The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has been working on their new Bicycle and Pedestrian Mode Plan for just over a year. Now they want to hear what Oregonians think.
ODOT has announced a series of five “listening sessions” around the state that are being billed as a way to “help inform policy development” of the plan.
Keep in mind that this effort isn’t merely an update to the existing statewide biking and walking plan. That plan was last updated in 1995 and it has almost zero political teeth. As a strictly “staff-level” plan, the outdated document is only a guide for ODOT employees that tells them general best practices when it comes to bicycle access issues. This new effort will create an entirely new plan, a “mode plan” that, once officially adopted, will be given the same institutional respect that their Highway Plan and Freight Plan currently enjoy.
Here’s more about the listening sessions via the official announcement:
How can we turn challenges into opportunities to help inform policy development?
The Oregon Department of Transportation is hosting a series of Listening Meeting Workshops to hear from you on key policy issues that relate to walking and biking in Oregon. At the workshops, we will ask specific questions related to critical destinations, connectivity, and safety that will help inform policy development for the Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan (OBPP). The workshop will include an introductory presentation of the OBPP, highlight opportunities and challenges learned to date, and then break into table discussions. Please plan to attend the full workshop.
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The listening sessions begin late this month in Bend with a Portland (Region 1) event slated for September 24th. Below are all five events. Not that you must register to attend:
Bend
August 27 from 9:00a-11:30a
ODOT Region 4
63055 N Hwy 97 Bldg. M
Register onlineMedford
September 16
1:00p-3:30p
Santo Community Ctr
701 N. Columbus Ave
Register onlineEugene
September 17
9:00a-11:30a
Eugene Library
100 W 10th Ave
Register onlineLa Grande
September 23
2:00p-4:30p
ODOT Region 5
3012 Island Ave
Register onlinePortland
September 24
2:30p-5:00p
ODOT Region 1
123 NW Flanders St
Register online