November 2007 Archives

PDOT unveils concepts for bike boxes, intersection improvements

Matthew Machado of
PDOT traffic operations.
(Photos © Jonathan Maus)

At last night’s meeting of the Portland Bicycle Advisory Committee, PDOT unveiled their initial concepts for adding new bike boxes and blue bike lanes to fourteen Portland intersections.

Commissioner Adams dropped in on the meeting and said he wants to move “quickly but prudently” and hopes to have these safety improvements (see all of them below), “approved and on the ground by the end of the year or sooner.”

These intersections are a subset of a larger list of known hot spots and, following a spate of recent high-profile collisions, were recently fast-tracked by Adams and his Bike Safety Committee for emergency improvements.

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

According to media reports, late last night a bicyclist was involved in a head-on collision with a car in Milwaukie, a city that borders Portland to the south.

Here’s a snip from the Oregonian:

“Gabriel Lee King, 20, of Arcadia, Calif., was riding north on the southbound shoulder of Southeast McLoughlin Boulevard about 5:15 p.m. when his bicycle crossed 22nd Avenue and collided with the car, said Kevin Krebs, a Milwaukie Police Department spokesman.”

Press conference Friday, 12:30 at City Hall.
Rally Saturday, 12 noon at Salmon Street Fountain.
More info here.

In the wake of a tragic October that revealed chinks in Portland’s bike-friendly armor, community members have come together and planned a press conference and rally under the banner of “We are all traffic”.

On Friday there will be a press conference in front of City Hall at 12:30 and on Saturday, a public rally has been planned for 12 noon at Salmon Street Fountain (more details about the event).

Location: Salmon Street Fountain (between Hawthorne and Morrison Bridges)
More information here

Spurred on by the recent string of traffic collisions resulting in cyclists’ deaths and injuries, we are making an appeal to all levels of our government and law enforcement, to the media, and to all citizens who share the roads, to come together and work for a positive change in our communities and in the streets.

“We are all traffic” Press Conference

Location: City Hall – 1221 SW 4th Ave.
More information here

Our concerns:

* The high toll of law-abiding cyclists killed and injured in traffic collisions in recent months.
* The bias displayed by certain elements in our law enforcement community, when responding or reporting on car-bike collisions.
* The apparent lack of accountability for motorists who cause car-bike collisions resulting in injury or death.
* The “bikes vs. cars” rethoric used in certain media to frame the recent string of cyclist fatalities.
* The frustration shared by many regarding the current state of traffic safety education and road facilities that perpetuate misunderstandings, confusion, friction, and rage.

Stolen Diamondback Wildwood

Light yellow comfort bike with a bell and rear fender

More Info on Finetoothcog

State appeals board issues opinion in SK Northwest case

The Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA), which has “exclusive jurisdiction to review all governmental land use decisions”, has issued an opinion on the SK Northwest case.

Their decision (dated November 8th) to “remand” the case means it will now be sent back to the City of Portland for further review.

(You can view a PDF of the 24-page opinion here.)

After their development proposal was denied by the Portland Hearings Officer back in July, the owner of the riverfront parcel, Wayne Kingsley, and SK Northwest’s Shawn Karambelas, appealed the decision to the LUBA.

Stay warm in style with S’mittens.
See them and lots more at BikeCraft!

I hope you plan to join us for the third annual BikeCraft this Thursday night (11/15). The assemblage of cycle-inspired artists is something you just won’t get to experience anywhere else.

BikeCraft is on the same night as PDOT’s See and Be Seen Bike Light Parade and there will be a ride going from the end of that event over to the Lucky Lab NW. We’ll be waiting for you!

Here are some exciting, recent additions to the list of Portlanders who will display their wares:

(File photo)

I had symbolic experience on my way into work today. Symbolic of a major barrier we (as people who use bicycles as our primary form of transportation) face in bringing the primarily motor-vehicle-driving public under our tent.

This barrier is some cyclist’s attitude toward traffic laws, and their response to other cyclists when that attitude is called out. Here’s what happened…

I was riding south down the hill from Mississippi Street and I had crossed one lane of N. Interstate Ave. I was on the MAX platform waiting for a chance to cross. A TriMet bus stopped and waved me through. I continued on down the road at then we both (me and the bus) stopped at a traffic light at the intersection of N. Albina and Interstate.

Nearly a month passed since we lost Brett Jarolimek, but signs of his life and actions spurred by his passing continue.

The Bike Gallery (where Brett worked) has established a memorial fund in his honor. The fund will,

“support the cause of bicycle safety through strategic partnerships and direct support of projects intended to 1) enhance motorist awareness and education, 2) enhance the awareness, visibility and education of bicyclists, and 3) enable bicycle safety infrastructure projects on a selected basis. This will include funding of grassroots projects initiated by individuals in the community.”

Last Friday at City Hall, Commissioner Sam Adams hosted a meeting to discuss the enforcement issues that have caused frustration and outrage in the bike community and a public relations crisis for the Police Bureau.

At the table were representatives from the Police Bureau including both Chief Sizer and Assistant Chief Lynnae Berg, along with Traffic Division Captain Vince Jarmer. Also around the table were top staffers from Adams’ office, the Mayor’s office (the Mayor himself did not attend), City Attorney Dave Worboril, Multnomah County DA Chuck Sparks, Scott Bricker and Karl Rohde from the BTA, city traffic engineer Rob Burchfield, lawyer Mark Ginsberg, PDOT traffic safety guru Greg Raisman, City bike coordinator Roger Geller, and others.

I still can’t decide what was more impressive at yesterday’s Oregon Handmade Bicycle Show; the crowds or the builders.

One of the event organizers, Austin Ramsland, says that over 1,800 people attended the show. They were treated to an unprecedented display of building prowess from well over 20 Oregon-based builders. It was a show of talent and enthusiasm for bikes that many of us knew existed, but to see and feel it all in one room was simply breathtaking.

PDOT unveils concepts for bike boxes, intersection improvements

Car/bike collision in Milwaukie sparks engineering questions

We are all traffic: An interview with Elly Blue

Rally for transportation equality

“We are all traffic” Press Conference

Stolen Diamondback Wildwood

State appeals board issues opinion in SK Northwest case

Late, great additions to BikeCraft (it’s Thursday!)

I got flipped off by a cyclist today

Remembering Brett Jarolimek

Police Chief comes to the table, hears enforcement concerns

Builders, crowds impress at handmade bicycle show

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From the Archives

With six kids and no car, this mom does it all by bike