Thom Schoenborn

With total disregard and apologies to Joe, I think this is a great forum
for discussion this bill.

Here's what I sent, for whatever it's worth.

Thom Schoenborn | editorial director
(m) 971.235.7884 | (tw) thomschoenborn
webtrends | 851 SW 6th Ave, Suite 1600, Portland, OR 97204

>> Join us February 28 ­ March 3 >>

On 1/13/11 2:52 PM, "Thom Schoenborn"
wrote:

>You wrote:
>"I do not believe there is a parent in Oregon who would want to risk the
>safety of their young children if they really believed it was risky to put
>them on a bicycle."
>
>
>Risk is not a binary concept. Everything involves risk. What is the
>greater risk: to so insulate my child from risk that she grows up like
>human veal? Or to teach her how to navigate the adventures of our world
>safely?
>
>So my question is, what is your goal with this bill? You say:
>
>"I introduced HB 2228 to begin what I hope will be a rational discussion
>to assure we were doing
>everything possible to improve the safety of bicycle transportation in
>Oregon."
>
>
>Perhaps, then you'd consider introduce a bill that funded the research
>about kids in bike trailers that you said earlier did not exist. You'd
>introduce a bill to fund an across-the-state plan to provide a free helmet
>to every child under the age of 6. Or to have ODOT or the DMV to research
>and produce a book on transporting your child safely by bicycle?
>
>Because this isn't a rational discussion about improving safety of bicycle
>transportation. You've proposed banning bicycle transportation for people
>with children. Unlike risk, a ban is binary. Either you can ride a bike
>with your child, or you cannot.
>
>Legislating is a difficult job, and it requires creativity and
>imagination. If your goal is a rational discussion about bike safety and
>kids, I would LOVE to help organize those discussions with parent groups,
>PTAs, schools, teachers, daycare providers, public transportation
>advocates, AAA, and/or the cycling community. But I doubt your goal of
>more light and less heat can't be accomplished with a ban hanging over our
>head.
>
>Thanks in advance.
>
>
>
>Thom Schoenborn | editorial director
>(m) 971.235.7884 | (tw) thomschoenborn
>webtrends | 851 SW 6th Ave, Suite 1600, Portland, OR 97204
>
>
>
>
>
>>> Join us February 28 ­ March 3 >>
>
>
>
>
>
>On 1/13/11 2:13 PM, "Rep Greenlick" wrote:
>
>>Mr. Schoenborn,
>>
>>Thank you for writing to express your concerns about HB 2228. Our goal in
>>introducing this legislation was to start a conversation about the safety
>>of children when riding as passengers on bicycles and we welcome and
>>encourage any input from the community that furthers that conversation.
>>Attached is a statement from Rep. Greenlick that will hopefully address
>>some of your concerns.
>>
>>
>>Regards,
>>
>>Justin Freeman, Legislative Assistant
>>State Representative Mitch Greenlick
>>District Office: (503) 297-2416
>>Capitol Office: (503) 986-1433
>>
>>________________________________________
>>From: Thom Schoenborn [thom.schoenborn@webtrends.com]
>>Sent: Thursday, January 13, 2011 1:10 PM
>>To: Rep Greenlick
>>Subject: proposed ban of children 6 and younger from bikes and trailers
>>
>>Hi,
>>
>>Consider my voice added to the many who oppose this bill. Bicycles are
>>not unsafe. Would your logic for banning children from being in a
>>bikeseat or trailer extend to banning children from cars and buses < do
>>not far more children die in car accidents?
>>
>>My wife just had our first child, a girl. As soon as she can hold up her
>>head with a helmet on, I intend to commute with her in a trailer behind
>>my bike. I've looked forward to this kind of adventure for years. I
>>expect it will demonstrate to my daughter the fallacy that a car is
>>necessary in our society. I expect it will imbue in her a love for the
>>outdoors. When her mother pulls her around, it will give my daughter a
>>strong, active female role model.
>>
>>Please reconsider this bill.
>>
>>Thom Schoenborn | editorial director
>>(m) 971.235.7884 | (tw) thomschoenborn
>>webtrends | 851 SW 6th Ave, Suite 1600, Portland, OR 97204
>>
>>
>>[cid:7C4482A8-6821-4506-B0D7-095339E2EFA8]
>>
>>>> Join us February 28 ­ March 3 >>
>