Portland Part 3: Bike Rush Hour in Portland

Portland, Oregon might have struck gold with their formula for public transportation. Instead of relying solely on an interstate system to get people from the suburbs into the city for work, the relatively tight-knit community structure and excellent system of bike paths, light-rail trains, and street cars allow residents to zip around the city more efficiently than in much larger metro areas with greater population levels. 

When trying to go for a jog on the Hawthorne Bridge in Portland, Ron was greeted by an unlikely swarm of cycling commuters during the time of day referred to as “Bike Rush Hour.” Instead of having the streets of the city congested and clogged with cumbersome cars, the bike paths have become the preferred method of transportation for a good portion of Portland’s workers.

Cycling is so popular in the city that 3 weeks before taking the trip, Ron could not find a place to rent a bike. Some cities might have a shortage of rental cars, but it is almost unheard of to have a shortage of rental bikes available for Portland tourism. There are several reasons Portland residents may have broken from the favored transportation method of the rest of the country:

• The city has exceptional urban planning and public facilities
• The use of automobiles is discouraged by fewer traffic lanes and difficult parking situations
• The overall mindset of residents is to break from traditional thinking and embrace the alternative

5 Reasons Why Cycling is Good for the Economy:

Portland has found a way to reduce its automobile traffic while at the same time increase the level of community involvement. This has led to a jumpstart for local businesses and given the area one of the most thriving local scenes in the entire country. If other cities were to follow suit, certain economic possibilities could be realized:

1. People who bike to work spend less money on large institutional expenses such as auto insurance, mechanical maintenance, supporting the auto industry, and oil companies.
2. The money saved by cycling is spent at locally-owned shops, stores, and restaurants along the bike path instead of out of town chains and big box retailers. This leads to more development in a smaller area than retail development and expansion on the outskirts of town.
3. With less room to store items bought at local shops, the number of store visits increase and the average receipt gets multiplied through impulse buys. Studies show that cyclists are better customers because of the fact they visit stores more often.
4. New bike shops open along paths and employ more people. Portland’s bike-related economy  employs 1150 people and is worth an estimated $90 million.
5. Money and resources spent on healthcare related issues such as heart disease, diabetes, and even depression can be dispersed to other areas that need it. Iowa sees $87 million alone each year in health savings due to cyclists.

The Economic Benefits of Cycling across America

Hopping on the highway and heading to the office can usually become an isolating experience, which in turn can lead to dangerous outcomes such as cell phone usage, eating in the car, and road rage. Biking to work can build a better sense of community between people who would normally not get the chance to speak while driving.