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Year: 2008

Bike comes out ahead in morning commute challenge

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Bike - Car Commute Challenge-4.jpg

Rob Widmer finished ahead of his
brother Kurt — who drove the silver
Acura in the background.
(Photos © J. Maus)

May is National Bike Month and this morning the City of Portland’s Transportation Options Division kicked off their festivities with a bike/car commute challenge.

The event pitted Rob and Kurt Widmer (founders of Portland-based Widmer Brothers Brewing) against each other to see who would get from NE 18th and Broadway to City Hall — a distance of about three miles — first.

Rob rode his bike (a well-used Trek mountain bike), Kurt drove his car (a shiny newish Acura sedan).

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Putting Platinum to work; Blumenauer shares the news in speech on House floor

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My ride with Earl Blumenauer-1.jpg

In this photo taken in March,
Blumenauer gets ready to ride in
front of the Rayburn House Office
Building in Washington DC.
(Photo © J. Maus)

In some ways Portland’s Platinum designation is more important for America than it is for our city. What the award does is to provide inspiration and an example to cities around the country to start making a renewed effort to mirror our accomplishments.

Just one day after receiving Platinum, U.S. Congressman Earl Blumenauer (formerly Portland’s Transportation Commissioner) wasted no time in sharing Portland’s story with his congressional colleagues.

Below is the text of a short address Blumenauer made on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday:

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Flanders crossing update: Shifting criticisms and a report from City Council

[Update: Download the presentation given by Commissioner Adams today at City Council (6MB, PDF)…or watch it on YouTube.]

Adams making his case to City Council.
(Bad phone photo)

City Council is poised to hear an ordinance this morning that will authorize PDOT to “enter into a contract with Max J. Kuney Construction, owner of the old Sauvie Island Bridge, to rehabilitate, relocate and acquire the old Sauvie Island Bridge center span for the purpose of moving it to NW Flanders St over I-405.”

I’ll start with a brief update on the project followed by some live reporting (below) once the proceedings begin.

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Magazine editor blames bike lanes for Portland fatalities

Download article here (115 kb PDF)
Copyright 2008 by John Schubert and
reprinted with permission from
Adventure Cyclist magazine

In the April issue of Adventure Cyclist magazine, technical editor John Schubert writes that “poorly designed” bike lanes were to blame for the recent deaths of Tracey Sparling and Brett Jarolimek.

In, Portland’s Agony: Two cyclists died as a result of poorly designed traffic-control devices, Schubert uses his monthly Cyclesense column as a pulpit to slam PDOT bicycle coordinator Roger Geller and find fault with the current direction of bikeway design in the most bike-friendly city in America (the article is not available online, but you can download a PDF here — posted with permission from Adventure Cyclist Magazine.)

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In heralding Platinum, Portland looks back and ahead

Commissioner Sam Adams, flanked by PDOT staff at this morning’s Platinum press conference. (Photos © J. Maus)

The mix of attendees at today’s press conference illustrated one of the main reasons Portland has catapulted above all other American cities on its way to achieving Platinum. We have stitched together a diverse coalition of activists, agencies, companies, advocates and organizations — all working together to move biking forward.

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Press Release: Portland Platinum News Conference

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News Conference from: Portland Office of Transportation

LEAGUE OF AMERICAN BICYCLISTS NAMES PORTLAND A “PLATINUM” LEVEL BICYCLE FRIENDLY COMMUNITY

News conference is scheduled for today:
10:00 AM – Tuesday, April 29
Downtown Bike Gallery
1001 SW Salmon Street

The coveted designation of “Bicycle Friendly Community,” given at levels from Bronze to Platinum, recognizes those communities that are improving conditions for bicyclists and cycling safety. Portland is the first large U.S. city to gain the designation and joins Davis, California, as the only other Platinum city in the country.

Commissioner Sam Adams will be joined by Senator Ginny Burdick, Metro Council President David Bragdon, Bike Gallery owner Jay Graves, Oregon Transportation Commissioner Gail Achterman, Bicycle Transportation Alliance Executive Director Scott Bricker, business owner Chris King, Portland Police Chief Rosie Sizer, and representatives from the offices of Multnomah County Chair Ted Wheeler and Congressman Earl Blumenaur.

Portland earns Platinum; becomes first major U.S. city to win the award

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Bridge Pedal, 2005. Portland OR

This photo was taken at Bridge Pedal
in August of 2005. The “Sam” is City
Commissioner Sam Adams, who has
made achieving Platinum a priority.
(Photos © J. Maus)

Portland has gone Platinum.

The League of American Bicyclists will officially announce later today that Portland has become the first major city in America to be designated as a Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Community. (The only other city to have reached the Platinum level is Davis, California with a population of 63,000.)

The much-anticipated decision came from the League’s Executive Director Andy Clarke via a conference call last week in Commissioner Sam Adams’ office while local advocates, industry leaders, and key city staff were present.

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Press Release: Walk and Bike Challenge Kick-Off

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Walk + Bike Challenge Month Kicks Off May 3

April 28, 2008 – Oregon Walk + Bike to School will host a kickoff at Main Street Plaza along the Eastbank Esplanade from 9:30AM- 11AM for the first ever Walk + Bike to School Challenge Month. Featured speakers are Congressman Earl Blumenauer’s Advisor for Livable Communities, Meeky Blizzard, and Portland Police Officer Robert Pickett. Performing will be kid DJ’s Belinda Miller and Hova Najarian of the nationally syndicated radio show “Greasy Kid Stuff”, Portland State University cheerleaders, stilt-walking dinosaurs, and unusual 5-foot tall bikes from the North Portland Freak Collective. The event will conclude with a family bike ride and walk along the Willamette on the Eastbank Esplanade.

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Walk and Bike Challenge Kick-off

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Come and join Portland families as we kickoff the Walk + Bike to School Challenge Month with dancing, speakers, and a bike ride/walk along the river on the Eastbank Esplanade.

Meet at the Main Street Plaza
More info here.

Bike/Truck Safety Education Event

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Share the Road Bike – Truck Safety Education Event

(PORTLAND, OR) – Bikes and Trucks can Share the Road. The City of Portland Office of Transportation, Maintenance Operations and Transportation Options staff are working together to educate bicyclists and companies employing professional drivers about the importance of sharing the road. A special opportunity for bicyclists to interact with individuals who drive trucks and large equipment for a living will be offered during the evening commute on Tuesday, April 29, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. The event will take place on SE Clinton Street just west of SE 39th Avenue.

What: Bike – Truck Safety Education Event

When: 4:30 – 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Where: SE Clinton St. just west of SE 39th

Why: The City of Portland Office of Transportation wants to educate bicyclists and motorists about the unique challenges truck drivers face. It is important to recognize blind spots and use caution around big trucks.

Free Pedicab Rides on Free Cone Day

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The Best Day Possible to be from Portland

Imagine a day when local celebrities provide FREE rides only to be delivered to Ben & Jerry’s for a FREE Cone. Well dream no longer because Pdx Pedicab has partnered up with Ben & Jerry’s, New Avenues for youth, and the One Campain to provide

FREE rides on FREE cone day April 29th from noon – 8pm. Simply call 503-Pedicab from within the city limits to be picked up and swept away to ice cream delight.

The two Ben & Jerry’s locations being served are:

Ben & Jerry’s
301 NW 10th Ave, Portland, OR

Ben & Jerry’s
524 SW Yamhill St, Portland, OR

To request a ride to one of these locations simply call 503-Pedicab (503-733-4222). Also there will be some celebrity riders giving rides throughout the day:

Commissioner Sam Adams 1pm – 2pm
www.commissionersam.com

Ryan Christiansen
Founder Same Underneath Clothing Company
www.sameunderneath.com

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