Today I had to leave early from Roll On Columbia! a ride for regional leaders. After riding out to the airport on some miserable high-traffic roads in bad need of sweeping, I joined the organizers from Cycle Oregon and regional leaders across the Portland-Vancouver region as we embarked on a 40-mile two-state tour of the good, the bad, and the ugly.
It was thrilling to see such a high-powered group of folks, from Washington Congressman Brian Baird, to various congressional staff members, to Metro President David Bragdon and Councilor Rex Burkholder, to Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard and Clark County Commissioner Steve Stuart. The list of impressive folks goes on, but I won’t.
There are few things more effective at encouraging support of cycling than getting elected officials on their bikes to see conditions on the ground. Cycle Oregon staff, and co-ride-organizers Jonathan Nicholas and Mike Houck, should be commended for setting up this ride, with the support of many many other folks. I cut out early to come to the office to fundraise, but on my way back I ran into some lost cyclists on Hayden Island trying to get to Kelley Point Park. Luckily, I was able to escort them through the maze of trails and set them in the right direction. A reminder that fixing the I-5 Crossing deserves its place in our Blueprint for Better Bicycling.
Photo of Rex Burkholder on I-5 Bridge courtesy BikePortland.org.
too want to thank you all once more for the role you all played to make Friday’s Roll on, Columbia bike and trail ride a big success. Vancouver-Clark County had a chance to show off our trails and bikeways to both our own leadership people from business and government as well as to our Oregon counterparts. Jerry Norquest, Jonathan Nicholas and Mike Houck, were just great to work with.
The information booth was great and effective ….Thank you Cara I too want to thank you all once more for the role you all played to make Friday’s Roll on, Columbia bike and trail ride a big success. Vancouver-Clark County had a chance to show off our trails and bikeways to both our own leadership people from business and government as well as to our Oregon counterparts. Jerry Norquest, Jonathan Nicholas and Mike Houck, were just great to work with.
The information booth was great and effective ….Thank you Cara and Jennifer. The cycling gear was a huge hit with these folks. Since most of the group members were experienced cyclists, they could really appreciate the PearliZumi jerseys, gloves and socks. As well, the white linen lunch on the bricks at ESP was a wonderful statment ….. Thanks again Brad and Hilton staff . Vic Ehrich did a great job at the Burnt Bridge Creek stop !!!! The reception at PDX was a great way to end a good day.
Thank you all for riding……….. Kelly
What a wonderful experience, I felt the “Roll on Columbia” ride gave me a much deeper understanding of the value of an integrated bike path system in our transportation planning. Issues of traffic congestion, air pollution, obesity, mental health and a variety of other societal ills can be mitigated by making the choice to ride your bike an easy one.
Bob Dingethal
SW Washington director
US Senator Maria Cantwell
As a mostly “westside” cyclist, I appreciated learning about all the wonderful north Portland and Vancouver bicycle paths. And with a boss who’s the Commissioner in charge of Portland’s Transportation Bureau I know first hand his commitment to making our transportation more friendly for cyclists. Just last week, he championed a Council resolution to grow the bicycle-related incustry in Portland. Ride on!
Maria Thi Mai
Senior Policy Director
Portland Commissioner Sam Adams
The NW Washington Coast, north of Grays Harbor in Grays Harbor County (north of Ocean Shores) is a beautiful stretch of highway. There is a great new development called Seabrook just south of my favorite funky beach town, Pacific Beach. On my last visit, I heard a lot of locals expressing hopes that they can attract grants and funding to do some sidewalk improvements and bicycle paths along Highway 109. I think that is a grand idea! I hope policy makers and the highway department are open minded about promoting bikes on such a scenic roadway.