🚨 Please note that BikePortland slows down during this time of year as I have family in town and just need a break! Please don't expect typical volume of news stories and content. I'll be back in regular form after the new year. Thanks. - Jonathan 🙏

Job: Bicycle Tourism Initiative Project Coordinator – Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center – FILLED

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Job Title
Bicycle Tourism Initiative Project Coordinator

Company/Organization
Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center

Job Description
The East Multnomah County Bicycle Tourism Initiative engages a diverse coalition of businesses, cities, public agencies, and nonprofit organizations in a collaboration to leverage resources for economic development and job creation by increasing bicycle tourism. The Bicycle Tourism Initiative (BTI) is a regional program administered through the Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center.

The Bicycle Tourism Initiative Project Coordinator implements program initiatives. The role interfaces with a variety of businesses, coordinating with partners, developing bicycle travel itineraries and experiences, serving as liaison with event/race organizers, and developing content for communications. The Project Coordinator is also responsible for delivering information and presentations at outreach events, participating in partner and coalition events, tabling at community events, and attending meetings throughout the region. The Project Coordinator reports directly to the Chamber CEO and works with other Chamber staff.

Key Responsibilities
• Implements and coordinates prioritized regional bicycle tourism strategies; researches, explores and develops new tourism products and opportunities within the region
• Provides information and support to tourism partners and interested parties; cultivates productive working relationships with tourism partners including community, federal, state, regional, local and niche areas including bicycling and outdoor recreation, arts/culture/heritage, agri-tourism, and natural history;
• Provides support to parties seeking to establish or expand tourism opportunities within the region; serves as a liaison between the Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center and interested parties on development of tourism assets in the East Multnomah County region
• Engages with partners, businesses and communities to better leverage existing community and tourism assets and increase return on investments, overnight stays, and tourism activity within East Multnomah County; works with communities, lodging partners, tour operators, and others to support growth of existing and potential tourism related opportunities and activities
• Represents and serves as liaison for Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center on various committees, associations, coalitions and with other Chambers; preserves, promotes and strengthens relationships with entities and partners; participates in collaborative regional events;
• Produces quarterly reports on program activities, including tracking of in-kind contributions
• Develops content for website, blog, electronic newsletters, reports, and other publications
• Responds to public inquiries in person, over the phone, and via email
• Organize and maintain office/administrative systems and procedures

Qualifications
• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in marketing, tourism, recreation, or related field and preferably at least three years of related experience, or equivalent experience
• Ability to work with diverse stakeholders, establish and maintain effective and positive relationships with other tourism collaborators
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including facilitating meetings and delivering public presentations
• Knowledge of principles and practices of tourism development, marketing and promotion; project management
• Self-starter able to work independently on multiple assignments and projects simultaneously; manage time effectively
• Ability to use standard software programs including MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
• Ability to travel within the region and maintain an acceptable driving record

Additional Skills/Experience Desired
• Familiarity with tourism product development and Oregon’s bicycle tourism and recreation programs
• Familiarity with active transportation planning and transportation options programs
• Experience with software for electronic communications and website content management
• A passion for bicycle recreation is a plus

Salary and Benefits
Hourly based on experience for 25 hrs/wk variable (100 hrs/month); monthly transit pass and reimbursed mileage and work-related expenses.

For more information visit www.greshamchamber.org

How to Apply
Submit a resume and cover letter to resumes@greshamchamber.org. The position will remain open until filled.

Bixby and her human (Mike Minnick) roll through Portland

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Mike Minnick and his trusty companion Bixby in northwest Portland today.
(Photos by J. Maus/BikePortland)

Bicycling is probably the biggest thing that has ever happened to Austin, Texas natives Bixby and Mike Minnick. Just three years ago, Mike was a self-described chain-smoking couch potato who took up cycling on a whim. Bixby was a shelter dog who needed a good home.

Together, they’re on a journey that is changing both of their lives — not to mention inspiring thousands of people along the way.

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The Monday Roundup: Getting real in WA, tolling the Golden Gate, and more

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Washington’s old and new traffic projections.
(Image: Sightline Institute)

Here are the great bike links from around the world that caught our eyes this week:

Gas-tax realism: Washington state’s Office of Financial Management has just released what a Sightline Institute analyst calls “far and away the most responsible official traffic forecast I’ve seen from any government agency, ever.”

Sidewalk blocked: Saying there’s not enough parking in the area to “support” it, angry homeowners have blocked installation of a half-block sidewalk in Tulsa.

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Comment of the Week: The slow, possible work of progress

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Ahh – can you feel that? That’s a successful
postcard campaign from 15 years ago.
(Photo: J.Maus/BikePortland)

There’s nothing new under the sun, but effective political tactics have a way of staying effective.

That’s what reader and legendary bike advocate Phil Goff observed this week in a comment beneath Tuesday’s post about a series of postcard campaigns by activist group Bike Loud PDX:

This is exactly what I did 15-16 years ago to create the political pressure to bring in funding for the Morrison Bridge sidepath project. On two occasions, I had 300-400 signed postcards mailed to Multnomah County Chair Bev Stein (to get the County’s attention) and then 6 mo later to Metro Council chair Rod Monroe during the MTIP process. In the age of e-mail, Twitter and FB, a simple postcard campaign can pack a lot of punch. Its great to hear that advocates are reviving the tactic for other projects. Good luck BikeLoudPDX!

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PBOT, via blog comments, responds to “difficulties” of Williams project

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Williams and it’s brand new, left-side bike lane has been a hot issue this week.
(Photo by J. Maus/BikePortland)

“I ride N Williams every day and am experiencing some difficulties myself.”
— Leah Treat, Director of PBOT

This week marked a very positive milestone for the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT): They seem to be opening up a bit about joining the comment section here on BikePortland. I think this is a great development because it shows they understand the value of direct online engagement with their customers (us) and it could be a sign that they’re gaining confidence around the bicycling issue.

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Oregon prepares to launch its opt-in test of a vehicle mileage tax

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A Bike Swarm ride passes a Portland gas station in 2012.
(Photo: J.Maus/BikePortland)

Oregon keeps inching toward its goal of replacing or supplementing the gas tax it invented, back in 1919, with a Prius-proof mileage tax.

Next July 1, the first 5,000 volunteer drivers will get a chance to opt out of gas tax and into a so-called “usage charge.” As the state gets ready for that test, a meeting in Portland this Monday will be the last stop on a statewide tour to gather input about the concept.

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People are driving right through new diverter on NE Rodney

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Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.
(Photos by J. Maus/BikePortland)

A traffic diverter is a barrier placed in an intersection to prevent auto traffic from going through it. The goal is to make certain streets less attractive to auto drivers and reduce auto traffic volumes overall. So, when it’s relatively easy to drive through one — which is the case with a new diverter in northeast Portland — it sort of defeats the purpose.

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Weekend Event Guide: Thriller, a brewery tour, podcast party, and more!

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It’s ‘Thrill the World’ weekend and Kidical Mass will be there to join in the creepy fun.
(Photo: J Maus/BikePortland)

Welcome to your menu of weekend rides and events, lovingly brought to you by our friends at Hopworks Urban Brewery.

I know what you’re thinking… Who the heck wants to ride in all this rain!? Well, the truth is, riding in the rain isn’t so bad, especially with friends. And besides, there’s bound to be a break in the clouds here and there, so why not be prepared with a list of all the fun bike stuff to do?

Grab your jackets, get your fenders on, and have a great (wet) weekend..

Friday, October 24th

Gold Sprints with Revolights – 7:00 pm at Chrome Retail Hub (425 SW 10th Ave)
Revolights, a California-based designer of very cool bicycle lights, is in Portland. Join them at the Chrome store tonight for some fun and gold sprinting. $5 race entry and winner takes all. More info here.

EcoSpeed Kickstarter Crush Party – 7:30 pm at 2330 SE Clatsop
The crew at EcoSpeed wants to celebrate their hugely successful Kickstarter campaign. Join them for a big party that will feature a DJ, free beer and food, a prize giveaway, and lots of lofty prognostications for what will surely be an exciting future. More info here.

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First look: New bike facilities open along MAX Orange Line

New multi-use path goes east-west just south of MAX line/UPRR tracks between SE 7th and 17th.
(Photos by J. Maus/BikePortland)

It’s less than one year to go until TriMet takes the wraps off the Orange Line, a 7.3 mile extension of the MAX light rail system that will connect downtown Portland to Milwaukie in northern Clackamas County. While the marquee component of the $1.5 billion project, the Tillikum Crossing Bridge, won’t open until next fall, many parts of the new project are already open for business.

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