A new direction? Ha! That's a U-turn back to a vision of 1950s America. 
This is pretty great! Can't wait to see more of the different ways Go Downtown and downtown merchants work to make downtown more bike-friendly!
The Buena Vista Ferry grand opening and ribbon cutting is today - though it had a soft open last month - but news that on August 5th people on bike will start paying a $1.00 toll was a downer.Changes at the ferry landings in Marion County(Image: Wheatland Ferry, Wikipedia)
Some of you may know this but we need to continue to get the information out to our members and all cyclists. The big news is the completion of the Buena Vista Ferry. It became operational again on or around June 24. The official ribbon cutting will be on July 6th at 3 pm. at the launch site near the intersection of Buena Vista and Talbot Roads. The public is invited.
In addition to the new ferry, rates for using both ferries in Marion County will increase. The vote was taken on Wednesday, June 22nd. The impact to cyclists is obvious. Where we used to cross for no fee we will now pay $1 per crossing. Clearly there was some communication problems getting that information out to the club and to cyclists in general in advance of the vote. As a result the county was willing to extend by 30 days when cyclists will begin to pay. Basically that means that beginning on August 6th (not July 6th) cyclists will be charged $1 per crossing. Motorcycles, cars, and trucks will also have an increase. And no, pedestrians still will not pay. (And yes, the question has been raised if you carry your bike on board are you a pedestrian or cyclist?) For now our goal is to get the information out to cyclists (members and non members) that the fees have increased.
Forecasted numbers and/or possible revenue from the cyclist fee increase: According to Marion County “Recent usage shows 4,000 riders per year at the Wheatland Ferry and 376 per month (or 4,515 per year) at Buena Vista. The new Buena Vista ferry will have extended hours - with service 7 days a week, 7 am to 7 pm. This is expected to increase usage overall by as much as 480%.”
Here is the economic logic behind increased efforts to promote bicycle use:Lots of good links and information in the piece.Cars enjoy huge direct subsidies in the form of road construction and public parking spaces, as well as indirect subsidies to the oil industry that provides their fuel. These subsidies far exceed the tax revenue generated by car use (as this excellent discussion of the technical issues at stake in these calculations makes clear.)
Yet cars impose major social costs: their use contributes to global warming, traffic congestion, accident fatalities and sedentary lifestyles.
Bicycle use is good for both people and the planet. In a country afflicted by obesity and inactivity, people who get moving become healthier. Riding a bike to work or to do errands is far cheaper than joining a gym. Cutting back on gas consumption improves air quality, reduces dependence on imported oil and saves money.
Callahan took up cycling for the obvious benefits: exercise, avoiding traffic jams, spending less money on gas. Ohotto says he began using his bike for home visits more or less out of necessity. He wanted to commute by bike, which left him without a car at work....And More on Downtown Parking
Bicycling also improves the caregiver's state of mind. Callahan says riding to a client's home gives him a few invigorating minutes to breathe fresh air, get the blood circulating and clear his head. It helps lighten up interactions with clients. "I'm feeling refreshed, energized, and ready to roll," he says.
The City just posted the downtown parking tax booklet (32pp pdf). If you want to understand more about the economics of "free" parking in Salem, this is essential reading.
Go by bike! Save money, save gas, and work towards energy independence.
It can be done.
That's Debra and Stephen from Cascade Baking Company, who will provide the shortcake. Be sure to pick up a loaf of bread, too!
Don't forget coffee at the Governor's Cup Coffee Roasters.
And look for the new pavillion at LifeSource Natural Foods soon.
Dr. Kelly Clifton at Portland State University is currently working on a study that looks at if/how cycling customers and cycling infrastructure affect the business bottom line: http://www.pdx.edu/omc/tripgen
Meisel, Drew (2010). Bike Corrals: Local Business Impacts, Benefits and Attitudes. Portland State University School of Urban and Regional Planning. (PDF)
Cortright, Joe. For CEOs for Cities. (2009). Walking the Walk: How Walkability Raises Home Values in U.S. Cities (PDF).
The Clean Air Partnership. (2009). Bike Lanes, On-Street Parking and Business: A Study of Bloor Street in Toronto’s Annex Neighborhood (PDF)
Mariah VanZerr (2009). Resident Perceptions of Bicycle Boulevards: A Portland, Oregon Case Study (web)
Duygu Karadeniz (2008). The Impact of the Little Miami Scenic Trail on Single Family Residential Property Values (web)
David P. Racca and Amardeep Dhanju (2006). Property Value/Desirability Effects of Bike Paths Adjacent to Residential Areas (PDF)
Campbell, Richard and Wittgens, Margaret. (2004). The Business Case for Active Transportation: The Economic Benefits of Walking and Cycling. (PDF)
Flusche, Darren (2009). The Economic Benefits of Bicycle Infrastructure Investments. The League of American Bicyclists (PDF)
Alta Planning + Design (2008). The Value of the Bicycle Related Industry in Portland. (PDF)
Alta Planning + Design (2006). Bicycle Related Industry Growth in Portland. (PDF)
Dill, Neal, Shandas, Luhr, Adkins, and Lund (2010). Demonstrating the Benefits of Green Streets for Active Aging: Final Report to the EPA. Center for Transportation Studies Institute on Aging. Portland State University (PDF)
Though they haven't broken ground yet, plans remain conceptual still, and the prospect of tariffs and deportations with anti-immigrant s...
