2008 Archives

Advocacy — the latest trend in the bike industry

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

This story is part of my ongoing coverage of the 2008 National Bike Summit. See the rest of my coverage here.

Jay Ferm is the advocacy
man for Planet Bike.
(Photo © J. Maus)

There’s an exciting trend in the bicycle industry: more and more companies are putting advocacy in the job description of their employees. A few companies are even making it a full-time position.

Jay Ferm, who heads up the advocacy efforts of Wisconsin-based accessory brand Planet Bike, says “it’s definitely a trend.” He points to industry heavyweights like SRAM and Pacific Cycle (they own Scwhinn, Mongoose, and GT) as just the most recent examples.

Other companies who have made advocacy an official part of the job include Chris King Precision Components, Saris, Specialized, Trek, and others.

This story is part of my ongoing coverage of the 2008 National Bike Summit. See the rest of my coverage here.

Summit Day 2 - the Opening session-3.jpg

Blumenauer got a rousing ovation this morning.
(Photos © J. Maus)

Congressman Earl Blumenauer offered a historical perspective in his speech to the 500+ National Bike Summit attendees this morning. Referring back to major U.S. transportation planning milestones in 1808 and 1908, he continued his call for a new national transportation plan.

Switching gears for a moment from my 2008 National Bike Summit coverage…

Portland City Council will hear public testimony and vote today on a proposal that would leverage System Development Charges (SDCs) over the next 12 years. SDCs are one-time fees assessed on new development to cover a portion of the cost for providing specific types of public infrastructure required as a result of the development.

Of particular note to bike lovers is that since the inception of the Parks SDCs revision effort, the funds dedicated to trails has increased from about 2% to 7.6%. This increase was made in no small part due to effective lobbying and testimony given to City Council by Scott Bricker from the Bicycle Transportation Alliance in a public hearing back in December.

This story is part of my ongoing coverage of the 2008 National Bike Summit. See the rest of my coverage here.

During this morning’s opening remarks, the executive director of Bikes Belong, Tim Blumenthal, reported that U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters apologized to him for disparaging remarks she made about bike funding.

This story is part of my ongoing coverage of the 2008 National Bike Summit. See the rest of my coverage here.

Tuesday night’s dinner crowd.
(Photos © J. Maus)

Ex-Portland City Commissioner and now U.S. Congressman Earl Blumenauer will open things up at the 2008 National Bike Summit tomorrow.

Blumenauer is slated to speak at the opening of tomorrow’s session with a talk billed, “Advancing America’s Journey to Embracing Cycling.” After that, the 500+ Summit attendees will break out into their choice of educational sessions.

This story is part of my ongoing coverage of the 2008 National Bike Summit. See the rest of my coverage here.

League of American Bicyclists President Andy Clarke (L)
and President of Trek Bicycles, John Burke.
(Photo © J. Maus)

This story is part of my ongoing coverage of the 2008 National Bike Summit. See the rest of my coverage here.

Rails to Trails Conservancy meeting-5.jpg

Kevin Mills of the RTC (center) hosted the meeting.
(Photos © J. Maus)

The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) held a meeting today to discuss their 2010 Campaign for Active Transportation. The plan calls for 40 communities to vie for $50 million each to invest in non-motorized projects that increase biking and walking. RTC is tooling up to make a major push to Congress next fall to include the plan in the 2009 Transportation Bill.

This story is part of my ongoing coverage of the 2008 National Bike Summit. See the rest of my coverage here.

One of the highlights of my first day at the 2008 National Bike Summit had nothing to do with meetings, networking, or keynote speakers — it had to do with bike parking.

It just so happens that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has offices in the same building where the Summit is held (the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center). It also turns out, not surprisingly, that many EPA staffers ride bikes to work and they have a dedicated bike storage room all to themselves.

Once again, it’s that time of year when bike advocates from all over the country converge on our nation’s capitol for the National Bike Summit.

I’ll be attending the event for the third year in a row. I leave on a red-eye tonight from Portland and I’ll hit the streets of D.C. on my Bike Friday tikit (thanks Paul!) in the wee hours of tomorrow morning.

Job Title
Transportation Options SmartTrips Bicycle Delivery Staffers

Company/Organization
City of Portland Transportation Options – Website

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Bicycles and the Governor’s climate change report

“The State can invest directly… in building pedestrian or bicycle facilities in areas that are underserved.”
–From a report released by the Governor’s Climate Change Integration Group. (Download full report below.)

An advisory group of climate change experts convened by Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski has just released a far-reaching report titled, A Framework for Addressing Rapid Climate Change.

The 115 page report was authored by the Governor’s Climate Change Integration Group which was created in May 2006 to, “develop a climate change strategy for Oregon that provides long-term sustainability for the environment, protect public health, consider social equity, create economic opportunity, and expand public awareness”.

Advocacy — the latest trend in the bike industry

“You should be outraged!”; Blumenauer rallies the faithful

Today at City Council: Bikes set for major boost in Parks SDC funding

Transportation Sec. Peters apologizes for bike funding comment

Riding to work with Congressman Earl Blumenauer

Day 2 at the Summit: What’s on tap

Trek President named Advocate of the Year

Oregon comes to the table for “Active Transportation”

How the EPA does bike parking

BikePortland goes to Washington

Bicycle Delivery Staffers (PDOT)

Bicycles and the Governor’s climate change report

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