With traffic congestion increasing, transportation dollars dwindling, and the U.S. experiencing a nationwide obesity epidemic, now is the perfect time for Oregonians to get onto a bicycle. But how safe and easy is it to do so?

To answer this question, in 2002 the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) created a Bicycle-Friendly Communities Report Card. To determine the quality of bicycling in cities throughout Oregon and "grade" them on their bicycle-friendliness, the BTA surveyed Oregon's largest 22 communities looking for five things:

• quality and quantity of bicycle facilities
• legal and planing policy supporting cyclists
• encouragement of bicycling and awareness of laws
• established bicycle safety programs
• feedback from the bicycle riders in the community

A bicycle-friendly community is one that supports and encourages bicycle use through physical design, community culture, and policy decisions. The community acknowledges the benefits of bicycling and attempts to create an urban environment that is conducive to safe and convenient bicycling. At the same time, the community becomes more livable for everyone by improving health, reducing congestion, providing transportation choices, and creating connections among residents that help deter crime.

The report is designed to help communities assess their commitment to bicycling as both recreation and transportation.

Read on below to see who made the grade and where all of Oregon's communities need to do some more work.

If you have questions, please contact BTA Policy Advocate Emily Gardner via email or by phone at (503) 226-0676 x11.

The Report Card

• Corvallis: A-
• Eugene: A-
• Portland: B+
• Ashland: B-


• Albany: C
• Beaverton: C
• Gresham: C
• Hillsboro: C-
• Lake Oswego: C-
• Salem: C-
• Bend: C-
• Grants Pass: C-


• Keizer: D
• Tualatin: D-
• Medford: D-
• Roseburg: D-


• Milwaukie: Flat Tire
• Oregon City: Flat Tire
• West Linn: Flat Tire
• Springfield: Flat Tire
• Tigard: Flat Tire
• McMinnville: Flat Tire

For full text of the report click to download the PDF.

 

 

In May, 2008 the League of American Bicyclists updated their rankings of America's most Bicycle Friendly Communities.

Click here to learn more about earning regognition for becoming a bike friendly community or contact the BTA's Emily Gardner, a LAB trained application facilitator, via email or by phone at (503) 226-0676 x11.