🚨 Please note: BikePortland is currently on hiatus and only publishing guest articles. Learn more here. Thank you. - Jonathan 🙏
The BTA reports that TriMet has officially decided to make bike access through the Rose Quarter a reality.
TriMet tested potential solutions for bike traffic through its busy Rose Quarter transit hub back in June. Now, according to the BTA’s Michelle Poyourow, TriMet will make good on changes they alluded to a few weeks ago.
James Thomas of the Bicycle Design blog introduces us to the “Trek Stop”, a convenience store for bikers…
The short video below premiered at Bike Porn 2. It contains some dirty language but it’s definitely worth watching for what I think is one of the best lines ever spoken in the growing bike box film genre…
Friends and supporters of local racer Zak Kovalcik are rallying after a crash last week left him with a broken collarbone. Kovalcik is unable to work while his medical bills (from this and a previous racing injury) pile up.
Kovalcik, a member of Team Beer and one of the top track racers in the area, went down hard at the Alpenrose Six Day event on Wednesday. As a full-time bike messenger, the injury has left him unable to work and the company he works for does not provide health insurance.
Bike Central
Fast Twitch Friday
Special July 4th Edition
Benefit for Zak Kovalcik
Prizes and glory! Potluck afterwards – bring food!
Expanded race program begins at 2pm
200m
Beginner Men Alpenrose Mile
Beginner Women Unknown Distance
Messenger 10 Lap Point-a-lap
Sprint Round
Beginner Men 10 Lap Progressive Points
Beginner Women Alpenrose Mile
Messenger Unknown Distance
Sprint Round
Beginner Men 15 Lap Points
Beginner Women 10 Lap Tempo
Messenger 10 Lap Scratch
Sprint Round
Scratch races for Cat 1/2/3, Cat 4, and Open Women
Keirin tournament
Prizes including: Cateye cyclometers, Chris King Headset, Planet Bike lights, Raleigh Rush Hour frameset, SKS fenders, Save Our Soles socks, Selle San Marco Saddles
$10 1st event, $5 each additional event (omniums count as 1 event) All entry fees go towards helping Zak. Donations will also be accepted!
OBRA license and helmet required.
One day licenses available for $5.
Races must have a minimum of 5 riders.
The Portland-based Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) has joined onto a campaign with bicycle advocacy groups from New York City, San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C., to help launch Independence from Oil Day.
The effort will kick off this Friday (July 4th), and the idea is garner media attention while calling on Americans to take part in “Gas Free Fridays” and pledge to make more gas-free trips.
The campaign also hopes to put bike-related legislation in the spotlight of Congress during the General Election and in the run-up to the reauthorization of the Transportation bill next year.
[Updated at 8:02pm on 6/30 — see end of story.]
In a brilliantly ironic bit of activism, two strategically placed cars helped created a three-block stretch of carfree streets during last week’s Last Thursday event on Alberta Street.
The event was first reported by Stephen Upchurch, who shared what he saw on the Shift email list.
“There are a lot of [bike-sharing] systems out there and we really want to pick the best model.”
–Shoshanah Oppenheim, transportation policy aide for Commissioner Adams
With the announcement last week that the City of Portland has canceled their search for a bike-sharing vendor, some are wondering what’s next in Portland’s public-bike future.
Far from giving up on the idea, Commissioner Sam Adams’ office says just they’re taking a new approach.
Ending speculation since the announcement on Friday, U.S. Congressman Earl Blumenauer was in Portland this morning (sans bowtie) to deliver some “straight talk” about energy policy and unveil a bill that will help cure America’s ailing transportation policies.
Expensive oil and gas prices, he said, “has exposed the vulnerabilities of American families to what President Bush famously said was an addiction to oil.”
Standing next to a chart that showed American households living near public transportation services save over $6,000 per year (over those who don’t), Blumenauer introduced his Transportation and Housing Options for Gas Price Relief Act of 2008 (download summary of bill — PDF).
Those who were brave enough to confront the freakishly hot weather at the Multnomah County Bike Fair on Saturday, were rewarded with a fun and fitting end to Pedalpalooza.
While some were happy to enjoy the two-wheeled ambiance with a nap in the shade, others carried on in the grand MCBF tradition of beer, bikes, dancing, and, like the sign says, “All bike fun, all the time.”
After perusing the expo for a cheap helmet, a free bike tune-up, a cap by Shaun Deller, or a cool, pedal-powered smoothie, most folks ended up watching (or being part of) the bike action.
The big Multnomah County Bike Fair is happening today at Colonel Summers Park (SE 17th Ave & Belmont). Will you be there?
There’s also a benefit silent auction of photographs from the Cycle Seen exhibition. It’s at the SE Division location of Stumptown Coffee (4525 SE Division) and the proceeds go to the Bikes to Rwanda organization.
And how about the Livestrong Ride? I’d love to hear a little report on how that went.
Share your bike adventures in the comments below, and don’t forget the sunscreen!
