23 November 2009 Archives

Portland’s Bicycle Business League grows up

“To support, promote, and actively participate in bicycle-powered commerce for a healthier world.”
— Mission statement of the Bicycle Business League

Back in May, we reported from the first meeting of a group of local bike-based business owners who came together to discuss the formation of a new organization. The idea was to join forces so they could more effectively advocate for their interests and help ensure their business success.

In just a few months, this group has moved from energetic ideas to a formal structure and a new name, the Bicycle Business League. On Friday, Nov. 18, its members approved by-laws and elected a five-person board to help achieve ambitious goals.

The Broadway/Williams intersection is in
dire need of improvements.

[Adams Carroll contributed reporting to this story.]

The City of Portland Bureau of Transportation has known for years that the intersection of NE Broadway and Williams is one of the most dangerous in the city for bike traffic. Significant plans to improve the intersection were drawn up over a year ago, but PBOT has yet to implement them.

After two Portlanders died while riding in bike lanes in October 2007, PBOT put the intersection on its list of 14 to get a green-painted bike box. When a fix turned out to be more complicated than a standard bike box, PBOT went back to the drawing board. In March 2008 they unveiled several possible design solutions including separate traffic signal phases for bicycles, lane reconfigurations, and new pavement markings.

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Here’s the news that caught our eye this week:

– Over one third of US young people between the ages of 17 and 24 are unfit for military service — primarily due to obesity and poor health.

– The Netherlands may soon become the first European country to charge a kilometer tax (with higher fees for peak hours and more polluting vehicles) rather than a road tax.

– A must-read analysis by Chris Smith on what bicycle advocates need to do to go after the serious funding levels needed to bring Portland to the next level.

[This story was co-written by Elly Blue and Jonathan Maus]

Last week the Board of Directors of the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) — Oregon’s largest bicycle advocacy organization — fired Scott Bricker after he served just two years as the organization’s executive director.

“What’s going on down there?” we were asked by David Hiller, advocacy director of the Cascade Bicycle Club, the BTA’s Washington State counterpart. “The whole national advocacy community is all atwitter about this and there aren’t any answers.”

Hiller’s sentiments were echoed here in the BTA’s own backyard, where many seemed to be caught off guard by the decision, which was effective immediately.

Year: 2007
Brand: Jamis
Model: Coda
Color:Grey/Black
Size:Medium
Stolen in Portland, OR 97211
Stolen:2009-11-18
Stolen From: It was stolen from my locked, back yard bike shed. The back door hinges of the shed were popped off.
Neighborhood: NE Ainsworth and MLK
Owner: Michelle Kosta
OwnerEmail: michelle.kosta@bbbs.org
Description: It was around a 52-54 cm grey/black road bike w/ flat bars, black bar ends and a rear rack. The right pedal clip is missing. When stolen it had a u-lock hanging form the handle bars and two different plastic attach clips for front lights on the handle bars.
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Portland’s Bicycle Business League grows up

Two years after being listed as ‘dangerous,’ Broadway/Williams fix languishes

The Monday Roundup

News analysis: BTA at a turning point with or without Bricker

Grey/Black Jamis Coda 2007

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