Obama spoke cards — get them before he gets here

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward
Obama spoke cards-1.jpg

An Obama spoke card in Portland,
via Los Angeles and New Orleans.
(Photos © J. Maus)

Local news outlets are reporting that Senator Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic nominee for President, is headed to Portland.

No specific details about his visit have been announced but he’s expected to be in Portland later this week.

Sen. Obama delivered a rousing speech to a packed Memorial Coliseum during his last visit to Portland back in March.

Obama is expected to do very well in Oregon — and especially Portland since he’s the only candidate so far who has mentioned bicycles in an official policy statement (a fact that was first uncovered right here in Portland).

Which brings me to the spoke cards…

Read more

“With a heavy heart” Adams explains Sauvie decision

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward
Gas Price Press Conference-1.jpg

Adams addressed the media
in his office this morning.
(Photos © J. Maus)

In a cramped meeting room in his office a few minutes ago, Commissioner Adams explained how rising gas prices have impacted PDOT’s transportation budget and that the Sauvie Island Bridge span reuse project is the first casualty.

Standing next to PDOT Director Sue Keil, Adams said rising fuel prices have given PDOT a “double hit” and that the situation has forced them to “rethink how we spend our money.”

As expected, Adams also addressed his decision to halt plans to install the Sauvie Island Bridge span in Northwest Portland. He expressed some of the same sentiments he shared with me last night.

Read more

Exclusive: Adams will scrap Sauvie span project

“I don’t feel comfortable moving forward at this point.”
–Commissioner Sam Adams

City of Portland Commissioner Sam Adams will announce tomorrow (5/7) that he will pull the plug on a plan to re-use the Sauvie Island Bridge span as a bicycle and pedestrian crossing over I-405 in Northwest Portland.

Read more

New PSU President “loves to ride bicycles”

PSU’s new President Wim Wiewel.
(Photo: PSU)

Portland State University’s new President Wim Wiewel (pronounced “vim veeval”) should fit right in at the downtown campus.

Wiewel professed his love of bikes in recent stories published by the Oregonian and the Associated Press.

The Oregonian reported that Wiewel is from Amsterdam and that,

“he says Portland feels like home. He loves to ride bicycles, drink microbrewery beer and is used to daily forecasts of 55 degrees and rainy.”

Read more

IBPI announces workshop on bike and pedestrian design

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

This just in from the The Initiative for Bicycle and Pedestrian Innovation (IBPI) at Portland State University.

The Initiative for Bicycle and Pedestrian Innovation (IBPI) is excited to announce an upcoming professional development workshop, titled Comprehensive Bicycle and Pedestrian Design and Planning. The workshop is a week-long intensive, and will take place August 3-8, 2008. It will encompass many topics from our past workshops. Details are provided below, and pdfs of the flier and registration form can be found on the ibpi website.

Description
This week-long course will provide practitioners with the fundamentals of pedestrian and bicycle planning and design through an intensive week of classroom, field, and project experience. In addition, the course will integrate intersection design, transit access and connections, bridges, trail crossings, and other special features into the discussion. Project case studies and funding will highlight practical applications of the principles and techniques discussed.

Classroom sessions will include instruction, discussion, and application of course content through problem-solving and case studies. These sessions will focus on best practices to integrate bicycle and pedestrian facilities into on- and off-street transportation networks through planning and design, with an emphasis on safety and user needs.

Daily field tours (on foot and bike) will explore Portland’s “living laboratory” of bicycle and pedestrian facilities to provide first-hand experience of design and operations of facilities and projects discussed in the classroom. Week-long bike rentals are available for an additional fee. Please request the bike rental when registering for the workshop.

A course project will provide an opportunity to apply the principles and techniques from the classroom and field to a local site. Working in teams with the course faculty, workshop participants will conduct a site visit, prepare a site analysis, generate alternative solutions, and develop a preferred recommendation for the project site.

Additional features include a panel discussion with local experts to answer questions or clarify information presented during the workshop, and an opportunity to sign up for a one-hour consultation with one of our panel experts about a project or design question.

Who Should Attend

Transportation planners, designers, and engineers responsible for integrating bicycle and pedestrian facilities into community transportation systems, including public roadways and trails.

Course Faculty
The program is taught by local bikeway, trail, and pedestrian planning, design and engineering experts from public and private agencies including the City of Portland Office of Transportation, Metro, Alta Planning + Design, and Kittelson & Associates.

Course Sponsors: This course is sponsored the Initiative for Bicycle and Pedestrian Innovation (ibpi) at Portland State University’s Center for Transportation Studies, with support from Cycle Oregon and Alta Planning + Design.

For More Information
Contact IBPI at ibpi@pdx.edu or 503.725-4024.

Registration
The fee for this week-long course is $995. This includes morning coffee, snacks, lunch, and course materials. The fee does not include bike rental, travel, lodging, dinners and other meals while in Portland. To add a bicycle rental (including helmet) to your registration, check that option on the registration form. The course fee + bike rental total is $1095. To register for the course, please complete the form and fax or mail to our office. Registration deadline is JULY 18, 2008.

ODOT has $5 million for worthy bike projects

OR Bike Summit - Ride-13.jpg

This bike/ped activated signal at E Burnside and
41st was funded by an ODOT grant.
(Photo © J. Maus)

The Oregon Department of Transportation has announced that they are now accepting applications for their Pedestrian and Bicycle Program grant program. Projects from all over Oregon are eligible to compete for $5 million.

Since 1986, the program has awarded millions of dollars to hundreds of bike and ped projects throughout the state. The program is administered by the Oregon Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee, who will make decisions on which projects to fund in October 2008. Grant applications are due by July 25.

Read more

Benefit will raise money for hit-and-run victim

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward
Filmed by Bike 08-5.jpg

A card for Jessica was passed
around at the recent Filmed
by Bike event.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Friends of Jessica Osborne — who was struck by a car on Rosa Parks Way in North Portland and left for dead on April 3 — have planned a benefit show to raise money for her medical bills.

The collision left Osborne in the hospital with three cracked vertebrae, collapsed lungs, scrapes and bruses, and a ruptured spleen (that was later removed). The injuries will keep her out of work for eight weeks and the hospital bill is close to $100,000.

Friends have lined up bands (Stag Bitten, Play/Start, Star Kaleider, and others) and a prize raffle to help raise money.

    Benefit for Jessica Osborne
    May, 15
    Liberty Hall (311 N. Ivy)
    Cost : $5

OPB show will discuss ‘Where Bikes and Cars Intersect’

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

A newly painted green
bike lane on SE 7th Ave.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Oregon Public Broadcasting’s Think Out Loud radio show will discuss different ideas about the design of bike lanes, bike-related laws, and how best to share the road.

The producers of the show were spurred on in part by a recent article in Adventure Cyclist magazine that blamed the design of Portland’s bike lanes in two fatal crashes last fall (they planned the show before that article was published).

According to a promo blurb on their website, the show seeks to answer the question,

Read more

Governor says May is Transportation Safety Month

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

The Governor in Portland
for Earth Day.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski has named May Transportation Safety Month.

Here’s what ODOT’s Troy Costales had to say about it:

“Individuals can take some simple actions to improve their own safety,” Troy E. Costales, ODOT Transportation Safety Division administrator said. “We encourage people to pay attention to the driving task, follow speed limits, watch out for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcycles, wear safety belts and use the proper child safety seats, and make sure children wear helmets when they ride bikes, scooters and skateboards.”

Read the official proclamation.

Inventory Analyst (Chris King Precision Components)

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title
Inventory Analyst
Company/Organization
Chris King Precision Components

Job Description
Chris King Precision Components™, manufacturer of bicycle components, is seeking qualified applicants for an Inventory Analyst. Must have a proven track record of 2 years of relevant inventory management and/or analysis; experience supporting a sales team with an extensive distributor and dealer network; and experience in a manufacturing environment. This position will fill a key role in our Sales Department by assisting in the maintenance of our sales forecast and establishing optimal inventory levels. Through the assistance of our Sales Manager this position will work collaboratively with our planning and production to help ensure our ability to meet our customers needs.

Read more