Month: September 2009

“I Love My Bicycle” documentary follows a homegrown BMX manufacturing company

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Editor’s note: This movie review was written by contributor (and our down-the-street neighbor) Joe Biel. Earlier this year, we covered Biel’s forthcoming documentary about Critical Mass. We’re actively seeking to publish more book and movie reviews on the site — if there’s something you’d like to review for us, please get in touch.

With the simultaneous surge of interest in all things bike and the availability of cheaper and cheaper digital video equipment, we are treated to more and more grassroots documentaries about bicycling and all of its colorful, related culture.

“I Love My Bicycle: The Story of FBM Bikes” is a splendid addition to this realm.

The movie tells the story of how FBM Bikes was built from a charming, homegrown t-shirt company put together by some BMX riders in upstate New York.

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Chicago police training video promotes bicycle safety, respect

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Streetsblog alerted us to this just-released training video for traffic enforcement officers in Chicago’s police department.

It’s worth watching — in about ten minutes, it even-handedly explains the laws that govern both driving and bicycling in Chicago, with the frame of increasing bicycling safety as much as possible, and promoting a culture of respect on the roads.

Traffic Enforcement for Bicyclist Safety from Chicago Bicycle Program on Vimeo.

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Metallic light blue Trek 412 or 414 1980/81

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 1980/81
Brand: Trek
Model: 412 or 414
Color:Metallic light blue
Size:51″
Serial: M2E7A47
Stolen in Portland, OR 97214
Stolen:2009-09-11
Stolen From: E Burnside St. & E 20th Ave. Portland, OR
Owner: Glanville Eleanor
OwnerEmail: sangyaa@gmail.com
Reward: My neverending appreciation and gratitude!
Description: Classic Trek road bike, black grip tape, brand new pedals and toe clips.
Police record with: Officer Greg Pashley #28089
Police reference#: 09-82481
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

A ride on downtown Portland’s new buffered bike lanes (updated)

buffered bike lanes

The buffered bike lane, westbound on SW Oak.
(Photos © Elly Blue)

It was a perfect Portland morning, alternating between gray and sunny. We’ve been getting tips all weekend about the new buffered bike lanes being installed downtown, and I decided to ride the full length of the new lanes and see how they work.

The buffered bike lanes dedicate one out of four lanes on SW Stark and SW Oak to bikes alone. One additional lane on these one-way streets is dedicated to through traffic, and a the outer lanes are for parking cars or (sometimes) making right turns.

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The Monday Roundup

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Here’s some of the news that caught our eye this week:

– Portland’s newest light rail line — the Green Line MAX — began operating between downtown Portland and Clackamas this weekend.

– More local leaders are looking to reduce the scope and funding of the Columbia River Crossing project.

– Road taxes and congestion pricing remains politically difficult, even as it looks like a majority of Americans would be willing to pay for a shorter commute according to a new survey.

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Cycle Oregon Day 1: Riding into the State of Jefferson

Cycle Oregon 2009 - Day 1-8

Rolling through the countryside
south of Medford.
-Slideshow below/Gallery–
(Photos © J. Maus)

If the rest of the week is this hard, I’m not sure what I’ll do. Usually Cycle Oregon begins with easy, meandering miles. It’s a traditional parade lap before the real riding begins on the second or third day. But not this time.

On today’s 67 mile journey from Medford to Yreka (not in California the organizers implore, but in the State of Jefferson) the nine mile climb up to Siskiyou Summit (elevation 4,500 feet) was supposed to be the hardest part. Of course, that was before headwinds kicked up just before noon.

The ride started perfectly, with an easy jaunt south from Medford, through rolling farm valleys full of pear orchards so lush I heard one woman wonder out loud “I’m tempted to go pick a few of them.” Our first stop was in Ashland’s legendary Lithia Park and then a few miles later we were out in rural farm country once again.

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Cycle Oregon: Notes and photos from base camp

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward
Cycle Oregon 2009 - Day 0-14

Bags, tents, and a bit of controlled
chaos is typical for Day 0
at Cycle Oregon.
-Slideshow below/Gallery–
(Photos © J. Maus)

Cycle Oregon‘s 23rd year got started Saturday when 2,200-plus riders (and a few hundred volunteers, staff, and vendors) showed up in Medford. In front of them was 437 miles of epic riding through southern Oregon and northern California (a.k.a. the State of Jefferson).

I missed the ride last year (after doing it in 2006 and 2007) but I was quickly re-acquainted with the familiar sights and sounds — people lugging around their huge bags, the hum of generators, the mini-Bike Gallery retail shop and service center, tent city, and of course, bumping into old friends.

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Checking in and thanks

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Eleni (6) and Danica (4) Maus
in front of my Dad’s house
in Grants Pass.

Hi everyone. As you might have noticed, last week I was away from the office on a camping trip with the family. Now this week I’m still camping — only this time I’m doing it with 2,500 other people as part of Cycle Oregon.

I’m in Yreka, California now, having completed Day 1 of the ride. I have loads of photos and notes to share, but before I do, I want to say thanks to a few people.

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Red/White Jamis Durango SX 2002

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2002
Brand: Jamis
Model: Durango SX
Color:Red/White
Stolen in Portland, OR 97206
Stolen:2009-09-12
Stolen From: SE 65th and SE Center St.
Owner: Gregg Pobanz
OwnerEmail: i_puzzlepiece@yahoo.com
Description: Race Face crank. Race Face seat post. Shimano LX front hub. Wheel set is mismatched. Shimano XT rear and LX front derailleurs. Serfas RX saddle. adjustable bottle holder, air pump.
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

White/Green Gary Fisher City Series 8 2009

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2009
Brand: Gary Fisher
Model: City Series 8
Color:White/Green
Size:16 inch
Serial: WTU175CO478D
Photo: http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/5877/62521076110944368179594.jpg
Stolen in Portland, OR 97217
Stolen:2009-09-12
Stolen From: N. Gantenbein Ave Between Skidmore St and Blandena St
Neighborhood: North Portland, Mississippi area
Owner: Georgette Yannetti
OwnerEmail: Yannetti@gmail.com
Description: It’s a white bike with light green writing and rack on the front. Says Gary Fisher on side.
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

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From the Archives

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