Press release below from organizers of the Oregon Bike Summit, which kicks off tomorrow in Portland (stay tuned for coverage):

Third Annual Oregon Bike Summit to Focus on Funding, Support for Bicycling Issues

Two-day event will bring together cycling advocates to address a broad agenda of issues including legislation, safety and tourism

PORTLAND, Ore. – April 3, 2008 – The third annual Oregon Bike Summit, to be held April 4-5 in Portland, will bring together several hundred people interested in cycling to coordinate their efforts to pass important cycling legislation, create a safer cycling atmosphere in the state and the nation, and make Oregon a premier cycling-tourism destination. The theme of the event is “Oregon: the land bicycles dream about.”

The event will feature a group bike ride and an evening reception and dinner on Friday, followed Saturday by a complete day of general and breakout sessions on bike-related topics. Hill Abell, President of the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA), will be the keynote speaker Friday evening, while Saturday’s slate of speakers is scheduled to include U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, Bikes Belong president Tim Blumenthal, Oregon Transportation Commission chair Gail Achterman and Alta Planning + Design principal Mia Birk.

“We’ve made significant progress on cycling-related issues in the last few years, but there are still many efforts we need to direct Oregon’s cycling advocates toward,” said Jerry Norquist, Cycle Oregon ride director and co-organizer of the Oregon Bike Summit. “Bringing together a diverse and committed group in one place for two days of learning and discussion really focuses everyone’s energy into the effort to make Oregon a safer, easier and more desirable place to ride.”

This year’s summit will focus on a variety of issues, with a primary focus on strategizing for the 2009 renewal of the National Transportation Bill, which provides funds for bicycle projects. Additional topics for breakout sessions include putting on successful bike events, affecting policy on local and national levels, building fruitful partnerships and creating bicycle-friendly communities.

“We want to have a strong voice in transportation policy, and also make Oregon a state cyclists immediately think of as a great place to ride,” said Norquist. “To achieve that, we need to know how to influence decision-makers to fund and prioritize cycling projects – as we continue to create a great cycling atmosphere in our own state.”

In yet another sign that bicycling is gaining traction with Oregon's tourism industry, the upcoming Governor's Conference on Tourism will feature a workshop on bike friendly communities.
(more...)

Local, regional, and national speakers, as well educational workshops, will be part of the event.

An Oregon bike rack at last
year's Oregon Bike Summit.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Oregon's dream to become the #1 bicycle destination in the country will move closer to reality when the Oregon Bike Summit comes to Portland in April.

The event, now in its third year, brings together advocates, exhibitors, politicians, city planners, and members of the bike industry. The agenda includes ample networking time, a slate of nationally prominent speakers, and workshops designed to educate and inspire attendees. (more...)

Tom Jefferson, a soft-spoken and thoughtful cyclist from Eugene, was the final speaker at the Oregon Bicycle Summit. Jefferson is the husband of the late Jane Higdon, who was killed while riding her bicycle in Eugene last summer.

Jefferson gave us an update on efforts to honor Higdon's death and he urged us to work together and "speak the same language" to make Oregon a safer place for bicycles, (more...)

Iris Riggs at the
Oregon Bicycle Summit.
File photo: 4/14/07

Important news from the Oregon Bicycle Summit...

Iris Riggs (in photo) is Oregon's first ever Bicycle Recreation Coordinator. She was hired last summer by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department to help communities develop bicycle recreation resources, promote bicycle tourism, and more.

According to the BTA, the job was created after the, "culmination of years of work by the biking community."
(more...)

Today featured breakout sessions
on a variety of issues.

We're half way through the Oregon Bicycle Summit here in Sisters. Summit attendees have been learning the what's-what and who's-who in Oregon's bicycle movement.

Jonathan Nicholas kicked off the event this morning with an engaging talk about the history of the ride he started on a whim 20 years ago, Cycle Oregon. He expected 40 riders that first year and when over 1000 showed up he knew he was onto something special.
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Flyer for TriMet's new bike event.

TriMet, and its partners on the I-205 light rail construction project, are planning "I-bike-205, a party on pedals". The event will take place on July 13th when they will unveil a new 6.5 mile alternate bike route around the planned construction.

On the event flyer, TriMet says,
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Andy Clarke addresses the
Oregon Bicycle Summit.

Andy Clarke, the Executive Director of the Washington D.C.-based League of American Bicyclists opened the second annual Oregon Bicycle Summit last night.

He addressed a packed audience of 125 advocates from around the state at the Fine Pine Lodge and Conference Center in Sisters. In his speech he said addressing an Oregon crowd was "daunting" because, "Oregon quite simply, rocks!" He said Oregon is

"setting the standard and leading the country in innovative policies and programs for bicycling."

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It's official.

I'm down in Sisters at the Oregon Bicycle Summit and I just heard some cool news from Oregon state bicycle tourism coordinator Iris Griggs.

She said the Director of Oregon State Parks, Tim Wood will announce tomorrow that Governor Kulongoksi has officially proclaimed April 14th to forever be known as, Oregon's Scenic Bikeway, Mountain Bike Trails, and Community Bike Paths Day.

I'll get a readable version of the official proclamation, but for now, this photo will have to do.

Gotta run, dinner is being served and Andy Clarke from the League of American Bicyclists is set to take the stage and kick things off.

I hope everyone has fun at Filmed by Bike!

[Workshop in session]

Last Saturday 150 people filled the Eugene Hilton to share ideas and learn more about an effort to establish Oregon as the top cycling destination in the country. The participants came from every corner of the state and ranged from politicians, bike shop owners, bike industry entrepreneurs, and at least one "BMX mom".

The event was emceed by Bike Gallery owner Jay Graves and he got things off to an inspirational start by having each person stand up and introduce themselves. From that moment on, it was clear that this summit will go down as a seminal moment in the history of bicycle tourism in Oregon.
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