 Major Taylor coming from behind to defeat Thorwarld Ellegaard at the world bike racing championships in 1903. |
We at The Skanner News are interested in compiling as much input as we can from the African and African American communities on bicycling culture in general and the Williams Street bike corridor development plans in particular.
As the City of Portland voted last month to delay a decision on North Williams, discussion has heated up about the issues of race and gentrification on the now-destroyed Black business district there.
BikePortland.com has covered this issue extensively from many angles, but by and large we at The Skanner News are seeing a lack of input and commentary by our traditional readership
Since we've heard plenty about it from local White residents, over the next week we at the Skanner News are asking our Black readers to weigh in on the issue. Do you ride a bike? If you don't, why not?
How often do you use Williams/Vancouver to commute by bike, by car, or both? What are your feelings about the proposed widening of the bike lane there?
What insights do you have about all the development in the pipeline over the next 10 years along Vancouver/Williams? What is your vision for what should be built there and what city spending priorities should be?
We particularly want to hear from bike riders of color – since so many policy makers and advocates appear to believe that "Black people don't ride bikes." What do you think?
Post your comments here on our website, on our Facebook fan page, or send an email to [email protected] with the word "Bikes" in the subject line.
Weigh in on the issues and make your voice count in The Skanner News!
Read KOIN TV reporter Ken Boddie's roundup of the North Williams Avenue issue here
On Thursday, July 21 OPB's "Think Out Loud" radio show focuses on the topic.
Listen to "Think Out Loud" livestream or podcast on "Bike Race" here
