Cycle Oregon Fund awards $95,000 in grants for bike racks, maps, trails, campsites and more

One of the grants will fund new wayfinding signs along the Historic Columbia River Highway in the gorge.
(Photos: J. Maus/BikePortland)

You might think of Cycle Oregon as that big ride that happens each fall. But did you know that proceeds from the annual ride are put into a fund that gives back to the communities it passes through?

Since 1996 the Cycle Oregon Fund has awarded 190 grants totaling $1.6 million. Earlier this week Cycle Oregon announced their list of community and safety/tourism grants for 2015 and they include awards for 11 projects worth $95,150. Nine of those grants are going to projects that will improve bicycle safety and tourism across the state. They include funds for bike trail and rack projects, improvements to the Historic Columbia River Highway, an advocacy program for women and cycling, and redevelopment aid for communities hit by last year’s forest fires.

Here’s the full list:

– Resurfacing of the oldest section of the Leo Adler path in Baker City, Oregon

The Leo Adler path in Baker City is right along the Powder River.

– Mountain-bike trail building in Anthony Lakes area near Union, Oregon

The trails in Anthony Lakes are fantastic!

– Eastern Oregon bike maps highlighting best road, gravel, mountain biking

The gravel roads on Zumwault Prarie outside Joseph are undiscovered gems.

– Bike-friendly-campsites development at Wallowa Lake State Park

Wallowa Lake.

The small town of Spray is along the new Painted Hills Scenic Bikeway.

– Ongoing development of the multi-use Joseph Branch Trail along the historic railway between Elgin and Joseph, Oregon.

The trail runs on the old railroad along Wallowa Lake Highway and Wallowa River.

– Women on Bikes Program in Portland to promote women and bicycling

– Centennial banners along the Historic Columbia River Highway in support of its 100th anniversary

It’s going to be a big year for the historic highway.

– Wayfinding signs along the Historic Columbia River Highway

These projects were among 35 proposals that requested over $338,000. According to Cycle Oregon, the organization’s board and staff members gave extra consideration this funding round to communities in northeast Oregon that were impacted by the Halfway fire. Last year’s Week Ride was slated to overnight in Halfway and Wallowa Lake but was forced to turn around due to safety concerns related to the blaze.

— Jonathan Maus, (503) 706-8804 – jonathan@bikeportland.org

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