Council candidate announces his "Bicycle Policy for Portland"
Posted by Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor) on November 7th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
(Photo © Jonathan Maus)
City Council hopeful and transportation activist Chris "Citizen" Smith plans to greet morning bike commuters on the Hawthorne Bridge tomorrow morning.
In a campaign event reminiscent of Shift's famous Breakfast in the Bridges, he'll pass out coffee, pastries, and a bit of two-wheeled political persuasion in the form of a flyer with his "Bicycle Policy for Portland."
In case you don't commute that way, Smith gave me a sneak peek at it. Below, I present to you Chris Smith's, "Bicycle Policy for Portland"...
Why Bicycling is Important
Cycling and walking are the most energy efficient, environmentally sustainable, cost effective and healthy modes of transportation. As a City Commissioner I will ensure that Portland’s policies and practices make us a world‐class cycling city.Research indicates that many more Portlanders would cycle if they had access to safe and convenient low‐traffic routes to take them to work, school and daily activities. Let’s make this happen together!
Funding
Serving on Metro’s Transportation Policy Alternatives Committee for three years, I successfully advocated for funding key cycling projects, including missing pieces of the Springwater Corridor. As a member of the Executive Committee for the Safe, Sound and Green Streets initiative, I helped craft the proposal that will fund 110 new miles of bicycle boulevards in Portland. As Commissioner I will work to fund bicycle infrastructure and programs at a level that matches their value to our city.Safety
Cyclists are safer every year in Portland, but tragic crashes remind us that we need to do much more. Under my leadership we will implement:• Low‐traffic family‐friendly bicycle and pedestrian routes
• Bike boxes and other intersection treatments
• Enforcement targeted specifically at safety problems
• Education and awareness programs for all roadway usersI also want to improve laws at the State Legislature to clarify the rights of cyclists and pedestrians and make our streets work better for all users.
The Big Picture
Making Portland a great cycling city is about more than bicycles. Livable, compact, walkable, bike‐friendly neighborhoods also depend on land use choices and improved transit service. As Commissioner, I’ll put my years of experience on City and regional advisory committees to work so that our choices reinforce each other and create a city that not only earns Platinum Bicycle status but also addresses the twin challenges of Global Warming and Peak Oil. The result will be a healthier, happier and more prosperous community for all of us.
You can learn more about Chris Smith at his campaign website, CitizenSmith.us, or by reading an interview I did with him back in September.
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November 7th, 2007 17:11
Chris Smith for City Council!!!
November 7th, 2007 17:25
I second that! I'm impressed every time I run into him which is surprisingly often. He is trying to get small donations from many people rather than getting a few rich contributers, so that we will all know who he is accountable to. If you can make it to the Hawthorn bridge tomorrow consider bringing cash, or check for $5. I really think he can make do a lot to make Portland a world class cycling city, so lets support him!
November 7th, 2007 17:26
This will mark my first year where I've been a part of a micro-constituency that politicians try and actively influence. It's a pretty weird feeling.
November 7th, 2007 17:37
Hmmmmm.
November 7th, 2007 20:14
That's a great idea. Too bad we Broadway Br. users won't get pastries!
November 7th, 2007 20:24
And the call went out across the land: Steel Bridge Needs Candidates (and pastries, too)!
November 8th, 2007 09:05
Thanks for the coffee and doughnuts, Chris!
November 8th, 2007 15:41
How about the City Council requiring in any contract with vendor using fleet or over 2 tons vehicles certify all commercial driver licences, CDL have had an annual "cyclist safety awareness" training! Fine appropriately for non compliance!
CDL licensee's are held to higher safety standard (ie .02 BAC versus .08)! City of Portland can require "cyclist safety awareneess" of all buses, transit, engineering, or driver of large vehicles!
Peace Out!
DanC
Ohio