Here’s an example of why less people are biking in Portland. If this happens to a big 6’2” man think about what happens to women and kids. Unfortunately, the majority of bike and transportation “advocates” in Portland are male and they are busier obsessing about details of infrastructure, being crime apologists (I’ve never had a problem!) rather than embracing the basic need for personal safety that is necessary for women, children and even many men to want to continue riding (and taking public transit). The bike and transportation advocates need to change course or bike and transit share will continue to decrease in Portland.
The extreme progressive policies (defunding police, reducing traffic stops, eliminating PPB traffic division, reduced prosecution of all crimes (especially property crimes) by DA, understaffed police force, MUP’s filled with trash and sketchy campers, decriminalization of hard drugs, elimination of Bike Theft Task Force, enabling of mentally ill and violent criminals to live wherever they please has been both an environmental and social disaster for Portland. The experiment has failed. It’s time to get back to what worked for Portland; “Pragmatic Progressivism”
You will never see organizations like Oregon Walks, The Street Trust, Bike Loud or APANO talk about this. It goes against their “everything is fine” and “we need less police” narratives.
This morning at 9:30am I was riding my bike to work when an individual who was in the middle of
NE Skidmore and 6/7th street with a giant stick attacked me and a few other individuals In the area. I was only badly bruised and quickly called
911. The police were there in mins and apprehended the individual who was very mentally unstable.
I did have to go to the ER to get checked out and I’m ok. I hope the other folks who were attacked are fine.
I’m 6ft 2 with a big beard and folks usually don’t interact with me and this was a first for me in the 8 years I’ve been here. I know it’s not an excuse but this is bs
I’m so over this - I left both the mayor and gov a very detailed voicemail (with the police report).
Trying to figure who else to contact.
