Note: I'm currently on a family trip and not working normal hours. Email and message responses will be delayed and story and posting volumes here and on our social media accounts will not be at their usual levels until I return to Portland September 4th. Thanks for your patience and understanding. - Jonathan Maus, BikePortland Publisher and Editor
Sen. Floyd Prozanski.(Photos © J. Maus) Recently passed House Bill 3271 — a bill that addresses a number of types of harassment — includes language that establishes the new crime of “Aggravated Driving While Suspended or Revoked”. The bill passed through the Oregon Legislature late Thursday and the language to address aggravated driving was added … Read more
“The use of cell phones is increasing so much that we have to get a handle on it now.”— Ginny Burdick (D-Portland) After several years of trying, the Oregon Legislature has passed a law that will make the use of cell phones while operating a motor vehicle illegal. House bill 2377, sponsored by Rep. Carolyn … Read more
Rep. Carolyn Tomei Last time we checked in on HB 2377, it was on its way to easy passage on the House floor. It got through the House at the end of April by a vote of 38-22. Since then, it has had one reading in the Senate, bounced around to committees and work sessions … Read more
“The transportation package passed today is the most environmentally progressive in Oregon’s history.”— From a statement by the Oregon Senate Democrats The Oregon State Senate has voted in favor of House Bill 2001 by a margin of 24-6. The bill, which backers say will create 4,600 jobs a year, did not include any changes from … Read more
The BTA is making a last ditch effort to fix HB 2001. The Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) has sent out an action alert they hope will bring some much-needed change to the Governor’s transportation package that passed the House yesterday. House Bill 2001, which includes an $840 million list of earmarked highway projects, will be … Read more
If HB 2001 passes in its current form, highways in Oregon would get a major boost.(Photo © J. Maus) House Bill 2001 (text) passed through the Oregon House of Representatives today by a vote of 38-22 — just two votes more than it needed in order to get the required three-fifths majority. In floor testimony … Read more
It’s the morning after for Governor Kulongoski’s big transportation bill and a coalition of concerned advocates are trying to rally opposition. Last Friday, a special joint committee polished off final amendments and sent House Bill 2001 to the House and Senate Floors for a vote that will likely happen this week. After seeing those amendments, … Read more
The Capitol(Photo © J. Maus) The Bicycle Transportation Alliance‘s executive director and lobbyist Scott Bricker has helped lawmakers improve a new Urban Trail Fund that is part of the Governor’s transportation package. House Bill 2001 is still being worked on down in Salem, and amendments published earlier this week were very bad news for bike … Read more
“This is not a very impressive step forward in terms of recognizing the role of bicycles in addressing our transportation needs.”— Doug Parrow, head of BTA’s legislative committee Salem lawmakers have published their much-anticipated amendments to Governor Kulongoski’s transportation package and the news for bikes is bad. Very bad. When the bill was first introduced … Read more
Inside the House Transportation Committee.(Photos © J. Maus) As the clock ticks in Salem on the 2009 legislative session, the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) and other bike advocates are making last ditch efforts to make Oregon’s laws more friendly to bikes. Today in Salem, work sessions (different from public hearings in that no testimony is … Read more
“…they [legislators] had heard from a number of constituents who were very concerned and opposed to giving cyclists what they viewed as special rights.”–Doug Parrow, Chair of the BTA’s Legislative Committee An effort to pass the “Idaho Stop Law” in Oregon has officially ceased all forward motion. I confirmed this morning from Bicycle Transportation Alliance … Read more
“We as a society need to address and reinforce that driving and bicycling requires full concentration on the road, unfettered awareness of roadway conditions and instant attention to non-motorized roadway users.”–Jerry Norquist, in a letter to ODOT The Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (OBPAC) has sent a formal letter to the Oregon Transportation Commission … Read more
Comment of the Week: Gratitude for N/NE Broadway project