A group of Portlanders stare longingly at what will someday be a new bike and pedestrian bridge over I-405 at NW Flanders.
(Photo © J. Maus)
(Photo © J. Maus)
Month: April 2008
Hook up with a neighbor for a ride to Earth Day
The Sprockettes performed in
the rain at Earth Day last year.
(Photo © J. Maus)
the rain at Earth Day last year.
(Photo © J. Maus)
Earth Day is this Saturday at Overlook Park in North Portland (right on the Interstate MAX line).
To help make it easier and more fun to get their by bike, City Repair (the non-profit group that organizes Earth Day) and a group of volunteers have organized rides from 14 locations throughout the city that will converge on the park. All the rides will have guides and there’s even a nifty map (below) to help you find where they all start.
All rides leave at 11:00am (see ride map below).
Oregon’s per-person gas consumption lowest since 1960
Gas consumption rates for Idaho,
Washington, and Oregon compared
to U.S. average.
Download full report (PDF)
Washington, and Oregon compared
to U.S. average.
Download full report (PDF)
A new report released today by the Sightline Institute says that in 2007, per-capita gasoline consumption in the Pacific Northwest fell to its lowest level since 1966.
The report analyzed Federal Highway Administration and U.S. Census data and found that the 11% drop is the equivalent of every driver in Idaho, Washington, and Oregon taking a five-week holiday from driving in 2007.
Sightline found that gas consumption in our region is about 9 percent below typical US consumption — a testament, they say to the “Northwest’s progress in saving fuel on multiple fronts”.
A movement for a million new riders begins in Portland
Joe Kurmaskie, speaking at the
“We are All Traffic” rally last November.
(Photos © J. Maus)
“We are All Traffic” rally last November.
(Photos © J. Maus)
If any one person could be the spark that ignites a national cycling movement, it would Joe Kurmaskie.
Known to many as the “Metal Cowboy”, Kurmaskie is a nationally recognized magazine columnist (Men’s Journal, Outside, Bicycling), author of several bike books and a tireless speaker and personality who’s performed at bike clubs and corporations at hundreds of events from New York to New Mexico.
And he’s no stranger to big ideas.
When he needed a home for his non-profit, Camp Creative (which vows to “Leave no child left inside”), Kurmaskie somehow managed to secure a lease on Government Island — a state-controlled, carfree island in the middle of the Columbia River just miles from Portland’s city center.
Walking tours of proposed Sauvie span site
You’re invited!
Rally to support the Sauvie Island Bridge relocation!
Take a walking tour of the proposed new bridge site.
Thursday, April 17. Press event at 5:00, tours leaving at 5:15 and 5:30.
Meet at NW 15th and Flanders
Come support the relocation of the former Sauvie Island Bridge span to form a much-needed safe crossing over I-405, and learn about plans to create a world class connection between Portland’s two densest neighborhoods.
Join experts on traffic safety, transportation planning, and local history on an informative (and sometimes scary) tour of the bridge’s proposed new site. Learn about the history of the area and the dangers of current mobility options. An informal gathering will follow at Rogue Ales Public house at NW 13th and Flanders.
The proposed relocation of the Sauvie Island Bridge to cross I-405 at Flanders street will:
– Connect the two densest neighborhoods in Portland
– Provide the only safe freeway crossing for pedestrians between Burnside and Johnson
– Provide safe, direct access to Washington Park, the northwest industrial area, and northwest Portland businesses and neighborhoods.
– Serve over 2000 children who live in the bridge’s immediate area
– Represent the biggest recycling/reuse project ever undertaken in the City of Portland
– Showcase our region’s international leadership in sustainability
– Cannot be completed without strong public support
The event will begin at edge of the freeway with a brief orientation to the bridge relocation proposal. Short tours of the streets surrounding the proposed bridge relocation site will highlight current challenges and opportunities for pedestrians, bicyclists, and everyone using these streets.
Rain or shine. Bring your friends, children, dogs on leashes, and your best questions and ideas.
Event hosts: A coalition of community members and neighborhood and transportation activists, including the Willamette Pedestrian Coalition and the Bicycle Transportation Alliance
Questions? Contact: Elly Blue at 503 810 9443
Bike of the Day: Small, tall, and furry
I noticed this fabulously furry and pink mini-tall-bike parked in the racks at my daughter’s school this morning…
Filmed by Bike raises $2,500 for bike fair
Ayleen Crotty at the opening
night of Filmed by Bike.
(Photos © J. Maus)
night of Filmed by Bike.
(Photos © J. Maus)
Filmed by Bike — the bike film festival that took over Clinton Street Theater this past weekend — raised $2,500 for the Multnomah County Bike Fair.
MCBF is the annual celebration of Portland’s bike culture and community that draws hundreds to Colonel Summers Park for a mad-cap mix of unicycle-jousting, pedal-powered smoothies, bike crafts, Sprockettes, and more.
Filmed by Bike organizer Ayleen Crotty says MCBF “is looking pretty good this year,” thanks to the 1,600 people that showed up for the eight screenings. Ayleen reports that on opening night she sold out both shows and turned away 300 others for lack of space.
A cycling resurgence in my home town
A bike commuter in downtown
Long Beach.
(Photo by Russ Roca)
Long Beach.
(Photo by Russ Roca)
A website, a lot of dedication, some like-minded people, and a dream for a more bike-friendly future — that’s what Russ Roca and the Long Beach Cyclists hope will be the start of something big.
Russ is a freelance photojournalist who rides a bike (or takes transit) to the many assignments he gets in and around Long Beach, California. (For one job, he took a foldable Bike Friday, packed up his panniers and set out on a bike/bus/train combo journey to San Luis Obispo, 226 miles away).
I don’t recall how I first met Russ, but I met him (in person) for the first time at last year’s Tour de Fat. He and some friends were on a Pacific Coast bike tour and made the Portland detour to check out the event.
London PSA brings bike lane symbols to life
[Via PDOT’s Commuter Central blog]
Check out this nifty PSA video ad from London…
Riding with kids: Which bike set-ups work best? [Updated]
[Note: This article was written by BikePortland.org’s Carfree Families columnist Marion Rice.]
The Folz family (Allan, Carie and Cody) used their tandem/child-seat/trailer combo to participate in a bike move last summer.
(All photos © J. Maus)
(All photos © J. Maus)
Guest article: What the proposed CRC bridge really gives bicyclists
This article was written by North Portland resident and member of the Smarter Bridge coalition, Matthew Denton. Mr. Denton shares his evaluation of the bicycle and pedestrian facilities that are being proposed as part of the $4.2 billion Columbia River Crossing project. It was first published on SmarterBridge.org and some edits have been made for clarity and readability.
What is being proposed?
The current proposal being advocated for the Columbia River Crossing (CRC) combines bicycle, pedestrian, and light rail on a single structure separate from the main highway bridge. The bicycle/pedestrian facility consists of a roughly 1.5 mile long, 14-16 foot wide path for both directions of travel, with bicycles and pedestrians mixed.
MTB Tech Night with Gary Fisher
Bike Gallery Hosting MTB Tech Night With Gary Fisher
Hollywood Bike Gallery is hosting a big night of big MTB fun on Thursday, April 24, 6:30-9:00 pm. The guest of honor is Gary Fisher, mountain bike legend and the man behind the bikes. He’s bringing a short clip from “Klunkers”, a very cool movie about dawn of mountain bikes in Marin County. Afterwards he’ll linger to visit and chat about bikes. Experts on tubeless tires and suspension systems, helmets, places to ride, and more, will impart their knowledge through clinics and conversations. Enjoy snacks and beverages and peruse the store, stop by to learn, socialize, or meet Gary, and get ready for a summer of goin’ big on your MTB.
For more information contact – Amy Wantulok amy at bikegallery dot com