donnamb 

It's true, we do. The Portland area has a long and rich tradition of citizen groups getting what they want, starting back in the '70's when they thwarted the installation of new freeways and actually ripped one out of downtown. I think this has something to do with it. There would be candlelight vigils outside of Tri-Met headquarters and protest skits at light rail stops. No elected official or Tri-Met employee would want to go through that. We used to have to purchase a $5 one-time "bike pass" to bring a bike on Tri-Met. They did away with that, so now there's really no restrictions other than 2 bikes to a bus and don't make a pest of yourself or your bike on the train.

Now if the bike riding craze spread through the "entrenched corrupt" class of the elected official/public employee of urban America in the East and Midwest, you'd be set.