Questions About the BTA

• Where does the BTA's funding come from?
• What benefits do I get as a BTA member?
• What services and programs does the BTA offer around Oregon and SW Washington?
• Does the BTA have chapters?
• What is the BTA's position on issue X? How is the BTA working on issues I care about?
• What support does the BTA offer for bicycle commuters?
• Can I get someone to table at my transportation fair and/or speak at my school / business / club / neighborhood association?
• Will the BTA provide bike parking for my event?
• Will the BTA run a bike rodeo for my event?
• Does the BTA do political lobbying?
• How can I get involved with the BTA?
• Does the BTA share member names?
• Does the BTA run Critical Mass?
  

Questions about Bicycling in Portland

• Where can I report a street sweeping request or other bike lane maintenance issues?
• Where do I report other types of bike hazards (i.e. dangerous intersections, traffic pinch points, drainage grates, chronic speeding areas, and other hazards requiring more substantial “fixes”?
• Where do I report a car or delivery vehicle parked in the bike lane?
• How do I request a bike rack in front of my business / workplace / dentist’s office / etc.?
• What should I do if I get in an accident/incident with a car, get a ticket on my bike, or if I have other legal questions?
• Is it true I can go to a diversion class for traffic safety and get my ticket waived?
• Do I have to have to pay extra or have a permit to put my bike on the bus or MAX?
• How do I get from point A to point B?
• Where can I find more information about touring in Oregon?

Bicycle equipment and rentals

• Where can I rent a bike? Where can I buy a bike or bike accessories?
• I can't afford to buy a bike. Can I get a free bike?
• Where can I donate a new or used bike?
• Where can I donate a used helmet?
• Where can I get a free NEW bike helmet for my child?

Questions About the BTA

Q: Where does the BTA's funding come from?

A: Simply put, YOU! Our work is supported by the community we serve, and a majority of our funding comes from individual members and small businesses. In addition, we have significant corporate support, as well as government contracts and a few grants. You can see a list of our contributors and a revenue and expense breakdown in our most recent annual report. If you value our work, please join.

Q: What benefits do I get as a BTA member?

A: Membership benefits include discounts at over 50 bike shops around the state, a subscription to our bimonthly Cycletter, and invitations to special events. Beyond that, members enjoy the satisfaction of helping create the kind of bike-friendly communities they value.

Q: What services and programs does the BTA offer around Oregon and in Southwest Washington?

A: The BTA offers many of our promotion activities and award-winning youth education programs around Oregon and Southwest Washington. Depending on where you live, we may already be working with and for you on the following programs:

• Bike Commute Challenge
• Safe Routes to School programs
• Walk and Bike to School Day and Walk and Bike Wednesdays
• Bicycle Safety Education classes

We are able to offer programs in communities where we have strong local partners working with us to identify and solicit funding and in-kind support, build community buy-in, develop a network of volunteers, and communicate with the media.

If you are interested in partnering with us to start one of these programs in your area, please contact us at info@bta4bikes.org

What is the BT'A's position on issue X? How is the BTA working on issues I care about?

Check the Advocacy page for links to recent action alerts, positions papers, and statements. Or check the BTA blog for updates from staff about BTA projects.Upcoming public meetings, open houses, hearings, and other ways to get involved are listed on the advocacy calendar.

If you can't find any information about a particular issue or if you want to bring something to our attention, contact Gerik Kransky at (503) 226-0676 x11 or gkransky@bta4bikes.org.

Q: What support does the BTA offer for bicycle commuters?

A: Our annual Bike Commute Challenge in September inspires thousands of commuters to try biking to work. Or check out our Commute Tips page. Our on line gear shop offers booklets, maps, blinky lights and reflective pant leg straps.

Q: Does the BTA do political lobbying?

A: The BTA does a limited amount of legislative work at the statewide and national level. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, which means we cannot endorse candidates. We can and do endorse legislation and ballot measures. A relatively new organization, Bike. Walk. Vote., aims to represent biking and walking interests in the political arena, but this organization is not related to the BTA.

Q: How can I get involved with the BTA?

A: If you share our vision of healthy, bike-friendly communities, support our work by becoming a member! You can also support better bicycling by volunteering, working on issues in your community, and taking action to support the BTA's legislative work.

Q: Can I get someone to table at my transportation fair and/or speak at my school / business / club / neighborhood association?

A:  We're focusing our work on advocacy, bike safety education in the schools as well as public outreach through our Eye to Eye campaign and other select opportunities. We're not seeking additional tabling opportunities to add to our calendar at this time.

Q: Will the BTA run a bike rodeo for my event?

A: In our experience teaching over 25,000 children bike safety since 1998, we learned that our comprehensive, two-week Bike Safety Education Program offers more lasting benefits to children than a one-time bike rodeo. For that reason, and because of staffing and funding limitations, we don’t typically provide bike rodeos. Occasionally we will put together a rodeo or workshop if it is part of a larger program. We welcome inquiries about launching our youth education programs in your area. To set up a bike rodeo for your event, try contacting your local police bureau, fire department, or hospital.

Will the BTA provide bike parking for my event?

Unfortunately the BTA does not have the staffing resources or equipment to provide bike parking for events, but we can suggest different resources depending on your needs.

Levels of bike parking:

1. Racks. Provide racks to which guests can lock their bikes.

2. Attended. Provide racks and volunteer attendants who orient guests, and keep an eye on things.

3. Valet. Provide racks and volunteers who guard a secure area in which they valet park bicycles and strollers. This requires good checkin/checkout systems, tags, and a secure perimeter. Guests can leave their bags etc. attached to their bikes. This can be free for guests, with donations encouraged (generally when there is a mandatory charge, people will park elsewhere).

Supplies:

Racks.
o Rent orange-and-white a-frame barricades from American Barricade (503-285-6616). These are clunky and only park 2 bikes per barricade.

o Rent metal pedestrian barricades from American Barricade (503-285-6616). These are heavy to move around and hard to fit a bike wheel into.

o Rent portable event bike racks from BikeRacker (http://www.bikeracker.com/contact.html).

• Perimeter fencing.
o Event promoters can normally tack this on to a larger event order. American Barricade (503-285-6616) also rents fencing.

• Valet bike parking tickets.
o The BTA has a ticket template you can examine to help design your own. Contact larson@bta4bikes.org for a copy.

Q: Does the BTA share member names?

A: We don't sell or share member information with commercial entities. Occasionally we will trade mailing lists with similar, trusted organizations or with a bicycling event. This allows us to reach out to like-minded people, and helps us build our membership. If you don’t want to receive traded mailings, please contact Membership Services Coordinator Kristin Bott at (503) 226-0676 x24 and we’ll make sure we don’t trade your name. We never share email addresses.

Q: What does the BTA do for people outside of Portland?

A: See the “Around the State” section of our website.

Q: Does the BTA have chapters?

A: The BTA does not have formal chapters.  We work with local groups around the state, and with groups of our members on specific issues.

Q: Does the BTA run Critical Mass?

A: No. Critical Mass is an entirely separate entity and does not have formal leadership.

Questions About Bicycling in Portland

Q: Where can I report a street sweeping request or other bike lane maintenance issues?

A: (503) 823-1700 is the City of Portland’s 24-hour maintenance emergency line to request glass sweeping, brush trimming, and debris removal. To report potholes call (503) 823-BUMP or click here.

Q: Where do I report other types of bike hazards (i.e. dangerous intersections, traffic pinch points, drainage grates, chronic speeding areas, and other hazards requiring more substantial “fixes”?

A: The City of Portland’s neighborhood traffic safety line (503) 823-SAFE, collects information and data to guide the city’s traffic safety investments. You can also request bike route improvements from the city online here.

Q: Where do I report a car or delivery vehicle parked in the bike lane?

A: Call the City of Portland’s parking enforcement line at (503) 823-5195.

Q: How do I request a bike rack in front of my business / workplace / dentist’s office / etc.?

A: The City of Portland has a program to install free sidewalk bike racks on request. For more information, see PDOT’s bike parking web page or contact Goodie Free at (503) 823-6841. On private property, you will need to contact the property owner and/or building manager and let them know that you are a customer but you can’t find safe, convenient bicycle parking. For a sample bike parking letter, check out our Instant Advocate page -- also check out our bike parking page.

Q: What should I do if I get in an accident/incident with a car, get a ticket on my bike, or if I have other legal questions?

A: To find out more about your legal rights and responsibilities, you can attend one of the BTA’s free legal clinics, hosted by longtime BTA member and bike legal expert Ray Thomas. Ray has also written Pedal Power, a definitive legal guide for cyclists: view PDF or purchase one at the BTA office. If you are considering pursuing legal action, check our legal resources page.

Q: Is it true I can go to a diversion class for traffic safety and get my ticket waived?

A: The Share the Roads Safety Class is a pioineering effort by Multnomah County Circuit Traffic Court to reward attendees of their $30 traffic safety class with dismissal or discharge of tickets for certain moving violations, including failure to required bicycle lighting and failure to obey a traffic control device.

Q: Do I have to have to pay extra or have a permit to put my bike on the bus or MAX?

A: No, nothing except a valid standard fare is needed to put your bike on the bus or MAX. View the photo explanation from TriMet of putting your bike on the MAX, streetcar or the bus. Watch TriMet's video clip for cyclists using the MAX here.

Q: How do I get from point A to point B?

A: There are many resources available for free online to help you plan a bike trip, including downloadable bike maps and trip-planning software. Our Maps page contains information and links to these resources. Check with your local transportation department to make sure you have the most up-to-date map or to ask about ordering hard copies.

Q: Where can I find more information about touring in Oregon?

A: Visit the City of Portland's website, the Oregon Department of Transportation's bike touring web site, or visit TravelOregon, state's online home for the Department of Tourism, the Oregon Parks Department, or Cycle Oregon.

Bicycle equipment and rentals

Q: Where can I rent a bike? Where can I buy a bike or bike accessories?

A: A list of bike rental shops can be found online here and a list of Portland bike shops can be found online here.

Q: I can’t afford to buy a bike. Can I get a free bike?

A: The Community Cycling Center partners with local workforce development agencies to provide bikes to low-income adults and families. If you are enrolled in such a program, you may be able to participate in the CCC's Create-A-Commuter program through the partner agency.

Craigslist, bike shops and co-ops, garage sales, and thrift stores are good places to look for a fix-me-up bike. If you have a bike in need of repair, the Bike Farm (305 NE Wygant St, Portland) offers work-trades for those who are unable to pay for labor and parts.

Q: Where can I donate a new or used bike?

A: Community Cycling Center (503) 288-8864 or North Portland Bike Works (503) 287-1098.

Q: Where can I donate a used helmet?

A: Not all damage to helmets is visible and only the owner can know what a helmet has been through and whether or not it is still up to doing its job, so to speak. In light of this, very few safety-conscious organizations accept used helmets. Take a close look at your helmets and do not hesitate to dispose of them if they are over 5 years old or seem at all damaged.

If they're still new and in great shape, think about giving them to someone who knows you. That way, the friend can be confident in their integrity because they have your word that they've not been invisibly damaged.

Q: Where can I get a free NEW bike helmet for my child?

A:Trauma Nurses Talk Tough offers resentations on injury prevention for school groups (statewide service) and occasionally, a source of free or inexpensive helmets. Contact Joanne Fairchild: (503) 413-4239 or via email.

Oregon Safe Kids: child injury prevention; may have free or inexpensive helmets or information on how to obtain them. Contact Adrienne Greene at (503) 731-4241 or via email.

Helmets R Us: a good source for purchasing certified helmets at low-cost; better for group purchases than single helmets.

Gear Up Sports:  Source for purchasing certified helmets at low-cost; 10 helmet order minimum; no on-line ordering. Contact them via phone at (206) 764-8784.