8/11/08 - Alta has official announced a plan to update the 2006
Growth in Bicycle-Related Businesses report prepared for the City of Portland, Oregon. Alta
Principal Mia Birk believes that the update will show a substantial growth in the bicycle-related economy in Portland. "I’m guessing at least 20%," she says, "maybe even 25%. Our exponential growth in ridership over the last two years is creating larger markets for bicycle products and services. I can’t wait to announce the results." For more about the study and Alta's previous findings, visit the
project page. Bikeportland.org also
ran this story about the announcement.
Alta is currently seeking information from Portland bike business through
this survey.
8/11/08 - Last week Alta
Planner Rory Renfro led a discussion with Joseph, Oregon residents to solicit input on their developing pedestrian and bicycle master plan. "We want to hear from you," stated Renfro, "You live and work here every day, so give us your ideas." The Wallowa County Observer ran
this story on the meeting and project currently underway. Community input and feedback is an important part of the development process and one that continues throughout the project's lifecycle. The plan wont come up for review until March 2009 and it's possible the city could adopt the new master plan by June of that year.
8/11/08 - Last week the Safe Routes to School National Partnership
announced that Portland, Oregon will host the second annual Safe Routes to School National Conference. "Portland has been praised for encouraging its children and adults to walk and bicycle as viable transportation alternatives," said Lauren Marchetti, Director of the National Center for Safe Routes to School, "Their proposal to host the conference included creative partnerships and an emphasis on scholarships that will increase attendance and set the stage for another successful SRTS conference." Alta has served as the Portland SR2S contract manager within the team of technical service providers who have made the program a success (including the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, ACTS Oregon, Community Cycling Center) as well as writing grants, coposing year end reports, and assisting with evaluation efforts to meet federal requirements. Visit our
Safe Routes to Schools project page for more information. For more on the conference announcement see the
press release and
bikeportland.org article.
8/4/08 - Alta
Principal Jeff Olson and
Senior Associate Charlie Denney, both part of our East Coast office, were recently interviewed by Planning Commissioners Journal for their article on
Greenway Trails. The article discusses a shift in trail use from purely recreational use to everyday transportation as well as steps for creating greenway trails. You can view the article and download the full PCJ Summer Newsletter on
this page.