Help the BTA craft their legislative package

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My day in Salem

Those doors (to the Capitol
in Salem) lead to better biking.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Each legislative session the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) puts together a package of bike bills that they take to Salem and try and make into new laws. To help them create this package and establish their priorities, they rely not only on their own legislative committee, but on feedback from members and from the public.

The BTA’s new point man for pushing these bike bills is Government Relations Director Karl Rohde. This morning, Rohde posted a call for ideas on the BTA blog.

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Memorial sign bill fails; Senator Metsger responds

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“The cascading effect of others with equally well intentioned objectives to use the right of way for their expressions is something that we must be mindful of.”
–Oregon state Senator Rick Metsger

For the second time in a row, the roadside memorial sign bill (HB 3623) has failed reach passage by the Oregon legislature.

After it passed the House, the BTA worked hard in recent days to move it through the Senate Transportation Committee where it had stalled due to a lack of support by committee Chair Senator Rick Metsger (D – Mt. Hood).

In a comment left on BikePortland.org a few minutes ago, Senator Metsger explained why he did not move the bill forward (emphasis mine),

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Banished bollards mean better biking on Bryant Bridge

ODOT crew member Heath Hansen
removes a bollard on the Bryant Bridge.
(Photos © J. Maus)

This morning ODOT maintenance crews removed the bollards at the entrance to the Bryant Street Pedestrian Overpass.

This little known bridge is a key link between the Piedmont and Arbor Lodge neighborhoods in North Portland and it provides a safe crossing of I-5. However, in recent years it had become neglected and almost forgotten until a group of nearby residents received a $50,000 grant to improve the bridge through funds made available by the I-5 Delta Park freeway widening project.

As part of the Bryant Bridge improvement effort, the community has been working with ODOT to develop a master plan to identify specific improvements intended to make the bridge safer, more appealing, and easier to access.

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BTA: Appeals court says SK Northwest must build trail

portland spirit at end of esplanade

A trail to nowhere, for now.
(Photo © J. Maus)

The BTA reports great news in the ongoing saga of SK Northwest and their battle against building a key piece of trail across their property on the Willamette Riverfront just south of OMSI.

The BTA’s Michelle Poyourow writes on their blog that the Oregon Court of Appeals has struck down SK Northwest’s latest appeal.

According to Poyourow, SK Northwest’s next move could be to try and get their case heard by the Oregon Supreme Court. But, she writes, “the Supreme Court gets to choose which appeals it hears and which it declines.”

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Shimano buys Pearl Izumi from Nautilus

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Cycling apparel juggernaut Pearl Izumi, who was previously owned by Vancouver, Washington based Nautilus, Inc., has been purchased by component maker Shimano.

Here’s the official press release:

SHIMANO PURCHASES PEARL IZUMI FROM NAUTILUS, INC.

IRVINE, Calif. USA 2/19/08 — Bringing premium sports apparel and footwear to its offering of industry-leading cycling and fishing products, Shimano has completed its purchase of DashAmerica, Inc. (dba Pearl Izumi USA, Inc.) from Nautilus, Inc., announces David Pfeiffer, president of Shimano American Corporation. Pearl Izumi becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Shimano’s U.S. operations, and will continue to operate from its facilities in Broomfield, Colorado and Kirchzarten, Germany.

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Roadside memorial signs bill stalls in Salem

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Safe Sound and Green press event-4.jpg

Senator Rick Metsger, shown here
in a file photo, has not supported
the bill.
(Photo © J. Maus)

The only bicycle-related bill in the abbreviated legislative session in Salem is on life support.

HB 3623, which would allow bereaved families to request (and pay for) the installation of a “roadside memorial sign that commemorates a bicyclist or pedestrian killed in an accident involving a motor vehicle”, flew through the House with no opposition. Now, according to Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) lobbyist Karl Rohde, the bill is stalled in the Senate Transportation Committee.

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Weekend open thread: Share your bike fun

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A scene from last Friday’s Midnight Mystery Ride.
(Photo © J. Maus)

I know many of you are out riding this weekend; it’s sunny and warmer than it has been in a long time.

I didn’t make it up to the hill for the opening night of Mini Bike Winter last night, but I won’t miss the Ben Hurt chariot races today. I can’t wait to see what my girls think of all the crazy freak bikes (and the people riding them!).

And tomorrow, the girls and I will be down on the Esplanade (at SE Water and Main) taking part in more Mini Bike Winter action and watching Juli and the Sprockettes perform.

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Mini Bike Winter – Winter Olympics

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11:11am, Brunch, 2248 SE Brooklyn St 97202

1:30pm, Minibikewinter 2008 Olympics, SE Water and Main, on the esplanade

Fastest minibike | minibike tag | relay | derby | bike limbo | Rollo | Death Jam | Derby | Sprockettes | Sproing | Jousting | Cupcake Challenge | and more!

9:00pm, Tour de Bomb, SW Oak & 10th, zoobomb pyle
OPEN CLASS
Ride whatever the hell you want if you don’t want to race in the other cats. T. trophy, and…a $25 gift certificate to Bike Gallery!

FREAKBIKE CLASS
if it’s welded, chopped, screwed, doesn’t fit in the 16″ class; & not a big bike, you can’t race it in open class, isn’t a gravity bike… or it is gravity bike but it’s too small or too big, low riders, tall bikes, trikes, choppers, swing bikes & assacares welcome! ps- there is a sick 1st place prize. for riggity.

TOUR DE BOMB
Official Zoobomb race. This is the most important zoobomb of the year.

Minibikes – For the purpose of this event, a Minibike will be defined as having a child’s bike frame with unmodified geometry designed for 16″ or smaller wheels. A fork for 16″ or smaller wheels (doesn’t have to be the fork that came with the frame). Two wheels, each 16″ or smaller (no average wheel size allowance). Single speed.

Racecourse – Traditional starting line, Newbomb to Fountain, no Mad Max. The finish line will be a little different. We will eliminate the final left hand turn immediately before the finish. I know we’re cutting into the number of exciting wrecks, but I think it will allow for a more spectator friendly finish line. The finish line will be the leading edge of the crosswalk (shown in yellow), or wherever the tape is stretched across the road. If the tape is somehow not exactly at the leading edge of the crosswalk, the tape is the finish line.

Conduct – We want a clean race. No intentional contact, call your passes, no projectiles, no fireworks. There will be the traditional countdown at the start, and riders will leave at the word “Zoobomb!” Wear a helmet. Really. Additional protection is encouraged, as I’ve always found the asphalt to be abrasive and unforgiving.

There will be three races Sunday night. The first race will be Open Class, followed by Freakbike Class, then Minibike Class. Anyone not racing will be encouraged to bomb down ahead to spectate at the finish line or at one of the dangerous corners along the route. If you choose to stand at one of the corners, stay out of the road and keep the noise levels down, as we don’t want to piss off the local residents too much.

Prizes – There will be trophies, prizes, and eternal glory for the first three finishers. There will also be a special coasterbrake prize for the first finisher with a coasterbrake and no handbrake. If a coasterbrake finishes in the top three, the rider will get the prize for placing and the coasterbrake prize.


12:00am, Legoland

Nerds on Wheels |Beer Bungee | Ben Hur race
Award ceremony

Mini Bike Winter – Midieval Day

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Tired of all the traffic signals running your life? don’t know how to find the horse house for potlucky brunchy goodness?

no light geek tackler will show you the way.

(please note that due to space restrictions and turning radii, tallbikes, longbikes and chariots will have to go through a solitary signal)

meet @ alberta park (ne 19th & killingsworth) at 9:30, ride leaves at 10:30

Potluck Brunch 11:11am, Brunch, 6809 N Willamette
Bring a donation or food to share

kill smash kill
1:00pm, Chariot Rights of Passage

Location: group ride from brunch
Chariot Beauty Contest
Teamwork drinking
Chariot Speed and Endurance Race

3:00pm, BEN HURT II Chariot Wars

BEN HURT II Chariot Wars be a post-apocalyptic battle for life and limb.

YAR! It be a true test of might and stoopidity. Can you ride a little girl’s bike and get hit the most hardest by a padded mace? Or would you rather cheat, (cheating is allowed) and use chicken-shit bombs made from real chicken-shit like the chicken-shit you are?! Or maybe just show up in your underwear and win anyway because you are badass? Hey, it happened last year…

There will be a multitude of chariot tests, from speed to steed, gladiator to flatulator, chugger to bugger, flailing to wailing, and dying. Yes dying, and after that, drinking. Okay, fine, during too.

No rules | Last Chariot Rolling | A chariot is 3+ wheels that carries 2 people | Both Gladiator and Steed need to be in contact with their chariot at all times | Padded Weapons

While there are no rules, there is knight’s honor, so if you see something that isn’t cool, team up on the asshole and bring him/her down.

Oh, and you will get hurt.


7:30pm, Dance Your Tired Ass Off Party

Location: Meet under the west side of the Morrison Bridge @ 7:30PM | Donate what you can, free event!! |
Dance Teams: Brakes | Chain Reaction | BCclettes
Bands: Here Comes a Big Black Cloud | TAFKAADPTHGATDI (zoobomb cover band) | Golden Greats
Metal and lace fashion show

Mini Bike Winter – Opening Ceremonies

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8:00pm, meet Colonel Summers Park, Se 20th & Belmont

Dance Party in the Park

9:00pm, Torch Ride!

A brightly-lit ride to the Pyle. Bring your blinky shit, and/or your flaming shit. Start location: Col. Summers | Destination: The Pyle ( sw 10th & oak). All bicyclists of Portland are invited, with as much bright light and/or fire on their bikes as they can muster. Be prepared to light the city with your hot glowing ass.

9:30pm, Zoobomb Badass Challenge

What: ride/get to top of the goddamn hill without engine or max or mini-bike towline. . Winner lights torch at top of hill. With lighters and maps provided. Only Badasses need apply. 18″ wheels or smaller, singlespeed, to enter.

the prize= The Official Mini-Bike-Winter Olympic Torch, to be proudly displayed all through MBW weekend events, and… something cool from Veloce Bikes!!
11:30pm, Family Bomb
first ride down the hill: everyone down except medics, corkers and racers!

11:40pm, 12″ Bomb
very simple= 12 average wheel size, single speed.

the prize= a bitchin’ trophy, and…a $25 gift certificate to Bike Gallery!!

11:50pm, Skate Bomb
Skate the zoobomb hill. Prizes, trophies, glory

12:00am, Gravity Race

Safety Gear:
Full face helmets are mandatory. This is for your own protection.
Racing leathers are suggested, but not mandatory.
Full finger gloves are mandatory. Leather is highly suggested.
Knee Pads, elbow pads are suggested, but not mandatory.

Gravity Bike Specifications:
Max bike weight of 75lbs. Max combines weight of bike and rider 300lbs.
Max wheelbase, axel to axel of 50 inches.
Fairings are not allowed.
Wheels cannot exceed 20″