Resolution makes bicycles official target industry
Posted by Jonathan Maus (Editor) on June 29th, 2006 at 6:35 am
In an ongoing push to legitimize and foster Portland’s nascent bicycle industry, Commissioner Sam Adams is backing a resolution that is expected to be adopted as official City policy at the next City Council meeting on July 5th.
The resolution was prepared by City of Portland Office of Transportation employee Linda Ginenthal, mastermind behind the recent Portland Bike Summit and program manager for Transportation Options.
The resolution directs The Portland Development Commission (PDC) to designate the bicycle industry as an official “target industry”. This would open up the bicycle industry to special PDC incentive and development programs and would foster bicycle-related business growth.
Here are some selected excerpts from the resolution:
- WHEREAS, The City of Portland recognizes that bicycling, as a mode of transportation, provides substantial benefits to the City and its residents, including reduced air and water pollution, reduced traffic congestion, and reduced parking demand. Other public benefits include increased mobility and lower transportation costs for lower-income or transportation disadvantaged citizens; and
- WHERAS, the bicycle industry is an innovative and dynamic sector of the economy that contributes to the economic vitality of our City while simultaneously promoting bicycling as a mode of personal transportation, as well as all of the aforementioned benefits of that mode; and
- WHEREAS, It is in the City’s best interest to foster the development of this fast-growing market niche, as it is a strategic economic investment that would contribute to both the City’s economy and its transportation goals;
The resolution also calls for Commissioner Sam to return to City Council in six months to present an official plan to grow the bicycle-related industry in the city of Portland.
I’ll update this post once I hear an exact time this agenda item is scheduled to come before the council. It would make a lasting impression on our City Commissioners if we packed a crowd into Council Chambers to show our support of this resolution.
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June 29th, 2006 07:00
anybody know if this will be a time certain or regular agenda council item?
June 29th, 2006 07:18
I was told by the auditors office around 10:30 am
June 29th, 2006 08:52
what are some of the concrete/material implications of this resolution for bike industry? tax breaks? expedited/relaxed licensing & permits?
June 29th, 2006 09:15
[...] If you’ve never attended a City Council meeting next week is a perfect opportunity. The Council will be adopting a resolution to designate bicycles as an official “target industry” withing the City of Portland. That will be July 5th, 10:30AM at City Hall. [...]
June 30th, 2006 18:16
For those who have attended a City Council meeting,
could you inform the first-timers about what to expect
for attending. What are the security procedures? Do we need to check our horse and saddle bags? As far as the meeting goes, is it long? Do we need to bring a comfortable cushion? Thank You from "Wee the political-Virgins."
July 5th, 2006 12:11
Well that bites... The council postponed this agenda item to the afternoon. All in all 3 bikers showed. Count accessed by those who had bike gear with them. Of course, Sam might have biked too, making it a count of 4.
July 5th, 2006 12:38
I should have updated this post sooner with the official schedule. But the resolution is set to go before the committee at 2:30 today...in about one hour! Hopefully some of you can make it.
July 5th, 2006 20:35
[...] The Portland City Council unanimously passed a resolution today making the bicycle industry a recognized and targeted part of our economy. [...]
August 21st, 2006 11:27
[...] I also finally met the New Belgium crew and was glad to introduce a few of them to none other than City Commissioner Sam Adams. Here’s a shot of Sam, Meredith and Bubba. They’re hatching plans to make this event even bigger next year. Or better yet, maybe we can woo New Belgium to Portland…aren’t they considered “bicycle related industry?” ;-) [...]