Election update: Bikey endorsements, ‘wild’ candidates, and more
Election madness is heating up in Portland. Here’s my attempt to help keep you updated on the latest happenings…
Politics
Bike Walk Vote releases more endorsements
Bike Walk Vote, which bills itself as “the political arm of the Portland area’s bicycling and walking movement”, has announced several more endorsements. This is their second round of choices, back in January they endorsed Chris Smith and Jeff Bissonnette. For Portland City Council, they have chosen to endorse Jim Middaugh and Randy Leonard. In … Read more
Big-city Councils pass new bike-friendly laws
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)
More signs of bike-friendly council candidates
Local election season is heating up. One welcome trend of the campaigns, that will be fun to keep an eye on, is how/if the candidates try to out bike-friendly one another. Fritz’s press release.
Meet Jim Middaugh at the BikePortland Social Hour this Friday (3/14)
Mr. Middaugh.(Photo © J. Maus) We had so much fun last time, we figured we’d do it again: Mark your calendars for a special edition of the BikePortland Social Hour this Friday (3/14) from 6-7:00pm. This time around, City Council candidate Jim Middaugh will join us for some casual conversation and locally brewed beverages (for … Read more
Today at City Council: Bikes set for major boost in Parks SDC funding
Switching gears for a moment from my 2008 National Bike Summit coverage… Portland City Council will hear public testimony and vote today on a proposal that would leverage System Development Charges (SDCs) over the next 12 years. SDCs are one-time fees assessed on new development to cover a portion of the cost for providing specific … Read more
Bicycles and the Governor’s climate change report
“The State can invest directly… in building pedestrian or bicycle facilities in areas that are underserved.”–From a report released by the Governor’s Climate Change Integration Group. (Download full report below.) An advisory group of climate change experts convened by Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski has just released a far-reaching report titled, A Framework for Addressing Rapid … Read more
Spend the morning with Sam Adams
A still from Sam Adams: Man on the Go.(Watch it below). If you haven’t seen Commissioner Sam Adams’ mayoral campaign video, you should. I’m not one to regurgitate political propaganda, but I think this video/campaign ad is worth a few minutes of your time (you can watch it below). It’s a great mix of documentary-style … Read more
Blumenauer introduces the “National Bike Bill”
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
Bike commute benefit, SUV tax loophole pass House vote
Now it’s onto the Senate. More on this story was published yesterday. Official press release from Blumenauer’s office is below:
Bike Commuter Act, “Hummer tax loophole” up for House vote tomorrow
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: Vancouver passes all-ages helmet law
[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)