Month: April 2009

Bricker returns to lobbying role at Vehicular Homicide hearing

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Tim O’Donnell’s widow, Mary O’Donnell,
had these buttons made for the hearing.

Last Friday, just two days after he relieved former BTA lobbyist Karl Rohde from his duties, executive director Scott Bricker was down in Salem filling his former role as the organization’s chief lobbyist.

Bricker presented the BTA’s position on their proposed Vehicular Homicide Law (HB 3399) to the House Judiciary Committee. (Today, he’ll return to Salem to testify on behalf of a bill that would create a new pot of funding specifically for non-motorized transportation projects. More on that later.)

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The Monday Roundup

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Cheap car floodgates open; Republicans who ride; Cheap bikes from China; True nature of our road system revealed.

Good thing it’s sunny out. Here’s the news:

– India’s Tata Nano — the small, super affordable “people’s car” — has hit the streets and the showrooms.

– The US highway and trucking lobby has asked the federal government to make an “Eisenhower-like commitment” to new investment in the nation’s highway system.

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Anti 12-lane CRC rally: Slideshow and open thread

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CRC Rally-155

View of the crowd from atop
the Morrison Bridge.
-Slideshow below-
(Photos © J. Maus)

A large and energetic crowd showed up for the CRC Opposition and Alternatives Rally held in Waterfront Park today.

They were energized by a long list of speakers ranging from Portland City Councilor Amanda Fritz to Republican Washington State Senator Don Benton. The main message to the crowd was this: It’s not too late to change the course of the Columbia River Crossing project and it will be up to citizens to make it happen.

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Massive turnout at “De Ronde”

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Tour of Flanders, Portland-Style - De Ronde-4

The fabled Lion of Flanders
led the riders out of Northwest
Portland this morning.
-Slideshow below-
(Photos © J. Maus)

Portland’s unsanctioned spring classic, the third annual De Ronde van Oeste Portlandia, attracted an estimated 600-700 riders today. They were treated to a gorgeous day with clear blue skies and temperatures well into the 60s.

They started this morning in Portland’s Northwest Industrial area and headed out via Highway 30 toward Sauvie Island. Then, from NW Salztman Road to Council Crest in the Southwest Hills, they pedaled, walked and willed themselves up too many grueling climbs to count.

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Karl Rohde no longer on BTA staff

National Bike Summit - Day three-7

Karl Rohde at the National Bike
Summit back in March.
(Photos © J. Maus)

Karl Rohde is no longer on the staff of the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA). Rohde was the BTA’s Government Relations and Public Affairs Director.

Late this afternoon I received several phone calls and emails about the news after Rohde sent out an email to colleagues announcing his departure. I was later able to confirm it with Rohde himself.

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Weekend Guide and Open Thread

Joe Kurmaskie-1.jpg

Joe Kurmaskie will rally the crowds
on Sunday in support of alternatives
to the 12-lane CRC.
(Photo © J. Maus)

It’s shaping up to be a beautiful weekend. Which is a good thing, because there are some compelling reasons to get out there and ride.

The big event of the weekend is the Build Less Bridge CRC Opposition and Alternatives Rally this Sunday at noon in Waterfront Park near the Morrison Bridge. A lineup of speakers including City Commissioner Amanda Fritz will inspire the crowd to work for alternatives to the proposed new 12-lane highway bridge in Portland.

If you are planning to bike to the rally, you can find out where meet up with other folks riding from your part of the area (or start your own ride) on this map

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Guest editorial: Riding with courtesy in a city of bikes

Roger Geller
(Photo © J. Maus)

[Editor’s note: This guest editorial was written by Roger Geller, Bicycle Coordinator for the City of Portland.]

“What does it mean to be exemplary? To me it means the two “C’s” of cycling: Courtesy and confidence.”

In the past week I’ve been noticing harbingers of spring: flowering magnolia, daffodils in full bloom, tulips beginning to push their way up, birds early in the morning, sun later in the evenings, and, on especially nice days, a city beginning to pop with bicycling. We are approaching Portland’s high bicycle season.

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NY Times says: Bring a bike when you visit Portland, in any weather

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“Visitors will find that special bike-crossing signals and bike lanes highlighted in bright green help to guide traffic in the most complicated intersections. Breaking up a ride with a stop at a cafe or a pub adds to the pleasure.” – Matt Furber, New York Times

Portland’s bike-friendliness earned prominent billing in the Escapes section of today’s New York Times. An article called “Portland, Portland Style: Touring by Bicycle” encourages travelers to bring their bikes to Portland to see the city the way locals do.

The article extensively quotes Roger Geller, the city’s bicycle coordinator, discussing the “exponential” growth in the number of people on bikes in recent years, and saying that the city’s “goal is to become a world class bicycling city.”

Unlike many bike-oriented travel articles that focus on renting a cruiser for a summer jaunt down Waterfront Park and back along the Eastbank Esplanade before heading to a fancy downtown restaurant, this piece focuses on citywide infrastructure, amenities and destinations.

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Eugene shifts position, no longer opposes Idaho Stop bill

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One surprise at the Idaho Stop bill hearing two weeks ago was outright opposition from an unexpected quarter — the city of Eugene.

BikePortland obtained a copy of a letter in opposition from Lee Shoemaker, Eugene’s bicycle and pedestrian coordinator, outlining his concerns with the bill’s effect on road safety, particularly for young people on bicycles.

We just received word that the City of Eugene has decided to change this position. Instead of opposing the bill, the city will now take a neutral stance.

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Job: Sunday Parkways Volunteer Coordinators (PBOT)

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Sorry folks, this job has been filled.

Job Title
Sunday Parkways Short Term Volunteer Coordinators

Description
The City of Portland Transportation Options is looking for 4 coordinators short term from May 14 to August 19 to help train and manage volunteers for our three summer Sunday Parkways events on June 21, July 19 and August 16. Volunteers will be stationed along a 7-8 mile Sunday Parkways routes at intersections directing traffic to detours and escorting cars to their driveways. We need self-starters, motivated people who have some experience working with volunteers and/or events. Must be able to ride your own or one of our bicycles to monitor volunteers along the route on the day of the event.

Hours
32 per week Tuesday through Fridays or 36-40 hours Wednesdays through Saturdays and/or Sundays on specific weeks. $15.69 per hour, no benefits.

How to Apply
Please send resume and cover letter to: Linda Ginenthal, Transportation Options, 1120 SW 5th Ave, Portland OR 97204 or email Linda.Ginenthal@pdxtrans.org by Friday, April 17, 2009, 4pm. Women and people of color strongly encouraged to apply. EEO employer. For more information about Sunday Parkways, www.GettingAroundPortland.org and click on Sunday Parkways.

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From the Archives

Opinion: If we’re serious about cycling, let’s get serious about cycling infrastructure