Rep. Blumenauer at last year’sNational Bike Summit. (Kozo Shimano is in the background).(Photo © J. Maus) In advance of next week’s National Bike Summit, this morning Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) introduced House Congressional Resolution 305, “Recognizing the importance of bicycling in transportation and recreation.” Blumenauer refers to the resolution as the “National Bike Bill” (read … Read more
Now it’s onto the Senate. More on this story was published yesterday. Official press release from Blumenauer’s office is below:
Blumenauer, shown here at the National Bike Summit last year, hopes his Bike Commuter Act will finally fly with lawmakers.(Photo © J. Maus) On the heels of record profits by the big five oil companies, U.S. Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-Portland) will once again try to enact a tax benefit for bike commuters and close the … Read more
[Updated: 2/26, 11:37 am – I’ve added audio from the Councilmembers’ testimony (see below).] Last night, the Vancouver City Council voted 5-1 in favor of an expanded, all-ages helmet law. More photos here.(Photos © J. Maus)
Middaugh hopes to pedal into a Council seat.(Photo © J. Maus) You can add Jim Middaugh’s name to the list of City Council candidates who are now officially certified to receive public financing. Middaugh — who I profiled back in January — is running for Council Seat #2 (currently occupied by Erik Sten) and this … Read more
It’s official: Press release below… OFFICE OF CITY AUDITOR CITY OF PORTLAND February 25, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JIM MIDDAUGH CERTIFIED Today, the Auditor certified Jim Middaugh as a Campaign Finance Fund candidate for the May 20, 2008 Primary Election. Mr. Middaugh, candidate for Commissioner No. 2, achieved 1,623 verified qualifying contributions from Portland registered … Read more
“My view of this bridge is that we’ve got to move freight…isn’t it conceivable they [bikes and peds] would ride across the bridge on whatever kind of transit option is offered, rather than building separate accommodation that just drives the cost of this already unbelievably expensive structure up?”–Sen. Betsy Johnson On Tuesday of this week, … Read more
Chris Smith.(Photo © J. Maus) City Auditor Gary Blackmer has just issued the official notice (full text below) that Chris “Citizen” Smith has gathered the requisite signatures and donations in order to qualify for public funding of his campaign to grab a seat on Portland’s City Council. By March 6th, Smith will be awarded $140,150 … Read more
“The cascading effect of others with equally well intentioned objectives to use the right of way for their expressions is something that we must be mindful of.”–Oregon state Senator Rick Metsger For the second time in a row, the roadside memorial sign bill (HB 3623) has failed reach passage by the Oregon legislature. After it … Read more
Senator Rick Metsger, shown here in a file photo, has not supportedthe bill.(Photo © J. Maus) The only bicycle-related bill in the abbreviated legislative session in Salem is on life support. HB 3623, which would allow bereaved families to request (and pay for) the installation of a “roadside memorial sign that commemorates a bicyclist or … Read more
Adams speaking with reporters after today’s meeting.(Photo © Jonathan Maus) City Commissioner Sam Adams has just emailed (and posted to his blog) a statement about the major turn his Safe, Sound, and Green Streets funding initiative took today: Dear Portlander, Today, at my request, city council referred the “Safe, Sound & Green Streets” program back … Read more
Adams (L) and Potter at this morning’s City Council meeting.(Photo © Jonathan Maus) Mayor Potter has issued a statement in response to the BTA’s action alert that explains his current stance on the Safe, Sound and Green Streets proposal. According to Mayor Potter’s public advocate Jeremy Van Keuren, their office has received 186 222 emails … Read more