In the closing address of the 2008 Pro Walk/Pro Bike Conference in Seattle on Friday, bicycling’s Grand Man in Congress, Jim Oberstar, shared a history of America’s bike movement, and inspired the assembled crowd with his trademark energy and bravado.
For nearly two decades, Oberstar (D-Minnesota) has been one of bicycling’s most effective champions. He was present at the inception of the modern bike movement in the late 1980s when he began to lay the groundwork for ISETEA (the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act) in 1991. Prior to that transportation bill re-authorization, Oberstar is credited with laying the groundwork of the bike movement’s presence on the national political stage.[Read more…]
I’ve still got a few notes and stories I’d like to share from my trip to the Pro Walk/Pro Bike conference in Seattle over the weekend.
On the last day of the conference, I asked a few members of the Portland delegation to share their most memorable new insights from the conference. Here are their responses:
Lynn Mutrie is the statewide youth education and outreach manager for the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA):[Read more…]
Last night, conference organizers put on a great party in the old South Lake Union Armory building.
The highlight of the night was the mini-bike racing. By mini-bikes, I don’t mean kids bikes like the Zoobombers ride, I mean tiny bikes with wheels the size of cookies.[Read more…]
Now that the whole country thinks Oregon isn’t in the top-three best states to bike in, you might assume the Beaver State delegation here at Pro Walk/Pro Bike would be sulking and demanding a recount.
Not exactly.
When the League of American Bicyclist’s executive director Andy Clarke announced the rankings at a party at the South Lake Union Armory last night, people almost immediately began embracing our new, out-of-medal-contention placing.
After the party, many of us from Oregon went on a spirited and star-lit ride around the city (via the Burke-Gilman Trail). I think the photo below will give you a good idea how we’re dealing with the No. 4 news:[Read more…]
Besides the 80 workshop sessions here at the Westin Hotel and the myriad “mobile workshops” (that take conference-goers around Seattle in search of sharrows, bike parking, and other things) there’s an ongoing display of information in the “Poster Sessions”.
Displayed in rows of tables and bulletin boards, the feeling is sort of like that junior high school science fair all over again; except in this case, the information is from the nation’s top professionals and experts in the fields of bicycle and pedestrian planning. I took a walk through the Poster Sessions yesterday and here’s what I saw.[Read more…]
Oregon placed fourth in a new ranking of Bike Friendly States that was released tonight by the League of American Bicyclists.
Washington took top honors, followed by Wisconsin and then Arizona. At the bottom of the list were Alabama and Georgia, with West Virginia coming in last.
Yesterday, I sat down with the League’s executive director Andy Clarke and Bike Friendly State program manager Jeff Peel to learn more about the rankings. [Read more…]
During a morning poster session (where bike and ped professionals offer up their latest research in science-fair style) here at Pro Walk/Pro Bike, I ran into Ginny Sullivan, the new routes coordinator for the Adventure Cycling Association (ACA).
Sullivan stood in front of an attractively designed new poster for an exciting project, the establishment of the United States Bicycle Route System. Once completed, the system will be a complete network of officially recognized, interstate bike routes.[Read more…]
Today at the Westin Hotel in downtown Seattle was the official opening day of the Fifteenth International Symposium on Walking and Bicycling, a.k.a., the Pro Walk/Pro Bike conference.
Held every two years and put on by the National Center for Walking and Biking, the conference is a meeting of the minds of America’s best and brightest in the fields of bikeway and pedestrian planning, engineering, design, education, advocacy, and so on. They’ve come to learn from 80 workshops, network with others in their fields, and get an up-close look at Seattle. [Read more…]
I’m headed to the 2008 Pro Walk/Pro Bike conference in Seattle next week along with a large contingent from Portland. Among the highlights will be the unveiling of the first-ever Bike Friendly States rankings by the League of American Bicyclists.
We meet on SW corner of Pioneer Square in downtown PDX. Meet around noon, departing about 12:15. You'll be back downtown by about 1:30. We ride up to the Fairmount Read More »
Treasure hunting at Community Cycling Center is back! Did you miss browsing our used parts selection? We missed you too! Visit us once a week for masked, distanced, and outdoor Read More »
NOTE: Meeting held virtually until further notice. The twenty-member volunteer Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) meets monthly to review projects and discuss bike issues. The committee advises City Council and bureaus Read More »
Full agenda here ODOT's bosses will hear them ask for $10 million in pedestrian safety projects statewide, including $3.4 million on 82nd Avenue. The agency announced this tranche of investment Read More »
According to Beaverton Code 2.03.560 (Powers and Duties), the purpose of the committee is: To focus on the promotion, education and safety of bicycling and related modes of active transportation Read More »
Every Thursday night, meets at Salmon Springs Fountain. TNR is a safe space and consent is required ! "If it's not a HELL YES; then it's a FUCK NO!" If Read More »
Waaaay out of the loop…I was an OBRA member back in HS and early college, but I have not raced in 20 years. I have two questions: What is the general state of road… Read Post »
There’s a mechanic in clac county who always has cars blocking the bike lane I know they’re not supposed to, but who do I contact about it? thanks 6 posts - 4 participants Read… Read Post »
terry bike wheels rims1280×960 60.8 KB Hi Everyone. Do my wheels (or rims?) need sanding/resurfacing? I honestly don’t know if these are wheels with rims or just wheels. 1999 Terry Classic bike. My brake… Read Post »
A sad day. Condolences to the family of the deceased. When do we re-fund the police so we can bring back traffic officers? Portland Police UPDATE: Fatal Crash Involving Scooter Likely a Hit and… Read Post »
hello. created this account to make this post. as things reopen and with social distancing, i’d like to address that different people miss certain aspects of pre covid life because we are all individuals… Read Post »
We had 4 bikes stolen last night (5/4) in Hood River. Our garage was forced open. 2015 Santa Cruz 5010 - Large - XTR Build/Carbon Wheels - Orange with white lettering - Serial #P510507-0491666… Read Post »
