This article is the tenth in a series profiling the varied and amazing nominees for the 2009 Alice B. Toeclips Awards, which will be presented to five winners at the Alice Awards & Auction on March 7th. We won’t be able to profile everyone, so read the nominees’ descriptions online. This profile was written by BTA correspondent Stephanie Chase.
Long-time Portland bike advocate and attorney Mark Ginsberg has played a visible role in expanding and defending cycling as a means of sustainable transportation. Deeply involved in Portland’s bike community, Ginsberg’s nominator praises the unique position he occupies in the city, “being involved with a diverse variety of its sub-sets, from powerful regional decision-makers to everyday bicyclists” who may find themselves stuck in the grey area between police enforcement and their reading of the law.
Ginsberg with bike builder Ira Ryan at the 2007 Alice Awards & Auction. Photo by BikePortland.org
Ginsberg’s ability to act as a liaison between government policy-makers, advocacy organizations and the individual in the bike lane have demonstrated his passion and expertise to ensure all voices of the Portland community are heard.
Over the years Ginsberg has donated his time to act as a bicycle advocate at transportation meetings to ensure balance among decision-making, and to take on pro-bono cases for cyclists when needed. When emotions fly over altercations or issues on the streets, Ginsberg has often provided a cool-headed opinion and legal grounding, causing incidents to be handled fairly.
Looking over his work in Portland, Ginsberg highlights how bikes have built relationships between individuals, groups and neighborhoods that might not otherwise connect. Sharing a common goal of finding the most efficient means of getting around has brought together communities and groups, and changed the way that many people view the roadways.
Using bicycles as a means of transportation doesn’t have to be a political statement or a tool used by those with a certain ideological leaning; instead Ginsberg advocates for people being “able to hop on their bikes together and feel safe… feel like biking is the easiest, most pleasant way for them to get around.”
In 2009, Ginsberg hopes to see more progress made in giving cyclists priority on the roadways. Moving beyond bike boulevards, he would like to see bike-only traffic lights, bike-first traffic lights and bike-only roads. While Ginsberg recently stepped down as the chair of the Portland Bicycle Advisory Committee, he will continue to be involved in the committee’s work and advocating for Portland cyclists.
Mark is the Susan Lucci of Alice awards. I hope he wins it…