Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Conference will help schools get on the bike train

Get on the bike train!(Photo © J. Maus) Remember back in May when I happened upon the Beach Elementary School bike train? Now, a former volunteer intern with the City of Portland’s Safe Routes to Schools program is organizing the first-ever Portland Bike Train Conference. Recent college grad Kiel Johnson says he helped get the … Read more


Once prohibited, biking now a big part of Beach School

[This story was written by BikePortland contributor and Beach School parent, Chris Sullivan] The Bike Fairy greeted kids at Beach School on Friday.(Photos: Chris Sullivan) A few years ago, bikes were forbidden at Beach School in North Portland. Here’s a snip from the school’s 2002-03 family handbook: “Bicycles, Skateboards, Roller Skates, etc… Due to the … Read more


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State awards $495,000 grant for PBOT’s Safe Routes program

New funds will install crosswalks and other improvements.(Photo © J. Maus) The Portland Bureau of Transportation has just announced that their Safe Routes to School program has received a $495,000 grant from the Oregon Department of Transportation to build engineering improvements at seven local elementary and K-8 schools. In a press release, PBOT Safe Routes … Read more


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Will Mrs. Obama’s obesity focus boost Safe Routes to School efforts?

Michelle Obama could help bring Safe Routes to Schools to the table.(Photo: White House on Flickr) America has a long legacy of First Ladies who have used their diplomatic profile to further specific causes, so I was very pleased to learn that Michelle Obama’s focus would be obesity. Anyone who has spent time in the … Read more


Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

New report details safety impact of Safe Routes to School programs

Kids learn the ropes during a bike safety class in Southeast Portland.(Photo © J. Maus) The Safe Routes National Partnership has just released a new report detailing how five communities around the country — including Portland — have used Safe Routes to Schools programs to create safer walking and biking environments. Titled Safe Routes to … Read more


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Blumenauer bill would extend ‘Safe Routes’ into high schools

Bike parking at Franklin High School in Southeast Portland.(Photos © J. Maus) U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer announced a new bill yesterday that would expand the existing Safe Routes to Schools program to high schools. The Safe Routes to High Schools Act would enable high schools to vie for federal grants that would help them build … Read more