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Bike Champions

Information for downtown cyclists who want to help their coworkers join the fun!

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What can Bike Champions do?

• Become known as the Bike Gal/Guy: always give yourself as contact
• Set goals for engaging new cyclists. If possible tie to employer's own goals.
• Publicize goals
• Find accomplices: Create a Green Team transportation subcommittee
• Get the word out:
  • Put "Bike Commute Challenge" flyers up in break room (Bike Commute Challenge info poster, too)
  • Put bike maps up in breakroom
  • Make bike maps available
  • Send out SmartTrips Downtown email to co-workers
  • Inform co-workers about Bike to Work Month Events - via postcard, email

• Recruit co-workers to attend SmartTrips Downtown bike events

• Promote SmartTrips Downtown/Bike events: Bike Rides, Commuter Workshops
• Hold your own lunch-time rides
• Be a bike buddy - organize bike buddies:
  • Recruit mentors
  • Put up sign in break room by area
• Advocate for fleet bike
• Create bike route plans
• Leverage other activities (Carefree Commute Challenge, Bike Commute Challenge) and have your own events tied to it
• Post "I Rode to Work" Signs
• Creative things that we didn't think of (there are quite few, we're sure).

What SmartTrips Downtown Will Do For Bike Champions?

• Provide individualized bike resources
• Provide bicycle resources (maps, guides, etc.)
• Hold bicycle events to attract new riders
• Provide routes and staff assistance (if needed) for company lunch-time rides
• Incentives:       
  • $10 bike shop gift card for every new bike commuter, including a $10 gift card for the Bike Champion for the first new bike commuter he/she recruits. The new commuter must fill out SmartTrips Downtown order form to qualify.)
  • If new rider needs a bike for a Bike Champion-sponsored bike ride, we'll pay for the first-time bike rental.
  • When Bike Champion recruits 5^th new bike commuter, Bike Champion will get $30 bike shop gift card.
    • Bike Gallery gift card qualification info:
    • Who's Eligible:
      • 1. Downtown commuters*** who bike to work for the first time through encouragement by a Bike Champion AND who order materials through SmartTrips Downtown (http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/survey.zgi?p=WEB227BP4GBNGR)
      • 2. Bike Champions who encourage the above.
    • How:
      • 1. The prospective bike commuter orders information through SmartTrips Downtown. (If they've already ordered, great! He or she doesn't need to order again unless they want to.)
      • 2. The Bike Champion assists the prospective rider on an as-needed basis.
      • 3. Once the person has biked to work the Bike Champion contacts Steve Hoyt-McBeth (503-823-7191 or steve.hoyt-mcbeth@pdxtrans.org) with the following information:
        • the name of the new bike commuters
        • whether the gift certificate should be sent directly to him/her or to the Bike Champion to be distributed.
      • 4. PDOT will check the SmartTrips Downtown database to confirm the new bike commuter ordered materials.
      • 5. PDOT will send the gift certificate to the new commuter.
      • 6. PDOT will also send a $10 Bike Gallery gift certificate to the Bike Champion for their FIRST new bike commuter. If anyone reaches 10 new bike commuters, PDOT will send a $30 gift certificate to the Bike Champion.
    • When:
      • The promotion will run through the end of June, with the possibility of being extended.

• ***If someone is a student at a downtown campus or a parent/guardian who transports their child/children to a downtown school, they are also eligible.

  ***Downtown for this project is considered the area within the I-405 ring on the west side of the Willamette River: Old Town/Chinatown, Pearl District, Central Business District, West End.

 Bike Maps

Portland by Bicycle - Bicycle routes for the City of Portland.

Downtown by Bike - Bike routes and parking in downtown, north of Burnside.

Downtown by Bike - Bike routes and parking in downtown, south of Burnside.

Waterfront Bike Loop - A good ride and map to help you lead a ride with your co-workers.

Southwest Map - Bike routes in Southwest Portland, not including downtown.

North Portland - Neighborhood bike map for North Portland

Northeast Portland - Neighborhood bike map for Northeast Portland

Southeast Portland - Neighborhood bike map for Southeast Portland

Outer Southeast Portland - Neighborhood bike map for Outer SE Portland

Beaverton - Inset map from the Portland citywide map, showing good cycling routes for our suburban neighbor

Vancouver - City of Vancouver's new map of good Southwest Washington routes

Rides and Events

Portland By Cycle - This City-sponsored program encourages you to use a bike more often - for fun, exercise, shopping, or even commuting to work. 

Shift Calendar - Shift is a loose-knit and informal bunch of bike-loving folks who share a passion for bikes!

OR Bike Calendar - OR Bike promotes tons of bicycling events throughout the state.

Portland Bike Month Events - A list of events sponsored by the City's SmartTrips Downtown program for May 2008.

Downloads

"I Rode to Work Today" Signs - Print these up for you and your co-workers to display at your desks.

Guide to Your Ride - A great primer for starting to bike.  Everything from bike maintenance and riding techniques to taking your bike on transit.

Bike to Work Month Flyer - Events from Bike to Work Month, May 2008.

Bike Champions Presentation - Forgot something from our workshop? You can re-visit our riveting hour together as many times as you'd like!

Legal Information for Cyclists

Pedal Power - A legal guide for Oregon Bicyclists.

Resources for Bike Champions

bycycle.org - On-line bicycle trip planner that uses google maps.  A great first step for planning a bike route.

Business Energy Tax Credit information - Help your business get a tax credit for promoting cycling at your work place!

Bike and Walk Bucks form - An example of the City's "Bike and Walk Bucks" that provides a monetary incentive to employees that commute by foot power.

Messages for new cyclists

• It's downhill to downtown

• Lots of low-traffic routes

• Make your commute your workout

• Huge money saver: 75 cents/mile

• 3 miles at no-sweat pace = 18 minutes

• If you're within 5 miles, it's not much longer to bike - and sometimes it's faster!

• You're never caught in a traffic jam

I want to become a Bike Champion!

Great! 

Contact: Steve Hoyt-McBeth

City of Portland Office of Transportation

(503) 823-7191

steve.hoyt-mcbeth@pdxtrans.org