27 March 2009 Archives

Weekend Guide and Open Thread

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

It’s the weekend!

I’ve been largely without a working computer this week — my laptop will be out of the shop on Monday afternoon — and I’m looking forward to having a couple of days off from shuffling between borrowed computers, re-learning old operating systems, getting used to unfamiliar keyboards, and trying to remember passwords.

So let’s keep this short. There are a couple of interesting rides this weekend, including:

– A five mile, decorated ride on Saturday morning to celebrate International SWAN Day (SWAN stands for Support Women Artists Now).

An anti-12 lane CRC sign
(Photo © J. Maus)

An editorial in this morning’s Oregonian criticizes Bicycle Transportation Alliance leaders for their recently stated opposition of the plan to build a new, 12-lane highway bridge over the Columbia River, and for encouraging their members to attend a rally in opposition to the plan.

Claiming that the BTA seeks “to destroy the bridge,” the editorial board advises the organization to “broaden its reach” instead of compromising the “fragile coalition” of interests working on the project.

And, oh by the way, it’s a terrible move for cyclists, too. The governors of Oregon and Washington have promised that the new I-5 bridge will be the most environmentally friendly bridge ever built, providing vastly improved access for cyclists and walkers, in addition to light rail and tolling to control congestion.

This year, the street
will be officially carfree
for opening night crowds
(Photos © J. Maus)

Filmed by Bike, Portland’s legendary bike film festival now in its seventh year, is gearing up to be bigger and better than ever, taking over the entire street with a beer garden and plenty of room for the expected record crowds to show off their crazy bikes and wild costumes during the huge Friday “opening night throwdown.”

To help get you in the mood, you can now watch a a handful of shorts from the upcoming lineup on the Filmed by Bike website.

Tomas Quinones can be seen frequently on Shift bike fun rides, Cycle Wild camping trips, and other bike cultural events.

He recently began making, and selling, simple handlebar bags made out of duct tape. In Quinones’ words:

I started making them for my own use back in January after I grew tired of my large Ortlieb handlebar bag preventing me from using a light on my handlebars. I just wanted something small and simple for snacks, batteries, and camera so that a light can be used effectively without any type of special mounting. Most other bags I had seen were too large or more complex than needed.

Our little beach on Anna Maria Island.

Howdy folks. Hope all is well in Portland.

My girls and I are enjoying a bit of sun and fun on Anna Maria Island on the Gulf Coast of Florida (just south of Sarasota). It’s been way too long since I left the day-to-day rigors of making BikePortland happen and just enjoyed some time away. As a matter of fact, in the last three years of so of me doing the site full-time, I’ve never taken a real break (except during Christmas, when no one really reads the site anyways).

Weekend Guide and Open Thread

Oregonian slams BTA’s new stance on CRC

Sneak preview of Filmed by Bike movies

Another homegrown bike craft: Duct tape handlebar bags

Letter from the editor: Greetings from Florida

Latest Headlines

Dispatch from hiatus and update on the future

Reminder: No riding through River View Cemetery during Memorial Day Weekend

Guest Article: Demand a pause on PBOT’s SW Alder decision

Guest Opinion: The bike beat lives on in all of us

From the Archives

The 10 busiest bicycling spots in Portland