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(This information is provided by the Portland Bureau of Transportation’s Vision Zero August 2025 newsletter: https://www.portland.gov/transportation/vision-zero/news/2025/8/19/pbot-vision-zero-august-2025-newsletter)
Back to School: Drive carefully, slow down, and look out for kids
Back-to-school season is here, and streets are about to get busier. With thousands of students walking, biking, rolling, and riding transit to school starting as soon as next week, remember to travel with extra care.
Everyone plays a part in kids traveling to and from school safely
Exercise caution while travelling regardless of whether you're near a school or not. There are more than 120 elementary, middle, and high schools in Portland. On average, people moving about the city pass a school or a route commonly used by schoolchildren every half mile. Also, traffic crashes are most common between 3 and 7 p.m., a time when students are being let out from school and after-school programs for the day.
Tips for people driving
- Slow down.
- Watch for people outside your vehicles, especially at intersections—every intersection is a legal crosswalk in Oregon.
- Stop for school buses and crossing guards.
- Never pass vehicles stopped at crosswalks—it's against the law!
- Always drive sober.
Tips for families and caregivers
- Practice your route before the first day of school.
- Join or organize a walking school bus or bike bus. Visit bikebuspdx.org to learn if your school already has a bike bus.
- Talk with kids about how to cross streets safely.
- Follow traffic signage near schools.
- Park a few blocks away from school and walk kids to the door.
Play your part and travel with care this back-to-school season.
Educational Videos
The Oregon Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School website has great resources for all ages including a series of educational videos that promote safe walking, biking, bus riding habits. These short, engaging videos are designed to help students, familes, and the community make smart choices on the road and sidewalks. Whether you’re a student commuter or a parent driver, take a moment to excplore these resources and help us keep our streets safe and connected.
For more information and resources, please visit the Oregon Department of Transportation's Safe Routes to School website.
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Learn how to ride the bus to school safely. Brought to you by Commute Options and Oregon Safe Routes to School. Thanks to Oregon Department of Transportation, Oregon Department of Education and the Federal Highway Administration.
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Learn the 10 steps in riding the transit bus. Brought to you by Commute Options and Oregon Safe Routes to School. Thanks to Oregon Department of Transportation, Oregon Department of Education and the Federal Highway Administration.
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The Federal Highway Administration produced three bicycle safety education videos and three pedestrian safety education videos for different age groups of children (ages 5-9, ages 10-14, and ages 15-18). You may view the videos here, but also visit the Pedestrian Safer Journey and Bicycle Safer Journey for more resources and quizzes.
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The Federal Highway Administration produced three bicycle safety education videos and three pedestrian safety education videos for different age groups of children (ages 5-9, ages 10-14, and ages 15-18). You may view the videos here, but also visit the Pedestrian Safer Journey and Bicycle Safer Journey for more resources and quizzes.
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The Federal Highway Administration produced three bicycle safety education videos and three pedestrian safety education videos for different age groups of children (ages 5-9, ages 10-14, and ages 15-18). You may view the videos here, but also visit the Pedestrian Safer Journey and Bicycle Safer Journey for more resources and quizzes.