We can make the roads safer for cyclists.

Byline: GUEST VIEWPOINT By Floyd Prozanski For The Register-Guard

My good friend Jane Higdon was killed on May 31 while riding her bicycle on Territorial Highway. Two weeks later, a travel article in The New York Times named the Willamette Valley as one of five international bike-and-wine-tour destinations. The section of Territorial where Jane was killed has at least five wineries or tasting rooms close by and is a popular route for tourists and locals alike.

Following the accident, neighbors who live along that stretch of Territorial wrote letters to The Register-Guard saying they consider the narrow road very dangerous because there is not enough room to safely pass bicyclists or other slow-moving vehicles. Since the accident, I have spoken with the other three cyclists who were riding with her at the time of her death. I also have viewed the scene with one of those cyclists. According to the cyclists, Jane was struck and killed while riding in a no-passing zone. The cyclists believe that the driver of the truck attempted to overtake and pass the group prior to entering a blind left-hand curve. That stretch of Territorial has only two lanes with no shoulders. Each lane is less than 10 feet wide, which cannot safely accommodate an 18-wheel truck and a bicycle side by side.

This was a tragic situation for all involved, including the driver of the truck that hit Jane. As friends and community members struggle with Jane's death, many have asked how we can keep such tragedies from occurring in the future. As bicycle tourism grows increasingly popular around the state, this is a crucial question to consider locally and statewide.

On July 22, Cycle Oregon's 2006 weekend event will be using Territorial as its route between Eugene and Oakland. Hundreds of cyclists will be on that ride, which promotes a bicycle corridor proposed for Oregon. According to Cycle Oregon's Web site, it is currently working with the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department to create the first Oregon Scenic Bikeway - a signed cycling route from Portland to the California border. The planned route includes this portion of Territorial.

This tragedy could offer Oregon an opportunity to step to the forefront in promoting bicycle safety that would benefit everyone on the road.

First, everyone needs to remember and follow the basic rules of the road already in place. Under Oregon's law, bicycles are defined as vehicles and are entitled to use the roadways just like any other vehicle. The Oregon Driver Manual warns drivers: `Do not crowd bicyclists. Wait for a clear stretch of road before passing a bicyclist who is moving slower than your motor vehicle in a lane too narrow to share. Remember, the bicycle is a slow-moving vehicle and this may require you to slow down. The greater the speed difference between you and a bicyclist, the more room you should allow when passing.'

Cyclists also have to ride responsibly. The manual also says: `The same traffic rules and regulations for vehicles apply to bicycles. ... Cyclists must ride in the same direction of traffic and as near to the right side of the road ... as practical.'

Beyond those basics, there are a number of steps we could take to increase awareness of cyclists on the roadways and reduce the number of fatalities and injuries to cyclists. I have started working with the Oregon Department of Transportation and the Bicycle Transportation Alliance to explore options to increase awareness and safety between drivers and cyclists. These options include:

Designate certain areas as bicycle corridors and place safety signs along them. The signs could feature the international symbol for bikes and the words `Bikes on Road.' Beyond providing greater awareness with signs, bicycle corridors could also help facilitate much-needed road improvements, such as road shoulders. Recent studies have concluded that shoulders increase safety for those using our roadways. The road where Jane was killed does not have any shoulders. It is possible that the truck could have passed safely if the cyclists had been able to ride on a sufficiently wide shoulder.

Create public service announcements to remind people of the rules of the road. These tips could be run on television, radio and print media. The ODOT Web site also could include this information.

Include more questions concerning vehicle-bicycle safety on Oregon's written driver's license test.

Review the current traffic laws to determine if any changes should be considered next legislative session. Should there be a minimum clearance for safe passage before a motor vehicle passes a bicycle? Should cyclists be required to have greater distance between each other when riding on certain roadways?

Increase the number of patrol cars on the road. People slow down and drive more carefully when they observe a police car.

We need to pull together to ensure that Oregon roadways are safe for all users. I hope you will do your part by driving and riding safely and responsibly.

I hope the sad loss of Jane Higdon's life can spur us to seek positive change to prevent future tragedies.

Floyd Prozanski is a state senator and avid cyclist who rode with Jane Higdon in a twice-weekly riding group for more than six years.