Testimony

BEST supports safe, equitable, accessible e-bikes, other e-micromobility

By Rob Zako
March 4, 2024

BEST joins The Street Trust and others in urging state lawmakers to establish a task force to recommend how to update laws to support e-micromobility.

Source: City of Eugene

In the last week of the 2024 short session, a bill to advance e-bikes and other forms of e-micromobility is held up for a lack of $200,000. BEST emailed the following message to legislative leaders.

Subject: Please fund House Bill 4067: Task Force on Electric Micromobility

Dear Joint Committee on Ways and Means Co-Chairs Sanchez and Steiner, House Speaker Rayfield, and Senate President Wagner,

With much to complete before sine die, you might not be thinking about e-bikes as a critical issue for Oregonians. As a longtime traditional bicyclist, a few years ago I might have thought the same.

But e-bikes actually advance multiple state goals:

With all this in mind, a mere $200,000 to fund the Task Force on Electric Micromobility is a bargain for Oregonians.

Please fund House Bill 4067.

Best wishes,
Rob Zako, Executive Director
Better Eugene-Springfield Transportation (BEST)

Background

The following information is provided by The Street Trust.

Calling all e-mobility enthusiasts!

We’re proud to support State Representative Daniel Nguyen’s Electric Micromobility Task Force (House Bill 4067), which passed out of its transportation committee and is waiting on funding from the powerful Ways & Means committee.

We need you to let lawmakers know TODAY that they should allocate $200,000 in one-time funding to ensure safe micromobility for Oregonians. Will you join us in showing your support?

Oregon’s Task Force on Electric Micromobility will have 19 members who are expert advisors from across the state and sectors including advocates, law enforcement, business, education, modes, and cities of multiple sizes. They will work to address the problems not solved by this compromise on House Bill 4103, a.k.a. “Trenton‘s Law.”

This is a one-time funding ask for $200,000 for Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to administer the task force. (ODOT already has an existing contract for public involvement, which will ensure the task force will quickly be stood up.) The Task Force will have recommendations completed and submitted to lawmakers by December 1, 2024, in time for the 2025 session.

But none of this can happen without you! It’s as easy as 1…2…3…

We need you to send a short but sweet personal message via email or phone ASAP to these three key Oregon lawmakers letting them know you support a one-time allocation of $200,000 for Oregon’s Electric Micromobility Task Force.

  1. Senate President Rob Wagner
    Sen.RobWagner@oregonlegislature.gov | 503-986-1600
  2. House Speaker Dan Rayfield
    Rep.DanRayfield@oregonlegislature.gov | 503-986-1416
  3. Co-Chair, Joint Committee on Ways & Means Tawna Sanchez
    Rep.TawnaSanchez@oregonlegislature.gov | 503-986-1443

Not sure what to say? Here’s some inspiration. (Please personalize the message to really make sure it hits home!)

“Hi there, my name is [Name] and I’m calling on you to fund Oregon’s Electric Mircomobility Task Force. With e-bikes and micromobility becoming more accessible, we can provide affordable transportation options that benefit everyone, especially those in need. Let’s invest in a future with safer, greener, and more equitable transportation for all Oregonians.”

“Hello, I’m [Name] and I’m reaching out to ask for your support in funding the Electric Micromobility Task Force for Oregon via HB 4067. By investing in e-bikes and micromobility, we can create opportunities for education, jobs, and mobility for low-income families and individuals with limited physical ability. Let’s make Oregon’s transportation system safer, more accessible, and more sustainable for everyone.”

“I’m writing to encourage you to support funding for Oregon’s Electric Micromobility Task Force via HB 4067. With e-bikes and micromobility, we can reduce congestion, greenhouse gas emissions, and the financial burden of car ownership. Let’s embrace innovative solutions that make transportation safer, more affordable, and more inclusive for all Oregonians.”

“I’m asking for your support in funding Oregon’s Electric Micromobility Task Force via HB 4067. By investing in e-bikes and micromobility, we can address transportation challenges and create a more sustainable future for our state. Let’s work together to ensure safe, equitable, and accessible transportation options for all Oregonians.”

Supporters of the task force include: B-Line Urban Delivery, Better Eugene-Springfield Transportation, BikeLoud PDX, Cascadia Mobility, Community Cycling Center, Go By Bike, Gorge Pedal, League of American Bicyclists, Lyft Bikes & Scooters, No More Freeways, Oregon Environmental Council, Oregon Trails Coalition, People for Bikes, The Street Trust, V-Volt E-mobility and nearly 300 individuals from across the state who signed this letter from the E-Bikes for All Working Group. E-bikes and micromobility are new and rapidly evolving. We can provide safe, accessible, affordable mobility for the people who need it most. In Oregon, AAA estimates that the cost to own and operate a new car is approximately $10,000 per year! Micromobility is cheaper and in many cases faster for folks to get where they need to be.

Micromobility including e-bikes has the potential to expand access to education and jobs for youth, low-income and working families families, and people with limited physical ability. Research has shown that e-bikes increase how much people bicycle and the exercise they get. It helps decrease congestion and greenhouse gas emissions, top. Over 50% of the trips Oregonians take are less than three miles, and electric micromobility can help people get there without having to own a car—but only if they are safe, equitable, and accessible for all.

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