[rwest]

I was in Portland for a week near the end of July and stayed in a hotel at the top of the hill on Barbur and walked to the bottom each day to work for a friend. I saw a guy on a recumbent with a faring just "flying"up the hill, I figured he had electric assist and I did see the components one day when he was closer to me. I think we need to be open to electric assist as it could really make cycling available to more people which should lead to more cycling trails and lanes as well as fingers crossed, more motorist who also bike, being better aware of bikes.