Big Chainring Award recipients announced

The Deschutes County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee has selected the 2015 Big Chainring Award recipients. Phyllis Lewis, Bob Haas and the City of Sisters will be recognized on June 24 for their contributions to pedestrian and bicycle friendly environments in Deschutes County.

The awards will be presented at the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners Business Meeting on Wednesday, June 24 at 10:00 a.m. The meeting will be held in the Barnes and Sawyer rooms of the Deschutes County Services Center at 1300 NW Wall Street in Bend.

Since 1996, the Big Chainring Awards have been awarded annually to honor individuals, businesses, and public agencies that have made significant contributions in support of better bicycling and walking in Central Oregon.

This year’s winners include:

Peter Hanson Memorial Award

Phyllis Lewis

Phyllis Lewis has provided tireless dedication as a volunteer promoting bicycle and pedestrian improvements through service as a member of the Sisters Trail Alliance Board of Directors, City of Sisters Parks Advisory Board, and the Deschutes County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. In these roles she has been instrumental in development of many projects that have improved bicycling and pedestrian facilities in Sisters County and throughout Deschutes County. She also led efforts that received national recognition of Sisters as a cycling and pedestrian friendly community. Phyllis exemplifies how that dedication will lead to a more pedestrian and bicycle friendly environment to benefit all members of the community.

Big Chainring Award for Individual

Bob Haas

Bob Haas led a citizen initiated and funded effort to install a bike aide station along White Rock Loop, one of Deschutes County’s major cycling routes and part of the Twin Bridges State Scenic Bikeway. This project serves as a testament to his leadership and commitment to advancing a positive experience for a broad cross-section of cyclist in the region.

Big Chainring Award for Public Agency

City of Sisters

The City of Sisters has bold plans for improving bicycle and pedestrian facilities and a dedicated and hardworking city administration that went a long way towards fulfilling those plans in the last year. The City has completed projects including a major renovation of the downtown core, expansion of bikeways, a new park, national recognition for pedestrian improvements, completed ADA sidewalk ramps and citizen input on future goals. These improvements to cycling and walking environments will enhance the livability of the community for residents and visitors alike.

For more information about the annual Big Chainring Awards, please contact Deschutes County Associate Planner Matthew Martin at (541) 330-4620. ##