Oregon
Basics
Walking and Biking are Hurt by Lack of National Leadership: Report
Biking and walking have leveled off and are becoming more dangerous. The federal government and states aren't doing enough.
February 11, 2019
Oregon May Expand Its Petty Bicycle Tax to Children’s Bikes
A bikes-only tax was always a bad idea. Now it could get worse.
February 28, 2018
Caving to Resentment Politics, Oregon Enacts a Bike Tax
Congrats to Oregon on its preposterous bike tax that accomplishes no discernible transportation goal except dampening demand for new bikes.
July 7, 2017
Oregon’s Pay-Per-Mile Driving Fees: Ready for Prime Time, But Waiting for Approval
Oregon has led the way in developing an alternative to the gas tax, with a pilot program that levies a fee on vehicle miles traveled. While the Oregon Department of Transportation has spent years developing the mileage-based program and is ready to expand it to all vehicles statewide, it's not part of the massive transportation spending package under discussion at the legislature.
June 26, 2017
Oregon’s Transportation Funding Deal Might Make Bikes More Expensive
On Monday, the Oregon state legislature released a plan to raise about $8.1 billion over the next 10 years by increasing gas taxes, registration fees, and payroll taxes to spend on roads, transit, walking, and bicycling. It also includes a new excise tax on bicycle sales.
May 10, 2017
“Independent” Audit of Oregon DOT Looks More Like Agency PR
The audit is an object lesson in how transportation agencies and their consultants can manipulate public communications to serve their self-interest.
February 2, 2017
Advice for State DOTs Looking for More Money: Spend Smarter
The Oregon Department of Transportation is in a tough spot after it tried to justify highway expansion projects by saying they would cut greenhouse gas emissions. ODOT's bogus claims helped sink a $350 million transportation funding package in the state legislature, and even some of the state's Republican lawmakers are calling for agency director Matt Garrett's head. What's a beleaguered state DOT to do?
November 30, 2015
Portland Suburb: To Fight Climate Change, Expand Highways!
Clackamas County, outside of Portland, has some opinions about the region's plan to address climate change. According to Michael Andersen at Bike Portland, county commissioners have drafted a letter to regional planners saying the right way to control carbon emissions is to build more highways.
October 31, 2014
Could the Strava App Provide the Biking and Walking Data Cities Crave?
Strava may be making the leap from feel-good gadget for hard core exercise buffs to serious planning tool for cities looking to improve active transportation.
May 2, 2014
Oregon DOT Asked State Residents to Drive Less, and They Did
In a small but symbolically important step for a state transportation agency, the Oregon DOT held a "Drive Less Challenge" from late October through November 1. Events like this one are held regularly in cities around the country, but it's the first time a statewide department of transportation has hosted one, according to ODOT.
November 14, 2013