🚨 Please note: BikePortland is currently on hiatus and only publishing guest articles. Learn more here. Thank you. - Jonathan 🙏
Senator Jeff Merkley at his office inD.C. during the National Bike Summit.(Photo © J. Maus) U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) is one of five Democrats in the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee that have introduced a new bill that looks to integrate housing, transportation, and environmental policies. Dubbed the Livable Communities Act, a … Read more
Blumenauer, on a ride through Portland yesterday.(Photo © J. Maus) The Obama Administration’s Cash for Clunkers program has caused a lot of confusion and a bit of outrage among bicycle and sustainable transportation advocates. For politicians devoted to the environment and sensible transportation choices, it has meant tough decisions. Started as a way to kickstart … Read more
Trek Bicycles CEO John Burke shakes hands with Earl Blumenauer during a fundraiser last night.(Photos © J. Maus) U.S. Congressman Earl Blumenauer was the guest of honor at a fundraising event held in North Portland last night. Bike industry and advocacy bigwigs from across the country joined a host of local bike luminaries to thank … Read more
Earl Blumenauer(Photo © J. Maus) With bipartisan support, U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) has introduced a new bill — the Orphan Highway Restoration Act — aimed at improving state highways that run through America’s main streets. According to Blumenauer, “orphan highways” are former U.S. numbered highways that over the years have lost traffic volume to … Read more
Blumenauer demonstrating one of several green ways to getto work.(Photo © J. Maus) U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) introduced the Green Routes to Work Act of 2009 into Congress yesterday. The bill looks to promote “low-carbon” transportation options by providing tax credits for both employers and individuals. In a press release about the bill, Blumenauer … Read more
Sen. Floyd Prozanski.(Photos © J. Maus) Recently passed House Bill 3271 — a bill that addresses a number of types of harassment — includes language that establishes the new crime of “Aggravated Driving While Suspended or Revoked”. The bill passed through the Oregon Legislature late Thursday and the language to address aggravated driving was added … Read more
Oberstar this morning. U.S. Congressman Jim Oberstar (D-MN) has thrown down quite a gauntlet in his public standoff with the Obama administration about the prospects of a new transportation bill. Oberstar released his bill earlier this week (he’s Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee) and he (and other House members) has rebuffed Department … Read more
The House Climate Bill that is set for a vote this Friday could help fill a transportation investment pot that states could put toward bike projects. The American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454) would raise money from polluters that go over their allowed emissions levels, an amount estimated to be $70 billion by … Read more
“The use of cell phones is increasing so much that we have to get a handle on it now.”— Ginny Burdick (D-Portland) After several years of trying, the Oregon Legislature has passed a law that will make the use of cell phones while operating a motor vehicle illegal. House bill 2377, sponsored by Rep. Carolyn … Read more
“Over reliance on automobiles can have adverse impacts on public health, both through lessened physical activity and from increased pollutants.”— from the bill’s description of the Office of Livability U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar, Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has released the full text of the federal transportation bill. Calling it the “Surface … Read more
Rep. Jim Oberstar speaking at the 2007 National Bike Summit.(Photos © J. Maus) Today — the man who just two years ago stood in front of 2,000 Cycle Oregon riders in lycra shorts (after he himself battled the day’s grueling climb) and told them he would “thread the language of bicycles into the federal transportation … Read more
U.S. DOT Secretary Ray LaHood.(Photo © J. Maus) U.S. Transporation Secretary Ray LaHood issued a statement today proposing an immediate, 18-month “highway reauthorization” to the current transportation bill. The proposal is being made in an attempt to replenish the ailing Highway Trust Fund that could run out of cash by late August. Also, beyond the … Read more