FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Feb. 24, 2015

MEDIA CONTACTS

Gwen Schuler, Media and Communications, gschuler@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5160

Stacy Ellifritt, Media and Communications, stacy.ellifritt@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-2005

City of Tacoma Launches Bicycle and Pedestrian Awareness Campaign

The City of Tacoma’s Office of Environmental Policy and Sustainability is launching a new pedestrian and bicycle awareness campaign. “This Lane is Your Lane, This Lane is My Lane” will help all road users understand the rights and responsibilities that come with having access to the right of way. This campaign will also serve to help clarify new facilities, including sharrows and green bike lanes.

A “Green Lane” is green-colored pavement that enhances the visibility of a bicycle lane in places where there is a potential for conflict between bicyclists and motor vehicles. For those traveling in motor vehicles, green pavement reinforces priority to bicyclists.For bicycling traffic, green lanes offer guidance on where to position themselves in the roadway, as well a reminder to ride cautiously as green lanes are present in areas where there is higher potential conflict between motorists and bicyclists. The Federal Highway Administration considers green pavement marking to be effective in increasing awareness of bike lanes.

This campaign also seeks to raise awareness of being visible at night, pedestrian rights at intersections, and what to do when encountering “sharrow” symbols.

In Tacoma, new facilities, including green pavement markings, can be found along the north edge of Wright Park as part of the City’s new 13 Miles of Bikeways and Pedestrian Improvements and at the 705 entrance to Stadium Way.

Watch for the campaign to roll out on Pierce Transit buses in March 2015.

For more information, visit cityoftacoma.org or contact Active Transportation Coordinator Diane Wiatr at dwiatr@cityoftacoma.org or (253)-591-5380.

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