More than a dozen bicycle shops provide crucial services to Portland Cyclists. The Portland Police Bureau and the Office of Transportation's Parking Patrol use bicycles, as do some of Portland General Electric's meter readers. Finally, a diverse coalition of educators, administrators, bicycle advocates, and government agencies are working to make bicycling a more viable and safe option for children. With this kind of momentum, increasing bicycle use should be a snap. However, despite all these efforts, Portland still has a long way to go to be truly bicycle-friendly.
Bicycle parking is found at only two percent of commercial businesses outside the central city.
Very few children bicycle to school even if they live less than a mile away. People from all ages, parts of the city, and walks of life have requested improvements to the bicycling environment. Numerous local surveys, focus groups, and other comment opportunities consistently demonstrate the public's interest in and commitment to bicycling as a means of transportation. Tri-Met, the Port of Portland, Multnomah County, Washington County, Clackamas County, Metro, the Oregon Department of Transportation, and the Portland bureaus of Planning and Parks. The Plan provides guidance over a 20-year period for improvements that will encourage more people to ride more frequently for daily needs.