Council candidate announces his “Bicycle Policy for Portland”

Chris Smith and his Biria.
(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 users

I 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.