ODS CEO hits the airwaves to promote bicycling

Saturday night, more than 700 community leaders gathered in Portland for the presentation of the 2009 Alice B. Toeclips Awards, bestowed by the Bicycle Transportation Alliance on those who help make Portland America’s best city for bicycling. Among this year’s nominees was our own Robert Gootee. Here are a few excerpts from the profile by BTA correspondent Stephanie Chase.

A dedicated bike commuter, Robert Gootee has expanded his passion for cycling and sustainable transportation beyond his own commuting habits. Gootee’s nomination praises his setting “the civic standard for demonstrating just how significantly private enterprise can help leverage the public investments to make the Portland area America’s most bicycle-friendly metropolis.”

(You can listen to Gootee, along with Alice nominees Judge Chris Larsen, Mike Morrison, RN, Mark Ginsberg and Brad Ross, on the most recent KBOO bike show podcast.)

Gootee has made The ODS Companies’ offices examples of how large businesses can support their employees in encouraging sustainable commuting. With more than 1,100 employees, ODS has built their own secure bike parking along with showers and lockers to facilitate employee commuting.

Gootee also sits on the advisory board of the Johnson Creek Watershed Council, which is devoted to protecting and maintaining the watershed area which houses a significant portion of the Springwater Corridor Trail.

Outside of employee commuting, Gootee and ODS are leading sponsors of Cycle Oregon, the week-long fundraising bike tour around the state. ODS’ donations help sponsor rest stops for riders and other functions necessary to support 2,000 as they make their way across Oregon.

Looking ahead to Oregon’s future, Gootee continues to think state-wide in advocating for a network of off-road bike paths that would crisscross from the Pacific to Pendleton. With Gootee’s influence and passion, Portland has a valuable advocate whose vision extends outside of the business world.

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