The scene here at City Hall tonight is on fire… literally.
(Photos © J. Maus)
(Photos © J. Maus)
Day: June 17, 2008
Bike League will launch Bicycle Friendly Business Program
In his speech addressing an international crowd at the Carfree Cities Conference, League of American Bicyclists executive director Andy Clarke announced that his organization will launch a Bicycle Friendly Business program.
In his address, Clarke also said the League plans to release the initial rankings of their recently launched Bicycle Friendly States program in September.
To a packed room of carfree and transportation advocates, Clarke sang the praises of Portland. He said one of the reasons Portland is “so awesome” is that we’ve “had the courage to lead.” He also laid out the many facets of our vibrant and diverse bike culture.
Families, freeways, among topics as Carfree Conference kicks off
After depaving a former parking lot in North Portland yesterday, the Towards Carfree Cities Conference marched on this morning at Portland State University.
The first half of the program dealt with two topics of major interest to urban planners (and anyone interested in healthy communities): families and freeways.
Johaan Bruyneel book tour will stop in Portland
Johaan Bruyneel, one of the men behind Lance Armstrong’s eight Tour de France victories, has a new book and he’ll be stopping in Portland to talk about it on July 8th.
The book is, We Might As Well Win.
Here’s info on his Portland visit:
Johan Bruyneel Book Signing/Talk
Powell City Books (1005 W. Burnside)
July 8, 7:30 p.m.
Are ‘Fixies the new Roller Blades’?
Spotted at Colonel Summers Park
over the weekend.
(Photos © J. Maus)
over the weekend.
(Photos © J. Maus)
In the bike world, few topics elicit as much heated conversation and interest as fixed gear bicycles (a.k.a. “fixies”).
BikeSnobNYC, one of the most well-known bike blogs in the world, has made a career out of skewering the fad, and my coverage of them — whether it’s about their legality or about their rising popularity in Portland — always garners a lot of comments.
I’ve only tried a fixie once or twice, so I’m no expert on the topic, but I still find this fascination with them rather interesting (if not strange). On that note, I came across two things recently that we can add to the fixie cultural notebook.
Congress passes bills to make trains, schools, more bike-friendly
An amendment to a “green” schools
bill will help with funding
for bike access.
(Photo © J. Maus)
bill will help with funding
for bike access.
(Photo © J. Maus)
In an illustration that the political winds on transportation are shifting comes news of two bike-friendly bills that have recently passed through the U.S. House of Representatives.
In an effort to make Amtrak more bike-friendly, last Wednesday (6/11), the House passed H.R. 6003, “The Rail Passenger Improvement and Investment Act.” The bill reauthorizes Amtrak’s funding through 2013 (the the first re-authorization in 11 years).
This bill included an amendment to include funding for bike racks and increased bicycle access into rolling stock (i.e., railcars).
Ride report: Cycle Seen Art Ride
[Submitted by Ashley Mitchell. More on Cycle Seen at CycleSeen.org]
More photos
(Photo: Rachel Siegel)
(Photo: Rachel Siegel)
Around 40 folks met up at Stumptown Roasters on Division this past Saturday around 10am. An early start, we checked out the art, drank some coffee and then headed to A Better Cycle to view the Ghost Bike installation and Bike Life. Just down the street was New Seasons, and the Friends & Family bike art show.
A Saturday to remember: Bike jousting, daytime nakedness, and a cycling circus
Racing on Mississippi Street was only part
of an amazing day for bikes in Portland.
Slideshow below
(Photos © J. Maus)
of an amazing day for bikes in Portland.
Slideshow below
(Photos © J. Maus)
I realize it’s already Tuesday and there are new events to cover and rides to join, but I can’t resist sharing some photos, video and a few thoughts about a Saturday I’ll always remember.
It started at Colonel Summers Park in Southeast Portland. On the schedule was the 2nd Annual Stumptown Joustdown. The event was billed as the Pacific Northwest’s only organized bike jousting tournament, a “full day of metal on metal carnage and warfare” that promised, “smashed bikes, smashed bodies, and nudity.”