T. Kenji Sugahara
Folks-
I wanted to let you all know that I just returned from a successful
trip out to the National Bike Summit in Washington, DC. I'd like to
extend a big thank you to Travel Oregon for helping make it happen. I
also want to recognize IMBA and BTA for their excellent work. I would
be amiss if I didn't mention Kristin Dahl- Travel Oregon, Jerry
Norquist- Cycle Oregon and Rob Sadowsky- BTA for their tremendous
contributions.
The message we brought to Washington, D.C. is that cycling is an
economic driver. We create jobs and economic activity. And we were
loud and clear.
Our contingent from Oregon was amazing and included a lot of mountain
biking folks. Michelle Emmons from Oak Ridge, Mike Ripley from
Mudslinger Events, Paul Thomasberg from COTA, Tom Archer from NWTA,
Woody Starr from COTA and Chris DiStefano from Rapha. Combined with
myself and Kristin Dahl from Travel Oregon- we represented mountain
biking well.
In our meeting with Rep. Walden, we had an opportunity to talk about
how much mountain biking has a positive economic impact, especially on
rural areas. I had the opportunity to talk about the success of Echo
Red to Red. We also had an opportunity to talk about some of the
racing successes (both road and mtb) in Bend. In our meeting with
Wyden, Paul, Tom, Michelle and Woody had a productive conversation
about trail access and about permitting. These types of conversations
have a direct impact on national policies that impact cycling.
I also had a chance to talk with Tim Johnson at length about how to
bring racing and advocacy together and how Oregon has been successful
at bridging the gap. We're going to continue this conversation and
hopefully get folks like Ryan and Barry out to next year's summit. I
hope to be a presenter at next year's summit to talk about what we've
done right here.
I can't emphasize enough how important cycling advocacy is to our
continued growth and success. Here's what it boils down to:
The safer the road are the more riders there will be. The more riders
there are, the more racers there will be. You grow the entire pie,
ours will grow too.
We are lucky to have such an amazing cycling community out here- from
advocates, to racers, to commuters, to recreation to industry- we're
all in it together. When it comes right down to it- my main message
is- get involved. It makes a difference.
Visit Bikeportland.org to see some coverage. Also check out this article:
http://bikeportland.org/2012/03/23/after-day-of-lobbying-blumenauer-notes-growing-strength-of-the-movement-69339
--
Kenji Sugahara
Executive Director
Oregon Bicycle Racing Association
Phone: