Bicyclists to Increase Trails Advocacy, Spurred by Passage of Measure 26-80, Opinion Research, $5000 Grant
Rails-to-Trails, Coca-Cola, and Bicycle Transportation Alliance Join Forces

The Bicycle Transportation Alliance, one of the nation’s leading bike advocacy groups, is announcing plans to increase its trails advocacy at its annual meeting tonight. The plans come in response to the recent passage of Measure 26-80, opinion research indicating that car-free trails are the favorite place for most people to bike, and a $5000 grant for trails advocacy from Rails-to-Trails and Coca-Cola.

“The voters have spoken – it’s time to connect the region,� said Evan Manvel, Executive Director of the Bicycle Transportation Alliance. “Voters have raised their hands – and opened their pocketbooks – to make sure that people of all ages and abilities have safe, convenient choices for transportation and recreation. It’s our job to make sure that vision is realized across the region.�

Measure 26-80, a Metro-region bond measure, was passed by voters this November by a 59%-41% margin. The $227 million package includes tens of millions of dollars in new funding for trail right-of-way and local projects that will include at least four key regional trails: the Fanno Creek Trail, the Springwater Gap, the Gresham-Fairview Trail, and the Westside Trail. Those four trails are part of the BTA’s Blueprint for Better Biking.

The BTA is also responding to opinion research and surveys of bicyclists. That research has shown that two-thirds of Portlanders limit their walking and biking due to safety concerns, especially safety around car traffic. It has also shown that car-free areas such as trails are the favorite places for most bicyclists.

And, with the $5000 grant, there is funding for the work: Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) and Coca-Cola North America have joined forces to award $5,000 grants to 14 exemplary trail organizations throughout the United States, including the BTA. The money will help fund the local and statewide groups in their efforts to create and improve their networks of trails and greenways.

“For most of the last century, The Coca-Cola Company and its bottlers have supported community needs in keeping with the times,� said Sandy Douglas, Coca-Cola North America president. “Today, providing people with more opportunities to be active and have greater access to green space is a clearly identified community need. We’re pleased that with our contribution to the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy we are able to support that need and give something lasting back to our communities.�

“Creating green places for recreation and exercise requires the support of not only local organizations, but also committed corporate citizens, like Coca-Cola,� says Keith Laughlin, president of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a national nonprofit that works with communities across the United States to transform unused railroad corridors into public trails. “The long-term benefits of this partnership will be innumerable and span generations.�

The BTA annual meeting will be held tonight at Woodstock Wine and Deli in Southeast Portland, from 7 to 9 pm. Ben Gettleman, Manager of Trails Development for the Western Regional Office of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy will be speaking. The 2007 Rails-to-Trails Conference will be held in Portland.

The BTA is a statewide nonprofit organization that works to create healthy communities by making bicycling safer, more accessible, and more convenient. It has 4400 members, a staff of 18, and an annual budget of $1 million. It has received national awards for its work on bike education, and national recognition for its advocacy efforts.

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