August 2009 Archives

Man on a bike killed in Northeast Portland hit and run (Updated)

[Updated 8/28/09: The Portland Mercury is reporting that the victim was 52 year old James Earl Wagner. The Mercury also has photos of the intersection where the crash occurred, and commentary on the difficulty of walking and biking there.]

Click for Google Map

The Portland Police report that this morning at about 2:15 am, a 52-year old man was killed after being struck by someone driving a car. The incident occurred around NE 122nd and Fremont. The motor vehicle involved in the collision left the scene.

Here’s more from the police:

The Major Crash Team responded to investigate and believe this was a hit and run incident. It appears that the bicyclist was riding Northbound on 122nd when he was struck and killed. No vehicle description is being released at this time. The name of the deceased is being withheld until family members can be notified.

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Brand: mongoose
Model: d-70r
Color:blue
Size:24″
Serial: m-990354540
Stolen in 97236, OR
Stolen:2007-04-2
Stolen From: 41st and division. I loaned it to some one whos car got stolen not to long after he died they stole everything after it came out in the paper by the time I heard about it it was to late
Neighborhood: 41st and division by the fish store
Owner: roch desmarais
OwnerEmail: superrockman25@yahoo.com
Description: bright blue plastic mud fenders
no seat or post when stolen
Police record with: portland police
Police reference#: 0975603
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

(Updated) BTA on CRC bike/ped design process: “We’re not going to play this game any more”

[8/26, 4:42pm: This story has been updated with reaction from CRC project staffer David Parisi.]

“The BTA is done with this public involvement theater… we’re not going to play this game any more.”
— Michelle Poyouorow, Bicycle Transportation Alliance

As reported earlier today, the staff from the Columbia River Crossing project held a meeting of their Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee meeting in Vancouver this morning. The big item on the agenda was to get an official recommendation from the committee about which of two design options (with the bike and pedestrian pathway above or below the main deck) they prefer.

According to sources that attended the meeting, the committee voted to recommended the underdeck option, but only if the CRC Project Sponsors Council (which includes Mayor Adams, Metro Council President David Bragdon, DOT Directors from Washington and Oregon, etc…) signs off on a firm maintenance and security agreement.

Mike Cobb holds the floor.
-Slideshow below/Gallery–
(Photos © J. Maus)

We had another great Get Together event last night on NE Alberta. We packed the patio of Radio Room and had their generous bike parking facility overflowing.

As per usual, we spent the first part of the night meeting new friends, re-connecting with old ones, and sampling some fine Oregon microbrews before happy hour came to a close. Once everyone had settled in, I introduced several interesting folks in the crowd and asked them to share what they’re up to in the world of bikes.

Year: 2007
Brand: Trek
Model: 7100
Color:black
Size:20
Serial: WTU332C0405B
Photo: no
Stolen in Portland, OR 87209
Stolen:2009-08-25
Stolen From: In front of Hair 77 (11th and NW Glisan)
Neighborhood: Pearl District
Owner: Lynn Lashbrook
OwnerEmail: lynn@smww.com
Description: Just Basic with a back plastic fender
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

“FollowMe” improves on popular tag-along products

Spotted a FollowMe in use at
Sunday Parkways.

Tag-alongs (a.k.a. trail-a-bikes) are common sights on the streets of Portland. They’re an excellent option for kids who are too big for a trailer, but who aren’t yet able to safely ride in traffic by themselves.

Now there’s a new twist on this popular product — the “FollowMe”. Clever Cycles (908 SE Hawthorne) has recently become a dealer for the FollowMe, which the Switzerland-based company calls a “parent-child tandem coupling” device.

These are the two options bike and pedestrian advocates are being asked to choose from… but what if neither are acceptable?

Year: 2005
Brand: Trek
Model: 3700
Color:Green/gray
Size:16″
Photo: http://www.bikes.msu.edu/stolen/pics/trek-3700-8-30-05.jpg
Stolen in Portland, OR 97203
Stolen:2009-08-25
Stolen From: North Portland (from my front porch, where it was locked up), near Lombard.
Neighborhood: St. John’s
Owner: Amy Cissell
OwnerEmail: amy@amycissell.com
Description: At the time of the theft, it did have a cat-eye on it, but it wasn’t working. Cushy ladies saddle. It was a little scratched up. The pedal reflectors were broken out, and the pedals were the standard.
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

Tonight! Join us for a Get Together on Alberta

I hope you’ll join us tonight at Radio Room (1101 NE Alberta) for our August Get Together.

This will be a great chance to meet new people, learn about what’s going on in the local bike scene, and share your experiences about riding/living/working in Northeast Portland. Everyone is invited to either come and listen, mingle, or share whatever you’re up to in the world of bikes.

Aaron Hayes of Northeast Portland-based Courage Bicycle Mfg. drew a lot of attention for the imaginative details on this bike he made for his girlfriend. It features S & S couplers and a rare combination of a Schlump 2-speed crankset and two “Dos Enos” cassettes in the rear.
(Photo: Aaron Hayes)

Portland is truly a cargo bike lover’s paradise. Whether you want the legendary “bakfiets” from Holland, a less expensive version from China, a high-end custom version made in Portland, or a myriad of other locally available options, this town is a veritable cornucopia of cargo bikes.

New to the offerings are the whimsical creations of Tom LaBonty.

LaBonty — whose previous hobby was restoring muscle cars — now pours his passion into building custom cargo bikes out of found materials and garage sale bikes. A baggage handler at PDX Airport by day, the 39-year old Montana native was intrigued by a Worksman trike he saw being used by airline maintenance crews at the airport — so he decided to try and build one himself.

This morning I looked our office window and saw a familiar bike pedaling by. It was Brian Campbell and his massive motorhome/camper bike. A few minutes later he had swung around and parked for a quick chat.

It’s been almost three years since I first shared a Portland sighting of Brian Campbell and his amazing camper bike. Then, back in August 2007, I shared the sad news that his home had been destroyed. Initially reported as the work of vandals, it turned out Brian did it himself in a bout with depression and frustration. Years of living on the street had caught up to him.

Man on a bike killed in Northeast Portland hit and run (Updated)

blue mongoose d-70r

(Updated) BTA on CRC bike/ped design process: “We’re not going to play this game any more”

Getting Together on Alberta: Recap and photos

black Trek 7100 2007

“FollowMe” improves on popular tag-along products

CRC bike/ped design decision looms as opposition grows

Green/gray Trek 3700 2005

Tonight! Join us for a Get Together on Alberta

Portland builders snag three awards at Rocky Mountain show

Tom LaBonty and his custom cargo bikes

A visit from motorhome bike builder Brian Campbell

Latest Headlines

Robotaxis will need to jump through these hoops before operating on Portland streets

Here’s the new ‘complete street’ coming to Cully Blvd

‘A Simple Machine’ film gets hometown premiere April 16th

Broadway bike lane to get aesthetic, protective face lift

From the Archives

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