Gordon Patterson Memorial Bike Ride
Saturday, September 11
9:00 am at Hudson's Bay High School

The ride will head north on Fort Vancouver Way to St. Johns Road and continue North on St. Johns road to 99th Street before turning around and returning to Hudson's Bay along St. James Road. The ride is approximately 10.1 miles long. We are hoping for a large turnout, and we are asking that participants give $5 with proceeds going towards a permanent Gordon Patterson scholarship. Anyone is welcome to attend.

One of the greatest challenges facing the bicycle and pedestrian field is the lack of documentation on usage and demand. Without accurate and consistent demand and usage figures, it is difficult to measure the positive benefits of investments in these modes, especially when compared to the other transportation modes such as the private automobile.

Volunteer bike and pedestrian counters play a critical role in helping build our collective knowledge of bicycle and pedestrian activity and behavior. You may have already participated in the city of Portland's annual bike count, and now you have a chance to contribute to a larger movement to collect, analyze, and understand this data on a national scale.

If your Oregon community is participating in the project, please send us information for interested volunteers so that we can add it to the list below. Email Margaux or call 503-226-0676 x28.

Gresham
Counts conducted at 18 locations on September 14th, 15th, and 16th from 7 to 9 a.m. and 5 to 7 p.m., and September 18th and 19th from 9 to 11 a.m. Download pdf with more information and a map of locations.

Contact Jonathan David, Transportation Planner at the City of Gresham
Phone: 503-618-2321
Email: jonathan.david@greshamoregon.gov

Portland
Counts conducted at various locations during the week of September 13. See website for more information and map of count locations.

Contact: Nick Falbo, Transportation Planning Intern
Phone: 503-823-9284
Email: Nick.Falbo@portlandoregon.gov

So your workplace has been participating in the Bike Commute Challenge for years. You've gotten employee bike parking installed, and maybe even established a bike commuter benefit or incentives for riding to work. What's next? Make a pledge to support the BTA and create better biking well beyond your office doors.

The BTA creates healthy, sustainable communities by making bicycling safe, convenient, and accessible, and we want you to join us, either as an individual or as a business member. This year we invite businesses to pledge support to the BTA based on your goals for the Bike Commute Challenge. How many new riders do you hope to get logging trips this year? How many miles do you think your team can collectively log? If your company's total pledge equals $250 or more, you're entitled to all the benefits of being a BTA Business Member!

Join these two great companies in taking the next step for an even better future for bike commuting!

Ecos helps their clients design and implement methods to reduce energy and water use, manage carbon emissions and improve environmental sustainability. Last year during the Challenge, Ecos hosted lunchtime workshops and rides, posted bike commuter profiles on a wall of pride, and rewarded participants with prizes including paid time off!
The BTA thanks Ecos for their 2010 pledge of $1 per trip their team logs this September!

The work of SERA Architects is located at the intersection of people, place, and planet. During the 2008 Bike Commute Challenge, they launched a smaller (but fierce!) competition within the Challenge between Portland design firms for the Belluschi Cup. Sera Archtects track their bike commutes year round, and recently their team ordered company custom bike jerseys.
The BTA thanks SERA Architects for their pledge of $4 per team member participating in the 2010 Challenge!

Is supporting healthy, active, sustainable transportation part of your company's values? What's the right pledge for you?

The 2009 Ecos Bike Commute Challenge Team

Next Wednesday, September 1, marks the launch of the biggest month for Oregon and SW Washington bike commuters. This year we anticipate that 12,000 individuals from more than 1,200 companies will log trips on the Bike Commute Challenge website and compete on teams with their coworkers.

We hope you can make it to at least one of the following events to celebrate the beginning of the Challenge!

Friday, Aug. 27th, Bike Poster Show and Parking Lot Square Dance!
Land, 3925 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, 6-9 pm.

Join the BTA, Stumptown Printers, and Land for an opening-night party for a show of Stumptown's collection of awesome bike posters by different artists. Take home beautiful, affordable bike art, and square dance in the parking lot with the Greasy Chain String Band!

Friday, Aug. 27th, BTA Meet and Greet
World Cafe/New Deal Bakery, 449 Blair Blvd., Eugene, 6-8:30 pm.

Join BTA programs staff and local bike advocates for an informal social.

Saturday, Aug. 28th, BiketoBeerFest
Hopworks, 2944 SE Powell Blvd, Portland, noon-10 pm.

Join the BTA at Hopworks for their annual party showcasing bikes, bands, and beers.

Wednesday, Sept. 1, Stretching and Self-Massage for Cyclists
First United Methodist Church, 600 St Street, Salem, 6:00-8:00pm

Join Debbie Boe, Massage Therapist and Yoga Instructor, for a cyclist-focused class that will keep you happy for a whole September of bike commuting. Bike Commute Challenge participants can take the $20 class for 1/2 price!
Pre-Registration is Required: Contact Debbie at 503-990-5043 or boemassage@hotmail.com.

Melia Tichenor of the Hands on Greater Portland team with her trusty steed.

From the City of Portland Bureau of Transportation:

Interested in knowing first-hand about issues affecting bicycling in Portland? Want to invest some time working to make Portland a better city for bicycling? Want to be in a position to officially advise City Council and City staff on matters relating to bicycling?

If yes, then consider applying to be a member of Portland’s Bicycle Advisory Committee.

Portland’s Bicycle Advisory Committee has been a standing city committee since the early 1970s. Its purpose is to advise the Mayor, City Council, and all City departments on all matters relating to bicycling for transportation and recreation.

Committee members meet monthly to review and make recommendations on:

• Planning documents affecting bicycling
• Funding priorities for bicycle-related projects
• The activities of other jurisdictions that affect bicycling in Portland

This volunteer committee is made of up 13 members with full standing, and up to seven alternate members. To qualify, applicants must:

• Be an adult resident of the Portland Metropolitan area
• Have an interest in promoting the use of the bicycle for transportation and recreation
• Make a commitment to attend monthly meetings and participate in the work of the committee.

Members are appointed to a 3-year term.

Visit the website to find more information about the BAC and download an application form. You can also request an application and supporting materials from Roger Geller at the below address, or call him at (503) 823-7671.

Applications must be received no later than Friday, September 30, 2010.

Applications should be mailed / faxed/ or emailed to:
Roger Geller
Portland Office of Transportation
1120 SW 5th Avenue, Room 800
Portland, OR 97204
Fax: (503) 823-7576;
Email: Roger.Geller@Portland.Oregon.gov

Attend a free seminar at PSU on attracting the next wave of bicyclists with the right infrastructure with Dr. Glen Koorey, professor at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand. The seminar will be streaming online at http://www.cts.pdx.edu/seminars/

Attracting the Next 10% of Cyclists with the Right Infrastructure
Wed, August 25, 12:00 – 1:00 pm
PSU Urban Center, Room 204
Free

More info:
Although considered a cycling centre in New Zealand, Christchurch still has relatively low cycle use (e.g. ~7% of commuters) but huge potential for utilitarian cycling due to its favourable geography. There is continuing, but relatively small, investment in infrastructure for cyclists, yet evidence seems to suggest little if any growth in cycle numbers. Therefore, on behalf of the NZ Transport Agency, research at the University of Canterbury assessed the barriers to cycle use, with a specific focus on the infrastructure needed to attract the next tier of people who do not cycle regularly for utility trip purposes.

The research surveyed workplaces, recreational cyclists and community groups to identify potential (but not current) regular utility cyclists. Focus groups were held with them to discuss the motivations and barriers for cycling. In addition, a series of plans and pictures of various types of cycling infrastructure (mid-block and intersections) were shown and rated by participants. The findings suggest that potential cyclists in Christchurch will be attracted to regular cycling through a network of infrastructure that provides some level of separation from other users rather than shared space. The most preferred on?street network would be a fully segregated network of cycleways situated between parking and pedestrians, with specific intersection cycle facilities like hook turns and signalised crossings.

Dr Koorey is a senior lecturer in the Dept of Civil & Natural Resources Engineering at the University of Canterbury, where he teaches and does research in a variety of transportation engineering subjects, with a particular focus on sustainable transport and road safety. Prior to joining the University in 2004, he worked for 10 years with Opus International Consultants as a transportation engineer and road safety researcher. This year he is on sabbatical (study leave) and has been undertaking a three-month study tour of Europe and North America, including three weeks in Portland.

The Westside Transportation Alliance (WTA) is hiring a program manager. Read the full job description below and on their website.

Position Opening: Program Manager
The WTA is seeking a program manager to increase the strength and effectiveness of our services and programs. Your creative, professional and skilled talents are needed to implement and enhance an exciting work plan for 2010-2011 and help develop future programs. You will be the WTA representative to the cities of Tigard and Tualatin promoting the benefits of sustainable transportation and the WTA’s ability to implement successful employer programs and services to reduce drive-alone trips. You will be helping the cities of Tigard and Tualatin fulfill their goals of reducing auto trip rates and assisting employers in meeting DEQ’s Employee Commute Options mandate. While your primary focus is on just two cities, you will be asked to share responsibilities that benefit all cities in Washington County. In addition, you will manage the WTA website and monthly e-newsletters.

RESPONSIBILITIES
• Develop a strong relationship with the mayors, city councils and economic development and transportation staff of Tigard and Tualatin
• Research and be acquainted with economic development, community and transportation system plans of Tigard and Tualatin
• Initiate contact and develop long term relationships with employers to promote programs and services that facilitate and encourage their employees to increase their use of transit, carpooling, vanpooling, biking, walking, teleworking, and flexible work arrangements.
• Assist in building WTA membership
• Develop, plan, coordinate and deliver transportation programs, services and events
• Maintain good records of contacts, activities and hours devoted to projects
• Provide reports regarding program activity, performance, and cost
• Participate in designing, writing, and producing marketing and communication materials
• “Walk the walk” by using sustainable transportation and therefore speak knowledgably and enthusiastically about the many transportation options and challenges in Washington County
• Use a bicycle in the course of WTA work (A bicycle makes transit connections more efficient.)

SKILLS AND QUALITIES
• Strong commitment to promoting transportation options
• Understanding of bicycling, walking, transit, parking issues, programs and policies
• Strong writing skills: proposals to business letters to persuasive light-hearted promotions
• Persuasive presentation skills to individuals and large groups
• Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate sustainable transportation programs
• Ability and willingness to handle a wide variety of projects simultaneously, be comfortable with ambiguity, flexible with changing priorities and still have fun!
• Strong, strong (strong) computer skills including experience in web development or competence using Joomla!, the current WTA web tool
• Willingness to dress in a professional manner, appropriate to the situation
• Sense of humor
• Resident of Washington County a plus

EDUCATION
• Degree or training in a related field (e.g. Communications, Transportation Planning, Environmental Studies, Political Science, Journalism)

COMPENSATION
• $37,152 per year, 36 hour week
• Annual transit pass
• 15% retirement starting in January 2011

Please include three different types of writing samples with your response to this posting and any other persuasive materials you may wish to send. Printed materials will not be returned, however.

Mail, fax or email to:
Karen Frost, Executive Director
Westside Transportation Alliance
12725 SW Millikan Way, #300
Beaverton OR 97005
P: 503.906.7961
F: 503.906.7911
karen@wta-tma.orgThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.wta-tma.org
Thank you for your time and consideration of the WTA.

Read about how the BTA is looking ahead to the next 20 years with new executive director Rob Sadowsky in the newest edition of Street Roots, hot off the presses just in time for the weekend. Israel Bayer interviews Sadowsky for a better understanding of what cyclists – and the city – really need. Pick up your copy this weekend.

Street Roots is a nonprofit newspaper that creates income and learning opportunities for people experiencing homelessness and poverty. It's published every two weeks.

Also in this issue:

The unfiltered lens of Mary Ellen Mark: Amanda Waldroupe interviews the iconic photographer who has recorded some of the most unforgettable images of celebrities, oddities, the poor and the pedestrian.

Peace, immigrant movements converge for 'No Soy El Army' tour: A report on efforts by community and Latino organizers to educate people about the realities of war and the efforts of recruiters to trade legal status for military service.

Proposals sought for $1 million for homeless programs: The city's special allocation of $1 million for local services to help provide housing for people on the streets takes a turn away from shelters and moves toward transitional, long-term options.

Plus, SR editorial weighs in on the booze ban, a new storage pilot project for the homeless, reviews and poetry, and commentaries by Art Garcia and Ruth Kovacs. And if you've still got game after all that, hit the challenging crossword and sudoku on the back page!

The city of Gresham wants to know how their new bike wayfinding signs and Gresham Bicycle Guide have improved your biking and walking experience. Please take this short online survey and share your feedback.

Your participation will help the city improve future versions of the signs and bicycle map. It should take no more than 10 minutes.

Take the survey here!

If you have additional questions please contact Sandra Doubleday or call 503-618-2816.

More information about the projects

Whether heading to work or biking for recreation, Gresham's updated bike map helps a bike rider choose the best route to a destination. The back of the map includes rules of the road, safety tips and much more. The bike guide is available on water-resistant paper at Gresham City Hall, local bike shops and the Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce. We also have copies at the BTA office.

The city of Gresham installed the new bike wayfinding signs along major bike routes throughout the city. The signs show bicyclists the direction, mileage and the number of minutes to travel to specific destinations. The time is based on a rider averaging 10 miles per hour. The signs are also meant to increase driver awareness of bicyclists on the road.

To fund the project, the City applied for and received a $50,000 Regional Travel Option grant from Metro, which receives federal funds from a program called “Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality.” The City donated $10,000 in staff time to this project, and the Gresham Regional Center Transportation Management Association donated $3,000 in staff time to help produce the bike map.

Visit the website to learn more.

Dear Eugene-area members, friends, and volunteers:

BTA staffers LeeAnne Fergason and Joel Holly invite you to an informal meet-and-greet on August 27 at the World Cafe/New Deal Bakery in Eugene.

We're taking over their patio from 6:00 – 8:30, so come down for friendly conversation about biking in Eugene and talk to us about whatever it is you'd like to know about the BTA, whether it's Eugene-specific advocacy, our new Executive Director, Bike Safety Education, the Bike Commute Challenge, or our process for drafting the 2011 legislative agenda.

BTA Meet + Greet
Friday, August 27, 6:00 – 8:30 pm
World Cafe/New Deal Bakery
449 Blair Boulevard, Eugene

We look forward to seeing you there!

LeeAnne and Joel
BTA Programs Team

LeeAnne teaching bike safety.

Joel taking students on a community bike ride. (He's standing in the back with a red jacket!)