Month: July 2008

Tour takes a closer look at East Portland’s bikeways

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A tour of East Portland-5.jpg

Bike lanes on high-speed arterials — like
this one on SE Powell — are the norm in outer
East Portland.
(Photos/video © J. Maus)

Last night, the City of Portland’s Bicycle Advisory Committee took a closer look at the bikeways of East Portland.

Led by city bike coordinator Roger Geller, the group met at the Gateway Transit Center (just southeast of I-205 and I-84) and rode a loop that took them east to 162nd Ave. and south to Powell Blvd.

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Rapha will export Portland vibe to Lance’s backyard

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Rapha will host a roller racing competition
— like this one in Portland last February — at
Lance Armstrong’s shop in Austin, Texas.
(Photo: Dat Nguyen)

Rapha, the UK-based high-end cycling apparel maker who recently established their U.S. headquarters in Portland, is wasting no time sharing the bike culture that brought them here.

According to the company’s U.S. general manager Slate Olson, Rapha is staging a weekend of events at Lance Armstrong’s new retail store in Austin, Texas. Beginning this Friday at Mellow Johnny’s bike shop, Rapha will host an exhibition of photographs from their Roleur magazine, followed by a roller racing competition on Saturday and a “Gentleman’s Ride” on Sunday.

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Sizing up the CRC and City Council

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“We need a replacement. But it must be the right kind of new bridge… Approval today will only move the bridge project proposal from one phase of evaluation to the next.”
–Commissioner Sam Adams in today’s Oregonian

Today is an important day for supporters and critics of the Columbia River Crossing project.

Portland City Council, the group whom many think pose the best chance at throwing a major wrench in the estimated $4.2 billion project, will vote on their “locally preferred alternative” (LPA). So far, no official agency or government body has voted against it.

But in recent weeks, opposition to the project has grown considerably and City Council has heard loud and clear that many Portlanders are concerned about moving forward.

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Updated: Locally sponsored team flying high in Tour de France

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[Update 7/9 **SPOILER ALERT — SEE BELOW***]

American star George Hincapie
flying the new blue Team Columbia kit.
(Photo: Team Columbia)

A team flying the logo of Portland-based Columbia Sportswear is having one heck of a Tour de France.

Team Columbia has been near the front of several stages and, after four stages, the team ranks in second place, less than two minutes behind first. In the general classification, Team Columbia has three riders in the top ten, including Kim Kirchen, who is just 12 seconds out of first place.

But the Tour is far from over. 15 stages remain and there is still a lot of racing ahead. But even so, it seems Columbia’s last-minute decision to jump into the big leagues of bike racing is already paying off.

To follow the Tour de France, check out daily photos and results at VeloNews.com.

———–
UPDATE, 7/9 — Team Columbia’s Mark Cavendish won today’s stage! Read all about it on CyclingNews.com.]

Guest Article: A view on the CRC from Northeast Portland

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[This article was written by Tony Fuentes. Fuentes is vice-chair of the Concordia Neighborhood Association, an avid outdoorsman, a father of two, and a small business owner. He is frequently called upon by city leaders and was a member of Commissioner Sam Adams’ Safe, Sound and Green Stakeholder Committee. Fuentes has a Masters degree in environmental and natural policy from Harvard where he also was a Teaching Fellow in economics.

In this article, he shares his view on how the Columbia River Crossing project would impact public health, natural areas, and our region’s economy.]

Tony Fuentes
(Photo © J. Maus)

I count myself among the many residents of Portland who wants the Council to reject, not embrace, the “locally preferred option” for the Columbia River Crossing. Something must be done, and the proposed mega-bridge is something, but it isn’t the something that we need.

Spending billions of dollars to support expanded use of single occupancy vehicles (SOVs) is a throwback to a simpler time when climate change was science fiction, air pollution was symbolic of a city’s industrial might, and growth was boundless. The reality is that we cannot build our way out of our present transportation challenges with more pavement for SOVs. We have learned this already and we don’t need to relearn this now.

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Grab your kids and get rolling with these great family rides

The family on a Dutch city bike

Kids and bikes: what’s not to love?
(Photos © J. Maus)

The Portland Wheelmen Touring Club has unveiled their schedule of family-friendly rides.

Ride organizer Ann Morrow says the club’s Family Rides are designed especially for novice riders and/or families with children in bike trailers, on tag-alongs or on their own little bikes.

“It’s a great form of exercise; a chance to ride with others; a training session for Bridge Pedal; and a fun easy ride for adults who are just getting back in the saddle.”

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Bicycle Day at OMSI

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GEAR UP FOR BICYCLE DAY AT OMSI JULY 26

Portland, OR (July 3, 2008) Take life by the handlebars and celebrate Portland’s favorite form of transportation at Bicycle Day, a new event hosted by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) and the Community Cycling Center. Learn about safety, maintenance, and cycling’s health benefits July 26 at OMSI.

“We are excited to collaborate with OMSI to provide experiential bicycle education in a fun, interactive environment,” said Breesa Culver, development and marketing specialist at the Community Cycling Center.

Bicycle Day will present several topics to help broaden knowledge and demystify cycling. Featured areas will include:
o Ask the Expert—Ask experts questions about racing, commuting, and mountain biking.
o Bike Safety and Rules of the Road—Learn the 6-step safety check, hand signals, and the necessary gear to carry. Kids can also participate in a helmet egg drop.
o Biking and the Body—Discuss how to fuel your body and the importance of stretching your muscles.
o Bike Building and Maintenance—Identify how a bike in good condition should feel and adjustments you can make.
o Helmet Fitting—Bring your helmet for a free fitting.

Bicycle Day will be held in OMSI’s back courtyard July 26, 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Free valet bike parking will be available. This event is free with paid museum admission and visitors who ride their bikes to OMSI and show their helmet will receive a $3 discount on museum admission.

ABOUT OMSI
Founded in 1944, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is one of the nation’s leading science museums, a world-class tourist attraction, and an award-winning educational resource for the kid in each of us. OMSI is located at 1945 SE Water Avenue, Portland, OR 97214. For general information, call 503.797.4000 or visit www.omsi.edu.

ABOUT COMMUNITY CYCLING CENTER
The Community Cycling Center, founded in 1994, broadens access to bicycling and its benefits through our hands-on programs, volunteer projects, and neighborhood bike shop. We believe the bicycle is a tool for empowerment and a vehicle for change. To learn more, visit www.CommunityCyclingCenter.org.

Press Release: Gear up for Bicycle Day at OMSI

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From the Community Cycling Center:

GEAR UP FOR BICYCLE DAY AT OMSI JULY 26

Portland, OR (July 3, 2008) Take life by the handlebars and celebrate Portland’s favorite form of transportation at Bicycle Day, a new event hosted by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) and the Community Cycling Center. Learn about safety, maintenance, and cycling’s health benefits July 26 at OMSI.

“We are excited to collaborate with OMSI to provide experiential bicycle education in a fun, interactive environment,” said Breesa Culver, development and marketing specialist at the Community Cycling Center.

Read more

Latest Headlines

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From the Archives

What five people say about living outside along the Springwater path