Comments on: Not as bike friendly? Portland declared 2nd most bike friendly city

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 22:40:07 +0000

Yeah keep that going! them tree hugging P town politicians have been patting themselves on the back for nothing

By: Jake

Jake — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 22:00:21 +0000

Right on brother! Couldn’t agree more. I’ve felt that way since I started mountain biking in P-town over 15 years ago. Of course back then you could poach a little Firelane WW and not get knifed by an angry hiker. Anyway, lots of us have tried to help, but against much resistance.

By: Joe R

Joe R — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 04:20:45 +0000

Fight the good fight in Portland for real singletrack! These points all need to be driven home at the planning council meeting for forest park. Initially it was formed to determine how to include mountain biking trails in FP, but has shifted (you can guess why) back to the question should mountain biking trails be included in FP? That’s a step backwards. That shouldn’t be back on the table. HOW to move forward and include singletrack for bikes is the question!

You’ve hit the issue square between the eyes with your post. There’s poor impression of mountain bike users and apparently the decision makers don’t even want to give an inch. This has been a battle that’s been fought off and on for 20 years and needs to continue to be fought.

It matters less to me though because it’s a 30 minute drive to FP anyway from Hillsboro, so I’ll be focused on Tillamook State Forest which is also a 30 minute drive but far fewer people to ruin my me and bike and woods time.

By: jasonvh

jasonvh — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 02:42:09 +0000

Wha? holy cr@p! Jamie, you guys are doing an awesome job.

By: Jamie

Jamie — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 03:58:25 +0000

Jason, I don’t want to depress you, but here in NYC we actually have THREE legal dirt jump parks, and three XC trail systems (one each in Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island). From midtown Manhattan, I can RIDE to the Highbridge trails in about 30 minutes (it’s shorter to ride than to drive, due to traffic). Epic mtb-specific singletrack is accessible via commuter trains out of Grand Central Station and short rides from the train station- there are tons of riding opportunities that don’t require cars. All in a metro area with over 20 million people…

By: jasonvh

jasonvh — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 18:58:07 +0000

Tiny Dolphin shorts! Love it. It’s funny, because it’s true.

By: Rubber'd

Rubber'd — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 17:56:57 +0000

Well put J. You summarized the feelings of the masses there, good job. Now all we have to do is make sure the city at large hears this & sees the numbers that are saying it.

Ride on.

By: Dave Plummer (BigRedBike)

Dave Plummer (BigRedBike) — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 17:49:51 +0000

Awesome read. I couldn’t agree more with your point of view on this topic. The thing that really burns my britches is that all of these people sitting in the political seats are so upset about us riding in their areas where they go to hike, but don’t have the common sense to give us somewhere to legally enjoy our sport. Where is the logic in that? If you want mountain bikers and zoo bombers to stay away from where you go to hike and birdwatch, give us so space where we don’t have to deal with your tiny dolphin shorts and 200 dollar sunglasses. I have no personal beef with people who like hiking and nature walking. Oregon woodlands are wonderful for it, But there has to be some degree of compromise. The elks get land, the hikers get land, the loggers get land. . But for some reason when we want a trivial fraction of land for what could be deemed, “Extreme Sports” it’s unethical, or not in the peoples best interest. Rogue bikers are never going to stop riding the woods. It’s a big part of a riders life. We will never give up. Give riders land so they don’t have to break the law to ride in their own city. Last time I checked mountain bikers pay taxes too. Props to the author of the original article here.

By: WESTSIDE FREERIDE » Portland toppled from its lofty post as #1 bike friendly city

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 00:05:50 +0000

[...] Bicycle Magazine’s ranking of most bike friendly cities has created quite a stir in Portland. Portland has held the top spot in each of the lists since it was first created in 1995, but now looks up at Minneapolis, Minnesota. So what. I really don’t find Portland all that bike friendly, even though every politician in Portland will tell you it is from their stump. If your bike doesn’t have a 700c wheel, you really don’t have a voice in this fair city! Forestland all around us with no legal single track trails, no dirt jumps, no mt bike skills parks…blah. I think Portland just loves the process of talking about being a great bike town, then patting itself on the back when a new patch of roadway gets a green box painted on it. I could go on and on but I really like Jason Van Horn’s rant better so go check it out! [...]

By: Logan

Logan — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 16:44:47 +0000

I couldn’t agree more! Without prominent local mountain biking, no Oregon city should be able to call it’s self “bike friendly.” As an Oregon native my entire life i can say that Portland is the least mountain bike friendly city I have ever lived in. Let’s change it!