May 2009 Archives

House votes in favor of highway-centric transportation bill

If HB 2001 passes in its current
form, highways in Oregon would
get a major boost.
(Photo © J. Maus)

House Bill 2001 (text) passed through the Oregon House of Representatives today by a vote of 38-22 — just two votes more than it needed in order to get the required three-fifths majority.

In floor testimony prior to the vote, most lawmakers sang the bill’s praises, touting its green features while calling its $840 million in earmarked highway projects a boon for Oregon’s ailing economy. Meanwhile, environmental advocacy group 1000 Friends of Oregon strengthened their opposition to the bill. In a letter distributed to the House floor prior to the vote, they called HB 2001 an “embarrassment” and said it, “Substitutes pork barrel politics for the public interest.”

The bill began as Governor Kulongoski’s Jobs and Transportation Act of 2009 and it was introduced today by Chair of the House Transportation Committee, Rep. Terry Beyer (D-Springfield).

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Screenprints of bikes and bridges
by newcomer Ben Parsons

Our annual BikeCraft Fair is a bazaar for local crafters to sell and showcase anything that they make by hand, in Portland, for and about bikes. Each year (we’re now on year five!) the fair gets bigger, with 40 vendors and hundreds of attendees crowding into our biggest space yet last December.

By popular request, we’ll be holding a full-sized BikeCraft this summer on the midway of the Multnomah County Bike Fair this June 27th from 2pm to 7pm.

What: This route focuses on Southwest’s Multi-Use Paths like the Willamette Greenway, Terwilliger Trail and the Fanno Creek Trail. There are some hills on this route. We’ll take our time going up them and regroup at the top but this ride is probably not one you want to do pulling a kid trailer.
Where: Meet: Tiny’s Coffee – 1412 SE 12th ave.
Route: http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Portland-Fanno-Creek
When: Sunday, May 31, 2009. Start gathering at 10:30am, ride at 11:00am. Return: 3:00pm – 4:00pm

Additional info:
Distance: 30 mile loop
Elevation: 2131 feet total. Biggest ascent is 500ft.
Snacks: Bring some munchies. We’ll stop around mid-way and snack in a park
Dinner and Booze: Uh huh. We’ll figure out where during the ride. Maybe somewhere downtown south of Burnside?

Cycle the Well Field

What: Wishing you could go for a great bike ride AND learn about your local groundwater at the same time? We’ve got you covered! Join us for a bicycling tour of the Columbia South Shore Well Field, with experts on hand to describe Portland’s back-up water supply system. A great ride for adults and children over 12, you’ll need to bring your bike, helmet, water and lunch. This trip is brought to you by the Portland Water Bureau and aloft hotel pdx.

When: Saturday, June 13, 9:00 am to 1:30 pm

Where: Aloft hotel at Cascade Station, 9920 NE Cascades Pkwy, Portland

Register: To Register: sign up online at www.columbiaslough.org, or call Melissa at 503-281-1132.

A new bike corral and happy hour for bikers

The new bike parking, just
minutes after it was installed.
(Photo: Bryan Steelman)

You’ve got to love local business owners like Por Que No Taqueria’s Bryan Steelman.

In July 2007, when he wanted on-street bike parking in front of his first location on N. Mississippi, he didn’t wait for PBOT, he did it himself.

Then, to encourage folks to fill up his DIY bike parking, he gave away a free taco to anyone that showed up by bike. A few months later, when PBOT installed an official bike corral, Steelman was so happy he gave happy hour prices on food and beer to bike riders for over a week.

The new logo and name was
unveiled last night.
(Photos © J. Maus)

The Portland United Mountain Pedalers (PUMP) are now known as the Northwest Trail Alliance and a new era in off-road advocacy has begun.

PUMP, a group that celebrated its 20th anniversary last year, has gone through big changes in recent months and with last night’s unveiling of a new name, new logo, and a new mission statement, the transformation is now complete.

Marion Rice and daughter Gleneden

[Publisher’s note: This article is by our Family Biking columnist Marion Rice. Marion’s last two columns have been about biking while pregnant. Today she talks about negotiating a first bike purchase with your child.]

Starting at about 10 years old, I can remember going everywhere on my bike with my group of friends on the weekend. We would pack lunches and take off for points unknown. Of course we would have to bring a dime or two to call home and check in with our parents during the day. Sometimes we would call to beg for a ride home after having biked a good 20 miles away.

Job Title
Sales associate

Company/Organization
The Bike Gallery

Job Description
The Bike Gallery is seeking enthusiastic individuals to join our seasonal retail sales force. If you are driven, service oriented and passionate about cycling and the cycling lifestyle, then we want to hear from you!

This is a unique opportunity to be a part of what makes Portland such a great place to live and the Bike Gallery continues to be the top rated bicycle retailer in the area and one of the top 100 in the nation. We offer a fast paced and dynamic work environment, competitive benefits package*, a supportive and team oriented culture, employee merchandise discounts and opportunities for advancement within a growth oriented, locally owned and operated business.

Bicycle retail experience preferred, but not required. Specialty retail experience preferred, but not required. Bicycling experience is helpful and passion for customer service excellence is a must.
* Benefits may not be available to seasonal or temporary staff.

How to Apply
send a cover letter and resume to resumes@bikegallery.com.

In letter to ODOT, Adams urges a new approach to speed limits

Sensible speed limits are key
in creating a people-friendly city.
(Photos © J. Maus)

In America, there are many unseen barriers to creating a more human-friendly transportation system. Many of them reside in national engineering manuals that were created — and continue to be “updated” — by auto-centric engineers. Other barriers are entrenched in policies and processes at those familiar bastions of the status quo; state-level Departments of Transportation.

Among the many powerful transportation planning tools that the Oregon DOT holds jurisdiction over is setting speed limits on city streets. It should go without saying how vital speed limits are in creating a bike and pedestrian-friendly city. High-speed, arterial streets — especially through residential areas, where even a 35 mph speed limit feels unsafe — are often the location of very serious collisions.

What: The New Belgium Brewing Urban Assault Ride

Where: Pioneer Courthouse Square

When: Sunday, May 31st, 9am

More Info:
The Urban Assault Ride is the biggest bike scavenger hunt series in the world! You and a teammate will take to the streets on a city-wide bike adventure. Plot your own course to checkpoints around town where you’ll take on physical and mental obstacle courses. Be the 1st team to hit all the checkpoints and you’ll win a pair of New Belgium Brewing cruiser bikes (and be the first team to the beer tent 😉

The event is well known for its funky obstacle courses which must be completed before moving on. We’re talking modified Big Wheels, Bike Jousting, The Keg Walk, Inflatable Slides…and much more. Obstacles change every year and at every UAR. It’s a killer event for anybody who can pedal a bike (ages 7 and up). After the fun at the checkpoints there’s a ragin’ after party with a huge prize raffle and plenty of New Belgium beer.

It’s a Pedal-Powered Urban Adventure!

Must register in advance! Details here.

Summer BikeCraft at MCBF

What: Summer BikeCraft at the Multnomah County Bike Fair

Where: Colonel Summers Park, SE 20th and Belmont

When: June 27, 2009 from 2:00pm to 7:00pm

More Info:

BikePortland’s BikeCraft Fair is a twice-annual venue for Portland-area crafters to show and sell their hand-made, bike-related art, crafts, clothes, jewelry, bike accessories, and more.

Now in its fifth year, BikeCraft is a unique expression of Portland’s diverse and creative culture and DIY spirit around bikes. This year is the first full-sized summer BikeCraft, though smaller editions have been at MCBF in the past. Join us on the Bike Fair midway to support local crafters and purchase awesome gifts, gear, and get-ups to help express and expedite your love of bikes!

About Multnomah County Bike Fair:

MCBF is the catastrophic culmination of 2+ weeks of Pedalpalooza bike fun. Featuring:
– Local bikey artisan craft bazaar
– “Biking around large vehicles” clinic by TriMet’s Dan Christensen.
– Affordable lights and helmets from Protect Your World.
– Local food carts including bike-based Soupcycle!
– Root beer garden for the kiddos.
– As always, live music and crazy competitions.

Bring your friend. Bring your bike. Bring your sunscreen. Bring your camera. Bring your best game. Bring your bandages. Bring your bike fun.

Happy Friday Ride

What: Happy Friday! Ride (formerly known as the SE Peep’s Ride)

Where: Meet by Palio, 1996 SE Ladd Avenue, Portland, OR, 97214

When: Friday, May 29th, 5:45pm

More Info: Please join us for a safe, mellow, family-friendly ride through a few (mostly) S.E. neighborhoods on Friday, May 29th, to help spread a little joy and bikey good will along the way – the route is about 10 miles long, and takes about an hour. Let’s meet up outside of Palio on the big circle in Ladd’s Addition starting at 5:45 p.m., and kick off promptly at 6:15 p.m. Come on out and celebrate Spring! If you have any questions, please let me know. If you’re looking for a bit of rabble-rousing, you won’t find it here. Peace and Blessings, all – take good care, and have an enjoyable short week! ~ Misha

House votes in favor of highway-centric transportation bill

Get ready for a summer BikeCraft at the Multnomah County Bike Fair

Easy Riders – MUP’s of the SW (do-over edition)

Cycle the Well Field

A new bike corral and happy hour for bikers

Introducing the Northwest Trail Alliance

How to navigate through your child’s first bike purchase

Job: Sales Associate (Bike Gallery)

In letter to ODOT, Adams urges a new approach to speed limits

Urban Assault Ride

Summer BikeCraft at MCBF

Happy Friday Ride

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