You can also read about the BTA’s legislative efforts on their website.
As bike ridership spikes in cities across the state, Oregon’s upcoming legislative session is sure to be full of bike-related action. Figuring prominently in that mix will be the lobbying efforts of the Portland-based Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA). Leading the charge for the BTA will be their new Government Affairs (a.k.a. lobbyist) man Karl Rohde. … Read more
John Lim (R-Gresham) This morning’s Gresham Outlook newspaper has a story about new legislation that has been drafted by Oregon State Rep. John Lim (R-Gresham) that would give a tax break to bike commuters. According to the Outlook, the current draft language of the bill says, “a taxpayer who rides a bicycle to work at … Read more
“I think it’s the best chance the Bike Commuter Act has had so far in the Senate.”— Katie Drennan, a legislative assistant for Congressman Earl Blumenauer For the fourth time this session, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill that includes a tax benefit people who ride their bikes to work. The Bike … Read more
The Oregonian is reporting that Oregon state senator Floyd Prozanski is backing off his idea to introduce a law would have made helmets mandatory for adults. The O’s Michelle Cole says Prozanski felt pressure to pull back due to the negative response he received. She wrote, “Prozanski also got a pounding this week from bloggers…”. … Read more
The National Bike Bill is headed to a vote in the Senate Committee on Commerce Science, and Transportation this Thursday (7/31) and the League of American Bicyclists is asking its members to take action. The bill (House Congressional Resolution 305) was introduced by Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) back in February and passed a House vote … Read more
[Updated 7/24, 5:40pm: *See below] Sen. Floyd Prozanski wants to expand Oregon’s helmet law.(Photo © J. Maus) State senator Floyd Prozanski (D-South Lane and North Douglas Counties) plans to introduce an expansion of Oregon’s bicycle helmet law in the 2009 legislative session. Prozanski told me via telephone this morning that he plans to make Oregon’s … Read more
Rep. Blumenauer at this morning’s press conference.Video below(Photos © J. Maus) Ending speculation since the announcement on Friday, U.S. Congressman Earl Blumenauer was in Portland this morning (sans bowtie) to deliver some “straight talk” about energy policy and unveil a bill that will help cure America’s ailing transportation policies. Expensive oil and gas prices, he … Read more
An amendment to a “green” schools bill will help with funding for bike access.(Photo © J. Maus) In an illustration that the political winds on transportation are shifting comes news of two bike-friendly bills that have recently passed through the U.S. House of Representatives. In an effort to make Amtrak more bike-friendly, last Wednesday (6/11), … Read more
Mary O’Donnell at this morning’s press conference.(Photos © J. Maus) At a press conference this morning held at a law firm in downtown Portland, Mary O’Donnell — whose husband Tim was killed while riding his bike — told reporters and news cameras that her push for a vehicular homicide law is “definitely what he would … Read more
Bike legislation is moving forward in D.C.(Photo © J. Maus) House Congressional Resolution 305, also known as the National Bike Bill, has passed through a vote by the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this week. The resolution — which was introduced by Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) back in February — recognizes the importance of bicycling … Read more
The National Bike Bill — which was introduced back in February by U.S. Congressmen Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) — made its first appearance on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives this morning. The bill (House Congressional Resolution 305, full text here) seeks to buoy the efforts of bike advocates nationwide and “recognize the importance … Read more
The streets of Washington DC, Chicago, and New York City will get better for bikes thanks to new laws. Riding on SW Broadway in downtown Portland.(Photos © J. Maus)