Word from City Hall is that Commissioner Sam Adams will make an appearance at the beginning of today’s Bicycle Master Plan Ride. Rumors are that he might make a statement about Mayor Potter’s recent decision to cut funding for the Plan.
The ride meets in front of City Hall at Terry Schrunk Plaza (SW 3rd b/w Madison and Jefferson) at 5:15. The plan is to explore North Portland to learn about its bikeways and discuss potentials for improvement.
Given recent events, more people than usual are expected to show up. But remember, this is not a protest ride.
After the ride, we will meet and chat with City of Portland bike coordinator Roger Geller about what we saw and help give him feedback to be used in the Bicycle Master Plan Update he’s working on.
See you there…rain or shine!
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Sweet! I hope he brings a bike.
We’ll be talking about this JUST A LITTLE on the KBOO Bike Show tomorrow morning. We’d love to hear from some of you at the ride if Sam actually does make a statement and has interesting stuff to say.
KBOO Bike Show is on May 2, 9-10 am. Tune in to 90.7 fm or KBOO.fm. We’re also podcasting through BikeShow.PortlandTransport.com.
I would rather march for human rights, labor rights, and immigration rights. Does anyone know what day it is? It’s MAY DAY!
I think that it is in very poor taste to schedule this event today.
Andrew,
this ride was scheduled long ago and is part of a monthly series of rides that happen on the first tuesday of every month. I’m positive no disrespect was meant to those great causes you mention.
Poor scheduling, maybe. But poor taste? I don’t think so. A city-wide May Day celebration of child labor? Now THAT would be in poor taste. But not a bike ride designed to introduce people to the city’s master bike plan. That’s just something that might see less of a turn out because potential participants might wish to go to the demonstration(s) instead.
I’ve been meaning to go on these update rides, but have had schedule conflicts…until now! I’m looking forward to meandering through North Portland with other knowledgeable cyclists since I so rarely go there.
Hey, Andrew — lighten up a bit. This is one in a series of rides scheduled for the first Tuesday of the month. Public involvement events inevitably conflict with something, and I’m sure that if Roger tried to re-schedule today’s outing he’d run into plenty of other scheduling conflicts. That equals major headaches and project delays. If you have comments about North Portland bike infrastructure, let Roger Geller know — he’s looking for different viewpoints. Then come along on next month’s ride. Or the next one after that.
I like to think that the bicycle provides a form of transportation that supports human rights and is affordable to all income levels. Taking a spin around town to help make our city safer for bicyclists is certainly a fine way to celebrate May Day.
Maybe you should reference the historical signifigance of this day even just in the context of labor history.
While I do believe that the “master plan ride” is a great idea; I’m firmly commited to the belief the showing in mass, in solidarity for May Day demonstration a better cause.
Immigration rights are at the forefront of a lot of policy decisions in the near future. I know this doesn’t affect a lot of you white folks, which places its importance outside of your minds; but it is life and death for others.
Stop making excuses and get your priorities in line. Although that might make some uncomfortable.
“Get your priorities in line”?!
Please, Andrew. This is a site about bikes. You are welcome to do whatever you want and support whatever causes you want in your spare time, but spare us the lectures.
Me, I can’t imagine a more personally meaningful use of my time than showing up for bikes.
good news – forecast has been changed – looks like no rain until later on tonight… let’s hope the meteorologists are correct!
“showing in mass”
that should be “en masse”. Yes, I know nitpicking is bad form – but it helps you get your point across next time without literalists like me tripping over your use of words.
Anyway, I think freddy has the right of it. We all have our own causes. Immigrant rights is a very important issue, and if people want to support that, more power to them – fight the good fight.
My fight is bicycles. We need more – cars are killing people, and anything we can do to put cars in their place (meaning – used for long / fast trips rather than 6 blocks for gum or cigarettes) is going to save lives. I do have my priorities in line – they just don’t agree with yours.
That is a wonderfully articulate cop-out. Bravo.
Andrew,
If you are so oppressed, why don’t you move to one of the worker’s paradises like China or Venezwala. Otherwise, cut the crap and lets work together to develop a fair, sustainable soceity here at home. If you ar interested in labor, great, but don’t put other people down with a slightly different vision than your own. It makes you sound intolerant.
I have to admit: I have no idea where “Venezwala” is.
Andrew – it’s not a cop-out at all. There a lots of worthy causes: immigration reform, combating racism, sexism, genderism and ageism, saving the forests, Peak Oil, labor rights, mines in 3rd world countries, etc, etc, etc. There are way more causes than I (or anyone else) have time to devote to.
I picked mine. They’re not the same as yours. Deal with it. Personal attacks don’t advance your cause.
In that cause, I wish you luck – it’s a very serious issue, and I’m glad that you and others feel strongly about it. I hope you find a lot of other people for solidarity, and I wish you success in implementing meaningful change. Keep up the fight.
For everyone else – my apologies, because this has nothing to do with Commissioner Sam or the BMP Ride.
Does anyone know where the discussion is going to be after the ride?
I have a broken foot and can’t ride, but would like to go to the discussion being held afterwards…….
I live up in the Hood, and could crutch it on over……..
Or if you have a strong trailer, pick me on up, I don’t weigh much…
Dabby, et al,
Based on the expected size of the ride, the endpoint will be at either Northgate Park on Fessenden (or, if it’s raining, the school just west of the park, which has a large covered area), or at Kenton Park, just west of Kenton. The Kenton Park location requires 15 miles of riding, the Northgate Park location only 11.5 miles…
These are obviously outdoor venues. I couldn’t find a location on the route that could handle a lot of people. I could have rented a large room but don’t really have the budget for it.
Check out a ride map at: http://www.portlandonline.com/transportation/index.cfm?c=34816&a=147283
The map I have shows two endpoints: Northgate Park and Kenton Park. The map is probably posted somewhere on PDOT’s website as well.
Roger said, “I could have rented a large room but don’t really have the budget for it.”
Mayor Potter, are you listening???
Hmmmm,
Thanks for the info Roger, but too far from my house at 13th and NE Skidmore……
You kids have a good ride though…..
Someone here have a Bakfiet that they can take to Dabby’s place? They can carry 200 lbs in their cargo box, so you’ll even have room for snacks. 🙂 Sorry man, my Chariot can only handle 100 lbs of toddlers.
There was a great turn out for the ride- must have been 100, at least. Lots of video being taken at the starting point and of Sam Adams. Thanks Roger for organizing the ride.
Jeremy and Dabby… If I would have known Dabby needed a lift, I might have been able to pedal on by with the Bakfiets. The only cargo I was carrying was a box’o’maps… You could have folded up the npGREENWAY maps into paper airplanes and distributed them top people via airmail during the ride…
Indeed, it was lovely. I enjoyed the ride itself as well as simply seeing so many of us together like that. I’ve really not spent any time in north portland. Also, despite my claims to be training to go touring, that’s the longest ride I’ve gone on in quite a while, especially if you include the return trip. I hope to see as many of you as possible at the budget hearing. ^_^
here’s a sneak peak at my photos from tonight’s ride .. stay tuned for a report.
“Maybe you should reference the historical signifiCance of this day even just in the context of labor history.”
I know other people have probably grilled you for your simple-minded comment, but I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to say this when someone will actually listen.
BICYCLES ARE AN EFFECTIVE AND HEALTHY WAY FOR NORMAL PEOPLE TO (partially) DISENGAGE FROM THE CAPITALIST SYSTEM!
BY TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR OWN TRANSPORTATION, YOU EMPOWER YOURSELF AND SET AN EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS AROUND YOU TO DO THE SAME! LOVE YOUR BODY, GET OFF YOUR ASS!
Did Sam Adams show?
Yep, Sam showed and rallied the troops.