Month: December 2008

As cuts loom, PBOT asks for help to prioritize

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

[Note: You’ll notice I’ve begun using the acronym PBOT instead of PDOT. That’s because the Portland Department of Transportation (which actually is the Office of Transportation but no one ever called it POOT) will soon officially become the “Bureau” of Transportation.]

“If you had to cut $6.4 million out of Transportation’s budget, how would you prioritize the following programs?”
— From an online survey put out by PBOT

Citing an expected shortfall of $6.4 million for the coming financial year, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), through their Budget Advisory Committee, has launched an online Budget Prioritization Survey. The budget shrinkage, they say, is due to a “sagging gas tax and lower parking revenue”.

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Obama at press conference: LaHood has “created opportunities for bikers”

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

“He has not only helped rebuild our landscape, he’s helped beautify it by creating opportunities for bikers and runners to enjoy our great outdoors.”
— Obama on LaHood

Congressional Quarterly has the full transcript from today’s press conference where President-elect Obama introduced his choice for Transportation Secretary, Ray LaHood. Below are some key excerpts interspersed with my thoughts…

This is Obama giving some background (emphasis mine):

“…Our economy boomed in the 20th century when President Eisenhower remade the American landscape by building the interstate highway system.

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Local riding club looks to raise money for fellow Wheelman

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Keith Ticknor

The Portland Wheelmen Touring Club are rallying support for Keith Ticknor, who suffers from a brain tumor, with a benefit ride and a Christmas tree sale on Saturday.

Ticknor has been member of the club for nearly three decades and one club member described him to me as “the quintessential excellent volunteer without whom many events could not succeed”.

Treatment for his brain tumor has put Ticknor out of work for months and his family (wife and three kids ages 7 to 12) is in a precarious financial situation. The Wheelmen hope the ride and tree sale can help bridge the gap until he’s back on his feet (and pedals).

You can read more about Ticknor and the ride on the Wheelmen’s website.

350 dreams deferred: CCC needs help for Bike Drive sequel

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

The Community Cycling Center‘s annual Holiday Bike Drive was all set for another successful day of making bike dreams come true for over 500 low-income Portland-area kids…but that was before the big storm hit.

As the weather worsened on the day of the event (last Sunday), staffers decided to cut it short, leaving about 350 kids without new bikes.

Now, the CCC is gearing up for a Holiday Bike Drive sequel for January. An announcement on their website states, “We will spend the next few weeks organizing volunteers and staff, coordinating with social service agencies and families, and fundraising like crazy to pull the whole thing off.”

The sequel event is expected to cost about $3,000 in staff time and supplies to pull off.

To learn more and to send a donation, visit the support page at CommunityCyclingCenter.org.

Guest Article: Erik Tonkin on why he joined the FPC

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Twilight Criterium 2007-39

Erik Tonkin
(Photos © J. Maus)

[Publisher’s note: This article was written by Sellwood Cycle Repair co-owner, community advocate, and beloved off-road racer, Erik Tonkin. Erik writes about an issue that’s close to his heart, mountain bike access in Forest Park. He’s been riding his mountain-bike and ‘cross bike in the park for 16 years.

For background, read A new plan for MTB access in Forest Park. You can also browse all of our Forest Park coverage here.

“We should use our cash to support the things we love; and there is strength in numbers. Of course, by joining we should hope that our concerns will be heard, considered and acted upon.”

I believe the Forest Park Conservancy [formerly Friends of Forest Park] is the group best positioned to improve off-road bicycling access in Forest Park. Last Wednesday, the FPC’s Stephen Hatfield (Stewardship Director), Andrea Schwartz (Development and Communications Director) and David Prause (board member), invited me on a hike in the park. It was not only flattering but very educational. They shared their concerns about the park’s ecology and discussed the relationship between cyclists and Forest Park and, by extension, the FPC. I’ll never see the park or those who work to sustain it in the same light.

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Open Thread for riding conditions (12/19)

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Snow scenes-7

Dee from Magpie Messenger
Collective says the harsh weather
hasn’t slowed down his business.
(Photo © J. Maus)

From the look of things so far this morning, this might be one of most challenging commutes of the storm thus far (see latest Oregonian coverage).

We had a nice bit of snow yesterday and much of stuck around and froze overnight. As I look out my window now, more snow is falling.

We’d love to know more about the riding conditions where you live.

How are the bike lanes holding up (the St. Johns Sentinel has brought up the “pebble problems”)?

Are riding or taking the bus?

How are your studded tires doing?

— More snow photos in the Photo Gallery. Follow all of our Storm 2008 coverage.

MTB shop steps up for Forest Park plan

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The Fat Tire Farm on NW Thurman.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Fat Tire Farm, a shop that specializes in high performance mountain bikes and is located near a busy Forest Park trailhead, has stepped up to encourage its customers to join the Forest Park Conservancy (FPC).

According to citizen activist Frank Selker, the shop has agreed to give a 10% discount to customers that flash an FPC membership card.

The gesture by Fat Tire Farm comes after Selker met with them to share his plan to get more involvement and cooperation between mountain bikers and the conservancy — two groups who are key to moving the conversation about increased access to Forest Park forward.

Selker says he plans to talk with other bike shops to encourage them to offer similar discounts.

Selker also reports that nearly 20 people have joined the FPC since we published a story about his plan yesterday. His goal is 100 new members and he seems well on his way.

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From the Archives

With six kids and no car, this mom does it all by bike