(Photo © J. Maus)
In our sometimes heated citywide discussions over Portland’s transportation policies, what often gets overlooked is the positive economic impact of our bike-centric reputation. Whether you ride or not, our bike-friendly roads and bridges have gotten us vast quantities of publicity in national and international media. That coverage means more tourists, more customers for locally owned businesses and more money into our local economy.
Case in point is a new story in Time Magazine that points out 10 things to do while in Portland. Number two on the list is to “Ride Over the Bridges.”
The reporter notes that,
“Portlanders love their bridges — except when they’re stuck in their cars waiting helplessly as they rise to let a boat through… You could take a walking tour of Portland’s bridges, but a better way to experience them is by bicycle, just as the natives do.”
The piece also points readers to two locally owned businesses that rent bikes and lead guided bike tours. Check out the article here.
[It is just me, or did the photo editors at Time chose an odd image to accompany the story. It appears to show someone riding the wrong way on the Morrison Bridge. Right? — It was just me. Thanks for pointing that out Elliot!]