Advocates for bicycling and pedestrian safety and community connectivity realize that good things take time. That’s why patience and persistence are key qualities for anyone who is inspired to be part of the human powered transportation and recreation movement.
Joy Ride
In her new book, Mia Burke, the City of Portland, Oregon’s first Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinator (imagine a paid position focusing on advancing bicycle and pedestrian initiatives!), outlines what it takes to accomplish great things in moving active transportation and recreation projects forward, despite challenging odds like lack of funding and a culture of car-centric transportation planning.
Joyride: Pedaling Toward a Healthier Planet tells the dramatic and enlightening behind-the-scenes story of how a group of determined visionaries transformed Portland, OR into a cycling mecca and inspired the nation. Through a panoply of hilarious and poignant stories, author Mia Birk takes readers on a 20-year rollercoaster journey of global and local discovery and education, while bringing into sharp focus some of the planet’s most pressing and hotly debated energy and transportation issues, policies, shortcomings, and solutions.
Bicycle Commuting Heaven
Ask your library or local bookstore to stock a copy of Joyride and take it for a spin. It will help you understand the big picture visionary thinking that’s necessary to implement bicycle & pedestrian improvements, one small project at a time.
The Mascoma River Greenway 