Kidical Mass Salem 2.0 to Kick-off and Ride Again

Here's some great news! Kidical Mass is starting up again in Salem. The project has been on hiatus since Kat Franken wrapped things up in the fall of 2010 after a terrific first run.

One of the parents, Curt Fisher, has started a new blog and is organizing new rides.

Add this to your blog feed and get ready for some spring and summer riding fun!

Legislative Update - Week 1

Golly, the golden bike dude bowling trophy seems like an unwarranted triumph this week.

Nevertheless, the Legislature starts up this week on a brand new adventure - sessions in the even numbered years.

As for pre-session filings, or other new bills, there are only two that even have the word "bicycle" in them, and these are but incidental references, not relevant to active transportation interests.

Scaring up other relevant bills will be hit-and-miss for the moment, and I'll piggyback on other coverage by legislative specialists.

Still, a few odds and ends have turned up.

House Bill 4148 would impose a fee on studded tires.

House Bill 4043 would permit the "Department of Transportation to reinstate person’s suspended driving privileges or right to apply for privileges, or any identification card or right to apply for card, under certain circumstances." There's got to be a story here, but I don't know what problem this is trying to solve.

The session will be short and the main thing will be looking at the budget. So stay tuned, I think is the answer.

Run for City Council - Two, Maybe Three Openings

With the news yesterday the Bob Cannon will likely resign from City Council, there are two confirmed openings and the possibility of a third. If you live in one of these districts, consider running! Salem needs transportation-minded Councilors to help steer the City, a big and unwieldy ship, from Eisenhower-era 1950s America into the 21st Century!

South Salem

Cannon's ward is in South Salem.

Salem City Councilor Bob Cannon said he probably will resign before his term ends at the end of the year.

Cannon has represented Ward 7 in South Salem since appointed by the council in 2008.

Since November, however, Cannon has spent much of his time out of town in order to look after investments in Southern California and has attended council meetings via telephone.

"I will not be seeking reelection," Cannon said in a phone interview Thursday. "In all likelihood I will resign at or before the primary."....

Former Chair of OTC Gail Achterman has Died

Former Salemite and advocate for non-motorized transportation Gail Achterman died today.

From the Oregonian:

Gail Achterman, a Portland lawyer and lifelong Oregonian whose record of public service spanned nearly 40 years in natural resources, environmental law and transportation policy, died Saturday of pancreatic cancer at age 62....

She had recently retired as director of the Institute for Natural Resources at Oregon State University and as chair of the Oregon Transportation Commission, having served for 10 years on the commission....

Achterman was born in Portland Aug. 1, 1949, grew up in Salem and attended Stanford University, where she received a degree in economics and was a three-sport athlete in basketball, track and swimming. She went on to obtain her law degree and master's in natural resource policy and management from the University of Michigan.

This is a real loss for all of Oregon and a sad weekend for the Oregon Department of Transportation and fans of non-motorized transportation. Heartfelt condolences to friends and family.

Achterman is not the only person with close ties to ODOT to pass away this weekend. David Apperson also worked for ODOT, and participated in the Bike Commute Challenge, but I have not been able to confirm this.

Sunday Morning updated. Revised Oregoninian obituary here. Achterman graduated from South Salem High School. Rembrance also at Bikeportland.

Image from BikePortland's note about her resignation from the OTC. Mia Birk left, Achterman on the right.

On his Recumbent David Apperson Killed in Crash with Pickup

Apparently riding his bike on the way to his daughter's wedding, ODOT employee David Apperson was struck on Hopewell Road by a person driving a pickup and died.

The SJ and Oregonian are both reporting a fatal crash this morning involving a person on bike. From the Statesman:

A Salem man died today from injuries he sustained after his bike was hit by a pickup.

Polk County Sheriff’s Sgt. Mark Garton said the incident occurred about 10:50 a.m. on Hopewell Road near Spring Valley Lane, about 10 miles northwest of Salem.

A Dodge Ram pickup was west on Hopewell Road when it hit the bike from behind. The impact threw David Apperson, 57, of Salem from his bike, Garton said.

Apperson was killed, Garton said. The driver of the pickup, John Taylor, 26, of Salem, cooperated with the investigation, Garton said.

Hopewell Road was closed for about four hours in the investigation. No criminal charges have been filed, Garton said.

Bike-Partisan Thinking on City Budgets, Land Use, and Transportation

With the City's budget meetings and conversations starting next week, here's some interesting reading for Salem citizens and staff.

But first a reminder!

The City is holding meetings to talk about the budget:

To insure financial stability during the five-year forecast period, the City of Salem will need to reduce $10.5 million over the next three budget years, including $1 million from the current budget. Attendees will receive a presentation on the forecast and have the opportunity to provide input regarding budget priorities.
Times and places of the meetings are as follows:

• Monday, January 30, 6-8 p.m., West Salem Roth’s
• Thursday, February 2, 6-8 p.m., South Salem High School library
• Monday, February 6, 6-8 p.m., Salem Coalition for Equality, 3850 Portland Road NE (Spanish speaking event)
• Wednesday, February 8, 6-8 p.m., Center 50+, 2615 Portland Road NE

In reading and rereading Jane Jacob's Death and Life of Great American Cities, I am repeatedly struck by a strand of deep, considered, and rather complicated conservatism in her writing. It is fertile and provocative, quite the opposite of the sound-bite excesses on both the Left and the Right.

Curt pointed out this group of conservative Midwestern fans of small towns who started a non-profit substantially rooted in, as I see it, a reading of Jacobs that draws on this conservative strand in her thought. Extending a refusal of the over-simple, their analysis also evades easy cliches from the Left and Right: The Strong Towns material is thoughtful and fascinating stuff!

In the logo and image you can see some nostalgia for main street Americana here, but the mission is a hard accounting of budgets and spending:

Our expectation of plenty, and our expectation to pay only a portion of the full cost of growth, has led to a scarcity of resources. Our approach to land use now constrains us, growing our financial commitments at an alarming rate. It threatens real American prosperity with long-term economic stagnation and decline.

We can do better.

Second Annual Walk and Bike to School Retreat set for Bend

The Second Annual Walk+Bike to School Retreat is set. Whether you're a parent, an educator, or advocate, if you're interested in building out Safe Routes to School programming for your child, your school, or your neighborhood school, here's a terrific resource. From the Portland BTA blog:

Come join us for the Second Annual Oregon Walk+Bike to School Retreat in Bend, Oregon June 21-23 as Oregonians interested in Walk + Bike to School and Safe Routes issues come together for an event that will give you an opportunity to access training*, learn best practices, network with others working on these issues, and work with us to create a strong state network.

Please register by March 30th for the low price of $10/day (plus a $2 processing fee). Registration is limited to 100 participants due to space, so please register early to ensure your participation. Click HERE to register.

For complete information, see the BTA blog.