Eugene Narrows Patterson Street to One Lane
The city's temporary pilot adds a bike lane and parking after two fatal bicycle crashes in January 2026.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Safety
Eugene has reduced Patterson Street from two travel lanes to one between 19th and 24th avenues. The change creates room for a bike lane and parking, and makes it easier for pedestrians to cross.
Why it matters
The redesign responds to deaths of two bicyclists in Eugene in January 2026 and to residents organizing for safer streets. Officials say the project is relatively inexpensive and reversible, letting the city test the design before deciding on permanent changes.
Two people were killed in January 2026: Merle Dean Sheffield, 63, on Jan. 3 near Highway 99 and Side Street, and Erick Munene Njue, 30, on Jan. 25 at Patterson Street and East 22nd Avenue. The city plans improvements at up to 23 other marked crosswalks, though the status of those upgrades is not yet confirmed.
The players
Eugene City Government
The Oregon city government that designed and implemented the Patterson Street lane reduction as a temporary safety pilot.
Kaarin Knudson
The mayor of Eugene, Oregon, who proclaimed Nov. 7 "Safe Streets for All Day."
Erick Munene Njue
A 30-year-old University of Oregon doctoral student who was killed while riding his bicycle on Patterson Street.
The details
City staff determined Patterson Street did not need two travel lanes based on traffic volume. Temporary construction barriers are expected to be replaced with bollards similar to those used on High Street, and advocates documented hazardous crosswalks along Highway 99, River Road and the 12th Avenue and Chambers Street corridor.
Timeline
January 3, 2026: Merle Dean Sheffield dies after being struck near Highway 99 and Side Street.
January 25, 2026: Erick Munene Njue is killed while cycling at Patterson Street and East 22nd Avenue.
February 2026: Residents begin organizing to push for safer street changes.
November 7: Mayor Kaarin Knudson proclaims it "Safe Streets for All Day."
Seasonal Patterns
The Patterson redesign applies the goal behind Eugene's "Safe Streets for All Day" proclamation to one corridor. It is intended to serve as a model for other parts of the city.
Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians on Patterson Street between 19th and 24th avenues should expect one travel lane in each direction to be reduced to one lane, with room for a bike lane and parking. Pedestrians will find crossings easier, and residents can share feedback with the city during the evaluation period.
The takeaway
Temporary, low-cost street redesigns let cities test safety changes on real roads before committing to them. The Patterson pilot shows how community pressure after fatal crashes can shape near-term traffic decisions.
What happens next
The city will evaluate traffic speeds and volumes, observe how the street functions and gather community feedback before deciding whether to make the Patterson changes permanent.
Further reading
For more on street-safety efforts, see Safety coverage across Eugene.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KEZI-TV 9.
