EnviroMom says Woo Hoo! to sewer dollars for the Portland bike plan

Photo via BikePortland.org

Portlanders pay some of the highest sewer rates in the country, $50.75 per month, and it appears that the city council will approve $20 million worth of this sewer money to go to funding the city's ambitious bike plan. The plan calls for 962 miles of bike paths by 2030, fully integrated with a robust public transportation system.

By 2030...Streetcar, light and commuter rail, water taxis and bus transit are all planned and operated with the needs of bicyclists in mind and as high-priority customers who will reach transit stations by bike and partner to reduce reliance on the automobile. (From the Portland Bicycle Plan)

Cool. But a lot of people aren't happy about sewer money going to bike programs. There are other sewer-related projects that will now be on hold due to the diversion of funds (and we have yet to hear what these projects are). However, the $20 million is actually going toward a dual-purpose: projects like creating bioswales and curb extensions to manage stormwater run-off along the bike boulevards also serve to provide safer streets for bikes. So, technically, the money still goes toward sewer projects. I guess I'm not seeing what the fuss is all about.

If the Portland Bicycle Plan is successful (and with a total price tag of $600 million it damn well better be) our city could look radically different in 20 years. Fewer cars on the road means less congestion, better air quality and a dampening of the noxious greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. Unbelievably, there are plenty of folks, even in Portland, who don't believe in any of it. They think bikes are a nuisance and are resentful that the city is willing to spend big bucks on this kind of infrastructure. (Have you ever read the comments on OregonLive? Scary.) Thankfully, they are in the minority.

We applaud our forward-thinking mayor and the city council for pushing the great green agenda and working out the creative financing to kick-start the Portland Bicycle Plan!

(P.S. Mayor Adams: I live along a bike boulevard. I'm expecting great things.)