NWBSC History

1996

Beaverton Bicycle Safety Fair

The first Beaverton Bicycle Safety Fair was introduced to coincide with National Bicycle Safety Week. First conceived in 1995 by Bruce Buffington, founder and first volunteer chairman of the event, the safety fair was introduced by the City of Beaverton Police Department in partnership with the Beaverton Optimist Club.This historic week-long Bicycle Safety Program offered something for everyone:

  • A U.S. Cycling Federation-sanctioned Criterium bicycle race officially kicked-off the event.
  • A self-guided 2.5-mile tour through Old Town Beaverton and a longer family-friendly 8.5-mile ride included stops at historic sites.
  • Terry Sherbeck of the Portland Wheelmen Touring Club (PWTC) led the Kansas City Loop ride that left from Beaverton High School and included a 33 or 54 mile option.
  • A bicycle skills rodeo was offered to kids under 12 years old. Prizes were available for events that included mounting and balancing, balancing at slow speeds, riding controlled in a straight line, stopping in emergencies, maneuvering and weaving, circling, signaling in traffic, and making tight turns.
  • Free bicycle registration was offered. Serial numbers and indentifying information were entered into the police computer to aid in recovery in the event a bike was stolen; the Beaverton Police waived the usual $3 fee.
  • Free maps and brochures were given out that highlighted Beaverton’s history.
  • Ray Thomas, a local Portland Attorney and editor for Oregon Cycling Magazine, conducted a Legal Clinic giving tips on how cyclists can take motorists to court, the rules of the road, how to document accidents or injury, and how to compile evidence. The free legal clinic was held at the Elsie Stuhr Adult Leisure Center.
  • Bicycle helmets also were checked for safety requirements and education materials were provided free of charge. The concept of giving free helmets to the needy on a regular basis was fairly new to the event. The Beaverton Police Department offered the helmets free to Beaverton residents; however, the helmets received through the OHSU Think First program required a $5 donation be collected for each helmet to defray the cost.

1998

Helmet Committee Formed

With Niki Hilton at the helm as PWTC President, the Wheelmen formed their helmet committee. The subsequent Beaverton Bicycle Safety Fair program was the proud recipient of donated helmets. PWTC, along with the Beaverton Optimist Club, Beaverton Police Department, and Beaverton Fire Department continue to donate helmets.The first PWTC Helmet Committee coordinators included Jerry Smith, Bruce Buffington, Clive Miller, and Howard Reid. The program continues to serve people in need, not only through safety fairs throughout the year, but to west side and east side residents alike.

Special thanks to Mike Morrison, a Registered Nurse for Legacy Health Foundation’s Trauma Nurses Talk Tough Program, for providing a special outlet for everyone to obtain good quality helmets.

2002

Funding Stopped

With budget cuts in place, the Bicycle Safety Fair was not funded for 2 years; however, rides and helmet distribution continued to be offered through PWTC.

2004

NW Bicycle Safety Council Formed

Bruce Buffington is dedicated to bicycle safety education. Taking up cycling in his mid-40s, Bruce had a “head vs. pavement” incident that reinforced the importance of helmets and led to a lifelong commitment to safety. Bruce is adamant that, with so many sharing the road, motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians must know how to look out for one another. Consequently, just prior to retirement he founded NW Bicycle Safety Council (NWBSC), a nonprofit corporation, to advocate safety and harmony between cyclists and all who use the road.

2005

NW Bicycle Safety Council Receives 501(C)3 Status

NWBSC is officially a nonprofit! Bruce Buffington’s goals included minimizing injuries and deaths by educating cyclists about safe gear, safe riding, and overall road safety; promoting awareness of traffic laws and rules of the road, and strengthening social ties through cycling-related programs and events.To this end, Bruce has not only acted as founder and president of NWBSC, but he has successfully directed and hosted a monthly local cable television program about bicycle safety. His shows feature cycling enthusiasts who are experts in various fields, including medicine, politics and, of course, cycling.

NWBSC has also been instrumental in implementing community bicycle safety programs, including children’s skills rodeos, helmet fittings, and senior citizen riding clinics. Working with the Portland Wheelman and Legacy Health Foundation’s Trauma Nurses Talk Tough Program, NWBSC helped more than 5,000 children and adults receive free helmets.

2008
to
2012

Beaverton, Banks, and Beyond Bicycle Tour

The first bicycle tour was formed in 2008 in partnership with Tualatin Hills Parks Foundation. Its official name was Hike n’ Bike and it offered both a walking tour and bicycle routes. The proceeds from this event funded the Foundations’ project, which was a universally-accessible baseball field at Cedar Hills Park that was specially designed for children and adults with disabilities, the first ball field of its kind in Oregon.In 2009 the Tualatin Hills Parks Foundation ended their role in the Hike n’ Bike event, so NWBSC managed the new long distance ride and received a portion of the proceeds to augment their helmet fund.

In 2010 NWBSC changed the event name to Beaverton, Banks, and Beyond and more features were added to the ride. The event is now hosted by Papa’s Pizza Parlor and features four different ride options – from 32 to 100 miles in length. This scenic, moderately challenging bike tour explores beautiful farmlands that wind through the country roads of North Plains, the rails-to-trails Banks-Vernonia State Trail, and into the lovely town of Vernonia. The tour is fully supported with multiple rest stops, course marshals on the trail, and Beaverton Police Department and other support vehicles along the full route. Local merchants and bike shops are large supporters of this event and offer mechanical support for this annual fundraising event.