BEST announces priorities in 2024

BEST’s priorities in 2024 include Better Streets for People and Businesses, transit, biking / walking / micromobility, safety, walkable neighborhoods, state priorities, public education, educational events, fun activities, partners, volunteers, and donors.

The BEST Board of Directors recently adopted an ambitious plan to respond to challenges and opportunities in 2024. Priority items include:

• Better Streets for People and Businesses: Focusing on a small number of high-traffic and high-controversy corridors (Franklin Boulevard, River Road in Eugene, Main Street in Springfield), determine if there is public support for changes and, if so, push for ones that make sense.

• Transit: Support steps towards a more accountable and transparent Lane Transit District better serving critical mobility needs: “LTD 2.0.” Monitor efforts by Link Lane (LCOG) to expand options in rural areas.

• Biking / Walking / Micromobility: Support investments in low-impact modes of transportation:
  • Active Transportation: Support investments in active transportation.
  • Neighborhood Greenways: Explore a network of routes like the Alder Street Neighborhood Greenway to complement bikeways along major corridors, for example, as recommended by LiveMove.
  • Sidewalk Quality: Explore mechanisms for improving sidewalks, for example, as recommended by LiveMove.
  • Shared Micromobility: Support efforts to expand options.
  • Rural Biking: Look for opportunities to implement the Lane County Bicycle Master Plan, including along East 30th Avenue and Territorial Road.

• Safety:  Look for opportunities to advance a Safe Systems Approach, in particular, by pooling enforcement, education, and other resources to combat the “epidemic of roadway deaths.”

• Walkable Neighborhoods:  Look for opportunities to advance the Affordable Housing + Transportation Paradigm, in partnership with 1000 Friends of Oregon, Better Housing Together, and others.

• State Priorities: Leverage other ongoing efforts and work with partners during the 2024 short session to make incremental gains. Cue up to achieve major shifts during the 2025 long session in state transportation funding and policies to benefit everyone in Lane County.

• Public Education: Especially during a presidential election year, look for opportunities to engage with the public and officials around transportation needs, for example, through guest viewpoints, a “Transportation 101” series of cartoons, leveraging the Cycle of Change group, testifying, and surveying the views of public officials on transportation.

• Major Events: In the spring, host a transportation fair. In the fall, host a presentation by a prominent transportation thought leader.

• Fun Activities: Host indoor activities like happy hours, informal speaking events, and other occasional opportunities for BEST supporters to gather. Host outdoor activities like walk audits, bike audits, transit audits, and Group Rides.

• Key Partners: Through joint efforts, strengthen working relationships with local and statewide partners, including 1000 Friends of Oregon, AARP Oregon, Better Housing Together, Cascadia Mobility, Clean and Just Transportation Network, Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce, Eugene-Springfield Safe Routes to School, Free Bikes 4 Kidz Eugene-Springfield, Greater Eugene Area Riders (GEARs), Lane Area Commission on Transportation (LaneACT), League of Women Voters of Lane County, LiveMove at University of Oregon, Oregon Transit Association, Safe Lane Transportation Coalition, Shift Community Cycles, and Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.

• Volunteers: Invite supporters to help advance BEST’s work in varied ways appealing to different skills and interests.

• Donors: Engage regularly with individuals and businesses that make our work possible.