Month: January 2009
Learning the law at the Share the Road safety class
Ellee Thalheimer is a new contributing writer to BikePortland. Her most recent story was a product review of women’s bike shorts designed for utility and fashion. Ellee is a yoga instructor and travel writer living in Southeast Portland. Check out her author page here.
We covered the beginnings of the Share the Road Safety Class; this is our first inside account by a BikePortland operative.
Chris Larsen, BTA instructor Gregg
Lavender, Officer James Sorensen,
and nurse Mike Morrison.
(Photos: Ellee Thalheimer)
“Bike laws are schizophrenic,” the judge in my case told me. “Sometimes you’re a vehicle, sometimes you’re a pedestrian.”
It’s true. The rules of the road are confusing, and for those of us who get around on two wheels, confusing can translate into lethal. That’s one reason self-proclaimed “safety geek” and Judge Chris Larsen wanted to create a better way to educate road users about how to operate legally, and safely, on city streets.
Nearly two years ago, Larsen initiated the Share the Road Safety Class, a two-hour lecture/discussion/presentation that takes place twice a month at Legacy Emanuel Hospital.
The class functions as an alternative to expensive, record-marring traffic tickets that leave offenders frustrated, but unfortunately, still ignorant about the rules of the road.
Fancy new staple racks dress up transit mall
SW 5th Ave.
(Photos © J. Maus)
The City of Portland has installed 90 stainless steel staple racks as part of the downtown transit mall project.
The racks — designed by architectural firm ZGF — are quite different from the standard blue staple racks. For starters, they’re made from a much more durable (and expensive) stainless steel material. The racks are also made from flat steel stock, compared to the round tube of the existing blue ones.
Oregon Attorney General John Kroger: Bike nut?
In the course of my reporting here at BikePortland.org, I don’t usually come in contact with the Oregon Attorney General. But I was surprised to find out this morning that Oregon top lawyer, John Kroger, is something of a bike lover.
In an AP story I read via the Seattle PI, Kroger was made out to be “tough on polluters”. Why is he so concerned about the environment? Here’s one reason, according to the article:
“…He attributes his interest in environmental issues to his love of hiking and bicycling. He discovered Oregon at the end of a cross-country bike trip.”
A promising new cargo bike, made in Eugene
(Photo: cleverchimp on Flickr)
The Monday Roundup
It’s time for the Monday news roundup!
Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire has elected to replace Seattle’s Alaskan Way Viaduct freeway with a tunnel.
– Inauguration-related transportation was big news last week. The Washington Post’s Dr. Gridlock has published a three part “How It Worked” column, discussing the bicycle, walking, and carfree streets solutions DC used to make the big day accessible to all.
– Sarah Goodyear of the Livable Streets Network has compiled network member blog stories about the upcoming stimulus package and what it includes for transit and rail. Streetsblog has its own cutting analysis of what they call a “1950s-era stimulus package”: “Hire a construction worker, fire a bus driver?”
Confirmed: Adams will stay (updated with video statement)
(Photo © J. Maus)
Mayor Sam Adams has decided to get back to work as the leader of Portland (read and watch him read the official statement below).
After reading speculation about the decision on the Willamette Week’s blog, I contacted a high-level staffer a few minutes ago and was able to confirm that Adams will stay.
The decision comes on a day when The Oregonian published an interview with Beau Breedlove with more information about the nature of his relationship with Adams.
A rally, and a resurrection?
signs (the one on the
right says, “No prying =
No Lying”.
(Photos © J. Maus)
Friday night’s rally in support of Sam Adams brought hundreds (500-600?) of Portlanders to City Hall. It was an astounding moment of cohesion for a city that had seemed to lose its way in the past few days.
The mantra of the night was “Get back to work!” On signs and on stage, there was a feeling of forgiveness and a sense that many Portlanders just want to see Mayor Adams take the reins of our city once again.
Emcee Mark Acito introduced several local business owners and other community leaders who came to the mic and simply said, “I’m with Sam”. It was a powerful message that seemed to crescendo as the event went on.
Director (Willamette Pedestrian Coalition)
Job Title
Director
Company/Organization
Willamette Pedestrian Coalition
Job Description
The Willamette Pedestrian Coalition (WPC) Board of Directors is looking for an enthusiastic advocate for accessible and livable communities to fill an immediate opening for its part-time Director position.
The Willamette Pedestrian Coalition (WPC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, community based membership organization in the greater Portland metro area. The WPC has been dedicated to promoting walking and making the conditions for walking safe and attractive since 1991. A Board of Directors oversees the operations of the WPC and relies on a Director for carrying out the day-today operations and promoting the mission of the WPC.
The Director must exercise a passion for pedestrian accessibility, equity and community livability. The Director manages the day to day affairs of this pedestrian advocacy organization, provides general support to the Board, prepares written and oral communications, coordinates and schedules organization activities, performs outreach and awareness clinics, manages grants and related reports and products, maintains an organized office and supervises an intern position.
How to Apply
The salary is $18.00 / hour for a 15 to 20 hour work week with some schedule flexibility. Health benefits are not provided. The WPC office is near downtown Portland. A detailed job description is available at www.wpcwalks.org.
A responsive letter of interest, current resume and a list of three (3) references must be received before February 20th at 5 pm at selingep@msn.com or:
-
Willamette Pedestrian Coalition
Attention: Philip Selinger
P.O. Box 2252
Portland, OR 97208-2252
Questions may be also e-mailed or call Phil at 503-224-5122. The Board of Directors expects to fill this position by the end of February 2009. Please pass this announcement to others who might be interested. Thank you.
Vancouver collision leaves questions and a teen in critical condition
A 13-year old boy remains in critical condition today in a Portland trauma center after a collision with an SUV in Vancouver on Wednesday.
According to the Vancouver Police Department, middle school student Kristopher Miles was struck while riding his bike in the marked crosswalk on SE 136th (at SE 7th, map). The official notice from the police department states that 28-year Andrea Dickinson had stopped at the stop sign on the opposite side of the street, but that she struck Miles as she crossed the street and dragged him and his bike 100 feet before stopping.
Miles — who was reportedly not wearing a helmet — is still (as of noon today) suffering from critical head, shoulder, and leg injuries due to the collision.
Some good news from City Hall (it’s not about the mayor)
mission from Commissioner
Fritz: Learn about bikes.
(Photo © J. Maus)
Last week during a meeting of the Bicycle Advisory Committee, there was one person around the table who I’d never seen before.
When she introduced herself as Amanda Mansfield from the staff of newly elected Commissioner Amanda Fritz, I was pleasantly surprised. After watching her listen attentively and fill several pages of notes (on what was a rather wonky meeting), I tracked her down to find out more.
It turns out that Ms. Mansfield was sent by order of Commissioner Fritz in order to learn more about bike issues. When I asked Mansfield why, she said, “to educate myself and Commissioner Fritz about what’s on the agenda for bikes. I plan to report back to her so we can keep abreast of the issues and help out whenever possible.”