2008 Archives

Biking for Jesus (and helping curb climate change)

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

(Photo sent in by a reader.)

According to an article published last Sunday by the Associated Press, a group of Southern Baptist leaders have signed a declaration stating that, “current evidence of global warming is “substantial,” and that the threat is too grave to wait for perfect knowledge about whether, or how much, people contribute to the trend.”

The group represents 16.3 million members and is the largest Protestant group in the U.S. That’s a pretty big constituency — imagine if just a fraction of them started riding a bike to church…

Date/Time: Tuesday, April 1st @ 6pm
Start Location: Col. Summers Park, SE 20th and Belmont
Ride Distance: 12 miles through inner southeast on low-traffic streets, the Springwater on Willamette, and the Eastbank Esplanade. Ride map: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1693771

Details: In the goofy, wonderful spirit of Sheldon Brown, we ask that you bring your craziest bike and a helmet. The first 30 people will get an Igor the Eagle to tape to their helmet! This is a family friendly ride, and kids are welcome.

April Fools Day Ride will honor Sheldon Brown

Sheldon Brown

When respected bike information guru and global Internet ambassador Sheldon Brown passed away back on February 3rd, the cycling world lost one of its most cherished assets.

In addition to the invaluable resource his website was for thousands (if not millions) of people, many also remembered him as a brilliant humorist who had a tradition of publishing hilarious April Fools Day spoofs.

“Needs a little cosmetic work” is an understatement.
(Photos © J. Maus)

This is a regular feature intended to remind you that when you buy a used bike from the Community Cycling Center’s retail shop (1700 NE Alberta) you are not just getting a cool bike, you’re also helping fund their amazing education programs for low-income youth and adults.

One of Portland’s most popular bikeways has been selected by the Portland Office of Transportation to become the city’s model bike boulevard.

Already a magnet for bikes, SE
Clinton Street is poised for a
major makeover by PDOT.
(Photo © J. Maus)

As part of an ongoing effort to expand and improve Portland’s network of bike boulevards, Transportation Commissioner Sam Adams and the City of Portland Office of Transportation (PDOT) have launched the Clinton Street Bike Boulevard Enhancement Project.

Still from “Do the Test”.
Watch video below

There’s an interesting PSA spreading around the web like wildfire.

The “Awareness Test” was created by Transport of London as part of their cycle safety campaign.

Check it out at DoTheTest.co.uk (you can skip the intro), or watch the YouTube version below (thanks DanK!). I failed the test, but the message came through crystal clear.

Cash prizes will be awarded for Most Artistic and Most Sustainably Innovative entries.

Contest poster

The Greener Homes and Gardens Expo, put on by the publishers of The ReDirect Guide, will give creative bike builders a chance to shine (and win some cash) with their “Creative and Custom” bike competition.

Bikes that pass an initial screening by a jury (made up of the event organizers) will be displayed in the front lobby of the Portland Expo Center during the show.

[NOTE: *I have updated this post at 12:30pm on 3/12 to correct my errors in the funding numbers and sources for the project.]

The effort to re-use the old Sauvie Island bridge span for a bike and pedestrian-only bridge over the 405 freeway at NW Flanders has been renewed and backers of the project say they’ve got the green light to raise the remaining $500,000 it will take to make their dream a reality.

Artists rendition of Sauvie span on NW Flanders over the 405 Freeway.
(Graphic origin unknown)

Come join fellow readers for drinks and conversation on Friday night (3/14) from 6-7pm.

Location: Roots Brewing just south of Hawthorne on SE 7th. I will post on the Front Page on Thursday with confirmed location.

This month we’ll have a special guest: City Council candidate, long-time daily bike commuter and environmental advocate Jim Middaugh.

Everyone is welcome!

Oregon Bike Summit

Registration and Event Website

Join Oregon’s entire cycling community as we work to make Oregon the nation’s premier cycling state. You’ll have the chance to connect with industry peers, learn from inspiring case studies, and engage with public policy issues over a broad spectrum of cycling-related topics including: TRANSPORTATION, RECREATION, TOURISM, INDUSTRY, EVENTS

Keynote speakers include Congressman Earl Blumenauer; Tim Blumenthal, executive director of Bikes Belong; and Hill Abell, board president of the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA). We’ll have a number of breakout sessions geared at specific topics ranging from event planning and creating successful partnerships to sustainable tourism, bike-friendly communities and how to affect policy at the local, state and national level.

Dates: Friday and Saturday, April 4-5, 2008
Site: Red Lion Hotel on the River – Jantzen Beach
Lodging Rates: $99 plus tax per night (ask for the Oregon Bike Summit room block)
Conference Fee: $100 includes Friday dinner and Saturday breakfast, lunch and reception
Exhibitors: Opportunities are available at the Summit for $150. Exhibit fee includes event registration and a skirted table
Event Questions: Please call Tara Corbin at Cycle Oregon – 503.287.0405 ext. 100

If you aren’t on our mailing list, please email Industry@TravelOregon.com and put “Add to Bike Summit mailing list” in the subject line.

We look forward to seeing you in April!

Riders protest helmet law at Vancouver City Hall, then eat ice cream

Vancouver Helmet Law Protest Ride-10.jpg

A smiling group of cyclists that included several kids and families showed up at Esther Short Park in downtown Vancouver last night for the “Freedom Ride” to protest the recently passed all-ages helmet law.

The ride was organized by 13 year-old Vancouver resident Stuart Jackson. Jackson — who prefers to go by Dread Pirate Roberts, a name he got from a character in the movie The Princess Bride — organized the ride because he believes the new law eliminates choice and that government should instead focus on laws that make the roads safer in general.

“I think that instead of limiting our freedom as cyclists,” he said, “they should first make it more enjoyable to ride on the street.”

Biking for Jesus (and helping curb climate change)

April Fools Ride for Sheldon Brown

April Fools Day Ride will honor Sheldon Brown

Seen on the street: A rusty bike, an optimistic seller

CCC Bike of the Month – March

Clinton Street will get extreme bike boulevard makeover

The Test: You can’t see what you’re not looking for

Home and garden show will include art bike competition

Updated: Backers begin effort to re-use Sauvie span in the Pearl

BikePortland Social Hour

Oregon Bike Summit

Riders protest helmet law at Vancouver City Hall, then eat ice cream

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