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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />October 7, 2015 <br /> <br />CONTACT: Lindsay Selser, Transportation Options Coordinator, City of Eugene, 541-682-5094 <br /> Shane MacRhodes, Safe Routes to School Coordinator, 4J School District, 541-556-3553 <br /> <br />From Public Information Section, 541-682-5523 or 541-954-2938 <br /> <br />FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE <br /> <br /> <br />Cargo Bike Event to Test Emergency Preparedness of Cyclists <br /> <br />A partnership between the City of Eugene, University of Oregon and many other community <br />partners is bringing together bike-friendly habits and disaster preparations in a unique way. The <br />Disaster Relief Trials (DRT) is a cargo bike event to demonstrate the capabilities of bikes in disaster <br />situations on Oct. 17 at Alton Baker Park in Eugene. This is the third annual DRT in Eugene with <br />similar events in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and other cities. <br />Registered bike riders will navigate a course through Eugene to designated check points to <br />fulfill the criteria of the trials, using fully loaded bikes on city streets. At each check point riders will <br />encounter obstacles or complete tasks to assist response teams, such as a neighborhood Community <br />Emergency Response Team. <br />“Eugene-Springfield is well-known as being bike friendly, and the Disaster Relief Trials puts a <br />new twist on how useful cycling is to the greater community,” said City of Eugene Transportation <br />Options Coordinator Lindsay Selser. “As more citizens prepare for a possible earthquake or other <br />disasters, we need to consider transportation and how people-power may be crucial to each of us.” <br />The DRT is also a fundraiser for Eugene-Springfield’s Safe Routes to School Bicycle Education <br />Program. Shane MacRhodes, Safe Routes to school coordinator at 4J District, says “Beyond raising <br />funds to support our Bike Safety Education program the DRT is a fun event that shows what bikes can <br />do in the event of an emergency or even just for day-to-day travel.” <br />During the DRT event, a Resiliency Fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the start and <br />finish line at Alton Baker Park. Information will be available about emergency preparedness supplies, <br />bikes, resiliency gear and other aspects of sustainable and prepared lifestyles. The Resiliency Fair will <br />also include music, vendors, community booths, family activities, frequent visits from DRT participants <br />and the award ceremony at 4 p.m. <br />In addition to the DRT event, a “Fiets of Parenthood” short obstacle course is available for <br />family cargo bikers and younger riders. To register, visit www.eugeneDRT.wordpress.com Prices <br />range from $15 to $40 for riders. <br /># # # <br /> <br />Public Works Administration ● City of Eugene ● 101 E. Broadway, Suite 400, Eugene, OR 97401 <br />Phone 541-682-8421 ● Fax 541-682-6826 ● www.eugene-or.gov/pw <br />