Comment of the Week: The case against a bike path alongside I-84

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A rendering of a possible Sullivan’s Gulch Corridor.
(Rendering: Nick Falbo, Alta Planning + Design)

Biking on a flat off-road path is terrific. But biking on many first-rate streets might be better.

That’s the argument made on Wednesday by reader Terry D-M, at least. In the midst of the heated discussion over whether the Portland Bureau of Transportation needs an equity and inclusion manager, Terry offered a comment that seemed a little off-topic at first but eventually circled directly on point.

The job of an equity manager, Terry argued, would be to help people such as the members of the city’s volunteer Bicycle Advisory Committee escape the involuntary blinders that he thinks caused them to neglect infrastructure outside the central city in favor of (in his view) expensive luxuries like the long-planned Sullivan’s Gulch Corridor between the Rose Quarter and NE 21st.

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Thoughts on lawmakers who “just want to start a conversation”

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In light of Oregon House Representative John Davis’s bill that would mandate what type of clothes people would have to wear while riding a bicycle, I want to re-post some thoughts I published back in January 2011.

Back then, we were covering a very similar situation where Oregon legislator Mitch Greenlick wanted to “start a conversation” about bike safety by sponsoring a bill that would have made it illegal to carry a child of six years or younger on the back of a bike or in a trailer (yes, you read that right).

Here’s the post. It’s just as relevant today as it was back then…

Study first, then make new laws (if necessary)

Published January 2011

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Oregon lawmaker wants to punish people who bike without reflective clothing – UPDATED

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Rep. John Davis.

*Scroll down for update with comments from Rep. Davis.*

A member of the Oregon House has introduced a bill that would require all bicycle riders in Oregon to wear reflective clothing. Representative John Davis (R-District 26) introduced House Bill 3255 this morning.

According to the text of the bill, Davis wants anyone caught riding a bicycle, “on a highway or on premises open to the public” without wearing reflective clothing to be punished by a maximum fine of $250. The bill also dictates that the clothing is, “including but not limited to a reflective coat or reflective vest.” The new law would only apply to people riding bicycles at night (between sunset and sunrise).

The new offense, “Failure of a bicycle operator to wear reflective clothing,” would be a Class D traffic violation.

Similar bills have been introduced in California, Wyoming and South Dakota. In California, Senate Bill 192 mandates helmets for all ages and reflective clothing, but carries a maximum fine of just $25.

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Job: Assistant Camp Manager – Community Cycling Center

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title
Assistant Camp Manager

Company/Organization
Community Cycling Center

Job Description
Community Cycling Center seeking Assistant Camp Manager

Title: Assistant Camp Manager
Organization: Community Cycling Center
Location: Portland, OR
Applications Due: Apply by March 11, 2015 (See details below)

About the Community Cycling Center
The Community Cycling Center is a 501(c) 3 organization. Our mission is to broaden access to bicycling and its benefits. Our vision is to build a vibrant community where people of all backgrounds use bicycles to stay healthy and connected. We believe that a bicycle is a tool for empowerment and a vehicle for change. The Community Cycling Center is energetic and collaborative, and values a diverse and inclusive workplace environment.

Essential Job Function
Bike Camp is a summer educational program that allows young people to experience the independence and empowerment that comes from an adventure on two wheels. The Assistant Camp Manager is critical to the success of camp – the job is challenging and rewarding with the goal of maximizing camp registrations, developing the program, and providing solid support. It is a seasonal position, with full time work from spring through summer and part time work in the fall. This person will fill a variety of needs including managing online registration, supporting families in their registration needs, setting up partnerships for summer field trips, and supervising staff in the summer. The ideal candidate would have experience in Bike Camp or comparable camp/youth development program, be a quick learner for online programs, possess excellent customer service skills, be detail-oriented, follow through, and have supervisory experience.

Duties:

Registration lead for Bike Camp
-Online registration system tech support for both staff and registrants
-Customer Service for registering individuals and agencies; heavy phone utilization at times
-Organize registration information- including running weekly reports and creating rosters for camps
-Management of waitlists to maximize participation in programs
-Collaboration with communications team to utilize social media for recruitment
-Update website with changes to camp

Pre-Camp Bike Camp Support
-Plan and organize materials for camp, including incentives, T-shirts, training binders, and educational tools
-Set up schedule of partner visits and field trips – maintain relationships with partners
-Assist with staff training and staff communication
-Develop and maintain strong working relationships -with bike shop
-Assist with creation and management of staff schedule
-Assist with hiring for instructors
-Assist with development of list of substitutes
-Assist with program and curriculum development

Camp support
-Supervise and support Bike Camp instructors as needed
-Drive support vehicle for pick-ups
-Advise and support staff with troubleshooting group management, logistical, and inter-staff challenges
-Communicate with Bike Camp families to diffuse potential conflicts
-Assist with check-in and check-out – troubleshoot for families
-Effectively manage camper behavior – back stop instructors (discipline)
-Fill in as Camp Manager as needed
-Substitute as an instructor as needed
-Support off-site camps
-Complete other administrative duties as needed
-We believe that fundraising is everyone’s job. There is an expectation that all employees will support fundraising activities.

General Qualifications:

-Independent and creative problem solver
-Knowledge and experience with Bike Camp or comparable youth development or camp program
-Excellent customer service skills
-Excellent communication skills – with both internal and external customers
-Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office programs, basic HTML, and online software
-Ability to work a flexible schedule (position will mostly work during normal business hours but may occasionally include work in the evening or on weekends)
-Criminal background check required
-First Aid and CPR
-Driver’s License required
-Spanish proficiency strongly desired
-Ability to substitute as an instructor

Reports to:
Camp Manager

Pay Rate, Benefits, and Schedule:

Pay: $13.20 per hour

Term: Seasonal

Basic schedule:
30 – 40 hrs/wk March – May
40 hrs/wk June – August
15 – 20 hrs/wk September – October

Benefits:
Sick time (begins accruing from 1st day; eligible to use following 90 days)
Discount on new parts at our bike shop

How to Apply:
Please email a cover letter, resume, and three references to:
Hiring Committee
RE: Assistant Camp Manager
Jake@communitycyclingcenter.org
No calls, please.

Weekend Event Guide: Gold sprints, road race, path surprises, and more

Mt Hood view on Springwater-2

Get out and explore the Springwater Corridor path on Saturday.
(Photo by J. Maus/BikePortland)

Welcome to your menu of weekend rides and events, lovingly brought to you by our friends at Hopworks Urban Brewery.

What are your plans for the weekend? The weather looks like it will hold up and be just dandy for some bike riding.

If you don’t already have something planned, perhaps we can entice you to one of the rides below. Whatever you do, have a great weekend!

Friday, February 27th

Gold Sprints at Western Bike Works – 6:00 pm at the shop (1015 NW 17th)
Show up and show off your strength and spinning skills (or lack thereof) and enjoy prizes while hanging out at Western Bike Works’ Corsa Cafe. All you need is a good attitude and they’ll provide everything else. This will be good practice for the finals which will take place at their new Tigard location on March 27th. More info here (FB).

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What would bike-friendly auto parking reform look like? Seven ideas

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Squeezed on Northeast Alberta Street.
(Photo: J.Maus/BikePortland)

As the City of Portland continues public meetings with its two massive parking reform committees, most attention has been on parking prices: how much permits and meters should cost and how the money should be spent.

But another issue has, so far, mostly escaped notice: The many ways that parking spaces can conflict with biking improvements.

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Job: Bicycle Mechanic – Beaverton Bike N’ Hike

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title
Bicycle Mechanic

Company/Organization
Beaverton Bike N’ Hike

Job Description
We are looking for a skilled bicycle mechanic with a positive attitude and great communication skills. The position is primarily wrenching but will require time on the sales floor also. Ability to work at a fast pace a must.

Experience at a bicycle shop required.
Compensation based on experience.

How to Apply
Bring resume to Bike N’ Hike at 10120 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy, Beaverton, OR
503-646-6363

Biking would win big under Oregon Climate carbon tax plan

A new advocacy group is angling for Oregon to use its moment as one of the only fully Democratic-controlled state governments in the country and pass the country’s first statewide carbon tax.

The group, called Oregon Climate, is pushing a concept called “tax and dividend”: instead of sending the proceeds into government coffers, all of the revenue collected from wholesale fossil-fuel transactions — gasoline to a distributor, coal to a power plant, and so on — would be pooled and divided evenly among Oregonians in the form of checks worth an estimated $500 to $1500 per year.

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