Activism isn’t always this exciting. Burnout can happen when progress ebbs and fatigue sets in. (Photos: J. Maus/BikePortland)
“Burnout is a way of telling you that your form of activism was perhaps not very full circle.” – Gloria Steinem
Burnout is a part of activism that doesn’t get talked about often enough.
Ever since we celebrated the fourth anniversary of BikeLoudPDX (the all-volunteer activism group I co-chair) in August 2018, I began to feel conflicted about my bike activism. I still had moments of excitement and interest that had drawn me to the group and this kind of work in the first place, but I was feeling overwhelmed, unmotivated, and sometimes resentful and angry. [Read more…]
Changes include a two-way bike lane that starts on the I-84 overpass (a ramp from the sidewalk to the new lanes will be built later this summer). (Photos: J. Maus/BikePortland)
The Portland Bureau of Transportation recently completed phase one of a $331,000 project on Northeast 102nd Avenue that included new lanes for biking, fewer lanes for driving, and more. It’s part of a significant update of the corridor between NE Sandy and Weidler. [Read more…]
The sidewalks on the St. Johns Bridge are already extremely narrow and stressful. (Photos: J. Maus/BikePortland)
The Oregon Department of Transportation announced yesterday that a maintenance project on the St. Johns Bridge will result in the closure of one sidewalk for two months. ODOT will close one sidewalk for two, 30-day periods in order to stage construction equipment.
The project, which will reinforce the framework of the bridge to handle more and heavier auto and truck traffic, means bicycle users who use the sidewalks will share the narrow sidewalk space with more people than ever. This is a big deal because the sidewalks are only five feet wide and traffic around the St. Johns Bridge is notoriously unsafe. [Read more…]
We just biked to the last Portland Pickles baseball game of the regular season. I love biking to sporting events in the summer! (Photo: Madi Carlson)
For those of us following the Portland Public Schools calendar, there are just two more weeks of summer break. I don’t know about you, but I’m hoping to sneak in a few more fun things on bikes before we’ve got to get back to the books. I’d like to hit a few new locations and maybe revisit a special spot or two.
How about you? Any last-minute summer flings planned? If not, here are three little bits of inspiration…[Read more…]
Coming along nicely. This view is looking west at Marine Drive near 185th. (Photos: J. Maus/BikePortland)
The City of Portland has embarked on a project that will give bicycle riders more separation from auto and truck drivers on Northeast Marine Drive. [Read more…]
The law allows you to pass another vehicle on the right, even if you’re on a bike. (Photo: J. Maus/BikePortland)
The Oregon Court of Appeals has overturned a lower court decision that found a bicycle rider guilty of passing on the right. The case is a rare interpretation of a bicycle-related statute from this upper court and it strengthens the rights of bicycle riders statewide. [Read more…]
This is the route to safely access the crosswalk in the background for people cycling across Prescott at 37th. (Photos: J. Maus/BikePortland)
An off-set intersection and a sweeping curve combine to make the crossing of Northeast Prescott at 37th very unsettling. To make matters worse, 37th is an important north-south connection in our cycling network. [Read more…]
New bus island on NE Weidler west of 103rd Place. (Photos: J. Maus/BikePortland)
Yesterday while taking a look at the new striping and other changes the City has made to NE 102nd (story to come), I decided to take a ride on the newly updated Halsey-Weidler couplet through the Gateway district. I reported on the project back in June and wanted to give it a check-up. [Read more…]
PBOT got an earful from concerned residents of the King Neighborhood in north Portland at a meeting on July 25th.
The City of Portland is once again headed back to the drawing board for their Lloyd-to-Woodlawn Neighborhood Greenway project. Back in March, the bureau of transportation dropped a proposal that would have used 7th Avenue as the main, low-stress bicycling connection between the forthcoming carfree bridge in the Lloyd District and the ever-growing Woodlawn neighborhood. Saying they, “Underestimated the role [7th Avenue] plays in the hearts and minds of Portland’s black community,” PBOT switched their proposal to 9th Avenue.
Now, after a meeting with residents of the King Neighborhood on July 25th, PBOT says even their latest proposal for 9th lacks support and won’t be advanced until changes are made.
In an email sent to meeting attendees on July 31st, PBOT wrote: “It is clear that we missed the mark with the proposal and that there is little support in the community for the traffic pattern changes as proposed. Given the response last week it is unlikely we will be advancing the proposal we developed… PBOT is committed to working with neighbors to identify changes that can improve safety for everyone, and to do so in a way that is less disruptive for the community.” [Read more…]
Overhead look at the Rocky Point Recreation Area via Google Maps. Rocky Point Road is in upper right corner.
At the end of last month the Portland-based nonprofit Northwest Trail Alliance (NWTA) announced a groundbreaking partnership with Weyerhaeuser Company that opened up 3,100 acres of off-road riding just 14 miles from downtown. While still raw and relatively undeveloped, the Rocky Point Recreation Area is the best and most expansive place for mountain biking and gravel grinding that doesn’t require an hour-plus drive for Portland residents.
Since we posted our story at the end of July, NWTA’s lease has become effective and the group has released more information about how to access the area. In order to start riding and exploring out at Rocky Point, here’s what you need to know: [Read more…]
This bold claim greets visitors to the front page of TheDallesRoads.com. (Photos: David Boerner)
Ever loved riding in an area so much you became obsessed with it? So much so you found yourself poring over lines on maps, dreaming and scheming on how to ride them all? [Read more…]
I can’t wait to see if the new lanes on SE Foster feel safe at 8:30am once school starts. (Photos: Madi Carlson)
Yikes, August has snuck up on me and the school year is just three weeks away. That means it’s time to plan out your bike-to-school route. [Read more…]
Comment of the Week: Let’s stop with the bikes-on-sidewalk B.S.