🚨 Please note: BikePortland is currently on hiatus and only publishing guest articles. Learn more here. Thank you. - Jonathan 🙏

Year: 2008

Last of three ‘bike education missions’ this morning in North Portland

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward
Traffic Enforcement Action NE 7th & Knott

(Photos © J. Maus)

Yesterday morning (7/23) the Portland Police Bureau’s Traffic Division conducted their second of three “educational warning missions” focused on bicycle operators at the intersection of North Flint and North Broadway.

The results?

According to Traffic Division Captain Larry O’Dea there were 61 total stops. 8 motor vehicle operators were stopped (all were given warnings) and 53 “bicycle operators” were stopped. Of those, 51 received warnings and 2 were written up for citations (for “egregious behavior”).

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Update from California: A speeding ticket, lunch with Gary Fisher, and bike dancing in between

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward
A day in San Francisco-7.jpg

Sampling a sharrow on Market
St. in downtown San Francisco.
More images
(Photos © J. Maus)

It’s been several days since my last report from the road. Since then, we’ve driven south from Ashland and made our way into San Francisco.

Before I share photos, I’ve got some embarrassing news: I got a speeding ticket.

While motoring down an empty, straight, downhill portion of I-5, I suddenly noticed my speed was in the mid 80s. I immediately slowed down, but the fuzz was on me just as quick (he probably thought I slowed on his account but I never saw him). The officer cited me for going 83 mph in a 60 65 mph zone. It was a bummer to get a ticket, but I earned it, so I can’t complain.

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Updated: Eugene senator will look to expand Oregon’s bike helmet law

[Updated 7/24, 5:40pm: *See below]

Sen. Floyd Prozanski wants
to expand Oregon’s helmet law.
(Photo © J. Maus)

State senator Floyd Prozanski (D-South Lane and North Douglas Counties) plans to introduce an expansion of Oregon’s bicycle helmet law in the 2009 legislative session.

Prozanski told me via telephone this morning that he plans to make Oregon’s current helmet law — ORS 815.485, which only applies to people under 16 years old — apply to everyone who rides a bike.

Pointing out his strong record of support for bike-related legislation, Prozanski says “a combination of things” have led him to this decision.

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Updated: Police target Ladds for educational mission

**See results and a statement about this morning’s enforcement mission from Captain Larry O’Dea below**

Ladds Circle in Southeast Portland.

Officers from the Portland Police Bureau Traffic Division were out in force this morning in the Ladds Circle area of Southeast Portland.

This area, which is a traffic circle ringed by streets with stop signs, is a busy bikeway where Police have focused enforcement efforts in the past.

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Alpenrose Velodrome Challenge

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

The Alpenrose Challenge is an exciting three-day competition bringing an international group of elite compeitiors who will compete for over $12,000 is cash. Racers from Australia, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Canada and the United States will rub shoulders in intense action. Events include the keirin, points race, miss & out, 5 and 10 mile, match sprints, madison, pursuits and kilo.

See Event Website for more info and schedules.

Hitting the road with The Sprockettes

Mult. County Bike Fair!

From a performance
in June of 2006.
(Photos © J. Maus)

For long-time readers of this site, my fondness for The Sprockettes is well known. I’ve covered them for over three years now, snapping hundreds (thousands?) of photos of them in action at performances around town.

Since the first time I saw them dance, I was captivated — not just by their grooves and moves, but by their energy, creativity, and by the way they chose to express their love of bikes.

I’m still one of their biggest fans — especially now that my wife Juli is a member of the crew.

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Updated: Sign in construction area admonishes bicyclists

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

[Updated 7/16, 2:40pm -7/17, 3:00pm — see below]

Signage at SE Caruthers and Water-2.jpg

(Photos © J. Maus)

A new traffic sign at the northeast corner of SE Water and SE Caruthers offers a stern reminder for those who pass by on two wheels:

“BICYCLISTS MUST FOLLOW STOP SIGNS AND TRAFFIC DIRECTIONS!”

The area (just south of OMSI) is currently the site of two major construction projects — the MLK Viaduct renovation being managed by ODOT and the East Side Big Pipe project managed by the City of Portland.

According to ODOT spokesperson Mike Mason, they had nothing to do with it.

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New BTA campaign will aim to ‘foster a culture of awareness’

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward
seen in Beaverton

(Photo © J. Maus)

The BTA is working to solidify plans for a new educational campaign focused not just on people who ride, but all users of the roadway.

The campaign, dubbed Eye to Eye … a lot is riding on it, is still in the formational stages, but initial campaign materials describe it as,

“A safety campaign targeted at all road users… To foster a culture of awareness and respect on our shared paths and roadways… To make the streets of our communities safer for everyone.”

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