Category: Update

Five University of Oregon seniors in a public relations course are developing a campaign for how BEST can better educate and engage public officials about the needs of non-drivers during the national Week Without Driving: September 30–October 6, 2024.

BEST joined Protect Oregon Recreation, Oregon Trails Coalition, and others in calling on state lawmakers to restore recreational immunity for land managers that open their lands to the public.

BEST joins people across the country in honoring Rosa Parks and recognizing Transit Equity Day on her birthday. Everyone has a right to safe, reliable, environmentally-sustainable, and affordable transit that is accessible to all, regardless of income, national origin, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, or ability.

During the 2024 short session, the Oregon Legislature will focus on adjusting the state budget and addressing issues around housing, homelessness, and behavioral issues. They will also address a legal issue around public trail access. But they will wait until 2025 to take up a major transportation funding package.

BEST supports people having choices in how to get around, as different people have different needs. E-scooters are a good option for some people for some shorter trips. BEST also believes people riding e-scooters—like people driving, biking, or walking—should act responsibly. BEST supports recently announced changes to the City of Eugene’s e-scooter pilot program.

OPB senior political reporter Jeff Mapes spent more than a year researching, reporting and producing “Growing Oregon,” a six-part podcast and web series looking at the evolution of Oregon’s unique approach to growth and the impact it has on our lives today.

Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), a.k.a. the Infrastructure Investment and Investment Act (IIJA), states—including Oregon—where 15% or more of traffic deaths are people outside vehicles are required to spend 15% or more of Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funds on vulnerable road user safety.

Today, the Metropolitan Policy Committee approved MovingAhead, ratifying what the Eugene City Council and Lane Transit District Board of Directors had already decided in March. The next phase is to refine the design along each “build” corridor (River Road, Highway 99, Martin Luther Kind, Jr. Blvd, and Coburg Road), with input from potentially affected property owners and other key stakeholders. Staff will also seek funding for construction, likely starting with River Road and Highway 99. Full buildout could take a decade or longer.

Each year on February 4, Rosa Parks’ birthday, we celebrate Transit Equity Day, a national day to commemorate and recognize the equity efforts of Rosa Parks and other civil rights leaders. Transit Equity Day highlights…

BEST welcomes new advisors Samantha Roberts with the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce and Cami Thompson with the University of Oregon. We also welcome the return of Joshua Skov.