transportation. infrastructure issues that limit
students’ ability to walk to school
“Walking and biking are great, easy safely. Traffic safety improvements
ways to incorporate exercise into my identified in the study vary by school
daily activities,” she said. “And active and include sidewalks, bike lanes,
transportation provides me with a crosswalks and trails.
different perspective on our roads
and neighborhoods.” The SAIS will help the County
prioritize projects to improve
Washington County is also safety and increase the potential
committed to active transportation. for active transportation.
Walkable communities like North The Washington County Board
Bethany (see page 7), road of Commissioners committed $2
improvement projects to fill sidewalk million per year for 10 years to fund
gaps, Safe Routes to School program school safety road improvements.
facilitation and development of
bicycle lanes separated from traffic “We are partnering with school
and pedestrian facilities all district staff and local jurisdictional
demonstrate that commitment. partners to improve safety and
increase walking and biking to
“Increasing the numbers of people school,” Oylear said. “There are
walking and bicycling has a positive a lot of exciting possibilities.”
effect on the safety of all people
walking and biking,” Oylear said. Read more about improving school
“Active transportation improves access www.co.washington.or.us/
health, encourages social SchoolAccess
interaction, reduces traffic
congestion, is economical Shelly Oylear
and environmentally friendly.”

5 | Celebrating People & Partnerships — LUT Annual Report FY 2015–16