19 August 2009 Archives

National organization finds that bike-to-school bans are on the rise

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Robert Ping from the Safe
Routes to School National
Partnership.
File photo
(Photos © J. Maus)

Robert Ping, the State Network Coordinator for the Safe Routes to School National Partnership shared a startling bit of information during his presentation at the Safe Routes to School Conference today.

In communities throughout America, students are being told they are not allowed to bike to school.

“It’s pervasive throughout the country and we’re hearing about it more and more,” he said. The problem, according to Ping, is that many school principals and administrators feel that biking and walking to school is simply unsafe. They are concerned about being held liable for anything that happens during the trip to and/or from school.

Year: 1992
Brand: Trek
Model: 830 Antelope
Color:Black
Stolen in Portland, OR 97211
Stolen:2009-08-19
Stolen From: 12th and Johnson behind PNCA
Neighborhood: Pearl
Owner: Joshua Moon
OwnerEmail: pnca.jmoon@gmail.com
Description: Black Trek Mountain bike with rusty large scratch on the left front fork. Bike had new black handlebars with a slight rise (replaces traditional mountain bike bars). Rust on both wheels spokes, though not excessive. Warn Trek brand tire on back, newish Bontrager tire on the front.

Two skinny white dudes (one with Baseball cap) where seen stealing it at noon August 19 from the 12th street side of PNCA.
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

Reader Photos of the Week: Hitching a ride by bike

Catching a ride on a double-decker longtail tall bike.
(Photo by Greg Raisman)

Last week we pointed out an article by The Oregonian’s editorial board about funding for the bike and pedestrian facility on the new I-5 bridge.

The response was written by BTA Board Chair Mary Roberts and Vice-Chair Stephen Gomez on behalf of the Board and the Staff Advocacy Committee. Here’s the BTA’s response:

“The Oregonian’s point about looking closely at the Columbia River Crossing (CRC) project is well-taken and examining the goal of the project is the most obvious place to start.

Rather than merely aiming to move more “trains, cars, and trucks” across the river, the goals ought to be to improve the quality of communities and health of the economy in the close surrounding areas, the region, and farther. However, building this bridge and seven interchanges would win the battle of peak-hour auto congestion but lose the larger, more significant war for an improved economy, better health, clean air, livability, and prudent investment.

Read more

Hopworks Brewery will throw carfree ‘Biketoberfest’ party

Hopworks owner Christian Ettinger
at a Short Track race last month.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Hopworks Urban Brewery (HUB) is set to lay claim to the title of Portland’s most bike-friendly brewpub with their newly announced Biketoberfest event.

The free event (September 19, noon to 10:00pm) will feature live performances by five bands, kids bike games, a handmade bike exhibition, a BikeCraft bazaar (hosted by BikePortland), BMX trick riding exhibition, The Sprockettes, roller races by Team Beer, a “Huffy Huck Off” and more.

Hopworks owner Christian Ettinger says he envisions this as a carfree event and says the price of admission is only that you arrive by bike. He also plans to unveil two new beers at the event made especially for bike lovers.

Year: 1993?
Brand: Schwinn
Model: ?
Color:Metallic Grey
Serial: ?
Photo: ?
Stolen in Portland, OR 97202
Stolen:2009-08-18
Stolen From: Outside the Ford Building at 11th and Division in Southeast.
Neighborhood: Ladd’s Addition
Owner: William Oakley
OwnerEmail: oakley@embittered.com
Description: This was heavy metallic grey (brownish grey) bike, cruiser-style but with 6 speeds. The gears are on a dial on the right handlebar. The seat is wide and black. When it was stolen the bike had a light on the front, a reflector on the back, and a cup holder screwed to the handlebars.
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

Where to rent a bike in Portland

Portland is a bike town. Sure, it’s not Copenhagen or Amsterdam (yet), but increasingly, when people come here they want to “Do as the Romans do” — and in Portland that means get on a bike.

But if you don’t have friends in town that can set you up with a bike, and you don’t want to pay the going rate for a used one (which some feel is way too expensive), renting is an excellent option.

Here at BikePortland, we get a steady stream of inquiries about where the best bike rental shops are. So, we finally decided to try and get a good, solid list together. Below is a list of shops in Portland that rent bikes and a bit of information about them.

Metro will host a presentation today titled, “Active Transportation in The Netherlands and South America”.

The event will feature visiting experts Ruud Ditewag and Ton Daggers. Mr. Ditewig is the current Bicycle Coordinator for the City of Utrecht, Netherlands (which has the sixth highest bike mode share in the world at 33%). Ton Daggers is the Director of Movilization, a European and South American network of cities that are transforming their streets to be more friendly to bicycle transportation. Daggers was also a consultant to Bogota, Colombia Mayor Enrique Penalosa as he implemented one of the most comprehensive bicycle networks in the world.

This week, Portland is playing host to the Safe Routes to School National Conference. The event is hosted by the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) and they report that over 500 attendees have registered.

Attendees include biking and walking advocates, health care providers, city planners, transportation experts and a host of other professionals and practitioners. The goal is to get inspired, share best practices, and focus efforts on getting more kids to school under their own power.

In addition to three days of panel discussions, presentations and mobile workshops, the event is anchored by keynotes from major players in the bicycling and health advocacy world.

Year: 1970s?
Brand: Motobecane
Color:Silver
Stolen in Portland, OR 97232
Stolen:2009-08-17
Stolen From: Milo’s Cafe in Northeast on Broadway (in between 13th and 14th)
Neighborhood: Lloyd Center
Owner: John Cooper
OwnerEmail: tamiller80@gmail.com
Reward: $100
Description: Silver Motobecane single speed. Large frame,
Police record with: 973482
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

Forest Green Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo 1994

Year: 1994
Brand: Gary Fisher
Model: Hoo Koo E Koo
Color:Forest Green
Stolen in Portland, OR 97232
Stolen:2009-08-17
Stolen From: Milo’s Cafe in Northeast on Broadway (in between 13th and 14th)
Neighborhood: Lloyd Center
Owner: Tim Miller
OwnerEmail: tamiller80@gmail.com
Reward: $100
Description: Forest green mtn. bike, older frame. Yellow rock shox. Bontrager tires (hybrid road/off road). Grip shifts with bar ends.
Police record with: 973482
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

National organization finds that bike-to-school bans are on the rise

Black Trek 830 Antelope 1992

Reader Photos of the Week: Hitching a ride by bike

BTA responds to Oregonian editorial: “CRC project is a $4 billion mistake”

Hopworks Brewery will throw carfree ‘Biketoberfest’ party

Metallic Grey Schwinn ? 1993?

Where to rent a bike in Portland

Active transportation experts will present at Metro today

Safe Routes to School National Conference begins today in Portland

Silver Motobecane 1970s?

Forest Green Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo 1994

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From the Archives

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