[Updated at 8:02pm on 6/30 -- see end of story.]

Two cars created a carfree zone on Alberta Thursday night.More images(Photo: Stephen Upchurch)

In a brilliantly ironic bit of activism, two strategically placed cars helped created a three-block stretch of carfree streets during last week’s Last Thursday event on Alberta Street.
The event was first reported by Stephen [...]

A City of Portland tanker truck with new side underrun guard.More images(Photos © J. Maus)

A bike safety initiative kicked off back in March within the City of Portland’s Bureau of Maintenance is starting to manifest on the streets.

A closer look.

While pedaling home the other day, I spotted a side underrun guard installed on a large [...]

“There are a lot of [bike-sharing] systems out there and we really want to pick the best model.”–Shoshanah Oppenheim, transportation policy aide for Commissioner Adams

With the announcement last week that the City of Portland has canceled their search for a bike-sharing vendor, some are wondering what’s next in Portland’s public-bike future.
Far from giving up on [...]

Rep. Blumenauer at this morning’s press conference.Video below(Photos © J. Maus)

Ending speculation since the announcement on Friday, U.S. Congressman Earl Blumenauer was in Portland this morning (sans bowtie) to deliver some “straight talk” about energy policy and unveil a bill that will help cure America’s ailing transportation policies.
Expensive oil and gas prices, he said, [...]

Scott Nowicki displayshis style and skill.Slideshow below(Photos © J. Maus)

Those who were brave enough to confront the freakishly hot weather at the Multnomah County Bike Fair on Saturday, were rewarded with a fun and fitting end to Pedalpalooza.
While some were happy to enjoy the two-wheeled ambiance with a nap in the shade, others carried on [...]

Ahhh, summertime in Portland(Photo © J. Maus)

The big Multnomah County Bike Fair is happening today at Colonel Summers Park (SE 17th Ave & Belmont). Will you be there?
There’s also a benefit silent auction of photographs from the Cycle Seen exhibition. It’s at the SE Division location of Stumptown Coffee (4525 SE Division) and [...]

“At rush hour, expecting to board a train with a bike is a less dependable option than locking a bike at both ends of the trip, bringing on a folding bike, or traveling at a different time.”–Colin Maher, TriMet

TriMet’s bike programs manager Colin Maher has taken the time to look into the incident that I [...]

[UPDATE: Please see this story (posted at 5:35pm) for TriMet's clarification of this incident.]

(Photo © J. Maus)

After over a year, and following clarifications from TriMet staff, their contracted security personnel are still allegedly telling some people that they cannot board a MAX train unless a hook is available.
Back in April of 2007, I shared reports [...]

What sort of mystery legislation does Mr. Blumenauer have up his sleeve?.(Photo © J. Maus)

On Monday morning, U.S. Congressman Earl Blumenauer will be in Portland to announce legislation that he says will provide immediate relief from high gas prices.
A statement issued today from Blumenauer’s office says that, “Although there is no silver bullet for solving [...]

Bike box. Get it?(Photo: Movie still)(Watch video below.)

Clarence Eckerson Jr., that intrepid auteur with New York City-based Streetfilms, just posted another one of the films he made during his recent visit to Portland.
Eckerson is the man behind the Sunday Parkways video I posted Tuesday (that film has already been viewed nearly 4,000 times).
This time, [...]

[ June 27, 2008; 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. ] Bike-In Movie at the Hawthorne Hostel
HI Portland-Hawthorne Hostel, 3031 SE Hawthorne Blvd
7:00pm - 10:00pm, food and movies at 7pm, movies at dark
An annual tradition… see bicycle related movies under the stars in the Hawthorne Hostel’s spacious side yard! Enjoy some pre-movie live music and food donated by local businesses! Volunteers needed, contact us to help [...]

[ June 27, 2008; 6:30 pm; ] The Cowboy Ride
Roots Brewing, 1520 SE 7th Ave, Portland
6:00pm, leaves at 6:30
get your boots, hat and lariat and get ready for a massive cowboy ride. prizes for best cowboy and cowgirl plus other surprises! the ride will be followed by a rodeo style house party with thematic events.

(Photo © J. Maus)

Track racers have been battling it out in Porltand’s southwest hills at the Alpenrose Velodrome Six Day Challenge this week.
The event is the official FIAC National Six Day Championships and the final day of competition is this Saturday.
The racers are dueling in a variety of events for their share at [...]

Here’s another excellent opportunity that was listed this week on the BikePortland Job Listings.
Check out all the details in the link below (and good luck if you apply!):

Bike Assembly - Bike Gallery

For a complete list of available jobs, click here. If you’d like more information about the BikePortland Job Listings, contact me, [...]

[This is part of BikePortland's ongoing coverage of Pedalpalooza 2008. See more ride reports, videos and photos here.]

How ’bout a little bike fun with your Mayor Elect? Mr. Adams seen here in September 2005.(Photo © J. Maus)

It’s the last weekday of Pedalpalooza and we’ve got another full menu to choose from.
The day starts [...]

[ June 28, 2008; 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. June 29, 2008; 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. ] Crazy insane massive deals on all sort of Men’s and Women’s bike apparel, Teva Sandals, and more!

Featuring Castelli, SheBeest, Sugoi, Teva, Sidi, Gore, and others.

Sat. and Sun. 9a -3p
21350 NW Mauzey Rd.
Hillsboro, OR 97214

More info here.

[ June 27, 2008; 6:00 pm; ]
Ledding Library of Milwaukie, 10660 SE 21st Ave, Milwaukie
6:00pm
Dare to go beyond the limit–of Portland, that is! We’ll take a grand tour of Milwaukie, Portland’s charming neighbor to the south. Learn about Milwaukie history, see unique points of interest around town, and get briefed on current efforts for making the town more bike-friendly. Our ride [...]

[ June 27, 2008; 5:30 pm; ] City Hall, 1221 SW 4th Ave (congregate outside)
5:00pm, Ride at 5:30.
From my home in North Portland to my office in City Hall downtown, I have a great commute. It’s the end of the work week and nearly the end of Pedalpalooza. Join me for my ride home to Kenton. We’ll stop for a few wonky [...]

Levi Leipheimer at the Tour of California in February.(Photo: Aerotheque)

France’s loss is Oregon’s gain.
With their Astana Cycling Team not invited to the Tour de France (after being linked to a doping scandal in 2007), top professional road racers Levi Leipheimer and Chris Horner have decided to race in the Bend Memorial Clinic Cascade Cycling Classic.
The [...]

Portland will have to wait for a bike-sharing program like this one in Vienna.Photo: Ethan Jewett

The process to select a vendor that would implement a public bike-sharing system in Portland has been canceled.
In a letter just released by the City of Portland’s Office of Management and Finance, Purchasing Agent Jeffrey Baer writes:
“In accordance with Portland [...]

Worth a thousand words.(Photos © J. Maus)

Once again, Pedalpalooza is entering its final few days, and once again, I’m thinking not only about all the great rides I did, but about all the great rides I missed.
One of these years I just might pack up my bike with a sleeping bag and a few necessities [...]

Dan Kaufman and his Disco Trike.Video below(Photos © J. Maus)

One of the fringe benefits of pedaling around Portland this time of year are all interesting bikes and people you come across.
One such person is Dan Kaufman.
Dan lives just off the Springwater Corridor Trail in Sellwood with this wife Kirsten (a real estate agent who gives [...]

Jan Verrinder at the bike safety press conference in City Hall a week after her husband Bob was nearly killed in a collision with a car on Marine Drive.(Photo © J. Maus)

During last year’s Sad October, our community endured several tragedies.
The two young lives we lost grabbed most of the headlines, but sandwiched between both [...]

A design firm’s rendering of how the Bryant St. Ped/Bike Bridge might look in the future (See how it looks now in the photo below).(Design by: Compressed Pattern)

The vision of two North Portland neighborhoods working to improve the neglected Bryant Street Bike/Ped Bridge is moving closer to reality.

The current approach to the bridge.(Photo: Google)

A [...]

[ June 26, 2008; 8:00 pm; ] Sunset Mystery Ride
Col. Summers Park, SE 20th Ave and Belmont St
8:00pm
Meet and ride to a mystery destination to watch the sunset. Always fall asleep on the couch before you make it to MMR? Try this ride on for size! In case of rain this ride becomes the Pinball Cruise. Check [...]

[ June 26, 2008; 6:30 pm; ] Hen Peck 5000
Col. Summers Park, SE 20th and Belmont
6:30pm
Discover the world of chicken events, in which brave participants ride on shoulders and complete feats involving bravery, danger, silliness, and stupidity. Jousting, derbies, and more. These events are not for children whose parents are feint of heart. Helmets required (we’ll have some extra [...]

[ June 26, 2008; 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. ] Unofficial CRC Bike Bridge Tour/Discussion
Meet outside of Wallis Engineering Offices, 215 West 4th St., Ste 200 (corner of 4th and Columbia)
5:30pm - 7:30pm, If you arrive late look for us on the bridge.
Have you heard about the big bridge coming to Portland Vancouver? Come out for a bike tour and discussion so that you can [...]

[ June 26, 2008; 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm. ] Bike to Skate
Lucky Lab, 915 SE Hawthorne Blvd
5:00pm - 10:00pm
Meet at Luck Lab on Hawthorne at 5pm leave 5:30. Ride the Esplanade to Oaks Park. Pot Luck at Oaks Park picnic area before skating. Skate Lesson available.

[ June 26, 2008; 4:30 pm; ]
Family Farmers Market Ride
Buckman Elementary, 320 SE 16th Ave (in front of the school)
4:30pm
Enjoy a short ride with other families to the East Bank Farmers Market. Take some time to talk to farmers and pick out some treats for a picnic in Colonel Summers Park. Bring a backpack, plates, spoons and forks, and [...]

[This is part of BikePortland's ongoing coverage of Pedalpalooza 2008. See more ride reports, videos and photos here.]

Like playing chicken? Get to the Hen Peck 5000!(Photo © J. Maus)

Pedalpalooza may be almost over, but the fun is going on strong.
On the menu today/tonight are several awesome choices.
If you want something family [...]