Obama in Portland: Invest in Bicycle Infrastructure

PORTLAND, OR - To a crowd of 75,000 at Tom McCall Waterfront Park in Portland Oregon, Presidential hopeful Barack Obama called for the nation to get serious about it's energy issues and model Portland's investment in Bicycles and Alternate means of transportation.

Of course this seems an obvious solution to cycling advocates but with all the talk from the candidates there has been little mention of bicycles and specifically investment in bicycle infrastructure.

Here is the full quote:

"If we are going to solve our energy problems we have to think long term. It's time to be serious about investing in alternative energy. It's time to be serious about raising fuel efficiency standards in our cars. It's time for our entire country to learn from what's happening right here in Portland with mass transit and bicycle lanes and funding alternative means of transportation. That's the kind of solution we need for America..." this was greeted by some of the loudest applause of his speech.

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CrankMyChain! Cycle TV endorses Barack Obama for President, Sam Adams for Mayor of Portland and Chris Smith for Commissioner.

Today is the last day for Oregonians to drop off their ballots for the Primary election.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• barack
• obama
• bicycle
• portland

[smtlive]

the solution is here now

smtrail.com

[pdxktv]

@smtlive yes and it's hanging in your garage waiting for the tires to be inflated. (cool video, btw)

[skoalspitter]

The stupid empty suit thinks that everyone lives in the urban areas and lives within walking distance of their employer. He never has, and probably never will, visit the rural areas of the country where it's not uncommon to work 30-40 miles or more from where you live. And before the leftist loons argue, no, most people can't afford to move closer to where they work. Don't vote for the empty suit.

[pdxktv]

I don't understand how improving alternative transportation negatively effects people who drive 40 miles to work. It would likely benefit them even if they didn't use it. But this is the typical divisive politics. By the way, Obama has visted rural American and will in the future.

I'm also wondering how you define a guy who's scholorshipped his way into Columbia and Harvard, and became the President of the Harvard law review an empty suit.

[floundersushi]

The man-child speaks ... and we all stare in amazement.

Now where is my bike helmet?

[pdxktv]

Now, where's yer point?

[MrObama]

Invest in mass transit and bicycle lanes is a great idea.

[djkenny]

that was an amazing day

bikes were on every crevis of the bridge, waterfront barrier

[djkenny]

@VanceHu no one said you "need" to, it is adding equity in a form of healthy active transportation and make it a viable means of getting around where it can be done or modified. No rocket science that this is a good direction to go in. This country has been very narrow minded about transportation alternatives to automobiles and needs to step up. There is also increased populous that cannot sustain the use of the personal auto in every circumstance. We need to plan ahead to avoid gridlock. 

[SuddenCatharsis]

I hope they do make more bicycle lanes, it makes me sick how virtually everyone in the US drives EVERYWHERE.

[daaronad]

Ron Paul supporters do not give in to the lesser of two evils idealism. If it's wrong, it's wrong.

[VanceHu]

I'm sure he got your vote today. He haven't even present his case to America other than telling what people want to hear. What an idiot!!!!