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35 years of bicycle activism

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

I recently stumbled upon Steven Reed Johnson’s excellent history of Portland’s bicycle “movement”.

In that paper, he details the formation of the Portland’s first official group of bicycle activists:

“In November 1971, the City of Portland created the first citizen committee to examine bicycle programs in the city, the Bicycle Path Task Force (led by Sam Oakland).”

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Stolen Serotta CSI

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This a very large bike (67cm seat tube and 70cm top tube) with full Dura Ace. Seatpost is a Thompson with a red and black Selle Italia saddle. Stolen from my garage on Holgate along with another bike (and a bunch of non-bike stuff) to be posted separately

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Perceptions of enforcement

Tour de Fat '06

The issue of enforcement against bicycles is contributing to an increasingly acrimonious relationship between the Police Bureau and some members of the bike community.

In addition to the well-publicized and unresolved fixed-gear bicycle issue, allegations of selective enforcement are still being made, especially by downtown messengers who feel they’re being unfairly targeted for both fixed-gears and other “ticky-tack” violations.

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CCC plans to take over Get Lit program

BikeCraft!

[Get Lit display at the
2005 BikeCraft.]

The Community Cycling Center (CCC) plans to take over the popular Get Lit program, run by citizen activist Jeff Bernards since 2003.

The plan is “still in the works” according to the CCC’s Alison Hill, who also says,

“We’re excited about the opportunity to continue Get Lit. It’s a great program and it makes sense for us because bike safety is a central component of our mission.”

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Stolen bianchi unknown

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seafoam green bianchi. stolen at the library on killingsworth in north east portland.has a campignolo back wheel and white handelbar tape.

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Eurobike announcement surprised POVA too

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Although they met at Interbike and were in the midst of ongoing discussions, the Portland Oregon Visitor’s Association (POVA) did not expect Messe Friedrichshafen’s big announcement to bring a major bicycle trade show to Portland in September of 2007.

In a conversation today with POVA’s VP of Sales, Michael Smith, I learned that the two groups were still in the “qualifying stages”, and that the announcement caught them completely by surprise.

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Stolen Klein Quantum

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Mid-1980s era Klein Quantum road bike, canary yellow, big (at least 60cm), downtube shifters, new black/grey striped Bontrager hardcase RaceLites, Time ATAC MTB pedals, silver frame pump, slim rear black plastic seat-post mounted fender, assortment of lights, old black bar tape. Well loved.

More Info on Finetoothcog

Mud and crowds thick at USGP cross race

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[Photo: Brian Ellin]

Yesterday Hillsboro (a few miles West of Portland) played host to the US Gran Prix of Cyclocross (USGP). By all accounts, the rain-soaked course did little to dampen the spirits of the racers and the spectators.

In fact, the challenging conditions were welcomed by many. In a report on VeloNews.com, USGP series director Bruce Fina said,

“if I could race any single day of the series, I would race on this day, because of the epic scale of it. The winner today will be a hard man.”

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