There’s a notable addition to the BTA’s 2007 Legislation page. In a section titled “Other Bicycle Bills” (meaning ones they’re not working on themselves) is a mention of a local effort — which I reported on a month ago — to consider changing how bicycles treat stop signs.
[From my trip last year.] The National Bike Summit is just five weeks away. The Summit is a four-day, annual event in Washington D.C. that brings together America’s bike leaders to network, learn, and most importantly, to ask members of Congress to consider bicycles in their decisions.
[A road in North Plains.] Yesterday, the BTA’s Senate Bill 299 — which includes a provision about requiring a minimum three-foot passing distance — got its first debate on the floor of the Judiciary Committee in Salem. A reporter from the Associated Press was there and filed a report that was picked up by the … Read more
Via the BTA Blog and an ad on Jack Bog’s blog comes news that BTA Executive Director Evan Manvel will the guest on Outlook Portland this Sunday morning (1/21) at 6:30AM. Show host Nick Fish will talk with Evan about the BTA’s legislative work and cycling in Oregon. The show is on Broadcast Channel 32, … Read more
[Scott Bricker hustles in the hallways between meetings.] After posting my first Salem report, BTA bike lobbyist Scott Bricker and I set off for two more meetings. The first was with Representative Jeff Barker, a Democrat who represents Beaverton and Aloha. This meeting (as usual) would only last about 15 minutes and with three full … Read more
[BTA’s Scott Brickerinside the Capitol.] It’s been a busy morning. After negotiating Portland’s icy streets, BTA Policy Director Scott Bricker and I made our way down to Salem. For Scott, it was just another day at work, but for me it was an opportunity to learn more about how a bike lobbyist works the system … Read more
[Commissioner Adams led the meeting.] Last Thursday at the Kenton Firehouse in North Portland, I attended one of Commissioner Sam’s Budget Town Hall meetings to discuss the finances and issues around transportation (PDOT), environmental services (BES), and community art (RACC). This was one of seven similar meetings being held throughout Portland’s various neighborhood districts. Sam … Read more
There seems to be a lot of interest in the community about the bike-related legislation going on in Salem this year. I’ve been doing my best to stay in touch with all of it and I will write about developments as they come in. Here’s what I know so far. BTA Policy Director Scott Bricker … Read more
[A photo from inside DeFazio’s officeon Capitol Hill.] If you’re a bike geek, the November elections were like that Christmas when you got your very first new bike and you were brimming with excitement at the potential of good times that were sure to come. With so much bike-friendly mojo in Congress, it’s hard to … Read more
[League Director Andy Clarke (R)rides with BTA Director EvanManvel in Vancouver, WA last year.] League of American Bicyclists Executive Director Andy Clarke will attend the upcoming Oregon Bicycle Tourism Summit planned for April 13-14th in Sisters, Oregon. Summit organizer Jerry Norquist — who confirmed Clarke’s attendance — said Clarke will share insights and inspirations from … Read more
[Congressmen DeFazio with some random guy at the 2005 National Bike Summit in Washington DC] According to the League of American Bicyclists, the composition of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is set to take a decidedly bike-friendly turn after Tuesday’s elections. Likely to be chairman of this committee is the current ranking Democrat, Congressman … Read more
I don’t know much about politics, but I know what I like. That’s why I’m going to fill in the bubble for bikes and vote “Yes” on Measure 26-80. Passage of 26-80 will do lots of great stuff for the health and livability of our region. The cash raised would help Metro finish gaps in … Read more