The Dream Team behind Oregon’s lofty goals

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

The Oregon delegation on the balcony outside Congressman
Peter DeFazio’s office with the Capitol Building in the background.
From L to R: (Front row) Ken Dennis, Daniel McGinnis, Brad Upton, (Rear) Jeff Hampton, Angela Koch, Chris Distefano, Scott West, Robert Ping, Roger Geller, Scott Bricker, Dan Bower, Jay Graves, Jerry Norquist, Jeanette Kloos, Veronica Rinard, Karl Rohde, Kristin Dahl. Not pictured: Paul Adkins, Meeky Blizzard, Emily Gardner, Jonathan Maus, Jill Van Winkle

Oregon is on a quest to be “the place bicycles dream about” so it should come as no surprise that the Oregon delegation at the National Bike Summit is nothing short of a Dream Team. This all-star cast represents diverse perspectives, has expertise in many areas, is passionate about the bicycle movement, and above all, they’re just really nice folks.

Here’s a list of who they are and what they do (if I left anyone out, please let me know)…

• Paul Adkins
  Travel System Consultant, Bike Friday
• Meeky Blizzard
  Livable Communities Advisor, Congressman Earl Blumenauer (works in the Portland office)
• Dan Bower
  Portland Office of Transportation, Transportation Options Division
• Scott Bricker
  Executive Director, Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA)
• Kristin Dahl
  Tourism Development and Sustainability Manager, Travel Oregon
• Chris Distefano
  Marketing and Communications, Chris King Precision Components
• Ken Dennis
  Citizen Advocate from Newport Oregon, Member of the Yaquina Wheels Bicycle Club
• Emily Gardner
  Policy Advocate, Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA)
• Roger Geller
  Bicycle Coordinator, Portland Office of Transportation
• Jay Graves
  Owner, The Bike Gallery
• Jeff Hampton – Policy & Research Manager, Travel Oregon
• Jeanette Kloos
  President, Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway
• Angela Koch
  Safe Routes to School Director, Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA)
• Jonathan Maus
  Founder/Editor, BikePortland.org
• Daniel McGinnis
  President, The Bike Gallery
• Jerry Norquist
  Manager, Cycle Oregon
• Robert Ping
  State Network Manager, Safe Routes to School National Partnership
• Veronica Rinard
  Community Relations Director, Travel Portland
• Karl Rohde
  Government Relations & Public Affairs Director, Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA)
• Brad Upton
  Citizen Advocate from Corvallis
• Jill Van Winkle
  Trail Specialist, International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA)

With talent like this, and all the voices they represent back home, I’d say Oregon’s bicycling future is in very good hands.

And by the way, there are no try-outs for this Dream Team. All you have to do is show up to become a member. So start making plans for next year’s Summit, we’d love to have you join us!