“We as a society need to address and reinforce that driving and bicycling requires full concentration on the road, unfettered awareness of roadway conditions and instant attention to non-motorized roadway users.”–Jerry Norquist, in a letter to ODOT The Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (OBPAC) has sent a formal letter to the Oregon Transportation Commission … Read more
Bricker on the steps of the Capitol in 2007.(Photo © J. Maus) The Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) is working feverishly to garner more support for the Idaho Stop Law (HB 2690) with legislators in Salem. According to BTA Executive Director and lobbyist Scott Bricker, the Chair of the House Transportation Committee has given him a … Read more
BTA veteran Doug Parrow will help bolster legislative efforts in Karl Rohde’s departure.(Photos © J. Maus) I got in touch with BTA executive director Scott Bricker today to ask him about how their recent shift in personnel would impact their 2009 legislative agenda. On Friday, I reported that the BTA’s government relations and public affairs … Read more
Tim O’Donnell’s widow, Mary O’Donnell, had these buttons made for the hearing. Last Friday, just two days after he relieved former BTA lobbyist Karl Rohde from his duties, executive director Scott Bricker was down in Salem filling his former role as the organization’s chief lobbyist. Bricker presented the BTA’s position on their proposed Vehicular Homicide … Read more
The letter from Eugene’s bike program coordinator in opposition to the Idaho Stop bill.(Download PDF) Last week, when the Idaho Stop Law bill — which would allow bikes to treat stop signs as yields (adopting a law similar to one already on the books in Idaho) — was in its first hearing down in Salem, … Read more
[Update, 10:50am: According to a comment from Karl Rohde of the BTA, the work session has been delayed for a few weeks.] The BTA’s Karl Rohde, seen here on the steps of the capitolearlier this week.(Photos © J. Maus) The House Transportation Committee has scheduled a work session for the Idaho Stop law proposal (HB … Read more
(Photo © J. Maus) Karl Rohde, the BTA lobbyist who is working on a bill in Salem that would allow bicycles to treat stop signs as yields (known as the “Idaho Stop law”), tells us that the fate of the bill hangs in the balance. (The bill received its first committee hearing yesterday). According to … Read more
This graph shows a modal breakdown of ODOT’s recommendation for how to spend the state’s remaining $101 million dollars in federal stimulus money.(Graphic: J. Maus/BikePortland)
“And you’re scratching your head wondering when was the last time you saw one actually stop.”— Harry Esteve, The Oregonian It’s the BTA’s worst nightmare. They’ve spent months preparing for the smooth passage of the Idaho Stop Law (the proposed bill, HB 2690, would allow bicycle operators to enter a stop-sign controlled intersection without stopping … Read more
Through those doors, the laws are made.(Photos © J. Maus) Tomorrow I’ll make my first trip down to Salem this session — and what a full day it’s shaping up to be. My day will start with a meeting of the Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC). The OTC is the five-person, governor-appointed cabinet that sets transportation … Read more
“Right now, it’s not moving…it’s not going anywhere.”— Colleen Krieger, legislative assistant to Rep. Wayne Krieger As the bike registration bill saga enters its second week, all signs point to the demise of H.B. 3008. The bill, which seeks a mandatory fee of $54 to register all bicycles in Oregon that are operated on public … Read more
A scene from last summer’s Sunday Parkways event.(Photo © J. Maus) It may not feel like it outside, but summer is fast approaching and the City of Portland Office of Transportation is busy putting the pieces together for their second annual Sunday Parkways events. Last year, the city held one Sunday Parkways event in North … Read more