Transportation Safety Community Forum

On February 12, 2026, over 200 people gathered at Roosevelt Middle School for an evening of connection, reflection, and discussion to transform recent tragedies into collective work for a better future. The event was organized by BEST, GEARs, LTD, Shift Community Cycles, ASUO, GTFF, LiveMove, and UO Transportation Services.

Executive summary

Organizers

Better Eugene-Springfield Transportation (BEST),
Greater Eugene Area Riders (GEARs),
Lane Transit District (LTD),
Shift Community Cycles,
Associated Students of The University of Oregon (ASUO),
Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation (GTFF),
LiveMove, and
UO Transportation Services.

Program

Welcome
- Kendsie Channing, Shift Community Cycles
Transportation Safety 101
- Sarah Mazze, Eugene 4J Safe Routes to School
- March Schlossberg, UO School of Planning, Public Policy & Management
Table discussions and report outs
- Charlotte Young, facilitator
Responses from elected officials
- Kaarin Knudson, Mayor of Eugene
- Laurie Trieger, Lane County Commissioner
Next steps
- Rob Zako, BEST

Common themes

Desired future
- Safe
- Less car-dependant
- Well connected and intuitive transportation
- Equitable & sustainable
Path forward
- Redesign streets
- Slow and regulate cars
- Invest in transit
- Emphasize low cost, faster to implement solutions

Desired future

In a better future, how would travel be different?

Safety & freedom from fear

46 responses mentioned topics like: fewer crashes, calmer speeds, safe routes for youth, emotional comfort, not feeling like a “target,” women feeling safe, better lighting, and reduced anxiety.

“Freedom from fear… the ability to explore the city.”
“Children safe to bike to school the fear of being hit.”
”Travelling would be focused not on negotiating traffic and trying to stay safe, and more on moving through and noticing our beautiful community and its people.”

More people walking, biking & riding transit

38 responses mentioned topics like: cars as last resort, more bikes on streets, less reliance on cars, frequent transit, mode choice, cultural shift.

“Car as last, not first, resort to get from point A → B.”
“More people walking, biking, rolling.”

Connected, protected & comfortable infrastructure

33 responses mentioned topics like: protected bike lanes, connected networks, intuitive routes, complete systems, accessible sidewalks, protected intersections.

“Connect the weird dead ends in our bike system.”
“Physical barriers between cars and non-car traffic.”
“Complete routes with bike paths.”
“Wider bike lanes & flashing lights at crosswalks; wider stripes on roads with brighter & more street lights.”

Equity, climate & community well-being

24 responses mentioned topics like: equitable access, mobility for seniors and low-income residents, climate change, cleaner air, walkable neighborhoods, dignity, belonging.

“More people of all incomes have mobility options safe, affordable”
“Car-free – non-polluting”
“Fully connected system for biking and walking (like our driving system) especially for kids + other non-drivers”
“Women would feel safe on transit and bike paths”
“Poverty racism, disability, other-ism – Comes from both sides; automobiles and the use of fossil fuels are killing us”
“Micro communities (e.g. Friendly) → full of mixed use, hub of close green spaces, diverse types (and costs) of housing”

Get involved

On 3^rd Wednesdays, 5–7 pm, at Gratitude Brewing, continue the conversation in an informal setting with food and drinks:

BEST Happy Hours

Join the group that organized the forum to move the needle by advocating for a safer transportation system for the Eugene-Springfield area soon enough to save lives:

Cycle of Change: Safety

Takeaways

At the forum, participants:

Voiced concerns and hopes around how we travel around.
Previewed a range of possible solutions with UO Professor of City & Regional Planning Marc Schlossberg.
Heard responses from Eugene Mayor Kaarin Knudson, County Commissioner Laurie Trieger, and other officials.
Learned about next steps and opportunities for getting involved in lasting change.

Some immediate takeaways:

Stay tuned for an executive summary and report of what we heard and learned.

Why now?

Since August 2025, people driving and dangerous streets killed three people bicycling in Eugene: Elizabeth Cardenas Figueroa, Merle Dean Sheffield, and Erick Munene Njue.

Despite Vision Zero efforts to eliminate fatalities and life-changing injuries, Eugene is seeing the total number of traffic deaths increase, mirroring experiences across the country.

Now community members and local organizations are coming together to envision and push for a safer and better transportation system for everyone. The community forum on February 12 was one of the first steps in this journey.

*Source: Eugene Fatal Crash Report, 2022–2024*

In memoriam

The Transportation Safety Community Forum was organized to honor loved ones, both those we have lost and those we wish to keep safe. Following are some recent victims of traffic crashes.