Meet the Oregon bike advocacy team headed to the National Bike Summit in D.C.

Team Oregon Bike Advocacy in 2009.
Meet the 2010 team below.
(Photos © J. Maus)

The 2010 National Bike Summit gets underway in Washington D.C. next week and the Team Oregon is ready to go.

But before I introduce the fine set of advocates who will serve you at the Summit, a big thanks is order to Planet Bike. For the third year in a row they have stepped up to be the official sponsor of all our National Bike Summit coverage. As I have for the past four years, I plan to document my trip (I’ll be there from Tuesday to Friday next week) with photos and stories to give you the inside perspective on all the Summit happenings. Bookmark our special coverage page to read the latest stories.

Now, back to the Oregon Bike Advocacy Team introductions. The folks below are representing the state of Oregon during the Summit. They come from all over the state and from all different backgrounds, and as both professionals and citizens. I’ve lifted their bios from a document created by Scott Bricker, the former executive director of the BTA (now freelance consultant) who is organizing this year’s trip.

Benjamin Beamer – Chairman Greater Oakridge Area Trail Stewards (Oakridge)

Benjamin volunteers countless hours every year in trail advocacy issues in the rural community of Oakridge, Oregon.  Once boasted as “The Heart of the Timber Empire”, Oakridge is now known as “The Mountain Biking Capitol of the Northwest”.  Benjamin help found the Greater Oakridge Area Trail Stewards a chapter of the International Mountain Bicycling Association.  This partnership successfully lobbied to get $400,000 in Transportation funding for projects in 2010.  Benjamin continues to work to bring a sustainable tourism economy to his community through the paths and partnerships in our National Forests and beyond.

Meeky Blizzard – Advisor for Livable Communities, Congressman Earl Blumenauer (Portland)

After five years of citizen advocacy for alternative transportation and smart growth, Meeky joined Earl’s staff in 1994, while he served as Portland’s Commissioner of Public Works, and continued on his staff when he was elected to Congress in 1996.  Her responsibilities focus on Livable Community issues such as regional planning, bicycle and pedestrian issues, sustainable development, historic preservation, and trails and open spaces.

David Bragdon – Metro Council President (Portland)

David Bragdon was voted as the Metro Council’s first regionally elected President in November, 2002, and re-elected to a second four-year term in 2006. He previously served as a district Councilor from 1999 through 2002. The Metro Council is an elected regional government responsible for planning, protecting natural areas, handling solid waste and recycling, and facility management of the Oregon Zoo, Oregon Convention Center, and Expo Center. Prior to serving on the Metro Council, Mr. Bragdon worked in the private sector transportation industry, first for Nike and later for Lasco Shipping Co., Evergreen International Airlines and, the Port of Portland.  Mr. Bragdon holds a Bachelor’s degree from Harvard University. 

Scott Bricker – freelance consultant (Portland)

Scott has 15 years of bicycle and transportation planning, policy and program experience. Scott served bicycling at the Bicycle Transportation Alliance for 11 years, holding positions of Executive Director, Political Director, and Education Director. Scott is currently doing freelance consulting; Scott is the Oregon Coordinator for the 2010 National Bike Summit.

Phillip Champoux – Owner, Cayuse Cycles (Tualatin)

Daniella and Elliot Crowder, Co-owners, Bike Newport (Newport)
Daniella Crowder and her husband are the owners of Bike Newport and the soon to be open Bike Lincoln City on the Central Oregon Coast.  Daniella is an active cyclist, triathlete, and Spin instructor who enjoys getting women out on group rides and teaching them the basics of cycling. Elliott is an active cyclist who is also Vice President of our local bike club and is involved with local bicycle advocacy on the Oregon Coast.

Kristin Dahl – Sustainable Tourism Development Manager, Travel Oregon (Salem)

As Travel Oregon’s Sustainable Tourism Development Manager, Kristin spearheads Oregon’s bike tourism development efforts to ensure that our state becomes a prominent cycling destination in N. America.  She also works with the travel industry to provide visitors with green travel options.  Kristin convenes the Oregon Bicycle Tourism Partnership, manages the new RideOregonRide.com website to share all that Oregon has to offer the two-wheeled adventurer, and she is a founding member of the Oregon Scenic Bikeways Committee. 

Ken Dennis – Chairman, Lincoln County Bicycle Advisory Committee; Chairman, Newport Bike/Ped Advisory Committee; President, Yaquina Wheels Bike Club (Newport)
I’ve been very active in local advocacy for more than twenty years, helping form the advisory committees and restarting the bike club in Newport. Long time member of the League of Amer. Bicyclists and Bicycle Transportation Alliance. The Newport Bike/Ped Committee has been actively working towards improving bike/ped facilities.  The main feature that we’re focusing on now is the South Beach Peninsula Transportation Plan.  This is a $4.5 million dollar project that dovetails into the relocation of NOAA to Newport.  Our Congressmen are behind the NOAA move but I would like to see a financial commitment to help the City pay for the infrastructure. 

Randy Dreiling – Owner, Oregon Adventures; Promoter of Mountain Bike Oregon; Executive Director Oakridge/Westfir Area Chamber of Commerce; Oakridge City Councilor (Oakridge)

I am lucky enough to try and barely make a living doing what I enjoy. I’ve enjoyed riding trikes/big wheels/bikes all my life.  Avid mountain biker since 1987. I love to ride my mountain bike, there is no other feeling then riding your bike on a great single track trail though beautiful old growth forest.  I also enjoy doing trail work on local trails.  I believe you should always give back to your community. Weather that be the community of Oakridge or the mountain bike community.

Roger Geller – Bicycle Coordinator, Portland Office of Transportation (Portland)

Roger Geller has been Portland, Oregon’s Bicycle Coordinator since 2000 and has been working in the city’s Bicycle Program since 1994. He has participated in the planning, design and implementation of over 150 miles of Portland’s 280 mile bikeway network and in all of Portland’s many U.S. innovations. Roger has seen bicycle use in Portland more than quadruple during his tenure. Roger’s role in Portland’s bicycle programs requires an in-depth knowledge of design, policy, planning, and maintenance relating to bikeways and bicycle parking.

Alison Graves – Director of Community & Programs/Interim Director, Community Cycling Center (Portland)

Since 1994, the Community Cycling Center has been broadening access to bicycling and its benefits. Alison has been with the pioneering nonprofit since 2006, overseeing programs, social marketing, and fund development. Currently she is serving as Interim Director. Alison also serves as Project Director for the Understanding Barriers to Bicycling project, working with low-income communities of color to collaboratively develop culturally-specific programs. She participates on the Steering Committee for the Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities project, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Jay Graves – CEO/Owner, The Bike Gallery (Portland)

Jay Graves, a Portland native, is CEO and owner of The Bike Gallery. The Bike Gallery has been a family owned business since its inception in 1974 and has 6 neighborhood locations throughout the Portland Metro area.  Jay currently serves as a board member of the National Bicycle Dealers Association and Cycle Oregon. He is also a commissioner for Oregon State Parks and Rec. Dept.

 
Jeanette Kloos – President, Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway (Bridal Veil)

After twenty years with Oregon Department of Transportation, Jeanette retired and began organizing the Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway, to continue to advocate for the restoration and reconnection of the Historic Columbia River Highway.  Ride director for the Gorge Ride (FHCRH fundraiser).  Member – WTS, BTA, LAB.

Gerik Kransky – Advocacy Campaign Manager, 
Bicycle Transportation Alliance (Portland)

Gerik joined the Bicycle Transportation Alliance in 2010 to manage their advocacy efforts in the Portland Metro region. Now that Portland has adopted the forward looking Portland Bicycle Plan for 2030, the BTA will be focused on building out the projects and programs in that plan. Gerik spent the previous decade working on environmental, public health, and livability campaigns in Montana and Oregon.



David Lowe-Rogstad – Substance, President (Portland)

(Photo: David Lowe-Rogstad)

David Lowe-Rogstad is as co-founder and chief evangelism officer of Substance, an interactive brand strategy and creative agency based in Portland, Oregon. David brings over fourteen years of creative leadership to Substance, having worked with regional and national brands including Travel Oregon, The Portland Trail Blazers, bambu, Nike, Levis’, Williams-Sonoma, Adobe and Target. A lifelong cyclist, David raced nationally and internationally in the 80’s and early 90’s, and has recently returned to Master’s racing to augment his commuting miles.

Jonathan Maus – Founder/editor, BikePortland.org (Portland)

Founder of BikePortland.org in July 2005, Jonathan publishes bike news read by thousands of visitors every day. The New York Times recently referred to his site as, “a focal point for Portland cyclists,” but his extensive coverage of a diverse range of topics has made BikePortland.org one of the most respected and well-known sources for bike news in the country.

Randy Miller – President, Produce Row Property Management Co (Portland)

Randy is a businessman in Portland and a 5th generation Oregonian. Randy has been involved in numerous organizations in the state for his entire career, and is linking the biking agenda to many of these organizations, particularly the business groups, such as the Portland Business Alliance, the Oregon Business Association, and the Oregon Business Council.

Jerry Norquist – Manager, Cycle Oregon (Portland)

Jerry was involved the retail and manufacturing side of cycling for over 25 years. He worked for Trek Bicycles, Cycles Peugeot and was the Vice President/General Manager of Specialized Bicycles. In November of 2002 Jerry formed the event management company, 3 People Productions and started managing what many bike riders call the best week long bike ride in America—Cycle Oregon.


Susan Peithman – Statewide Advocate
, Bicycle Transportation Alliance (Portland)

Susan joined the BTA in 2009 as the Statewide Advocate.  Her position focuses on connecting Oregonians with active transportation resources while cultivating existing and creating new relationships within communities.  Susan brings nearly six years of experience as a bicycle and pedestrian transportation consultant.  Her consulting work in Chicago and nationally has included designing and implementing programs that reduce barriers for people to walk and bike more often. 

Robert Ping – State Network Director, National Safe Routes to School Partnership (Portland)

Robert has been a bicycle and youth advocate for over 23 years. Robert supervises bicycle and pedestrian policy networks in twenty states, and five Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs. Robert was nominated to the National SRTS Task Force in 2005, is an advisor to the ODOT SRTS Advisory Committee and Oregon Walk + Bike to School Committee, and member of Portland’s SRTS Technical Advisory Committee. He was the Safe Routes to School program director for the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, supervised its Youth Bicycle Safety Education program, and was the founding manager of Portland’s SRTS program. He also worked with the SF Bay Area’s Transportation and Land Use Coalition, Bicycle Community Project, Pedal Power, Youth Homes, and Trips for Kids.

Austin Ramsland – Board Member, Bicycle Transportation Alliance (Portland)

Austin is a board member of the Bicycle Transportation Alliance in Portland, Oregon and works on advocacy and brand development.  He is a co-owner of Sweetpea Bicycles, a manufacturer of custom bikes for women, and is a Brand Manager of one of Portland’s top creative agencies called NORTH.  Austin is an avid commuter, and occasionally races cyclocross with the Super Relax Concept.  

Veronica Rinard – Community Relations Director, Travel Portland

As Community Relations Director, Veronica Rinard works with Travel Portland’s partners to represent the tourism industry on issues impacting Portland’s viability as a travel destination. Transportation is a key policy priority for Travel Portland, including maintaining and enhancing Portland’s reputation as a leader in transit and cycling.  Travel Portland is a nonprofit independent association whose mission is to strengthen the region’s economy by marketing the metropolitan Portland area as a preferred destination for meetings, conventions and leisure travel.
 
Brad Upton – Citizen activist (Corvallis)

Brad Upton has commuted by bicycle in Corvallis since 1996, chairs the city’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission, and serves on the Benton County Bicycle Advisory Commission. He is a member of the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, the Adventure Cycling Association, and the League of American Bicyclists, and is a League Certified BikeEd Instructor.

Jill Van Winkle – Trail Specialist, International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) (Portland)
Jill represents thousands of IMBA members across Oregon, including over 30 affiliated clubs, bike shops, and industry supporters. Through 6 years spent teaching sustainable trailbuilding and advocacy to mountain bicyclists and land managers across the US, she has a unique perspective on riding opportunities and challenges for the State.  Through her work as an advisor to the Bicycle Friendly America programs, she provides expertise and input on integrating recreational and transportation facilities, both on and off-road. 

Scott West – Chief Strategy Officer, Travel Oregon (Salem)

In his role as Chief Strategy Officer with Travel Oregon, West is responsible for tourism development and influence development for the state’s tourism industry.  One of West’s priority development programs with Travel Oregon is to help the state become a primary destination for bicycle tourism in the United States.

— Stay tuned for coverage from Washington D.C. starting on Tuesday (3/9). For more information on the National Bike Summit, visit BikeLeague.org.