League Director Andy Clarke The opening plenary is going on now. But before I get to that, some news. Commissioner Adams is here. I saw his badge at the registration table and a few folks have seen him walking around. He’s in DC for a meeting of the National League of Cities. I didn’t know … Read more
Dinner with the Oregon contingent The best part of the trip so far came last night. While waiting for our table outside the historic Old Ebbit Grill, the host came out and said, “Bricker (as in Scott from the BTA), party of 25.” Yes, there are 25 of us here from Oregon. Once we got … Read more
On the road in DC. It’s been a gorgeous day here in DC. From the airport I did the ultimate multi-modal thing and took the bus to the Metro (subway) right into downtown. Once I got rolling, I made my way to the hotel. The first people I bumped into were Jeff Mapes and Deb … Read more
My tikit at the terminal. [A major note of thanks to everyone who has supported this trip. I could not do this without your help.] =========== It was a perfect night for a ride to the airport. I’m a few minutes from taking off to DC and all is well. I wish I could say … Read more
Oregon has a golden opportunity to build two new velodromes, to further solidify our reputation as the premier state for cycling participation in the country, and to build lasting links between our elected officials and the one love we all share; bicycles. All that’s missing is your voice encouraging legislators in Salem to support the … Read more
A bill that would allocate $3.5 million in state lottery funds to the construction of two new velodromes in Oregon is kicking into high gear. Republican Senator Jason Atkinson is holding a round table strategy discussion today at the capitol building in Salem. Invited to the table are a diverse list of movers and shakers … Read more
For some reason, an Oregonian article published today about a Portland City Council resolution calling for 50% cut in fuel consumption by 2030 makes no mention of bicycles.
The Washington DC-based Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) plans to launch a national campaign that would seek $2 billion for 40 communities to fund non-motorized transportation projects in the next federal transportation bill, which is up for re-authorization in 2010. Calling it their 2010 Campaign for Active Transportation, the national advocacy group is in the early stages … Read more
[Metro Councilor Rex Burkholder presents his resolution calling for more alternatives to be considered in the Columbia River Crossing process.]
Opponents of the Columbia River Crossing (CRC) Task Force’s plan to build a gargantuan, $2-6 billion new highway bridge claimed an important victory last night. Metro Councilors heard a steady stream of public testimony in support of two resolutions to study other alternatives that were put forth by Metro Councilors Rex Burkholder and Robert Liberty.
[A new bill proposed by Oregon Sen. Jason Atkinson could bring a new velodrome to Portland. The Alpenrose Velodrome (shown above) is in need of expensive repairs and is not a year-round facility.]
The last, and most innovative of the BTA’s three legislative proposals is just one minor step from being an official bill. Their “vulnerable users” proposal will be turned into the House Judiciary Committee in Salem today. Here’s the official wording of the bill summary: