In Portland, sustainability

Drive Less, Save MoreHave you ever wondered how Portland became such a great cycling city? Look no further than the people, organizations and programs that are invested in building a rich community of cyclists through promoting cycling as an alternate means of transportation. Drive Less, Save More is one of those organizations, and they’re changing the face of our community.

Launched in 2006 by the Oregon Department of Transportation, Drive Less, Save More raises awareness about the practical, economic and environmental benefits of improving the way in which ODOT manages our transportation system. Reducing individual car trips is one of the main goal, and, bicycles are a big part of the solution, while public transit, carpooling and ride-sharing are emphasized as well.

Here’s the rundown from their website:

“Traffic congestion takes a heavy toll on residents, our economy and the environment. Oregon’s population is projected to grow exponentially, and traffic will only get worse unless action is taken.

Compounding the problem is the fact that there are insufficient funds to build new roads on a sizable scale. Part of the solution is to better manage the demand put on our transportation system and maximize its capacity. That’s the primary aim of Drive Less Save More.

Launched in 2006 by the Oregon Department of Transportation, Metro and its public and private partners, Drive Less Save More seeks to reduce individual car trips as an integral part of a larger solution to addressing traffic congestion. The goal is to raise public awareness about the benefits of driving less through trip chaining and other smart driving strategies, such as riding transit, carpooling, vanpooling, ridesharing, telecommuting, biking and/or walking. Today, Drive Less Save More has expanded beyond the Portland metro area into Salem, Eugene/Springfield, Medford and Bend.”

In addition to driving resources, Drive Less, Save More offers plenty of information for cyclists of every kind. For the new cyclist, there are tips for buying a new bike and road safety guides. For the bike commuter, there are route-planning maps, tips for new commuters and a guide comparing racks, bags and trailers. For the family, there are family bike gear options and information on biking with kids. Local biking advocates are linked as well, with familiar names like BikePortland.org, the Community Cycling Center and the Bicycle Transportation Alliance listed among Oregon’s biking resources. And there’s a seasonal tip sheet posted on their home page right now, with plenty of helpful hints for wet weather riders.

Drive Less, Save More is all about sustainability, and they have teamed up with sustainably minded sponsors like the MetroSpud.com and WeCar to spread their message to Portland and beyond.

For more information on Drive Less, Save More, check out their website and like their Facebook page.