If you want to figure out how to move a city’s people around in a way that does not bow to dominant, auto-centric power structures and paradigms, you’ve got to have guts. It was with that in mind that Portland’s nationally renown transportation research center hosted the Fearless event at Portland State University last night.
I spent a few days in San Francisco last week, learning and sharing stories at the NACTO Designing Cities Conference. It’s not my favorite city (obviously) but it’s a lovely place.
Once in a while, though, they definitely screw up.
A report released by the Governors Highway Safety Association Monday is a perfect example of what can go wrong when safety experts get stuck behind their own windshields.
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Job Title
Bicycle Tourism Initiative Project Coordinator
Company/Organization
Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center
Job Description
The East Multnomah County Bicycle Tourism Initiative engages a diverse coalition of businesses, cities, public agencies, and nonprofit organizations in a collaboration to leverage resources for economic development and job creation by increasing bicycle tourism. The Bicycle Tourism Initiative (BTI) is a regional program administered through the Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center.
The Bicycle Tourism Initiative Project Coordinator implements program initiatives. The role interfaces with a variety of businesses, coordinating with partners, developing bicycle travel itineraries and experiences, serving as liaison with event/race organizers, and developing content for communications. The Project Coordinator is also responsible for delivering information and presentations at outreach events, participating in partner and coalition events, tabling at community events, and attending meetings throughout the region. The Project Coordinator reports directly to the Chamber CEO and works with other Chamber staff.
Key Responsibilities
• Implements and coordinates prioritized regional bicycle tourism strategies; researches, explores and develops new tourism products and opportunities within the region
• Provides information and support to tourism partners and interested parties; cultivates productive working relationships with tourism partners including community, federal, state, regional, local and niche areas including bicycling and outdoor recreation, arts/culture/heritage, agri-tourism, and natural history;
• Provides support to parties seeking to establish or expand tourism opportunities within the region; serves as a liaison between the Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center and interested parties on development of tourism assets in the East Multnomah County region
• Engages with partners, businesses and communities to better leverage existing community and tourism assets and increase return on investments, overnight stays, and tourism activity within East Multnomah County; works with communities, lodging partners, tour operators, and others to support growth of existing and potential tourism related opportunities and activities
• Represents and serves as liaison for Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center on various committees, associations, coalitions and with other Chambers; preserves, promotes and strengthens relationships with entities and partners; participates in collaborative regional events;
• Produces quarterly reports on program activities, including tracking of in-kind contributions
• Develops content for website, blog, electronic newsletters, reports, and other publications
• Responds to public inquiries in person, over the phone, and via email
• Organize and maintain office/administrative systems and procedures
Qualifications
• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in marketing, tourism, recreation, or related field and preferably at least three years of related experience, or equivalent experience
• Ability to work with diverse stakeholders, establish and maintain effective and positive relationships with other tourism collaborators
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including facilitating meetings and delivering public presentations
• Knowledge of principles and practices of tourism development, marketing and promotion; project management
• Self-starter able to work independently on multiple assignments and projects simultaneously; manage time effectively
• Ability to use standard software programs including MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
• Ability to travel within the region and maintain an acceptable driving record
Additional Skills/Experience Desired
• Familiarity with tourism product development and Oregon’s bicycle tourism and recreation programs
• Familiarity with active transportation planning and transportation options programs
• Experience with software for electronic communications and website content management
• A passion for bicycle recreation is a plus
Salary and Benefits
Hourly based on experience for 25 hrs/wk variable (100 hrs/month); monthly transit pass and reimbursed mileage and work-related expenses.
For more information visit www.greshamchamber.org
How to Apply
Submit a resume and cover letter to resumes@greshamchamber.org. The position will remain open until filled.
Bicycling is probably the biggest thing that has ever happened to Austin, Texas natives Bixby and Mike Minnick. Just three years ago, Mike was a self-described chain-smoking couch potato who took up cycling on a whim. Bixby was a shelter dog who needed a good home.
Together, they’re on a journey that is changing both of their lives — not to mention inspiring thousands of people along the way.
Late Friday the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services issued a revision of their construction detour plans that will impact bicycle travel on SE Clinton between 33rd place and 35th Avenue.
Here are the great bike links from around the world that caught our eyes this week:
Gas-tax realism: Washington state’s Office of Financial Management has just released what a Sightline Institute analyst calls “far and away the most responsible official traffic forecast I’ve seen from any government agency, ever.”
Sidewalk blocked: Saying there’s not enough parking in the area to “support” it, angry homeowners have blocked installation of a half-block sidewalk in Tulsa.
There’s nothing new under the sun, but effective political tactics have a way of staying effective.
That’s what reader and legendary bike advocate Phil Goff observed this week in a comment beneath Tuesday’s post about a series of postcard campaigns by activist group Bike Loud PDX:
This is exactly what I did 15-16 years ago to create the political pressure to bring in funding for the Morrison Bridge sidepath project. On two occasions, I had 300-400 signed postcards mailed to Multnomah County Chair Bev Stein (to get the County’s attention) and then 6 mo later to Metro Council chair Rod Monroe during the MTIP process. In the age of e-mail, Twitter and FB, a simple postcard campaign can pack a lot of punch. Its great to hear that advocates are reviving the tactic for other projects. Good luck BikeLoudPDX!
“I ride N Williams every day and am experiencing some difficulties myself.”
— Leah Treat, Director of PBOT
This week marked a very positive milestone for the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT): They seem to be opening up a bit about joining the comment section here on BikePortland. I think this is a great development because it shows they understand the value of direct online engagement with their customers (us) and it could be a sign that they’re gaining confidence around the bicycling issue.
Oregon keeps inching toward its goal of replacing or supplementing the gas tax it invented, back in 1919, with a Prius-proof mileage tax.
Next July 1, the first 5,000 volunteer drivers will get a chance to opt out of gas tax and into a so-called “usage charge.” As the state gets ready for that test, a meeting in Portland this Monday will be the last stop on a statewide tour to gather input about the concept.
A traffic diverter is a barrier placed in an intersection to prevent auto traffic from going through it. The goal is to make certain streets less attractive to auto drivers and reduce auto traffic volumes overall. So, when it’s relatively easy to drive through one — which is the case with a new diverter in northeast Portland — it sort of defeats the purpose.
