After a 22 year career with ODOT, Michael Ronkin is set to retire. Ronkin has been involved with ODOT’s bicycle and pedestrian programs since 1989 and is a nationally respected expert on designing streets for cyclists and pedestrians.
Co-workers and colleagues are planning a party at the end of the month to celebrate his career.
My first experience with Ronkin was almost a year ago when I posted about the infamous “wet paint incident.” Here’s the story: A couple on a tandem had slipped on the wet paint of a newly re-painted street. Concerned for the lack of signage and what they considered a safety hazard, they contacted ODOT but got the runaround.
Ronkin got wind of my post and was quick to respond. About three weeks later Ronkin posted a comment saying ODOT had changed its paint policy.
Ronkin also did a good job handling the community backlash over ill-fated highway bike ban.
We were lucky to have a guy like Michael Ronkin at ODOT. Thanks Michael, for all your work to make Oregon a better place to walk and bike.