Bureau of Transportation staff have had their say about grumblings in the community that Portland doesn’t deserve its “Platinum” bicycle-friendly status*.
Now it’s City Hall’s turn.
In an statement to kick off National Bike Month in Portland, PBOT spokesperson Diane Dulken said Portland Mayor Charlie Hales will announce next week that May 10-16th will be Active Transportation Week in Portland. The proclamation was written by PBOT Commissioner Steve Novick and will cite, “Portland as a Platinum bicycle-friendly city, Sunday Parkways’ popularity and that bicycling has changed commute choices, reducing single-commuter trips from 64 percent to 57 percent since 2000.”
Here’s more from Novick about why he supports Bike Month. “Bicycles are serious business,” he said in the city’s statement. “Bicyclists are healthier than car commuters, saving millions in health care costs. Bicyclists are reducing carbon emissions and preserving the planet. Also, the bicycle community contributes millions to our local economy and to the resiliency of our city.”
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This is the most proactive bicycling talk we’ve heard from City Hall since Hales and Novick took office in 2013.
PBOT and City Hall will host events throughout May as part of Portland Bike Month. Here’s are some of the events planned:
A “Quick Fix Bike Breakfast” at City Hall on May 5 from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Visitors can have dusty but functional bikes quickly fixed up with free air for their tires and lube for chains. Breakfast snacks and coffee will also be served for free.
PBOT will kick off its Sunday Parkways season on Mother’s Day, May 10 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in East Portland. Portland Sunday Parkways presented by Kaiser Permanente is a series of family-friendly events that creates a car-free loop on city streets where participants can walk, jog, bicycle, roller skate, skate board and dance. The on-street loop also connects several parks where people can enjoy food and healthy, fun activities.
For the first time ever, PBOT will hold an “Every Bike Counts” 24-hour Bike Count on SE 28th and Ankeny beginning noon on May 14. Volunteers will work round-the-clock to tally all bike rides through that crossing and hear why people ride and where they go.
There are also free clinics and guided bike rides planned through the summer. Check out PDXBikeMonth.com for all the details.
*If you’re wondering about the status of Will Vanlue and his fellow activists’ Platinum downgrade petition effort, so far 678 people have signed it. Vanlue also sent Mayor Hales a letter this morning with a list of actions he can take to “give the City a clear picture of the crashes that are occurring on our streets, take advantage of opportunities for cost-effective conflict reduction, and continue to build faith in the City’s progress towards improving safety for people getting around on bikes.” We’ll keep you posted if and how the Mayor responds.
CORRECTION, 3:04 pm: This article originally made it seem like Mayor Hales was behind Active Transportation Week. While the mayor supports the effort and will read the proclamation at Council as per usual protocol, the actual draft of the proclamation was written by Commissioner Novick. Sorry for any confusion.