Month: October 2005

BTA announces “Top 40” list

bta_newlogoAt a press conference this morning the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) will announce their much-anticipated “top 40 essential projects programs, and policies.” This “Blueprint for Better Biking” was determined from a survey of over 900 Portland cyclists back in spring of 2004.

From that survey, the BTA says 4 main areas of concern emerged:

  • Cycling in traffic
  • Connectivity (of the bikeway network)
  • Motorist behavior
  • Quality of the facilities

Taking these concerns into account, the BTA whittled down an initial list of 400 project suggestions down to 40. Among the top 40, they have also designated a “Top 10” of the absolute highest priorities on the list.

The Top 10 Projects are:

Read more

Biggest bike move ever

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Todd has a great post about last Saturday’s massive bike move. What is a bike move? It’s when bikey folks come together to help someone move all their stuff across town by bike.

Saturday’s mammoth move included 20 bikers hauling stuff about 130 blocks from NE to SW Portland!

If you live in the Portland metro area and want to try a bike move, check out the new “Move by Bike” page on the Shift website. For more photos and video of recent bike moves, check out this page. Here’s a shot of Todd’s fully-loaded, “Stokemonkey”-powered Xtracycle bike.

movebybike

White House to install bike racks

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Yes folks, it’s true. Here’s the excerpt from the Times Online (UK) story.

Mr Bush has ordered federal employees to curb their travel and encouraged them to use public transport. Bicycle racks are being installed in the parking bay of the White House.

Is a Presidential bike commute in the future?

[Hat tip to Fritz at Cyclelicious]

PSU to host Women’s Cycling Symposium

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Is it just me, or has the Portland State University Cycling Club shown some exciting signs of life recently?

They’ve just launched a really cool new website , they hosted a major track racing event last month, they sent a few guys to the big Interbike trade show to schmooze potential sponsors, and now they’re hosting a symposium called, “A Woman’s Perspective.”

Here’s a bit more about what sounds like a very interesting event:

“A Women’s Perspective” brings local speakers from all walks of life to give new faces to the image of cycling in Portland. All speakers are deeply involved with the cycling community in a variety of ways from activism to professional racing. Keynoting the event will be Jacquie Phelan, the first woman in the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame and mountain bike pioneer, she brings experience and inspiration to the halls of Portland State.

Go here for all the details.

Rain and cold no match for bike fun

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

So you think just because it’s a wee bit nippy and wet that the Portland bike fun should end? Come on, haven’t I taught you better than that? Take a look at some of the fun on tap through the weekend:

Weds:
Walk+Bike to School Day
KBOO Bike Show

Thurs:
Woodlawn Vortex Booze Cruise

Sat:
Cross Crusade #2 at Alpenrose Dairy
Go By Bike! Art Studio Tours
R U ‘Couv Curious?

And if that doesn’t fulfill your every desire, move to Davis…err..umm..I mean check out the Shift Calendar for more events then slap on some fenders, grab those wool socks and raincoats and head out into the fun!

Rain got you down?

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

If the wet weather has put a damper on your biking mood you should read this inspiring post to the PortlandTransport.com blog by BTA head honcho, Evan Manvel. He wrote it after riding into work on Friday and stopping by Shift’s Breakfast on the Bridges (photos). I especially liked the last few lines:

“Taking off my wet socks and trading out my shirt, I was soon dry. And felt alive. Alive from biking, from feeling the weather, from being with these people, and living in this place. I love this job.”

Local framebuilder profiled in national magazine

dirtRagMagazineCover

Joseph Ahearne

Joseph Ahearne is the subject of the “Builder’s Profile” in the October 1 issue of Dirt Rag Magazine.

Joseph is a top-notch guy with a bright future in the bike business. He makes beautifully functional custom bike frames and cargo racks. He’s also well-known for his popular “Spaceman Flask Holster” which is like a water bottle cage, only custom designed to hold a flask.

To see Joseph’s work, check out the Ahearne Cycles website. There’s also more photos of him and his shop in the BikePortland.org archives. And don’t miss this photo I snapped of him walking the floor of Interbike.

You can pick up a copy of Dirt Rag from Fat Tire Farm, Citybikes or wherever cool magazines are sold.

Latest Headlines

You’re invited to my 50th birthday party at Bike Happy Hour next week

Councilor Morillo wants SE Cesar Chavez Blvd safety concerns on transportation committee agenda

PBOT will reduce driving space on SW 6th to stripe wider bike lanes

Jobs of the Week: Community Cycling Center, Oregon E-Bikes, Bike Clark County, Mokwheel E-bikes

From the Archives

An epic, carfree, Portland to Seattle, multimodal adventure