by Tao Oliveto, Carrboro, NC

Known to some as “Bike City, U.S.A.”, Portland is a mecca for recreational and commuter cyclists, and home to the Nation’s highest percentage of workers who commute by bike (3.5%). Way ahead of it’s time, the city began planning a network of bike lanes in the 1970’s, according to the NY Times. Refueled by the carbon-reducing environmental movement, Portland scores high in green karma and green economy. The growing number of cycling enthusiasts in the area is boosting a growing market of small businesses that are combining both recreation and transportation with a strong sustainability message.

“Our intentions are to be as sustainable a city as possible,” says Sam Adams, a city commissioner in charge of transportation. But what began as only an environmental effort, became an additional economy booster - testament to the fact that what goes around comes around. That’s only part of the good news. Successful small business fosters community and goodwill, allowing room for community outreach and nonprofit advocacy. With encouragement from local government, drivers and riders in Portland mostly share roads - and parking spaces - harmoniously. More plans are underway for additional bike lanes to keep riders out of motor traffic.

The moral of the story? Cities that grow greener may also see growth in community-building attitude and activities, economy-boosting small business, tourism, sustainability, safety and healthy habits, as well as a decrease in pollution and corporate takeovers. Nothing to lose, everything to gain.

How to help your town have this much fun? Find your passion. Find your voice. Get involved in local planning, large or small. Find your path and hit the ground running - or, er, riding - !

Tags: business, community, culture, recreation, sports

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 8th, 2007 at 2:19 pm and is filed under Green Misc.. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.