Many people who submitted feedback on the draft Regional Transportation Plan supported more bike infrastructure. Others said the plan should focus more on roads.
More than 250 people suggested changes to the region’s transportation plan in a recent comment period, with feedback offered on everything from specific sidewalks to broad issues of transportation funding and management.
More than two-thirds of the comments were in support of alternative transportation, everything from an increase in light rail to support for pedestrian bridges and trails.
"I love the transit system," said Happy Valley resident Darik Dvoshark. "I use it every day for work."
Others supported that sentiment, but felt there wasn't enough funding for alternative transportation.
"We already have a system that serves private vehicle drivers very well," said Kari Schlosshauer from Portland, in a comment on the plan. "And yes it needs maintenance, but our active transportation system comes nowhere near to being well-connected and complete for bicyclists, pedestrians and transit users."
Bicycling advocate Michelle Poyourow, a Portland resident, took that point of view a step further and questioned any investment in the road network.
"Just because we inherited a big crumbling mansion of an automotive transportation system, that we can neither make the payments on nor afford to maintain, doesn't mean we should keep trying to maintain it," Poyourow said in her comments.
Not all the comments were in support of public transportation or encouraging biking and walking. A number of people said they were frustrated with the congested traffic and the money spent on public transportation.
"We are not going to be Europe. The West Coast was developed with the car, embrace that fact," Greg Wilhelm a resident of Portland said.
Many of the comments opposed to transit had to do with the funding needed to support public transportation.
"Light rail is a black hole for money," Richard Smith from Hillsboro said.
Even bicycle transportation was not safe from the negative comments.
"Because older folk do not ride bikes I find them distracting, arrogant and a way for thugs to get around," John Kleev from Portland wrote.
Still, most of the feedback was positive, with many respondents supporting the mix of funding and projects. Others were supportive, but wished there was more money for their particular interest or cause.
But with such diverse feedback, what does Metro do to extract anything useful out of it?
According to John Mermin, a transportation planner for Metro, all of the comments are submitted to the regional committees and the Metro Council for review.
Committee members from JPACT and MPAC, or Metro councilors, could suggest a change to the RTP based on comments from the public.
"Any of these committees could choose to make a different recommendation for how to handle a specific comment. For example, whether or not to change language in the plan or project list based on the comment," Mermin said.