Charlie Hales is promising to “minimize the drama and maximize the results.”(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland) After last night, Portland’s City Council has two fresh faces and the White House retains a familiar one. Both our mayoral race and the race for President were never really in doubt as Charlie Hales easily beat Jefferson Smith and … Read more
The BTA’s Susan Peithman shows how we do it in Portland. – See more reader photos below. – With tonight’s election, Portland and the nation are on the verge of major changes. As we settle in to watch how the votes come in, I thought some of you might want to share your thoughts and … Read more
Survey data released by Metro this morning shows huge spikes in bike traffic.(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland) Almost every transportation statistic you see has to do with one kind of trip: commuting to work. That’s the only one the Census Bureau asks people about. But once in a while, someone outside the Census Bureau does research … Read more
“The Bureau of Transportation has been facing budget challenges for several years; how will you as mayor create a sustainable source of revenue or otherwise ensure that the bureau has the resources it needs over the long haul?”—Question for mayoral candidates at recent Women’s Transportation Seminar luncheon With the election just over a month away, … Read more
Expect a smoother road — and a traffic mess — on Sauvie Island.(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland) We’re smack dab in the middle of the long-awaited summer riding season here in the Portland region. Unfortunately, the dry weather is also prime time for city, county, and state transportation agencies to do major repaving and road projects. … Read more
In 2010, the ride showed regional officials just how bad the Interstate Bridge is for bikes.(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland) In the spirit of the ancient proverb: “Tell me and I forget; show me and I remember; involve me and I understand,” on Friday, dozens of Oregon and Southwest Washington’s most prominent politicians and powerful bureaucrats … Read more
Mayoral candidate Jefferson Smith (R) chats with Portland resident Joel Shapiro as they ride on the Eastbank Esplanade.(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland) Portland mayoral candidate Jefferson Smith has set himself apart from his challengers by not being much of an everyday bike rider. However, despite his lack of biking credentials, he managed to snag the endorsement … Read more
Bike Walk Vote excited an active (transportation) base of Portland voters.(Photo © J. Maus) Tuesday night’s elections were full of good news for Portland’s re-energized Bike Walk Vote political action committee. After being founded in 2004, then lying dormant for several years following the 2008 elections, Bike Walk Vote came roaring back last winter. Boasting … Read more
A tragedy in Vancouver. [The story was written by contributor Michael Andersen.] As Vancouver reels from the death of an 11-year-old boy who was crushed by a C-Tran bus while riding his bike through the intersection of Main and 27th on Saturday, some have noted a common thread it shares with other recent local tragedies: … Read more
The crowd at Crank bike shop waits to hear from the candidates endorsed by Bike Walk Vote. Portland’s Bike Walk Vote political action committee hosted a party last night in southeast Portland to introduce the community to the candidates they’ve endorsed. A huge crowd packed into Crank bike shop where candidates had tables set up … Read more
A big endorsement for Mr. Hales. Local elections are heading into the home stretch here in Portland (primaries are May 15th). Candidates are going to the full-court press, media coverage is picking up, and non-profit groups are hosting events to introduce you to your future leaders. Here’s an update on things from a bike/transportation perspective… … Read more
He’s pumped!(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland) After a thorough evaluation process that included in-person interviews, a questionnaire and ride-along with all three major candidates, political action committee Bike Walk Vote has announced their endorsement of Jefferson Smith for Portland mayor. Bike Walk Vote co-chair Evan Manvel said today in a phone interview that Smith’s “Commitment, record, … Read more