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Biking in Bend @austinmazz.bsky.social · 7d

It's cool that there were several streets that were closed off for construction but still opened the bike lanes. Great vid.

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Biking in Bend @austinmazz.bsky.social · 9d

Just got back from a trip to Texas where I lived for 7 years. Some things I miss, but man the entire state is completely swallowed by highways. I used to think they were efficient, but now its sad to see. Like a school a 1 mile from homes but separated by a 4 lane highway making walking impossible.

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Biking in Bend @austinmazz.bsky.social · 9d

Today is the start of Week Without Driving. From now through Oct 5, challenge yourself: walk, bike, or ride transit instead of driving. You will learn a lot more about your community and some of the barriers that exist for non-drivers.

weekwithoutdriving.org

Week Without Driving

Sep 29th – Oct 5th, 2025 - An experience created for everyone to learn firsthand about barriers and challenges for nondrivers. Join, support, or become a host.

weekwithoutdriving.org

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Biking in Bend @austinmazz.bsky.social · 16d

Great to see the work @davidwelton.bsky.social and @bendyimby.bsky.social have been doing for a while to get more small-scale commercial into neighborhoods be recognized in the Bulletin as a solution to a common criticism for how communities are developed.

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Reposted by Biking in Bend

Ariel Méndez @amendez.bsky.social · 21d

City Council heard from a crossing guard at Bear Creek Elementary that in 2020 he saw an 15 kids on avg walking or biking to school.

Today they are up to 75 and talking about needing a bigger bike rack. Every one of those kids arrives more ready to learn.

This is what progress looks like!

A path leads to a covered bike rack with students visible in the distance. A grassy area is on the left with trees. A tan building is on the right. A boy walks next to a bike. Cars in a parking lot are visible on the left side.

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Reposted by Biking in Bend

Bend YIMBY @bendyimby.bsky.social · 20d

Next meetup:

Ian and @jheylin.bsky.social just got back from @yimbytown.bsky.social in New Haven, and are going to lead a discussion about what they learned, who they met and what's happening in other places. Should be really interesting!

September 24, 5:30 PM on, Wildwood Bar and Grill

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Biking in Bend @austinmazz.bsky.social · 22d

I also recommend these monthly recaps by City Council that are equally as important and brief. This one featuring everyone's favorite @amendez.bsky.social

youtu.be/NAZfZRayvOY

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Biking in Bend @austinmazz.bsky.social · 22d

These weekly Q&A's with @melaniekebler.bsky.social and @ktvznews.bsky.social are incredibly important. They are short, topical, and always provide new information like the city's housing dashboard that I just learned existed.

Video: youtu.be/0NwSLxE5t78

Dashboard: housingdata.bendoregon.gov

September 11th Ask the Mayor Bend

YouTube video by KTVZ News

youtu.be

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Biking in Bend @austinmazz.bsky.social · 22d

Yeah exactly! I was going for a more "premium" price as most EVs are a higher end product, but you bring up a good point that there are some amazing mid-range e bikes that a credit like this would almost entirely cover.

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Biking in Bend @austinmazz.bsky.social · 22d

This is awesome. $1,800 covers 50%+ of the cost of an ebike. The $2,500 Oregon EV credit covers ~0.5% of the cost of a car.

EVs are better than gas but promoting human scale design and more financially sensible transportation options are better than cars. Not a government program, but it could be.

Central Oregon Daily News @codaily.bsky.social · 22d

Nearly 70 Bend residents now have a new way to get to work and school thanks to a rebate program providing $1,800 e-bike vouchers.

E-bike rebates change daily commutes for Bend residents

Nearly 70 Bend residents now have a new way to get to work and school thanks to a rebate program providing $1,800 e-bike vouchers.

www.centraloregondaily.com

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Biking in Bend @austinmazz.bsky.social · 28d

I wouldn't expect something like this to be built for a decade plus, but I guess the main question is when do we start thinking about it. Dedicated lines spur more development/confidence in long term growth than a bus. Not to say that I don't also want the bus system expanded 🚌

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Biking in Bend @austinmazz.bsky.social · 28d

Completely agree with both of your points. Much easier said than done, especially now with higher expectations around safety and environmental impact than 100+ years ago. I would love to see this idea included in cost/benefit analyses for new developments/roads though.

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Biking in Bend @austinmazz.bsky.social · 28d

These cities built their lines before cars became dominant, but their population density shows now is the perfect time for Bend to invest. A dedicated tram line would dramatically reduce the reliance on cars to popular destinations, especially with newer UGB expansions widening the city.

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Biking in Bend @austinmazz.bsky.social · 28d

When will Bend get its first tram or streetcar?

Here’s when other U.S. cities launched their first electric routes and their then populations:

Phoenix - 1893 - 5,500
LA - 1885 - 11,183
Miami - 1920 - 29,571
Houston - 1895 - 35,000
Portland - 1889 - 46,385
Denver - 1886 - 90,000

Bend: 106,926

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Biking in Bend @austinmazz.bsky.social · 29d

Dang, only 13% of that goal was permitted for, not even built. 50,000ish homes a year from 2019-2025 is crazy low for how much of a shortage there is.

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Reposted by Biking in Bend

Ariel Méndez @amendez.bsky.social · 29d

Why bikes? Why slower speeds? Why not just add lanes everywhere?

This is it👇🏻 Bend is 2/3 of the way to a full 12 months without a single fatality on a public roadway. Just two years ago we had 7.

Zero is the goal.

Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 29d

“Helsinki has not recorded a single traffic fatality in the past 12 months, city and police officials confirmed this week.”

City engineer credits lower speed limits and smart design.

I agree. #Helsinki #VisionZero

Helsinki goes a full year without a traffic death

A city traffic engineer credits the success to lower speed limits and smarter design.

yle.fi

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Biking in Bend @austinmazz.bsky.social · Sep 1

The North–South Bend Bikeway already shines in many ways - beautiful spaces, safe intersections, connected neighborhoods, and thoughtful design for riders and pedestrians alike. Excited to see it fully realized by 2026!

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Biking in Bend @austinmazz.bsky.social · Sep 1

6. Road diets
Multiple streets show clear signs of road diets, where a narrow bike lane expands to a double line. This creates a much more comfortable ride feel. The car lanes still have ample space, but some of that excess was reclaimed.

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Biking in Bend @austinmazz.bsky.social · Sep 1

5. Roundabouts and Bike Ramps
The roundabouts and accompanying bike ramps make crossing busy intersections significantly easier and more comfortable. On one way roundabouts, cars are likely to stop for bikers and pedestrians at the crosswalk, making them faster too.

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Biking in Bend @austinmazz.bsky.social · Sep 1

4. Pedestrian Spaces
A strong Bikeway benefits pedestrians too, and there were numerous examples of good pedestrian design.

Smaller crossings with medians - completely transforms the experience whether its a neighborhood or 4 lane stroad

Larger shared use paths

Park and trail connections

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Biking in Bend @austinmazz.bsky.social · Sep 1

3. Active Transportation
The fact that this project encourages active transportation yields many physical and mental health benefits. It also allows you to stop and say hi to the neighbors 🦌

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Biking in Bend @austinmazz.bsky.social · Sep 1

2. Beautiful Spaces
The roundabouts art works, neighborhoods, trails, and parks all contribute to making this ride truly beautiful and enjoyable.

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Biking in Bend @austinmazz.bsky.social · Sep 1

1. Route
The North start is on the Canal trail which is one of the most beautiful trails in the city. Any ride that starts here will a good one. The South start is at a high school. The route connects dozens of neighborhoods, providing instant access to thousands and spans most of the city.

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Biking in Bend @austinmazz.bsky.social · Sep 1

Here are the highlights of the current North–South Bend Bikeway. Documenting now for historical context as this list will grow as the project nears completion in 2026. More info: www.bendoregon.gov/services/cit...

www.bendoregon.gov

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Biking in Bend @austinmazz.bsky.social · Sep 1

The second image is a crappy AI generated one, but I am confident a much better, more useful one could be made.