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Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Bikes Saltzman: Maybe Put Sunday Parkways on "Hiatus"

Posted by Denis C. Theriault on Wed, Jan 11, 2012 at 11:59 AM

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Maybe you've heard. Portland's transportation bureau is facing a $16 million budget sinkhole—and maybe can't pay for things like street and sidewalk repairs. Seizing on that lousy news, Commissioner Dan Saltzman this morning questioned whether one of Mayor Sam Adams' pet bike programs ought to be temporarily shelved: Sunday Parkways.

The debate came during a tentative contract vote for the company Portland will use to line up volunteers for the popular, (mostly) citywide event. Saltzman, balking at spending any city money to help pay for it, used the word "hiatus."

The city, facing an overall budget crisis, is already cutting its contributions to the program by two-thirds, officials said, hoping private donors will make up the difference and maybe even allow the event to expand to the Southwest hills for the first time. If donations can't make up the difference, the city would then consider cutting a few neighborhoods out of the event. The program is seen as a key way of spreading the bike/pedestrian gospel—and word about safety—to families and communities who may not have considered it.

At first that wasn't good enough for Saltzman, who said money ought to be spent not on enticements but on actual safety-improving infrastructure.

"I'm not prepared to commit that this is the highest and best use of transportation dollars," he said. "It might warrant a hiatus in the next fiscal year."

Saltzman voted for the contract (it was approved unanimously) only after receiving assurances that he could still kill funding for Sunday Parkways funding during the city's budget vote this spring. He also heard from bicycling advocates.

Carl Larson, a bicycle educator with Bicycle Transportation Alliance, told the council that "it's no coincidence that Sunday Parkways is a core mission of the bureau of transportation and the Bicycle Transportation Alliance. Our goal is to see that the streets are as safe and as accessible for walking and biking as possible."

Saltzman politely disagreed that Sunday Parkways was part of the city's "core mission," calling it a "fun event," but not as effective as paving streets or fixing dangerous intersections. But he also softened his tone.

"I may have spoke too strongly on hiatus," he said. "It may need to be scaled back to fewer events."

Adams, the city's transportation commissioner, dialing into the meeting via telephone, then accused Saltzman of making a "false choice." He said getting people on bikes and out into their neighborhoods—to the point where they "demand and suggest safety improvements and other improvements to their neighborhoods"—is one of the "lasting benefits of Sunday Parkways."

Of course, if the city can't line up enough help from outside groups, Saltzman may get his wish anyway.

 

Comments (9) RSS

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1
What does Sunday Parkways even cost?
Posted by theterminizer on January 11, 2012 at 12:20 PM · Report
2
I love Sunday Parkways and have participated in the North Portland leg the past two years, but I don't know how much it really does to promote anything, let alone safety. If anything, closing the streets down, and thus, creating a consequence-free riding experience might give people the impression that biking in their neighborhood is safer than it actually is.

Either way, it seems like cutting back, rather than gutting the whole thing, would make the most sense.
Posted by Chuck Garabedian on January 11, 2012 at 12:43 PM · Report
3
When you can't pay for important things, don't pay for unimportant things.

"Carl Larson, a bicycle educator with Bicycle Transportation Alliance..."

"Bicycle educator." Ha ha. Are you sure it wasn't Fred Armisen playing a role?
Posted by Blabby on January 11, 2012 at 12:59 PM · Report
4
I love Sunday Parkways and have participated in at least one each year. I also use my bike for everyday transportation a lot. With that said, Sunday Parkways is an awesome, big party. I really wonder how many people ride in Sunday Parkways to never ride again. I hate to say it but in tough budget times it is hard to support throwing parties when we can maintain safe streets and sidewalks which promote a lot of fitness.

It would be great if more private businesses who benefit from the potential revenue streams would step up. Kaiser does. Keen, Nike, Adidas, REI, Trek, etc could step up and pay for a larger portion of this event.
Posted by pdxmom on January 11, 2012 at 1:57 PM · Report
5
At least Saltzman is showing common sense in these tough fiscal times.
Posted by frankieb on January 11, 2012 at 2:26 PM · Report
6
I think much of the cost of the event is in the overtime paid to police officers. For whatever reason, this isn't treated as part of the police bureau's normal duties.
Posted by Michael, Portland Afoot on January 11, 2012 at 4:40 PM · Report
7
I vote that Sunday Parkways become more like Critical Mass. Who needs funding? We just need people!
Posted by maricona on January 11, 2012 at 9:55 PM · Report
8
Safety awareness gives more safety bang-for-the-buck than physical infrastructure. Several of the cyclists who were hit and killed in the last 5 years were riding 100% legally in bike lanes. I know for certain that some families have become more bike-and-foot transportation oriented after experiencing Sunday Parkways.
Posted by organic.brian on January 11, 2012 at 10:07 PM · Report
9
Blabby, from what I understand, Carl goes to schools and teaches kids about safe cycling. Thus, "bicycle educator."
Posted by yep on January 12, 2012 at 2:53 AM · Report

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