A license to ride?

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Skanner publisher
Bernie Foster
thinks bikes should
be more highly
regulated.
(Photo: Skanner)

As bicycling continues to push its way into the mainstream here in Portland, the refrain over increased regulation — usually in the form of licensing — grows.

A few weeks back, Bernie Foster, the publisher of The Skanner, (a small weekly newspaper that “advanced the cause of the Black Press in the North Western United States”) wrote an editorial calling for cyclists to be regulated more like motor vehicle drivers.

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Traffic issues prove too messy for big-box developer

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“We are excited to share this victory with more than 2,200 supporters who have made it possible…this isn’t over…this land is still open to development proposals and we are committed to working towards the right fit for the neighborhood.
–Save Madison South

Remember the story about a group of neighbors in Northeast Portland who were concerned about the transportation and livability impacts of a proposed big-box store at 82nd and Siskiyou?

The folks behind Save Madison South rallied support from the bike community (among others) because they felt the proposed development would create 9,000 more car trips in their neighborhood, would harm bike safety, and would impact cyclists riding to and around Rocky Butte Park.

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Harvest Century

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Event Website

Cycling through Yamhill Valley in October in Oregon is not to be missed. The 5th Annual Harvest Century consists of three looped routes (42, 75, & 102) that circle the Chehalem Mountains.

Bicyclists begin their day at historic Champoeg Park with a hot cup of java or chocolate and a muffin. They traverse low-trafficked roads as they make their way to the valley-splitting Willamette River.

Each rider crosses the river on the Canby Ferry, as they pedal their way over the rolling foothills of the Chehalem Mountain (..and no they don’t have to climb the Mountain). All roads lead back to Champoeg State Park for a big finish line party featuring live music and the bounty of the season – caramel apples and fresh pressed cider.

This is a perfect ride to take in the spectacular fall foliage. Riders will enjoy challenging climbs and speedy descents as they crank out 42, 75, or 105 miles. Routes skirt major metropolitan areas while meandering by horse farms, fern-lined creeks, well-stocked nurseries, and gorgeous expanses of fertile valley. Plus, rider’s fuel up at fun rest stops at local businesses; garden center, State Park, historic church and tree farm. New for 2007, Oregon State Parks will offer families and kids a safety class and a parade with that will include harvest themed ride. Proceeds from this event will be donated to Community Vision, Inc. For four years, the Harvest Century has taken more than 1,200 riders through the foothills of the Chehalem Mountains. There are also many opportunities to volunteer along the route and event organizers promise food and a free t-shirt for all who sign-up to help.

DETAILS:

What: 5th Annual
Harvest Century, bicycling ride

Why: Proceeds to benefit
Community Vision, Inc. The last organized ride on the cycling calendar. To
showcase the beauty of the most fertile valley in the Pacific
Northwest

When: Sunday, October 7. Routes
open from 7:00-9:00 AM. Pre-registration closes Monday, October 1. Limited
event day registration available, registration is capped at 1200. $45
registration fee.

Where: Historic Champoeg State
Park (start/finish). Routes around the Chehalem
Mountain foothills passing through St. Paul, Canby, Newberg, Sherwood, Tualatin, Forest
Grove, Hillsboro, Cornelius, and the greater Yamhill Valley.

Who: Smith & Miller
Productions and Community Vision, Inc.

MORE INFORMATION: www.harvestcentury.org & www.cvision.org

When: Sunday, 10/7/2007, 07:00 AM
Event Location: Champoeg State Park, Washington & Yamhill Counties
Directions: Google Map To Champoeg State Park, Washington & Yamhill Counties
Contact: Sarah Bailen Smith
Contact E-Mail: info@harvestcentury.org
Contact Phone: 503-309-5662
Website: www.harvestcentury.org

Bike Workshop for Seniors

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BIKE WORKSHOP FOR NEW BICYLISTS WITH THE BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION ALLIANCE AND NORTHWEST PORTLAND MINISTRIES

At 1816 NW Irving (Street level entrance of First Immanuel Lutheran Church)

This free workshop by the Bicycle Transportation Alliance is open to all, with a special focus on seniors. It will cover riding skills, gear you need, your rights under the law, and practice looking at maps to find bike-ways and low traffic streets to ride on. RSVP by contacting Kelly at 503-413-5530 or Kelly@nwpm.org

or Joel at the BTA – 503-226-0676 ext 29 or joel@bta4bikes.org

Bike Lunch!

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Event Location: Backspace 115 NW 5th AVE (5th, and Couch AKA one block north of Burnside)

Eat lunch with other cyclists that work downtown, or at least don’t have to work at lunchtime. Chat with your friends, or make new friends.

Since it’s indoors they won’t want you to bring your bike in. As such bring something to positively identify yourself as a cyclist such as a helmet, cycling clothing, or messenger bag. This will make it easier to find the group. I’ll probably wear a bright yellow shirt, and have a helmet with a clover on it. If you can’t find the group did you remember to write down my phone number?

The staff is totally awesome, and mostly bike commuters so remember to tip well. 🙂

Contact: Daniel P Johnson (teknotus)
Contact E-Mail: teknotus@gmail.com

Stolen legnano unknown

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road bike
fixed gear with hand brakes
light blue with white handle bars
front light duct taped to handle bars
Legnano frame
rear water bottle holder

More Info on Finetoothcog

Stolen Diamondback Edgewood

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A black commuter hybrid bike with black plastic fenders (front and rear) and a black metal pannier rack on the back. Small black bag with green “Z” underneath the seat.

More Info on Finetoothcog

Sellwood Bridge update: Bike/ped only bridge will be studied

Multnomah County Commissioner
Maria Rojo de Steffy at
last night’s meeting.
(All photos © Jonathan Maus)

An influential advisory group made up of elected and appointed officials has narrowed the options for the design of the future Sellwood Bridge.

At a meeting last night, the Policy Advisory Group of the Sellwood Bridge Project decided on four alternatives (listed below) to be put forth to the next phase of study.

In addition to those was an interesting idea put forth by City Commissioner Sam Adams and Metro Councilor Robert Liberty. They want to take a closer look at a totally separate bridge for bikes and pedestrians, while rehabbing the existing bridge for cars, busses and streetcar.

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Stolen Trek SU 100

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

13″ Silver Trek with black “trek” letters, black seat, head and tail light attachments, flat handlebars, mountain bike-like frame, wider hybrid tires, black rack, stolen with u-lock still on the rack, rack was custom attached and has a loose screw, Bike Gallery sticker on frame, bonaventure handlebar grips, red water bottle holder

More Info on Finetoothcog

Zoobomb “Pyle” will become official public art

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[Editor’s note: This is the first article by new contributor Carl Larson. I hope to bring you more of his writing in the future.]

Zoobomb pile

The iconic Zoobomb Pyle
will get a new home.
(File photo © Jonathan Maus)

The “Zoobomb Pyle,” that colorful jumble of janky kids bikes chained to the bike rack across from Rocco’s Pizza at SW 10th and Oak, has
finally been recognized as “art.”

Thanks to pressure from Commissioner Sam Adams‘ office, the Regional Arts and Culture Council (RACC) has given the project a budget of $10,000 (that’s less than 20% of the budget for “Pod,” the enormous metal shuttlecock-on-a-tripod that usually ends up in the background of tourists’ pictures of the beloved Pyle).

The RACC — in concert with PDOT and Zoobomb — plans to build a purpose-built structure at W Burnside and SW Stark to which the bicycles can be locked without the threat of citations or removal by the city.

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