Month: September 2009

[Updated] Event on Hawthorne Bridge tonight will encourage a “calm commute”

Bike Back the Night-20.jpg

Hawthorne Bridge bike traffic.
(Photo © J. Maus)

In response to bike congestion on the Hawthorne Bridge — which was flung into the spotlight back in May when two bikes collided resulting in a crash on the steel deck — the Bicycle Transportation Alliance and the Willamette Pedestrian Coalition will be on the bridge for this evening’s commute to offer a gentle reminder to slow down.

To make the message stick, organizers plan to appeal to all five senses. The BTA’s Steph Noll says the event will be “half street theater, half BurmaShave sign campaign with messages promoting calm, safe, considerate behavior on the bridge’s shared bike/ped path.”

Read more

Section of SW Broadway bike lane closed through end of week

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Note the following bike lane closure announcement from the City of Portland’s Keep it Moving website:

Beginning Monday, September 21, the two right travel lanes and the bike lane on SW Broadway will be closed at the Morrison and Yamhill intersections for brick repair. Bicyclists will merge with three lanes of traffic into a single lane, and should definitely expect delays on Broadway in this vicinity. Alternate southbound route choices include SW 11th, SW 5th, SW 3rd, and SW Naito Parkway. The lane closures will remain in place all hours through the week, although workers will try to restore enough room for bikes to pass on the right when they are not working. Once the workers finish the repairs, the setting material must cure before motor vehicle traffic returns. The lanes should reopen by the end of the week. Pedestrians should be aware that the crosswalk across Yamhill on the east side of Broadway may be closed during this work. The brick intersection repair project is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, putting Oregonians to work!

[Thanks to City of Portland staffer Ellen Vanderslice for bringing this to our attention.]

White Peugeot 70’s

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 70’s
Brand: Peugeot
Color:White
Size:55
Stolen in Portland, OR 97206
Stolen:2009-09-20
Stolen From: PSU Campus across from King Albert Hall
Neighborhood: Downtown
Owner: Kevin Selle
OwnerEmail: selle.kevin@gmail.com
Reward: gladly given.
Description: White 70’s Peugeot fixed gear conversion
Black Pake 700c Rims
Black Pake Crankset 165
Sugino Messenger Chainring 48t 130
Very Small Black Straightbar w/ Clear Oury’s and one brake (I know give me shit if you want)
Black Crotch Guard
and Selle Italia Flite Kevlar that is my baby its yellow on the front red in the middle and blue on the back.

I put my blood sweat and tears into this bike and if you see this bike rolling around kill who’s riding it and call me as soon as you do. (Don’t worry I’ll help you hide the body) 503 459 2391
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

Rides this weekend will highlight open spaces and important causes

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward
Tour de Parks - Hillsboro-9.jpg

Hillsboro’s Tour de Parks will
showcase places to play for
the whole family.
(Photo © J. Maus)

As the biking spirit grows around the Portland region, so do the number of interesting and noteworthy event rides. Many of these rides benefit a specific cause and others are simply an excellent way to meet new people and explore new roads you wouldn’t otherwise pedal down.

This weekend there are three such rides that deserve your attention.

On Saturday, the Hood River Harvest Ride promises a “family-friendly bike ride through the less-traveled majestic back-roads of the Hood River Valley” (I’m sold). There’s also a lunch and party planned for the finish. The ride is a benefit for the Hood River Valley Residents Committee, a non-profit that works to maintain Hood River’s open spaces and livable communities.

Read more

Red Diamond Back Hybrid 700cc Wheels 1980s

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 1980s
Brand: Diamond Back
Model: Hybrid 700cc Wheels
Color:Red
Size:Small
Stolen in Portland, OR 97210
Stolen:2009-09-21
Stolen From: 23rd and Hoyt
Neighborhood: NW Portland
Owner: Dana Carlile
OwnerEmail: waltzingdana@yahoo.com
Reward: $10
Description: Fixed seat post very high with cushy spring and foam seat.
May be covered with green Zupan’s grocery bag.
Rack on back.
Gears in very poor working condition: chain slips.
Right handle Grip glued together.
Light flasher bracket on seat post.
Post like to be striped for parts.
Have key to lock on bike.
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

Portland’s KEEN Footwear partners up with bike non-profit

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Portland-based KEEN Footwear has announced a partnership with the 88bikes Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides bicycles to young people in developing countries.

The partnership is part of KEEN’s Hybrid.Care campaign whose mission is to “support social and environmental organizations that have paved the way for change through community, education and understanding”. The company plans to announce the partnership at the Interbike trade show which begins in Las Vegas tomorrow.

Read more

Video: Through the drive-through, by bike

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

A month ago, local eco-fast food chain Burgerville announced a new policy that would allow people to use bicycles in the drive-through lanes at all of their 30 something locations, after a woman was denied service on her bike broadcast the incident online.

Last Thursday they sealed the deal with a promotion at their Hawthorne location — anyone showing up by bike got a free blackberry milkshake with their purchase during a two hour window.

Joe Biel and I decided to head over there with his video camera to get some milkshakes, see how it worked, and talk with the officials on hand. Here’s the movie that resulted:

Drive Thru Mayhem from Joe Biel on Vimeo.

Read more

The Monday Roundup

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

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

– Tuesday, September 22nd is World Carfree Day. The Washington Post contemplates what that means.

– A new study has found that the largest US fossil fuel subsidies primarily benefit foreign countries.

– A borough in London will, for a trial period, allow people on bikes to ride both ways down one-way streets.

– One mayoral candidate in Seattle says he will try to bike to meetings as much as possible if elected (that means his security detail gets to ride, too).

Read more

Red Univega Nuovo Sport 1980s

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 1980s
Brand: Univega
Model: Nuovo Sport
Color:Red
Size:Small
Stolen in Portland, OR 97212
Stolen:2009-09-20
Stolen From: My house at NE Grand and NE Fremont
Neighborhood: Residential, just off of MLK
Owner: Megan Siefert
OwnerEmail: megan@khpatent.com
Reward: yes
Description: Older 10 sp reddish-orange w/ripped seat, lights, fenders.
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

yellow Schwinn varsity 1970

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 1970
Brand: Schwinn
Model: varsity
Color:yellow
Size:mens small
Stolen in Portland, OR 97225
Stolen:2009-09-15
Stolen From: The bike was stolen from our driveway on 91st Ave. In the west slope area.
Neighborhood: West Slope
Owner: Christian Lambert
OwnerEmail: dscnelamfam@msn.com
Reward: $50.00
Description: This bike was all original paint, seat, chrome fenders, with high pressure tires. Rasta colored stripe on handelbars.
Police record with: Officer Winberly
Police reference#: 09514933
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Orange Hawthorne Cruiser 1965

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 1965
Brand: Hawthorne
Model: Cruiser
Color:Orange
Size:Medium
Stolen in Portland, OR 97212
Stolen:2009-09-17
Stolen From: 12th/NE Tillamook
Neighborhood: Irvington
Owner: Yael Routtenberg
OwnerEmail: olvgrn@yahoo.com
Description: Orange cruiser, original from the 60’s
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

dark grey schwinn del mar cruiser 2009

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2009
Brand: schwinn
Model: del mar cruiser
Color:dark grey
Size:26
Serial: snfsd09e53740
Stolen in portland, OR 97209
Stolen:2009-09-20
Stolen From: nw overton & nw 14th
Neighborhood: pearl
Owner: robert Paglinawan
OwnerEmail: stkrmkr@aol.com
Reward: $50
Description: cruiser with cork coloured grip tape on handlebars. woven basket on rear rack. white wall tires.
Police record with: 09084588
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Latest Headlines

PBOT staffer brought to tears after questioning from city councilors

Feds pitch in $250,000 for Cesar Chavez road diet

Oregon House Rep Travis Nelson airs concerns about North Willamette Blvd project

City Council cold on robotaxi bill as lawmakers set vote for next week

From the Archives

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