Could this freshly paved section of NW Nicolai St, where railroad tracks used to be, become a new cycle track? (Note: This paved section is on a curb, above the roadway.)
(Photo: Anonymous reader)
(Photo: Anonymous reader)
Month: July 2009
In-Depth: Chasing the dream of online bike route planning
A sample route on byCycle.org.
Someday, you’ll be able to type two addresses into your computer and get customized directions for traveling between them — by bike. The addresses could be in the same city, or across the country. You could choose between different kinds of routes, or find out how to transfer to the bus or train for a leg of the trip.
That’s the dream, anyway. And it’s a dream being chased by a small, but determined band of bike-loving programmers and mapping experts across the country.
The idea of online bicycle route planning is at least as old as the advent of online driving direction programs such as MapQuest, and Portland became the epicenter of its realization in 2005 with the debut of byCycle.org.
Faded red Schwin World Sport 70’s ?
Year: 70’s ?
Brand: Schwin
Model: World Sport
Color:Faded red
Size:58cm ?
Serial: NA
Stolen in , OR
Stolen:2009-07-28
Stolen From: Near penisular park
Owner: Max Chandler
OwnerEmail: wolfbitebait@yahoo.com
Reward: $20
Description: Poor mans single speed. Entire right side of bike faded light pink. Sunrim back wheel. Marin mountain bike handle bars w/ carbon bull grips. Steel 3 pc crank lever set original.
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike
Morning news roundup
I usually post several links to interesting bike news stories I come across each morning on my Twitter feed. But, if you don’t follow @BikePortland, here’s a few things you might have missed recently.
“Diez was apparently incensed by Alan Simons carrying his 3-year-old child on a seat mounted on the back of his bike.”
— From a story about shooting incident in the Citizen Times newspaper
The web is buzzing about a firefighter in Asheville, NC who shot his gun at a man who was riding his bike on a busy road. I still can’t fathom the who/why on this one. Reports say that the firefighter, Charles Diez, pulled over to talk to the man because, “he was upset that the victim was bike riding with his child on the heavily traveled Tunnel Road.”
Diez’s shot struck the man’s helmet, and barely missed his head. Diez is charged with attempted first-degree murder. The story has led to the usual editorial in a local paper (followed by scores of comments) about the “uneasy road” shared by “cyclists and motorists.”
BTA wants commitments on security, maintenance if I-5 bridge design moves forward
Looks nice, but advocates want a
commitment that it will stay
that way.
commitment that it will stay
that way.
As we reported last month, the new I-5 bridge design that has won most favor with Columbia River Crossing (CRC) project staffers and advisers is a “stacked” bridge with the bike and pedestrian path underneath.
Below-deck bikeways have typically been shunned by bike advocates because of security and maintenance concerns. The Multnomah County Bike and Ped Advisory Committee, for instance, rejected a similar design option for the Sellwood Bridge. In a recent story, advocate Michelle Poyourow with the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) said, “Something underneath we’re concerned about, not just because an absence of safety but a feeling of safety… I fear it will go underused.”
Metro will ask for $75-100 million to build active transportation corridors
Many Portlanders get “active transportation”
on the Eastbank Esplanade.
(Photo © J. Maus)
on the Eastbank Esplanade.
(Photo © J. Maus)
As part of their ongoing effort to identify and fund non-motorized transportation projects, Metro plans to submit a grant application for federal stimulus funding to the tune of $75 to $100 million.
In an email about the news to Metro’s Executive Council for Active Transportation, project manager Lake McTighe wrote that the application will, “detail a strategy to get much more aggressive about tapping transportation funding for trails and on-street bicycle and pedestrian facilities.”
The Executive Council for Active Transportation is a newly formed, 15-member group (chaired by Jonathan Nicholas) that is an outgrowth of Metro’s Blue Ribbon Committee for Trails. Their mission is to promote a regional transportation strategy that promotes more biking and walking.
black and grey Jamis Coda 2006
Year: 2006
Brand: Jamis
Model: Coda
Color:black and grey
Size:21.5 inches
Stolen in 97222, OR Portland
Stolen:2009-07-26
Stolen From: Waterfront park, it was hooked up to the cement railing near the Burnside bridge on the west side of Portland.
Neighborhood: Downtown
Owner: Chris Conrad
OwnerEmail: rad.chris.con@gmail.com
Description: Bike has drop handle bars, some black electrical tape around the frame of the bike.
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike
candy apple green Schwinn Suburban 1970’s
Year: 1970’s
Brand: Schwinn
Model: Suburban
Color:candy apple green
Size:adult women’s
Serial: unkown, dammit!
Stolen in Portland, OR 97212
Stolen:2009-07-26
Stolen From: Side of my house near NE 19th and Stanton.
Neighborhood: Irvington/Alameda
Owner: craig harlow
OwnerEmail: craig.harlow@pacificorp.com
Reward: $50 if returned in same condition
Description: My wife’s metallic candy-apple green Schwinn Suburban, woman’s with double-downtube frame design, color-matching fenders with white pinstripes, a few rust spots, big chrome headset-mounted shifters, padded black Schwinn logo seat, curved chrome cruiser bars w/black schwinn logo grips and a snap-bell mounted on, no chain guard but a chrome sprocket guard up front, gray metal cargo rack with sprung cargo retainer, after-market collapsible wire basket hung from rack (bottom of basket is bent). We are a car-free/less family and our bikes are our primary mode of transport. The only proof of ownership I have is the receipt from Community Cycling Center from 1 year ago, if I can find it.
Police record with: PPD
Police reference#: 0966156
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike
silver gary fisher zebrano 2006
Year: 2006
Brand: gary fisher
Model: zebrano
Color:silver
Size:black
Serial: sc95jp256
Stolen in milwaukie, OR 97267
Stolen:2009-01-15
Stolen From: house by webster rd and clackamas rd
Neighborhood: milwaukie
Owner: paul joy
OwnerEmail: joymates@yahoo.com
Reward: 50.00
Description: has a cushion on seat
Police record with: clackamas
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike
Naito project will remove auto lane, connect bikeway, and more
PBOT plan drawings for bike and ped improvements to NW Naito Parkway under Steel Bridge.
Big changes are coming to what is currently a very unfriendly intersection for anyone that’s not in a car. The City of Portland Bureau of Transportation recently received the final bit of funding for a $408,000 project that should drastically improve traffic safety in the area of NW Naito Parkway under the Steel Bridge.
Light Blue Fuji Tiara 1990ish
Year: 1990ish
Brand: Fuji
Model: Tiara
Color:Light Blue
Size:52
Stolen in Portland, OR 97211
Stolen:2009-07-27
Stolen From: From my house in NE Alberta area.
Neighborhood: NE Alberta
Owner: Tony Turano
OwnerEmail: tonyturano82@hotmail.com
Reward: Yes
Description: Light blue Fuji Tiara with purple/red triangles. Dark blue Bontrager bar tape with a black Lemond seat. One front brake. No reaer brake. Control Tech stem
light blue Fuli Tiara 1990
Year: 1990
Brand: Fuli
Model: Tiara
Color:light blue
Size:52
Serial: NA
Stolen in Portland, OR 97211
Stolen:2009-07-23
Stolen From: Front of my house. I left the bike out front for about 30 minutes and it was gone.
Neighborhood: NE Alberta
Owner: Tony Turano
OwnerEmail: tonyturano82@hotmail.com
Reward: Yes
Description: Blue Fuli Tiara with purple/red triangles. Dark blue bontrager bar tape with a LeMond seat.
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike