TJ Anderson
District 4
What is your experience with off-road cycling? Do you have a favorite trail to ride?
Due to health issues I cannot ride, my balance sometimes leaves me, and if I get going on a bike like I used to I turn in to an experiment in momentum
The Off-road Cycling Master Plan (ORCMP) was published by the City in 2023 after a robust public process. It found that Portland suffers from a severe lack of opportunities for off-road cycling despite Portland’s cycling reputation. Are you committed to advancing the goals of the ORCMP in your district? Why or why not? Off-Road Cycling Master Plan for reference: https://www.portland.gov/bps/planning/off-road-cycling/documents
Yes, I am committed to advancing the goals of the Off-Road Cycling Master Plan in District 4. Portland’s cycling reputation should mean more than having people ride on our streets. We should also provide opportunities for off-road recreation that connect people with nature and accommodate a range of ages and skill levels.
My approach would be to identify opportunities within District 4, work with neighborhood associations and community members to understand local needs, and pursue projects that are environmentally responsible and financially sustainable. The City has already completed the planning process, so the next step should be turning those recommendations into measurable progress. That means identifying funding opportunities, coordinating with the appropriate bureaus, and being transparent about what can be delivered and when.
NWTA is a City of Portland partner with a proven track record in building, restoring, and maintaining high-quality, sustainable trails for multiple user groups, in addition to providing cycling and stewardship programming for Portlanders. To what degree would you help strengthen and promote partnerships with groups like NWTA to support City staff and improve our public parks?
You know I would like to see different biking trails for different things. Not just regular but also more adventurous and exciting trails, if we are going to do it lets be the best at it and we have the natural wonder to be one of the best places, we just haven’t done it yet. I think by that note we can market it, we can bring people in with it and that can bring jobs and help solve major issues we currently face.
For over 40 years, the City of Portland has blocked all efforts to provide meaningful multi-use trail access in Forest Park. Now, the City’s ORCMP (page 72) has a number of recommendations for Forest Park that bring environmentally sustainable multi-use trails online and follow the Forest Park Natural Resources Management Plan process. Are you willing to make sustainable off-road cycling trail improvements a priority to improve trailhead congestion, environmental concerns and access for all Portlanders to Forest Park?
Unless I’m not seeing a major cost sink hole (tens of millions) or a major health issue, I do not know why I wouldn’t