White & Black Novara Carema Pro Women 2011

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Year: 2011
Brand: Novara
Model: Carema Pro Women
Color:White & Black
Serial:U12K10770
Photo: http://i.imgur.com/xuqp5zE.jpg
Stolen in Portland, OR 97215
Stolen:2013-01-31
Stolen From: Stolen from garage on SE Sherman Street
Neighborhood: Mt Tabor
Owner: Samy Fouts
OwnerEmail: samyfouts@comcast.net
Description: Large black bag on back with a rack to hold it.
Small tool bag attached to seat.
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 13-8476
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

grey LeMont Tourmalet Complete 2005

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Year: 2005
Brand: LeMont
Model: Tourmalet Complete
Color:grey
Size:57
Stolen in Portland, OR 97232
Stolen:2013-01-31
Stolen From: stolen from The Weller apartment building at 315 NE 28th
Neighborhood: lauralhurst
Owner: Philip Orchard
OwnerEmail: philiporchard(replace with at sign)gmail.com
Description: a fender on rear wheel. And one head light.
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Bare steel On one Il pompino 2007

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Year: 2007
Brand: On one
Model: Il pompino
Color:Bare steel
Size:Blue
Photo: http://imageshack.us/a/img29/746/imagehyc.jpg
Stolen in Portland, OR 97203
Stolen:2013-01-30
Stolen From: Stolen from backyard near N Buchanan and Fessenden
Neighborhood: St. John’s
Owner: Kevin Templeton
OwnerEmail: Templeton.k(AT)gmail.com
Reward: Yes
Description: Since this photo was taken I have stripped almost all of the paint, removed the seat bag and changed the grips to black. It has a 120mm Thomson elite stem, 180mm white industries cranks and some old steel fenders painted green. The front rack is homemade and covered in rust
Police record with: Portland pd
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

A letter from the former Chair of ODOT’s Bike and Ped Advisory Committee

“When I came to the committee, the glass ceiling was low; there were few listening within ODOT and bike lanes were pesky mosquitoes to be patronized.”
— AJ Zelada

ODOT made a big announcement today that has been circulating in the bike advocacy sphere for a while: the Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (OBPAC) is seeking new members. What the official announcement doesn’t say is that they need to fill five vacancies out of eight total seats on the committee. This is a big deal. If you’re not familiar with OBPAC, they are a governor-appointed group that “acts as a liaison between the public and ODOT.” They also play a key advisory role within ODOT and act as experts on biking and walking laws, projects, and so on (not to be confused with the Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC), which actually sets ODOT policy). The OBPAC also reviews grant applications and award millions of dollars in project funding.

Northeast Portland resident AJ Zelada has served on the committee for eight years and spent the last two as its Chair. He feels these vacancies at OBPAC are, “an incredible opportunity to make a big difference.” He wrote me a letter on January 22nd outlining the history of the committee, of ODOT’s relationship to bicycling, why now is such a crucial moment for active transportation at the agency, and how the OBPAC will play a vital role in the future.

He gave me permission to share his letter. It offers valuable, behind-the-scenes context and a poignant call to action. I’ve posted it below (nearly verbatim, with minor edits for clarity and brevity):

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Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee seeks new members

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A major opportunity to make an impact on bicycling in Oregon has just been announced. Learn more below (I’ve been in touch with the outgoing Chair of this committee and will have a story on the Front Page later today)…

Bike/Ped Advisory Committee seeks new members

SALEM – The Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee is seeking new members. The committee was first formed by Oregon Statute 366.112, a bill passed in the 1973 Oregon Legislature. In 1995, the Oregon Transportation Commission officially recognized the committee’s additional role in pedestrian issues, and the group became the Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, or OBPAC.

The eight-member committee, appointed by the governor, acts as a liaison between the public and ODOT. It advises ODOT in the regulation of bicycle and pedestrian traffic and the establishment of bikeways and walkways. Members serve four-year terms, and the makeup of the group must include:

  • An employee of a unit of local government employed in land-use planning
  • A representative of a recognized environmental group
  • A person engaged in the business of selling or repairing bicycles
  • A member designated by the Oregon Recreation Trails Advisory Council
  • At least one member under the age of 21 at the time of appointment
  • Three members at large.

The committee meets up to six times per year, with several of those meetings in locations outside of the Salem area. Throughout the year, the committee gathers input from residents, officials and ODOT Region staff as it considers bicycle and pedestrian transportation-related issues. Travel expenses are reimbursed and non-public employees qualify for a modest stipend. Upcoming work items include input on development of the new Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Modal Plan, ODOT’s new Active Transportation Section, and the department’s new intermodal policies. Interest forms are available at: http://www.oregon.gov/gov/Pages/boards.aspx.

For questions about the appointment process, contact Kendal Clawson, (503) 978-3123, kendall.clawson@state.or.us. For questions about the committee contact Sheila Lyons, ODOT Bicycle & Pedestrian Program manager, (503) 986-3555, sheila.a.lyons@odot.state.or.us.

First look: New ‘Crosspoint’ gloves from Showers Pass

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New Showers Pass gloves-7

The new Crosspoint Hardshell glove from Showers Pass.
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)

Portland-based Showers Pass launched a new line of gloves at the Outdoor Retailer trade show last week. It’s an ambitious foray for the company, and it’s just the latest sign of their growth into new markets and a transition away from their commuter jacket reputation. As sales manager Stephen Lederer said during my visit to their southeast Portland headquarters a few days ago, “We’re branching out of commuter, into every aspect of bicycling.”

A major part of this new direction for Showers Pass are the four glove models they unveiled last week; the Crosspoint Hardshell, Softshell, Wind Glove, and Liner Glove. The new gloves won’t be in stores until fall, but I was able to check out some samples at the company’s headquarters in southeast Portland.

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Job: SoupCycler – SoupCycle

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Sorry. This job has been filled.

Job Title
SoupCycler

Company/Organization
SoupCycle

Job Description
Do you get excited by the challenge of working on your bike, pulling a hefty trailer and delivering high-quality organic foods?

We’re a small Portland company that makes and delivers organic soups using local ingredients. Each week we cook three different soups (meaty, veggie, and vegan) and then deliver them to the masses of Portland by bicycle. So far we’ve done 79,000 bicycle deliveries, and we’re hiring a new SoupCycler. Are you our SoupCycling match made in heaven?

We have a great crew of people who are passionate about bicycle delivery. We’re looking for an energetic, upbeat and strong-legged person who can brave the winter rains of Portland and still be smiling when they deliver soup to customers. This position is pretty rad if we do say so ourselves. It’s a combination of working in the kitchen one day each week and delivering soup two days/week. One lucky candidate will be chosen for this position.

Here’s what we’re looking for:
-An authentic people-person. There’ll be a lot of customer interaction while you deliver and strong customer service is a must.
-A safe cyclist (uses hand-signals, wears helmet, respects drivers, etc)
-Excitement about food and sharing that with customers during deliveries.
-Ability to commit to working with SoupCycle for a one-year minimum
-Excitement to work with a small, local business.
-Ability to wield a kitchen knife and chop vegetables like it’s nobody’s business.
-Physically able to lift 75 lbs and pedal a bike trailer carrying up to 215 lbs.
-A sturdy bike to attach to our soup trailer for deliveries (you get to use your bike, we provide the trailer).
-Other business skills are a major plus, including sales and kitchen experience.

The position:
22-26 hours per week split Mondays-Wednesday, with most of your time out on the bike and part in the kitchen.

Approximate hours are…
Mondays (kitchen): 8am-6pm
Tuesdays (deliveries): 8am-4pm
Wednesdays (deliveries): 8am-4pm

If you’re interested in being an integral part of a bicycle-based business then jump aboard our soupy sailboat.

Compensation
$10/hour
Monthly bike upkeep stipend
Vacation benefits after 1 year
The ability to work for a mission-driven company with passionate coworkers
Generous soup allowance.

How to Apply
Send an email to jed@soupcycle.com, with 2-3 paragraphs telling us why you’re interested in working for SoupCycle, your bicycling background and all relevant skills.

Happy Slurping!
The SoupCycle Crew

Non-profit uses bikes to engage, empower homeless youth

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L.T. and his bike.
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)

New Avenues for Youth in downtown Portland is a haven for young, homeless Portlanders. The non-profit has been working to get 18-24 year olds off the street since 1997 with a variety of programs — from job placement to the arts and high school tutoring. Now they’ve got a fledgling new program aimed at using bicycles as a tool for transportation, education, and most importantly, empowerment.

Yesterday I met Abby Bohannon, a drop-in counselor and program coordinator who has worked at New Avenues since last fall. She got involved with bicycling when she moved to Portland six years ago and she knows first-hand how its impacted her life. “I ride for exercise, and for stress relief, and for the feeling of self-reliance I get by working on my own bike,” she shared while giving me a tour of their space on SW Oak Street.

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Goldsprints competition series starts at Velo Cult this Friday

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Goldsprints at the 2009
Hopworks Biketobeerfest.
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)

Velo Cult Bike Shop (1969 NE 42nd Ave) has announced a weekly goldsprints competition that will start this Friday (2/1). Goldsprints — also known as roller races — are a spectator-friendly competition that pits two riders against each other in an all-out sprint to victory. The competitors pedal bicycles that are attached to a stationary fork up front and the rear wheels turn in a set of rollers in the back. Both bikes are attached to an electronic timing system and their riders’ progress is displayed on a projection screen behind them so fans can see their progress and root them on.

Back in 2009, 42Below, a vodka brand owned by Bacardi, purchased 22 goldsprints set-ups (the bikes, computers, rollers, timing equipment, and so on) with the goal of setting them up at local bars throughout the country. One of the cities they selected was Portland. After there initial promotion of the events, they gave the systems to local bike clubs. We were approached by Bacardi and eventually connected them with Team Beer, a local club that was interested in taking over the goldsprints equipment.

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