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Ron Adlington urges think tank and free safety gear to protect pedestrians
Summary
At the Bozeman Transportation Advisory Board’s March 25 unofficial meeting, resident Ron Adlington urged a yearly think tank and community-funded safety gear and education to reduce injuries from distracted driving.
Ron Adlington, a Bozeman resident, told the Transportation Advisory Board on March 25 that the city should prioritize pedestrian safety through community education and by securing funds to give high-visibility gear to vulnerable road users. The board held the meeting without a quorum, so no official actions were taken.
Adlington said distracted driving is a growing danger but argued individuals and community groups can reduce risk by changing behaviors and improving visibility. "You wear colorful clothing," he said. "You've got to think safety." He urged the board to consider nontraditional funding sources and community distribution to ensure runners and cyclists have reflective or neon clothing and lights.
Why it matters: Adlington tied his call to a recent local fatality and warned that without practical outreach and funding, vulnerable pedestrians and cyclists will remain at risk. The commenter described an approach that emphasizes teaching and providing gear to those who cannot afford it rather than relying solely on enforcement or engineering.
Adlington suggested an annual "think tank" composed of people outside typical municipal circles — grant writers from the university, fundraising experts, an orthopedic surgeon, an insurance representative and local business leaders — to identify foundation funding and partnership opportunities. "There are huge... foundations that do grants," he said, and schools, clubs and local nonprofits could distribute supplies such as neon vests and bike flashers.
He gave specific behavioral recommendations for safety: run facing traffic, ride single file, avoid earbuds, keep phones in pockets until stopped, and arrive early to reduce interactions with drivers in a hurry. He also urged that "every bicycle that's in town has to have a flasher on the back and a flasher on the front."
The Chair thanked Adlington for his suggestions and members referenced a recent fatal crash at an Oak intersection as underscoring the urgency of pedestrian safety measures. Because the board lacked a quorum, members did not take formal action; the Chair noted a new board member, Grace, will start next month and a full meeting is expected in April.
The Transportation Advisory Board did not vote or direct staff on Adlington’s proposals at this session; his recommendations were submitted as public comment and will be part of the record for future meetings.
