Welcome to our coverage of advocacy news. In this section you’ll find stories on the major advocacy organizations and campaigns that are shaping cycling in Portland and beyond.
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BTA Advocacy Director Gerik Kransky at Velo Cult last night.(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland) The Bicycle Transportation Alliance has embarked on their 2013 legislative campaign. Last night they revealed that the three bills they plan to lobby for center around funding, speed limits, and enforcement. The bills are substantial and they mark a full-force return to … Read more
BTA’s Gerik Kransky (L) and freight advocate Corky Collier after the PBOT Budget BAC meeting yesterday.(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland) In the face of severe cuts to active transportation in the PBOT budget that came to light last month, a coalition led by the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) presented a proposal yesterday to restore nearly half … Read more
Steve Hoyt-McBeth jots down his group’s ideas at yesterday’s event in City Hall.(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland) At City Hall during the lunch hour yesterday, the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) enlisted the help of Portland’s brightest biking minds to prioritize the “world-class bikeways” that will act as the organization’s ‘Blueprint‘ for the future. The event was … Read more
“It is unacceptable to the BTA to consider overturning our current policy… The Port [of Portland]… wants this money for highway/road projects. Now is the time to say no.”— Gerik Kransky, BTA A funding fight is brewing at Metro over how the regional planning agency should allocate nearly $38 million in federal funds. Unlike the … Read more
Did we win?!(Photos: Will Vanlue) Photos and story by Will Vanlue The Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) celebrated another successful Bike Commute Challenge with a party in Memorial Coliseum last night. For the sixteenth year in a row the BTA’s annual competition encouraged commuters around the Portland metro area to ride their bicycle to work during … Read more
Photo from filming of the video in Los Angeles.(Photos © J. Maus) People for Bikes, the national effort by Bikes Belong to raise awareness and support for bicycling, has just released a new video they hope will spread the idea that “Bikes Make Life Better.” The short video, filmed in Los Angeles, uses projection technology … Read more
It was a sell-out crowd. (Photos © J. Maus) The 2011 Alice Awards & Auction, presented by the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, once again raised the bar for bike advocacy events in Portland. At a stunning new venue in the Pearl District, about 480 of our region’s bike luminaries showed up — and dressed up — … Read more
This guest post is by Michael Andersen of Portland Afoot, a “10-minute newsmagazine” and wiki about low-car life in Portland. A big strategy shift was in the air at this year’s Oregon Active Transportation Summit, the two-day conference and lobbying blitz that was, until 2011, known as the Oregon Bike Summit. Woven through the lectures and panels … Read more
Job Title Education Programs Manager Company/Organization Bicycle Transportation Alliance This position has been closed. Job Description Reporting To: Executive Director Rate of Pay: 35,000-$40,000 Status: Full-time, salaried with benefits Location: Portland, OR Posting Expiration: Until filled Start Date: Immediate Vision Statement: Bicycling transforms communities by reinventing transportation and offering solutions that help solve the universal … Read more
Bicycling in Washington County presentsissues very different from Portland’s.(Photo © J. Maus) This past year has involved many transitions at the Bicycle Transportation Alliance. Staffing has been particularly affected — over the course of 2009, nine full time staff left and six new staff were hired (some at less than full time). These transitions culminated … Read more
Two great job opportunities were posted on the BikePortland Job Listings at the end of last week. Weir’s Cyclery is hiring a head mechanic, and the BTA is adding to their advocacy staff. Check out full details in the links below: Lead Bicycle Mechanic — Weir’s Cyclery Statewide Bicycle Advocate — Bicycle Transportation Alliance
[Editor’s note: This profile of local livable streets nonprofit Umbrella is the first story of new BikePortland news intern Jenny Leonard. Welcome, Jenny!] “Umbrella seeks to empower community-based street culture. Streets are meant to connect, not divide, neighborhoods. We support active ideas that develop streets as vibrant, safe, and welcoming public spaces that serve communities.”–Umbrella’s … Read more