Portland Plan public workshops begin tonight

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

15 years ago

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Show up to a workshop and let the
City know what you think is important.
If you don’t, they’ll listen to someone else.

65% of Portlanders drive alone to work.

We travel an average of 16 miles per day by car.

On average, we spend about 49% of our family income on housing and transportation, while families with lower incomes can spend as much as 79%.

41% of us live within a half mile of a neighborhood business district.

53% of Multnomah County adults are overweight or obese.

Only 31% of us feel safe walking alone downtown at night.

If these stats shock or surprise you, you should pay attention to the Portland Plan. Last adopted in 1980 (I was five!), the plan is a state-mandated update to our comprehensive plan that will define priorities and guide how to invest public funds for the next 25 years.

To garner input from folks like you and me, the City is kicking off a series of public workshops. The first one is tonight at Beaumont Middle School (4043 NE Fremont Street).

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The City has launched a new website for the Portland Plan loaded with more info, including nine Action Areas dealing with a range of issues including “Transportation, Technology & Access” (not sure what Internet access has with bike mode split).

Find a workshop near you and show up to remind planners that bikes are an inexpensive and simple solution to many problems our great city faces. Because if you don’t show up, they’ll listen to someone else.