Forest Grove, Oregon

Forest Grove sits some 25 miles West of downtown Portland in Washington County's Tualatin Valley. It is the county's oldest city, having been incorporated in 1872, and is home to around 20,000 people. Forest Grove is also home to Pacific University, whose Old College Hall is one of the oldest academic buildings in the West, a status acknowledged by its inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places (a distinction it shares with a number of other buildings in Forest Grove's well-preserved downtown area). Pacific U actually predates Forest Grove itself - having been founded (as Tualatin Academy) in 1849. Today, Old College Hall serves as the university's museum.

Matthew D. Kaplan offers legal services to Forest Grove and the rest of the Greater Portland metropolitan area from his office at 50 SW Pine St in Portland, Oregon. The office telephone number is (503) 226-3844.

College towns like Forest Grove face a number of unique legal issues. As a rule, the streets of college towns feature a much higher number of bicycle riders than similar cities and towns with a proportionately smaller student population. As an advocate for the cycling community Matthew Kaplan believes it is important for all Forest Grove residents to be aware of some of the key statistics involving cycling. According to data compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

• The vast majority of fatal cycling accidents (70%) take place in urban areas
• Nearly 75% of all cyclist fatalities take place during the day
• In 2009 the average age of a cyclist killed in a bike accident was 41
• In 2009 the average age of a cyclist injured in a bike accident was 31

In other words: riding in traffic remains dangerous and, despite what one might think, the people most likely to be involved in a serious bike accident are adults, not children (it is also noteworthy that the average ages for those last two statistics - fatalities and injuries - have both risen consistently since 2000).

As an attorney with a particular interest in the bicycling community, Matthew Kaplan feels it is important for drivers and cyclists alike to be aware of the dangers bike riders are exposed to every time they venture out onto the road. Oregon has a proud, and well-deserved, reputation as one of the most bike-friendly places in the United States, but preserving that reputation requires vigilance every day. Drivers need to share the road with cyclists, and Matthew Kaplan's law office is here to help riders throughout Oregon with their bicycle-related legal issues.

Matthew's office is located at 50 SW Pine St #302, Portland, OR 97204.