September 17/10 8:14 am - Mayor of Portland to Speak at Toronto Board of Trade Event

Posted by Editoress on 09/17/10
 

Mayor of Portland to Speak at Toronto Board of Trade Event: Platinum-Rated Portland One of America’s Most Bicycle Friendly Communities

Active Transportation Advocates Hopeful This Will Help Re-Frame Discussion on Future of Cycling in Toronto

The news that the Mayor of Portland will address the Toronto Board of Trade at a breakfast speech on Tuesday September 21st is music to the ears of city and provincial cycling advocates.

Both the Share the Road Cycling Coalition, (SRCC) an Ontario-based non-profit organization which promotes bicycling as a mode of transportation, recreation and fitness through provincial advocacy and the Toronto Cyclists Union, the voice for cyclists in Toronto are attending the speech and are hopeful that the Mayor of Portland’s story of how that city has evolved to become one of America’s most bicycle friendly communities will serve to inspire candidates running for civic office in Toronto – and Ontario.

“Portland is recognized globally as a livable, bicycle and pedestrian friendly city, where quality of life is a central focus,” said Yvonne Bambrick, Director of Communications & Events at the Toronto Cyclists Union.

“Mayor Adams’ speech to the Board of Trade comes at a critical point in Toronto’s civic election campaign. We’re hoping that his speech will provide an example of how a large North American city can successfully create, encourage and promote a wide variety of transportation choices – walking, bicycling, transit and motor vehicles – in a harmonious transportation mix that benefits all their citizens,” noted Bambrick. “We are also hoping that Mayor Adams’ speech will provide a basis for further re-framing the current discussion of cycling transportation, particularly with regard to how unnecessarily polarized and politicized it has become,” Bambrick added.

“We are honored to have Mayor Adams as a keynote speaker at our Ontario Bike Summit conference in Burlington (September 20th) and pleased that the Toronto Board of Trade agreed that he could contribute to the ongoing civic discussions in Toronto regarding congestion, climate change and livability,” said Eleanor McMahon CEO, Share the Road Cycling Coalition. “With Portland’s track record -- over 500 kilometres of bikeways and one of the highest cycling mode shares in the U.S. (8% of all trips), coupled with a growing social acceptance of cycling – embracing cycling as a mainstream mode of transportation is clearly working for Portland,” McMahon added.

In 2006, Bicycling Magazine named Portland the “Best Cycling City in America” and in 2009, the League of American Bicyclists (the nation’s largest cycling advocacy organization) awarded Portland its highest accolade: the Bicycle Friendly Communities Platinum designation. Portland is sixth on CNN/Money Magazine’s “100 Best Places to Live and Launch” list (and its highest ranking large city) – based on cities with the best mix of business advantages and lifestyle appeal. The population of the Greater Portland Area is 2.1 million (2007 census).

Press release