Portland's "2030 Bike Plan" needs to know if you believe!

Twenty years ago there weren't nearly as many people Active in the Bicycle Faith in Portland. There may have been many believers, and fewer of them riding, or maybe there have been a lot of converts since then.

A big factor in the massive revival of bicycling here, as a pastime, as transportation, as a conviction, has been the steady improvement in bicycle routes. In 1990 you had to be a real die-hard, fearless bicyclist to use a bike for transportation. Now, it's still a bit of work, but it's much safer, much more commonplace. When it's illegal, impossible or suicidal to ride a bike, even the most ardent believers will rarely mount their steeds to go anywhere.

Why?

The 1996 Bike Plan called for massive improvements in bikeways, across the city. In particular, widening the sidewalks on the Willamette River bridges and building the East Bank Esplanade. And building "Bike Boulevards" all around the city. Most sensible Portlanders would have said it would be pretty much impossible to go from 1% of people commuting by bike to the 8% we have today. But they were wrong.

Because, the city built bikeways, and the bicyclists materialized.

Now, the 2030 Bike Plan has the same level of ambition. 25% of all trips by bicycle in the year 2030.

The 2030 Bike Plan is the Bible of how it can be done. Or Textbook. Or instruction manual. 400 miles of new bikeways, several new "superbikeways (like the Springwater Trail), and lots of improvements across the board.

Want to see it happen? We, as individuals and groups, need to tell the City to "Build It."

2 ways to show support:

1) Come to the rally tomorrow, City Hall, 1:30 - 2:00. And pack the council chambers with supporters for the first half your.

2) Email or voicemail your city councilors -- today, or in the next week or two, while it's still on their minds. Be passionate, be articulate, or just call/write and express your opinion. And tell them to "Build It!"

Sam Adams: samadams@ci.portland.or.us 503-823-4120
Amanda Fritz amanda@ci.portland.or.us 503-823-3008
Randy Leonard rleonard@ci.portland.or.us 503-823-4682
Nick Fish nick@ci.portland.or.us 503-823-3589
Dan Saltzman dan@ci.portland.or.us 503-823-4151




Yours in The Faith,
Pasture Ted






http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2010/02/bicycle_master_plan_peddling_a.html


http://www.facebook.com/BuildIt2030