UPDATED: ‘Outer Powell’ project gets $4.9 million for street safety improvements
Oregon’s legislature has voted to devote $4.9 million to “sidewalks, crosswalks, and lane widening” on Southeast Powell Boulevard between 111th and 174th avenues.
2013 legislative session
Biking/walking projects now eligible for $42 million in state lottery funds
Text in bold shows new additions to Senate Bill 260, which passed both chambers of the Oregon Legislature today. For the first time ever, with the passage a few minutes ago of Senate Bill 260, the Oregon Legislature has agreed to open up the state’s lottery-backed Multimodal Transportation Fund (a.k.a. ConnectOregon) to biking and walking … Read more
New state law makes walking more welcome on narrow streets
A new state law signed Tuesday by Gov. John Kitzhaber allows Oregon cities to designate certain streets where, for the first time in decades, pedestrians won’t be required to yield the roadway to cars.
Senate committee takes no action on bike helmet bills
A bill to increase the minimum helmet age was discussed in a Senate hearing earlier this week.(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland) The two bicycle helmet bills in the Oregon legislature made more waves in the media than in actual debate from lawmakers during a hearing held in Salem on Monday. The bills garnered media attention because … Read more
House bill would make bike paths (and more) eligible for highway trust fund
Rep. Jules Bailey.(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland) A bill in the legislature seeks to amend the Oregon Constitution in order to use gas taxes and motor vehicle fees to pay for biking, walking, transit and other types of projects. Gas tax and vehicle fee revenues — a.k.a. the highway trust fund — accounts for over one-third … Read more
Senate committee hears voluntary bicycle donation bill
“There are concerns that bicyclists don’t pay their fair share… This bill provides an avenue for those of us that support bike and pedestrian facilities to provide additional funding.”— Sen. Jackie Dingfelder Oregon lawmakers considered a bill yesterday that would allow Oregonians to make a voluntary donation to bicycle trail projects through their annual motor … Read more
Oregon Senate says cab drivers should be exempt from cell phone law
“These are people who are struggling and their livings are made by whether or not they can pick folks up… This is their life.”— Sen. Larry George, the bill’s sponsor The Oregon legislature made a strange move on Monday that is very likely to make Portland roads less safe for everyone. By a vote of … Read more
Oregon Senator looks to strengthen mandatory helmet laws
If she’s under 18, SB 742 would require her to wear a helmet.(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland State Senator Chris Edwards (D-Eugene) is behind two bills this session that would strengthen Oregon’s helmet laws. Sen. Edwards wants to raise the age limit for mandatory helmet use from 16 to 18 years of age (SB 742) and … Read more
Finally, a bike funding bill worthy of a conversation
Bike advocate Jerry Norquist (L) and Senators Dingfelder and Prozanski at the Oregon Active Transportation Summit in 2011.(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland) State legislators in Salem have tried time and time again to “start a conversation” about making Oregonians who ride bicycles pay for the pleasure of doing so. In recent memory we’ve had a draconian … Read more
CRC set for likely House vote this Monday
Artist’s rendering of the project HB 2800, the bill that will give a green light (at least on the Oregon side) to the Columbia River Crossing I-5 freeway expansion project, will likely be voted on by the Oregon House when they convene at 11:00 am on Monday (2/25). After years of what has felt like … Read more
Oregon lawmaker introduces bill to toll people who ride bikes across new I-5 bridge
House Rep. Kevin Cameron thinks people who ride bikes don’t pay for roads and he wants a bike toll on a new I-5 bridge over the Columbia River.(Photo: Cameron for Oregon) A new bill has been introduced in Salem that would toll people on bikes for using a new bridge over I-5 (if one ever … Read more
Bill would remove mandatory driving test for people with limited vision
I figured I’d post interesting bills I come across here on Page Two. If they warrant more attention, I’ll consider a Front Page story. Senate Bill 288, “Eliminates requirement that person with limited vision condition take driver test every two years.” The bill was introduced by state Senator Brian Boquist (R-Dallas). Current law calls for … Read more