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PPB crosswalk enforcement action tomorrow on SE Foster Road

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor) — Tue, 22 May 2012 21:39:26 +0000

This just in from PBOT:

NEWS ADVISORY
Crosswalk enforcement is tomorrow on SE Foster Road with Police

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Portland Bureau of Transportation and Portland Police Bureau advised the general public that a crosswalk enforcement action was scheduled for Wednesday to raise awareness of pedestrian safety and traffic law.

The enforcement action will be from 12:30 to 2 p.m. tomorrow at the marked, mid-block crossing of SE Foster Road between SE 68th and SE 69th avenues near 6880 SE Foster Road.

This mid-block crossing has a pedestrian median, pavement markings and signage alerting people driving and pedestrians of the crossing.

A crosswalk enforcement action includes a pedestrian decoy positioned at marked or unmarked crosswalks. Drivers that fail to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk and pedestrians that jaywalk may be issued a warning or citation by the Portland Police Bureau.

Crosswalk enforcement actions are an effective way to communicate pedestrian right of way laws to both drivers and pedestrians. The transportation and police bureaus do enforcement actions in response to community requests and to educate the general public on the rules at marked and unmarked crossings. They are conducted approximately once a month.

Visit www.PortlandOnline.com/StreetSmart to learn more about the StreetSmart – Go Safe effort.

Portland 'Ride of Silence' set for May 16th

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 21:45:53 +0000

Portland's edition of the global Ride of Silence is set for May 16th. The ride aims to memorialize those who have been killed while bicycling and draw attention to the importance of sharing the road. This will be Portland's seventh consecutive Ride of Silence, with the first event being held in 2006.

Here's more from local event organizers:

On Wednesday May 16 the Ride of Silence will begin in North America and roll across the globe. Cyclists will take to the roads in a silent procession to honor bicyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. Although cyclists have a legal right to share the road with motorists, the motoring public often isn't aware of these rights, and sometimes not aware of the cyclists themselves.

The Ride Of Silence is a free ride that asks its cyclists to ride no faster than 12 mph and remain silent during the ride. In it’s tenth year, Rides of Silence have been organized in all seven continents, 26 countries and all 50 states. There are no brochures, no sponsors and no registration fees. The ride is held during National Bike Month and aims to raise the awareness of motorists, police officers, city officials and others that cyclists have a legal right to the public roadways. The ride is also a chance to show respect for those who have been killed or injured while cycling.

The Portland Ride of Silence will leave at 6pm on Wednesday May 16 from Portland Design Works (15 NE Hancock - near N Williams and NE Hancock). The route is welcoming and open to all ages, cycling experiences and skill levels and will travel slowly on N Williams, NE Going, NE 17th and Broadway. Following the ride, many will gather at Hopworks BikeBar (3947 N Williams) to celebrate life, network with each other and talk about making our roads safer for all users. Riders are asked to wear white, if possible, which will add to the visual message of the silent ride.

Facebook event listing here.

Advisory: SE Umatilla Street closed to bikes tomorrow

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 21:54:43 +0000

From City of Portland Bureau of Transportation:

BICYCLE TRAFFIC ADVISORY
SE Umatilla bikeway closes tomorrow for construction, detouring traffic

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Bureau of Transportation announced a bicycle traffic advisory due to the closure of SE Umatilla Street tomorrow between SE 7th and SE 11th avenues. SE Umatilla is a popular on-street bikeway linking the segment of the Springwater Trail on the Willamette River with the southeast bikeway network and eastern segment of the Springwater Trail.

People on bicycles will be detoured from SE Umatilla is scheduled to be closed from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. tomorrow. The traveling public is advised to follow detour signs and use caution in work zones. Construction is due to sewer line work in the area.

Memorial service planned for WOU prof Hank Bersani

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 19:52:09 +0000

A Celebration of Life honoring Dr. Hank Bersani — the man who was struck and killed while bicycling on Highway 99W in Monmouth on March 31st — will be held tomorrow. Please see full details in the statement below:

MONMOUTH, Ore. --- Western Oregon University (WOU) will hold a Celebration of Life honoring Dr. Hank Bersani on Saturday, April 7. The celebration will take place in the Werner University Center Pacific Room. Doors will open at 1 p.m. with a program beginning at 1:15 p.m. A light reception will follow at about 2:15 p.m. All are welcome and parking will be free in all campus parking lots.

Bersani died on Saturday, March 31 as a result of injuries sustained in a traffic accident. Bersani was a respected teacher, scholar and leader in the field of special education. He joined WOU in 1999 and over the course of his career he has made an enormous impact as an educator, advocate for people with special needs, and scholar. More details about Bersani's career, contributions and accomplishments can be found here: http://wounews.wordpress.com/2012/03/31/hank_bersani/

The celebration will feature aspects of Bersani's life shared by selected individuals who knew him well. The celebration will offer an opportunity for those unable to attend the memorial and visitation events during the week to honor Bersani's accomplishments. Memories, commemorative remarks and personal reflections can be shared at http://wounews.wordpress.com/2012/03/31/hank_bersani/ or in a memory book that will be available at the celebration.

For those wanting to make a contribution in Bersani's honor, the WOU Foundation has established a Hank Bersani Student Scholarship Fund that will provide tuition support for students seeking to complete a teacher preparation program in special education at WOU. Gifts can be made electronically at wou.edu/giving. For further information about donations and pledges, please contact Cara Groshong at groshonc@wou.edu or Tommy Love at lovet@wou.edu. Both may be reached by phone at 503-838-8281.

If you have a disability that may require some accommodation in order to participate in the Celebration of Life Honoring Dr. Hank Bersani, please notify the Office for Disability Services (503) 838-8250 V/TTY or e-mail ods@wou.edu at least 72 hours in advance.

Project to move streetcar pole on Broadway Bridge comes with closures

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor) — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 21:48:53 +0000

Remember that pesky streetcar utility pole placed in the bike path on the Broadway Bridge? The project to move it will start next week and Portland Streetcar will close parts of the bridge during the work. See more info below:

Portland Streetcar Construction Advisory

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT A POLE ON THE BROADWAY BRIDGE WILL BE SHIFTED. THIS WORK WILL INVOLVE THE FOLLOWING CLOSURES TO TRAVEL LANES AND SIDEWALKS:
· THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012, NIGHT WORK FROM 9:00PM TO 7:00AM
o THE NORTH SIDEWALK ON THE BROADWAY BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL USERS.
o THE RIGHT HAND WESTBOUND TRAVEL LANE ON THE BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED.
o INTERSTATE AVE WILL BE CLOSED TO SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC FROM N TILLAMOOK TO N LARRABEE.
o ALL STREETS AND THE SIDEWALK WILL REOPEN BY 7:00AM ON FRIDAY, APRIL 13.
· MONDAY, APRIL 16 – FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2012, DAY WORK
o THE NORTH SIDEWALK WILL BE CLOSED 24 HOURS A DAY TO ALL USERS.
o A DETOUR TO THE SOUTH SIDEWALK WILL BE IN PLACE. PLEASE USE CAUTION IN WORK ZONES.

THIS WORK IS WEATHER DEPENDENT. (Construction subject to change).

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE!

For further information, please contact:
Julie Gustafson at 242-0084 or julie@sojpdx.com
Visit our web site for construction updates:
www.portlandstreetcar.org

ODOT seeking two volunteers for Safe Routes Advisory Committee

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:44:57 +0000

This just in from ODOT... They are looking to fill vacancies on their Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee:

The Oregon Department of Transportation is seeking people interested in filling two vacancies for the nine-member Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee. The two stakeholder positions available represent bicycle-based advocacy groups and local traffic safety committee or neighborhood association constituencies

The committee provides technical assistance to the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program, acts as a review committee for SRTS grants, serves as a communication channel between the SRTS Program and stakeholders and as an advocate for SRTS. Members serve on a volunteer basis. The committee meets at most four times a year, generally in Salem, with the option for members to join the meeting by teleconference or videoconference. The state reimburses members for travel expenses to attend committee meetings.

The ODOT Safe Routes to School Program is a statewide program assisting Oregon communities in identifying and reducing barriers and hazards to children, K-12, when walking or bicycling to or from school. The program may provide federal aid funding to schools K-8 for education and outreach, evaluation, and engineering and enforcement within two miles of the school, based on a statewide competitive application process.

The Safe Routes to School Program welcomes stakeholder participation from across the state -- from urban, suburban and rural communities. The application is posted on the website. (See http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/TS/saferoutes.shtml). Please submit completed application by mail, postmarked no later than April 16, 2012.

Blumenauer letter urges House leadership to support Senate Bill

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 21:46:20 +0000

This just in from Rep. Blumenauer's office:

Bipartisan House Transportation Leaders Urge House Leadership to Move Quickly and Support Bipartisan Senate Transportation Legislation

Washington, DC – Today, Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Robert J. Dold (R-IL), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Judy Biggert (R-IL), Rick Larsen (D-WA) and Charles Bass (R-NH) released a letter to House Leadership asking the House to provide certainty to transportation agencies, construction workers, and commuters across the country and bring the bipartisan Senate bill, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century, to the House floor.

“A ninety day extension puts us squarely in the middle of construction season, ensuring that transportation agencies will not have the funding necessary to begin any significant projects this year,” said Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-03). “While the Senate bill is by no means perfect, it will provide much needed certainty to transportation agencies, while Congress figures out how to deal with our long term funding issues. I hope that my colleagues in the House will realize that it’s time to act like grown-ups and pass the bipartisan Senate bill.”

“With funding for transportation and infrastructure projects expiring at the end of the week, it is critical that we act as soon as possible to provide certainty in the transportation and infrastructure sector that employs so many Americans,” said Rep. Robert Dold (R-IL-10). “I firmly believe transportation is a bipartisan priority that extends beyond partisan politics- that is why I am urging the House to consider the bipartisan Senate bill if it cannot bring a viable longer-term bill to the House floor by the March 31 expiration. We must reach a bipartisan consensus now to ensure that local transportation agencies can better plan for the future, and so that these important projects and jobs can continue.”

“Transportation and infrastructure investments create jobs and provide substantial economic growth, but only when they are backed by long-term commitments to funding and policies,” said Rep. Quigley (D-IL-05). “By taking immediate action in the House on MAP-21, we can provide some much needed certainty to the transportation sector in these tough economic times.”

Congressman Charles Bass (R-NH-02) said, “To ensure the safety of our roads and strengthen the economy, we need a long-term highway bill reauthorization so states, local communities, and contractors have the funding certainty they need to advance critical infrastructure projects. In New Hampshire, for example, the I-93 widening project will have a significant economic impact on the southern part of the state and improve safety on one of New Hampshire’s most heavily-traveled roadways. We can’t expect states and contractors to plan and execute infrastructure projects in the face of such uncertainty caused by a series of short-term extensions, so we need to work together to move a longer-term highway reauthorization forward.”

“Every day we wait to pass a long-term transportation bill is another day of uncertainty for construction workers and transportation planners. These construction jobs to repair our roads, bridges and highways can’t wait another 90 days,” said Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA-02). “The Senate bill was negotiated and passed on a widely bipartisan basis. It would support hundreds of thousands of jobs by investing directly in our critical infrastructure, laying the foundation for long-term economic growth. Instead of a ninth short-term extension, the House should move forward with the Senate bill.”

“For suburban motorists in districts like mine, this isn’t about politics or policy, it’s about getting to work on time,” said Judy Biggert (R-IL-13), who represents Chicago’s south and western suburbs. “We need to act quickly so our regional transportation managers can plan and invest in the roads, railways, and bridges that keep people and commerce moving. A long-term bill is ideal, but a series of short-term extensions just won’t do. We need to work together and send a multi-year plan to the President’s desk.”

The bipartisan Senate legislation was passed 74-22 on March 14th, 2012. Current legislation runs out March 31, 2012. The House plans to bring up a three month extension on suspension today.

Today! Luck O' the Commute sale and party

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor) — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:17:40 +0000

This is happening tonight, 4-8pm at A Better Cycle on SE Division. Come one, come all!

FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE: Luck o’ the Commute Sale
A Better Cycle and North St. Bags presents:

Luck ‘o the Commute Sale

Thursday, March 15th 4-8pm
At A Better Cycle (2324 SE Division)

Stop by for discounts, games, snacks, a prize wheel, bouncy balls, beer, and more!

40% off tons of stuff!

Advisory: Minor detour near I-5 bridge due to CRC pre-construction

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:47:41 +0000

The Columbia River Crossing project has announced a minor detour for bicycle traffic near the project area during a "pre-construction test project." The detours will begin "mid-March" and last about 3 1/2 months. See the detour maps and the full advisory from CRC below:

Temporary routes for pedestrian and bicycle traffic to begin mid-March

Cyclists and pedestrians traveling through the CRC project area will experience minor construction detours as the CRC conducts construction techniques testing starting in mid-March. A pre-construction test project will occur at two locations just west of the I-5 Bridge near the I-5/State Route 14 interchange in Washington and near the Hayden Island interchange in Oregon. Construction chain-link fencing will be placed around the work zones and large cranes will be visible.

Temporary detour routes will be clearly marked at both work locations, with flaggers/spotters present during all work hours.

In Oregon, the temporary route will only affect bicycle and pedestrian traffic destined for points on the west side of I-5 on Hayden Island.

In Washington, the east lane of SE Columbia Way will be shifted between the Interstate Bridge underpass and West 3rd Street. In this location, pedestrians will be directed to cross SE Columbia Way to the sidewalk on the west side of SE Columbia Way; bicycle traffic will merge with vehicle traffic for this short distance.

The project could take up to 14 weeks to complete with work occurring in daytime and night-time hours. All work is expected to be complete by summer 2012.

Work zone safety is a vital component of any construction project. Drivers, pedestrians and cyclists are responsible for staying alert and obeying traffic laws, signage and flaggers. Most importantly, slow down when traveling in work zones.

And here is the detour map for Washington side:

And map for Oregon side:

Someone thinks bikes need to share the road better in Vancouver

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 20:46:36 +0000

Reader Todd B. sent in this modified Share the Road sign spotted in Frenchman's Bar just over the river in Vancouver...