Noted researcher will include Portland in major bicycle study

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

John Pucher, Ph.D.
(Photo: John Pucher)

Acclaimed transportation researcher and Rutgers University professor John Pucher (deemed “the Bicycle Scholar” by Momentum Magazine), has received funding for an ambitious research project.

Pucher’s upcoming study, Analysis of Bicycling Trends and Policies in Large American Cities: Lessons for New York has been awarded $50,000 (with 100% guaranteed federal matching funds) by the University Transportation Research Center based at the City College of New York.

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Meet Tom Miller; the next mayor’s Chief of Staff

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Bike industry forum at the MAC

Tom Miller will be the Mayor’s
chief of staff.
(Photos © J. Maus)

In what is probably not too surprising of a move for City Hall watchers, City Commissioner and Mayor-elect Sam Adams has named Tom Miller to be his chief of staff once he becomes Portland’s mayor in January.

Miller is already chief of staff for Commissioner Adams and in my experience, the two seem to get along just swimmingly.

You’ll be hearing much more from Mr. Miller in the months to come, but as a quick primer, I thought I’d dig up a few of his old comments left on this site and share a few photos of him that I dug up from my archives. First, the photos…

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BTA expands kids bike safety classes

Buckman Elem. bike safety class

Kids will learn proper hand
signals at BTA classes.
(Photo © J. Maus)

For the first time ever, the Bicycle Transportation Alliance will offer their award-winning bike safety curriculum outside of a public school room.

The BTA and the City of Portland Office of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School program have teamed up to offer a Summer Bicycle Safety Series for children between the ages of 9 and 13. Two sessions a day will be offered from August 18-22nd at Liberty Hall in North Portland (311 N. Ivy St).

BTA Bike Safety Ambassadors will teach children a 10-hour curriculum (the same that has been taught to over 45,000 kids across Oregon) that will be a combination of instruction and riding in two-hour classes over the course of five days. A statement from the BTA says kids will “learn and practice bicycle safety techniques and how to safely and predictably ride in traffic”.

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Kidical Mass

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Just a reminder that this Friday the 15th is going to be our 3rd Kidical Mass ride so please invite all your friends and family to come out and join us for the ride!

There are now 4 confirmed rides and a 5th tentative ride, details below.

Also, the ‘original’ ride (that’s what I call the downtown ride now that we have more than one going on!) is going to be super fun with root beer floats made from ice cream donated by Ben & Jerry’s (Pearl store) and the Portland Platinum Fuel Pump that dispenses root beer on loan to us from Portland Department of Transportation, Transportation Options. (thanks PDOT folks!)

Another fun addition is that we’re giving out silly glasses to riders (while supplies last!) in conjunction with our Eye to Eye safety campaign so make sure you get there early to get your glasses!

And finally, for those of you who are interested, bring a pot luck dish to join in the pot luck dinner that will follow all rides. The rides will start and finish at the same location, so feel free to meet us at the end just for the pot luck if you can’t make the ride. It’s a great way to connect with other bikey families and friends!

For all rides meet at 6pm, we’ll do bike decorating (bring decorations for the decorating pot luck!) and a safety talk until 6:30 (that allows us time for you to be late…), and then we’ll ride. The BTA is sending a ride leader and volunteers to each ride location to lead the safety talk and answer any questions you may have.

Downtown Ride
– meet at the North Park Blocks playground at NW 8th and Couch
– ride ends at the park around 7:15 for pot luck and root beer floats! (thanks Ben & Jerry’s!)

N/NE Ride
– meet at Peninsula Park (NE corner of the park at N Rosa Parks and N Kerby)
– ride ends at the park around 7pm for pot luck

SE Ride
– meet Sunnyside School playground
– ride ends around 7pm for pot luck

SW Ride
– meet somewhere in Multnomah Village (to be announced tomorrow)
– ride ends at Gabriel Park

NEW as of yesterday!
Sellwood Ride
– meet at Sellwood Park (more info to be announced tomorrow)

See you Friday!

Planning firm launches update of Portland bike economy study

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BikeRacker debut-1.jpg

BikeRacker is a new business that
has sprung up to meet the local
demand for temporary bike parking.
(Photos © J. Maus)

A local bicycle and pedestrian planning firm has announced plans to update a groundbreaking study on Portland’s bicycle-related economy.

Back in March of this year, I reported that Mia Birk, a principal with Alta Planning & Design (a local firm with offices nationwide) was interested in expanding the Growth in Bicycle Related Businesses study, which she authored in 2006.

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Kidical Mass; coming soon to a neighborhood near you

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What’s not to love about Kidical Mass?
(Photos © J. Maus)

Kidical Mass — that kindler, gentler, more family-friendly version of Critical Mass — seems to be catching on in Portland.

It started last April in Eugene and then made its Portland debut a couple months later.

And now, the ride is spreading from its downtown Portland roots into neighborhoods around the city. In addition to the playground in the North Park Blocks (which will always be the original location), folks in Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest can get into the action.

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Carfree streets in NYC and the future of Sunday Parkways in Portland

“A page has been turned, clearly there is no doubt: the future will hold many more large scale street openings…”
— Livable streets advocate and filmmaker Clarence Eckerson

On Saturday, New York City tested the Ciclovia waters with their first of three Summer Streets events planned for this month.

From the looks of a fantastic video and report by Clarence Eckerson of Streetfilms (watch below), it was nothing short of a watershed (or as Mr. Eckerson called it, “transformational”) moment for New York City.

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CCC Tent Sale

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This just in from the Community Cycling Center (1700 NE Alberta):

DIY Oversupply Tent Sale This Weekend

Stop by the Community Cycling Center and pick up a reasonably-priced grocery-getter, playa bike, or college cruiser.

Save big on pre-loved, commuter-style bicycles in need of a little tender loving care on Saturday, August 16th and Sunday, August 17th. These bicycles will be for sale starting from $25 and our friendly retail staff will help you determine the repairs that each bicycle will require to get “road ready.” Think of it as an everything-must-go yard sale staffed by extremely knowledgeable and helpful bike experts.

Don’t have time to DIY? We would be happy to fix your new-to-you bicycle – we can give you an estimate of labor and repair costs on the spot!

The DIY Oversupply Tent Sale will take place under the canopy behind the Community Cycling Center shop from 10am-7pm both days.
The Community Cycling Center shop is located at 1700 NE Alberta St. We believe that the bicycle is a tool for empowerment and a vehicle for change. To learn more about what we do, check out CommunityCyclingCenter.org.

Tour de Fat – Portland

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Waterfront Park, Portland — MORE INFO HERE

Sprockettes!

PREPARE YOURSELVES FOR YET ANOTHER SEASON OF ANTICS, COSTUMES AND THE MOST FUN YOU MAY EVER HAVE ON TWO WHEELS!

Yes folks, the Tour de Fat will once again be meandering and pandering through 11 western cities spreading the good word about the positive societal offerings of the bicycle. Along with our exceptional ability to roust a city’s inner-cyclist, in 2008 we hope to drive our message even deeper by bringing you the biggest, most enjoyable traveling bike festival that we know of. May the revival roll forth in the name of the bicycle, and may you ride true to The Ten Commandments of the Tour de Fat:

1. Put no means of transport before thy bike: Come by bike because not only are bikes fun, but they help stave off some of our most wicked ills: Traffic, obesity, and pollution. Tour de Fat has a solution: ride this day, every day, and definitely when Tour de Fat heads your way.

2. Honor all other bikes: All bikes are good bikes, and all those who ride them are good people. This is the one Bike Festival that cherishes bicycle diversity on our Cruise-ade through town.

3. May every generation come forth: This is a family friendly event. Costumes, bikes and a parade? We were thinking like kids when we created Tour de Fat.

4. Thou shall come as a participant not a spectator: It’s a costumed celebration of human-powered transportation. Muscles not motors, coasters, v-brakes and rotors. Come in your favorite alter ego, because when everybody’s weird, no one is.

5. Thou shalt not bring booze; But enjoy the supplied malted adult refreshments responsibly: Please do not bring any outside alcohol on the ride or into the park. It could result in getting the event shut down…don’t be that guy. And when you imbibe in our tasty brews, remember this is a Bicycle Festival with beer, not the other way around.

6. New Belgium shalt not profit: Our goal is to raise money for bicycle and environmental charities. New Belgium Brewing Company does NOT retain any of the events’ proceeds. Please think of your $5 beer tokens as donations to a worthy cause. All sales are final; beer tokens do not expire and will be accepted next year.

7. Remember the purpose, and bring not your pooches: No canine friends allowed this year. We’re a dog-loving Brewery, but sadly not all municipalities and parks are. Please leave your best friends at home for their safety and the safety of others. Besides, it’s not much fun for dogs with all the noise and crazy people around.

8. Keep the day true with thy good juju: The ride is free, but we suggest a $5 donation to the good bike advocates who are putting it on for you. If you give more, you will not incur flats, mechanical troubles, or dry skin for a while…maybe. This is a celebration of the bike, not an anti-car rally. All tools have their place.

9. Thou shall rise early: Since Tour de Fat is a free show, we sometimes get more folks than we can accommodate. Once we’re full, we will handle overflow like a restaurant or bar: one in, one out. We reserve the right to determine the appropriate crowd size in the name of safety and enjoyment for those inside.

Thou shalt not steal thy neighbors’ bike: Don’t even think of leaving with a bike that doesn’t belong to you. Modern-day horse thieves will be dealt with by angry mob, pitchforks, and torches.

How was your Bridge Pedal?

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Crossing the Broadway Bridge.
Photo gallery – Slideshow below
(Photos © J. Maus)

Thousands of riders swarmed the city during the 13th annual Bridge Pedal ride this morning.

I started just after sunrise on the 11-bridge route, which had a new start location. We hit the Fremont bridge first thing and then got to ride along I-405 for a few miles through the heart of downtown Portland. It sure was cool to see bikes take over the entire side of a freeway while cars sped by in the opposite direction.

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