Month: June 2012

You spoke, PBOT listened: No rumble strips on Marine Drive

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

A treatment like this one on NE Couch
near the Burnside Bridge, might be
coming to Marine Drive.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

Earlier this week, I shared that the Bureau of Transportation was considering the installation of rumble strips out on NE Marine Drive. Citing stats that show a higher than average amount of “lane departure” collisions involving motor vehicles, PBOT felt rumble strips would help alert drivers that they were leaving the roadway.

A big issue with rumble strips, however, is that they can cause problems for people on bikes.

Today I’m happy to report that PBOT heard concerns from the community and it looks like they’ll be looking to other solutions.

In an email to Oregon Bicycle Racing Association director Kenji Sugahara, PBOT bike project coordinator Jeff Smith wrote that, “Thanks to all of you for your insightful comments…we’re going to examine other treatments that are more benign to cyclists.” (PBOT reached out to OBRA specifically, because Marine Drive is very popular with serious riders who use the route for training and long weekend rides.)

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Cream/Brown Schwinn Cream 2011

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Year: 2011
Brand: Schwinn
Model: Cream
Color:Cream/Brown
Size:S/M
Serial:snidc11c01269
Photo: https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/u/0/?ui=2&ik=90336bf220&view=att&th=138263804483c476&attid=0.1&disp=inline&realattid=1405795413826469888-1&safe=1&zw&saduie=AG9B_P_XdE5BYkpgmrfxK2Vu8PId&sadet
Stolen in Gresham, OR 97233
Stolen:2012-06-25
Stolen From: My bike was stolen from Cansler Village Apartments. It is located at 768 SE 193rd Avenue.
Neighborhood: Gresham-Rockwood
Owner: Michael Mulcock
OwnerEmail: hfteaser@gmail.com
Reward: 150
Description: It is a women’s downtown style bike. The frame is cream colored with brown detail. It says "Cream" on the frame. It has a brown bike chain guard over it The seat is brown with cream lining. It has brown fenders and white hanles on a steel handlebar. It is a 1-speed. It also has a rear-rack and a kickstand
Police record with: Gresham PD
Police reference#: 12-0707174
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Why advocates are distraught over new transportation bill

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

“The bill ultimately looks and feels like what it is: A stopgap that is the last gasp of a spent 20th century program. It doesn’t begin to address the needs of a changing America in the 21st century.”
— Transportation For America

It’s over 1,000 days late; but instead of relief and smiles, active transportation advocates are reacting with horror and gloom to the new federal transportation bill that emerged from a House and Senate conference committee late last night.

Details of the 599 page bill are still being analyzed, but advocates from Portland and around the nation have seen enough: They are extremely disappointed with what they have to show for years of member email blasts and bike summits. Nearly every major national bike advocacy group, as well as Portland’s own Bicycle Transportation Alliance, have already published statements of opposition to the new bill.

The bill, “Reverses years of progress on biking and walking policy,” says America Bikes. “A bad bill for bicycling,” reads a League of American Bicyclists’ headline. The Rails to Trails Conservancy says the bill is, “Bad news for America.”

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Red Schwinn Fastback 2003

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Year: 2003
Brand: Schwinn
Model: Fastback
Color:Red
Size:58cm
Stolen in Portland, OR 97203
Stolen:2012-05-22
Stolen From: My garage. University Park 1 1/2 block north of columbia park. N Dwight and Kilpatrick
Neighborhood: University Park
Owner: Alex Neu
OwnerEmail: alexn03@hotmail.com
Reward: 100
Description: Red Schwinn fastback sport, White handle bar tape, red Keo/look clipless pedals, REI seatpack Cateye wireless bike computer,specialized seat, bontrager tires, uvex silver helmet. There is a cheaper combo lock that was stolen with it. if you find the bike, call # and can send combo to you to try it out. (707)843-9289.
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 43568
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

Red Schwinn Fastback Sport 2003

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2003
Brand: Schwinn
Model: Fastback Sport
Color:Red
Size:58cm
Stolen in Portland, OR 97203
Stolen:2012-05-22
Stolen From: My garage. University Park 1 1/2 block north of columbia park. N Dwight and Kilpatrick
Neighborhood: University Park
Owner: Alex Neu
OwnerEmail: alexn03@hotmail.com
Reward: 100
Description: Red Schwinn fastback sport, White handle bar tape, red Keo/look clipless pedals, REI seatpack Cateye wireless bike computer,specialized seat, bontrager tires, uvex silver helmet. There is a cheaper combo lock that was stolen with it. if you find the bike, call my phone # and I can send the combo to you to try it out. (503)309-0006 or (707)843-9289.
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 12 43568
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

With six kids and no car, this mom does it all by bike

Emily Finch powers her seven-person family vehicle down SE Clay Street.
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)

Biking with kids is all the rage in Portland these days, but biking with six kids between the ages of 2 and 11? That’s something I never would have thought possible before I met southeast Portland resident Emily Finch.

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Alta pitches helmet vending machines for Vancouver BC bike share

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Much has been debated about the how the use of helmets impacts bicycling rates (or doesn’t). Now the debate is finding a new battlegrounds among the burgeoning crop of bike-share systems throughout North America.

Vancouver B.C. is an interesting case. The city is lauded as a leader in bicycling (they’re even hosting the major international cycling conference Velo-City this week), yet they are saddled by an all-ages, mandatory helmet law. Like Portland, Vancouver is working on their roll-out of a bike-sharing system and many people are watching how the helmet equation plays out. After all, if helmets are mandatory, that means every person who checks out a bike-share bike must have one on.

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seafoam green Kona Dew Plus 2008

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2008
Brand: Kona
Model: Dew Plus
Color:seafoam green
Size:56 cm
Serial: IO40801704
Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cmadrigal/2314674893/
Stolen in Portland, OR 97209
Stolen:2012-06-24
Stolen From: Bridgeport Brewery & Pub
Neighborhood: Pearl
Owner: Jake Justman
OwnerEmail: justmaniv@gmail.com
Reward: yes
Description: SPD pedals, disc brakes, planet bike fenders were on it when it was stolen
Police record with: portland pd
Police reference#: 12-54748
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Grey Trek Monona 2011

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2011
Brand: Trek
Model: Monona
Color:Grey
Size:21
Serial:wtu353c2147f
Photo: http://www.jacksbikes.com/contents/media/garyfisher_monona_2011_gray.jpg
Stolen in Portland, OR 97204
Stolen:2012-06-24
Stolen From: Bridgeport Brewing1318 Northwest Northrup StreetPortland, OR 97209
Neighborhood: Pearl
Owner: William Paul
OwnerEmail: billy.a.paul@gmail.com
Reward: $100
Description: It’s a Trek Monona 21" hybrid bike. It has front and rear fenders and a rear luggage rack. It also has a front light attachment, though I had the light on my person, so there will be no light.
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 12-054748
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Report will assess bicycling’s economic impact in Oregon

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Oregon Bike Summit afternoon sessions-22.jpg

This “wish list” was created at the 2008 Oregon Bike Summit.
(Note the top thing on the list!)
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

As Oregon’s bicycle tourism movement has matured over the past 4-5 years, one thing proponents have been clamoring for is a comprehensive study that measures the impact bikes have on our statewide economy. In order to get more political respect for bike tourism and bicycling in general, the thinking goes, advocates must be able to prove what we all know to be true in theory — that Oregon reaps an immense economic boost from bicycles and the people that ride them.

I’m happy to report, that such a study is in full swing. Travel Oregon, who is spearheading the project, has also just released an online survey that will play a key role in the project.

According to Kristin Dahl with Travel Oregon, there are two main components to the study: One of them will look at bicycling’s economic impact from a recreational and tourism perspective; the other will quantify Oregon’s bicycle manufacturing and retail industries. (Note: The study will not assess the economic impact of riding for transportation.)

Here’s more from the project’s scoping document:

Read more

Brown Brooks Imperial 2010

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2010
Brand: Brooks
Model: Imperial
Color:Brown
Size:B17
Stolen in Portland, OR 97232
Stolen:2012-06-27
Stolen From: SW corner of the Liberty Center at NE 6th & NE Holladay
Owner: Lance Poehler
OwnerEmail: lancepoehler@gmail.com
Description: My Brown Imperial Brooks saddle was just stolen at NE Holliday st and NE 7th ave (with black seat post)! Apparently, no bike shop that I have talked to sells the ‘Brown’ Imperial Brooks so if you see it on Craig’s List please let me know. If you go into a bike shop today let them know as well. I’m sure I won’t get it back but rrrrr…. Please pass this on.
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: T12005414
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

Silver grey Jamis Coda Comp

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Brand: Jamis
Model: Coda Comp
Color:Silver grey
Serial:U6YU21659
Stolen in Portland, OR 97213
Stolen:2012-06-26
Stolen From: 701 SE Grand, Portland OR 97214
Neighborhood: It was locked up in front of the Architecture Heritage Foundation
Owner: Rick Briasco
OwnerEmail: mills2323@gmail.com
Reward: $100
Description: Bike has upright handle bars, an odometer and front and rear fenders, along with a bell.
Police record with: Portland
Police reference#: 12-153956
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

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