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Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee hands out 'Safe Sidewalk' awards and previews regional active‑transport projects
Summary
Deschutes County's Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee presented its annual safe‑sidewalk awards, recognized volunteers, and gave the board an annual report outlining regional projects including the Bend‑to‑Lava Butte connection and ODOT planning from Sisters to Redmond to Bend.
County staff and the Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) gave their annual report to the Board of Commissioners and presented the committee’s Safe Sidewalk Awards on June 11.
Tanya Saltzman, senior planner and BPAC staff liaison, introduced BPAC Chair Jennifer Letts (also identified as mayor of Sisters) and Vice Chair David Green. Letts said nominations for safe‑sidewalk recognition had increased sharply; the committee decided to recognize every nominee this year for neighborhood efforts such as shoveling sidewalks, clearing right‑of‑way and improving pedestrian connectivity.
Vice Chair David Green summarized the advisory committee’s work: BPAC advises Deschutes County and the county’s cities on active‑transportation planning, participates in regional events such as the Central Oregon Bicycle & Pedestrian Summit, and sits on local committees including the Federal Lands Access Program and the county’s Transportation Safety Action Plan. Green noted a number of regional projects in planning or early implementation: the Bend to Lava Butte connection (ODOT project with appeals pending and hoped‑for construction funding in fall 2026), planning for a Lava Butte to La Pine connection, and ODOT planning for routes connecting Sisters, Redmond and Bend.
Committee members discussed e‑bikes: Oregon has adopted the three‑class ebike definitions and raised the rider minimum age to 16; two legislative bills were noted—one proposing purchase assistance for income‑qualified buyers and another to define “powered micromobility devices” and to allow 14–15 year olds to ride class‑1 ebikes with helmet requirements.
Why it matters: BPAC is a county advisory body that supports active transportation planning and coordination among multiple jurisdictions and agencies. The committee’s recognition program highlights neighborhood maintenance and stewardship that the county relies on for pedestrian safety.
What’s next: BPAC will continue regional coordination, host outreach and support local projects identified in the county transportation system plan.
