Congressman Earl Blumenauer introducing the Bike Commuter Act on Capitol Hill last March.(Photo © Jonathan Maus) The bike commuter tax benefit — which was introduced to Congress by Earl Blumenauer last March and passed a House vote last week — has been stripped out of the Energy Bill by the Senate. The U.S. Senate passed … Read more
Draft engineering drawing of the intersection where Tracey Sparling was killed. Last night, as part of a nearly $6 million surplus budget allocation process, Portland’s City Council approved $200,000 to fund bike safety improvements at 14 intersections. These improvements include new, colored bike boxes and bike lanes at intersections found to be dangerous and in … Read more
Rep. Krummel at a press event for the bill last summer.(Photos courtesy Krummel’s office.) Wilsonville Republican Jerry Krummel wants to give “Eric’s Law” another try. The measure (House Bill 3020, named after cyclist Eric Kautzky who was killed by a sleepy driver in 2005) would allow relatives of cyclists or pedestrians killed on Oregon’s roadways … Read more
Slav Davidzon A local entrepreneur who operates “sustainability focused” bike tours and who founded a successful web hosting business has just announced his candidacy for mayor. 26 year-old Slav Davidzon sent an email to supporters this morning announcing his candidacy that said in part,
“I would welcome community input to determine whether or not it is feasible and safe to allow bicyclists to roll through a right turn…on all stop signs…”–mayoral candidate Gerhard Watzig This morning I wrote about Portland’s latest candidate for mayor, Gerhard Watzig. My story relied on information gleaned from Watzig’s campaign website and a comment … Read more
Mr. Gerhard Watzig(Photo courtesy Watzig.com) Meet Gerhard Watzig, a 50-year Portland resident, local flower shop owner, and son of a Washington turkey farmer. Yesterday Mr. Watzig threw his hat in the ring to go up against City Commissioner Sam Adams in a bid to be Portland’s next mayor. His announcement and his take on the … Read more
Chris Smith and his Biria.(Photo © Jonathan Maus) City Council hopeful and transportation activist Chris “Citizen” Smith plans to greet morning bike commuters on the Hawthorne Bridge tomorrow morning. In a campaign event reminiscent of Shift’s famous Breakfast in the Bridges, he’ll pass out coffee, pastries, and a bit of two-wheeled political persuasion in the … Read more
Just a final reminder to vote yes on Measure 49. This is our chance to save Oregon and save open spaces (that just so happen to be great places to ride a bike.) Ballots are due by 8:00pm tonight so the mail is no use. You’ll have to take your ballot to an official drop-off … Read more
Oregon State Representative Jerry Krummel, the Wilsonville Republican who backed “Eric’s Law”, is now getting behind Drowsy Driving Prevention Week. Here’s the press release from Krummel’s office: “I’m so glad to see this important public safety issue getting national attention”, said State Representative Jerry Krummel (R-Wilsonville). The first ever Drowsy Driving Prevention Week is being … Read more
Map of Washington County.Purple represents Measure 37 development claims. (Graphic: Yes on 49) With just a few days left to turn in ballots (deadline is Tuesday night!), I hope everyone out there has voted. I also hope you’ve all filled in the bubble for “Yes” on Measure 49. Measure 49 is the effort to fix … Read more
Jackie Dingfelder joined regional leaders for a bike ride last July.(Photo © Jonathan Maus) Oregon State Rep Jackie Dingfelder (D-Portland) is making a run for State Senate and, like many smart politicos these days, she’s including Portland’s favorite “micro-constituency” in her campaign plans. Her supporters have planned a campaign event/bike ride to, “raise awareness about … Read more
“In twenty years, when we have cycle-tracks on all arterials and a full network of bike boulevards across our city and bike training in every school, we’ll remember this decade as the time when we asked for change, and we got it.”–From a BTA Action Alert to support the Safe, Sound, and Green Streets initiative. … Read more