The Deschutes County Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee seeks public nominations for deserving individuals, businesses, and agencies to be recipients of the annual Big Chainring award. Since 1996, the award recognizes those that have made a significant contribution towards:
- Improving bicycling and walking conditions in Deschutes County
- Encouraging children or adults to walk and ride their bikes
- Making Deschutes County communities healthier and happier
The Committee also includes the Peter Hanson Memorial Award for individuals in the community that have provided outstanding voluntary contributions. Peter was a Committee member that lost his battle with cancer in 2005. While only a resident since 2003, his presence was felt (and is still missed) in many volunteer efforts in Central Oregon including:
- Serving on the Deschutes County Bicycle/Pedestrian Committee
- Trail building work parties with COTA, USFS, and the BLM
- Leading Naturalist tours for the USFS
- Tree planting for Arbor Day and weed pulls, brush clearing and burning at the Metolius Preserve
- Litter removal/streamside improvements on area rivers
The County Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee discusses nominees during April then selects the winners at its May meeting. Typically, the awards are presented during Commute Options Week, June 15-20, 2009. Nomination forms can be obtained on the Committee’s website at www.co.deschutes.or.us/cdd/bikeandped. Please submit the nomination(s), including a brief description of the nominee’s accomplishments on the official form by Friday, April 3 to:
Cynthia Smidt
Deschutes County Planning
117 NW Lafayette
Bend, OR 97701
Past Big Chainring award winners include:
2008: Kim Curley, Sunriver Police Department Bicycle Patrol
2007: Jeff Sims – “Peter Hanson Memorial Award”, Strictly Organic, Cheryl Howard
2006: Jerry Norquist – “Peter Hanson Memorial Award”, Shevlin Commons (Andy Crosby), Bob Woodward
2005: Jani Sutherland, Eurosports (Brad Boyd), Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Recreation Staff, The Oregon Bicycle Ride - Sandy Green (Chairperson)
2004: Village Bike Shop, Phil Meglasson (Special Achievement), Sisters Trail Committee, Beth-Ann Wesley, City of Bend Street Crew
2003: Jeff Monson, Hutch’s Bike Shop, Karen Swirsky (Special Achievement), Bend Police Dept.
2002: Brooks Resources, County Road Dept., US Forest Service
2001: Deborah Hogan, Al Dertinger, Bend Public Works, Royal Blend
2000: Muffy Roy, Steve Jorgensen, Dr. Ted Ford, The Central Oregon Trail Alliance
1999: Reid Seastrand, Dick Johnson, Bend Parks and Rec. Dept.
1998: Rick Root, Partnership for Pilot Butte, and The Foot Zone
1997: Tennant Developments, Mt. Bachelor Inc., City of Bend Planning, Redmond Canyon & Bicycle/Pedestrian Committee
1996: Sunnyside Sports, St. Charles Medical Center, Dale Allen, John Schubert