Infrastructure and support for non-motorised transport is of course above average in Portland. There seems to be no disagreement about that. In fact, the strategic investment to support biking and pedestrian activity along with vocal campaigns to encourage these modes have been crucial in transforming the region's transportation scenario from entirely auto-based to a good mix of cars, bikes, public transit and pedestrians.
However, it would be unfair while comapring Portland to, say Vancouer in Canada (where similar investments to encourage biking have been made), to not account for an external factor that works well in the advanatge of bikers and pedestrians in Portland - the Climate
Quoting the Portland Metropolitan Region Fact Book
All things held constant, I think weather is the single-largest party spolier. This is evident right here in Portland, with statistics suggesting that bike trips fall significantly in the harshest winter months as well as during heavy rainfall. Forget the stats, I myself am not willing to take the bike out when there's even an indication of rainfall.
My intent of pointing this out is not to undermine the region's efforts to promote active transportation. On the contrary, it is these very efforts that paid off over the past two decades, because the climatic conditions have been quite constant over a much longer time period (even during the auto boom).
My sole intent is to recognise and point out that sometimes the choice between using a car for a trip versus using active transportation or public transit boils down to whether the weather is pleasant or not. If city planners could recognise this major psychological hurdle and plan both infrastructure and social interventions around this factor, then the use of active transportation, in particular bikes, could probably be even higher all year-round.
However, it would be unfair while comapring Portland to, say Vancouer in Canada (where similar investments to encourage biking have been made), to not account for an external factor that works well in the advanatge of bikers and pedestrians in Portland - the Climate
Quoting the Portland Metropolitan Region Fact Book
With a weather suitable to year-round use of bike paths and trails, it is no wonder that efforts to encourage active transportation have paid off a greater dividend in the Portland metropolitan region than anywhere else in the US, as evident in the higher year-round bike trips.Mild weather is the norm in the region, with few extremes in temperature. The moderate regional climate results in a long growing season, flourishing forests and abundant foliage.
The temperate climate makes a walk in the park or woods a yearround activity.
All things held constant, I think weather is the single-largest party spolier. This is evident right here in Portland, with statistics suggesting that bike trips fall significantly in the harshest winter months as well as during heavy rainfall. Forget the stats, I myself am not willing to take the bike out when there's even an indication of rainfall.
My intent of pointing this out is not to undermine the region's efforts to promote active transportation. On the contrary, it is these very efforts that paid off over the past two decades, because the climatic conditions have been quite constant over a much longer time period (even during the auto boom).
My sole intent is to recognise and point out that sometimes the choice between using a car for a trip versus using active transportation or public transit boils down to whether the weather is pleasant or not. If city planners could recognise this major psychological hurdle and plan both infrastructure and social interventions around this factor, then the use of active transportation, in particular bikes, could probably be even higher all year-round.
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