October 2009 Archives

Bike parking gets a boost from Planning Commission

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Bike parking at the Gallery
Condominiums in NW Portland.
(Photo © Dan Liu)

While the Bicycle Plan for 2030 got most of the attention at last night’s Planning Commission meeting, there was another bike-related issue that was discussed.

Also on the agenda was a proposal to amend the City’s zoning code to increase the minimum amount of long-term bike parking that must be provided by developers of multi-family dwellings (condos and apartments). Currently that number is 0.25 bike spaces per dwelling unit, but the City of Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) recommended that the Commission bump that number up to 1.5 bike spaces per dwelling unit.

Cyclocross racers from around the Northwest are buzzing this week about the upcoming Halloween edition of the Cross Crusade this weekend in Astoria. Besides the usual racing, the event promises two full days of fun, including Sunday’s official costume day.

Crusade racers are known for some amazingly funny and creative costumes, and organizers warn that if you don’t show up in one you should “be prepared to suffer the wrath”. On that note, I thought I’d provide some visual inspiration via photos of costumes from years past.

Check out what ex-pro road racer Doug Ollerenshaw wore in 2007:

When you’re as fast as Doug, you can wear anything.

Year: 2004
Brand: Masi
Model: Speciale
Color:Orange w/ baby blue
Size:56/57
Serial: MT300113
Stolen in Portland, OR
Stolen:2009-09-30
Stolen From: 2322 SW Osage
Owner: David Gualtieri
OwnerEmail: davidrgualtieri@gmail.com
Reward: Positive Karma
Description: silver Mavic Open pro rear wheel laced to silver 105 hub; Xero 18 spoke black front wheel; WinWood carbon fork; Origin 8 drop bars; 105 groupo; Cain Creek headset; Old Man Mt. Rack
Police record with: City of Portland
Police reference#: 0987930
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

In-Depth: Tracing the roots of the Oregon Handmade Bicycle Show

[This story was written by Mark Reber]

Andy Newlands, a pioneer of
Portland’s framebuilding industry.
(Photos © J. Maus)

Portland’s emergence as a hub of bike manufacturing seems new and shiny like the paint on the bikes at this week’s upcoming Oregon Handmade Bicycle Show. But the area’s provenance as a leading force in the bike business has its roots, just like the roots of the builders themselves, in its early pioneers.

No one understands this better than Andy Newlands of Terra Nova Cycles (a.k.a. Strawberry Cyclesport). He started building bikes when leather was the preferred material for helmets. I talked with Newlands recently about those early years.

“I graduated from the University of Washington with a Civil Engineering degree in 1970,” he explained. “It wasn’t exactly the best economy for finding a job in Seattle, so I started looking at what I might do to earn a living. Somehow, building bikes came into view.”

A packed room for
the hearing last night.
(Photos © J. Maus)

Last night in downtown Portland, the City’s Planning Commission heard three hours of testimony on the Portland Bicycle Plan for 2030. Despite a rumor that there would be “organized opposition” and that the plan would be in for a “bumpy night” and the scene would resemble the “unruly town halls on health care reform”, the night was actually quite tame.

Out of the entire three hours, there was only person — the infamous Terry Parker — who was in direct opposition to the plan (more on that below). A few others had solid critiques, but overall the plan received widespread support. In the end, the Commission decided to “hold open” the hearing until their next meeting on November 10th so they could “incorporate additional comment in the record” (according to Commissioner Chris Smith).

Gabe Tiller and his coffin bike.
(Photos © J. Maus)

They say that Portland’s Critical Mass is dead.

Now they’re saying that the days of bike fun are numbered.

If that’s true, Jacque Authier intends to send it out with a bang (and maybe resuscitate it in the process). She’s announced the Halloween Procession for Poor, Dead Bike Fun this Friday, October 30th meeting at 5:45pm under the west end of the Morrison Bridge.

Here’s how Authier describes the ride:

Year: 2007
Brand: Cannondale
Model: Bad Boy Ultra
Color:black
Size:large
Stolen in Portland, OR 97214
Stolen:2009-10-27
Stolen From: The Multnomah County Library
Neighborhood: multnomah county library
Owner: Hamilton Suh
OwnerEmail: suhblime@hotmail.com
Description: it has two hooks, where road lights could go, on the front and back.
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Live! Bike Master Plan hearing at Planning Commission

[UPDATE, 10/28 10:30am: I’ve summarized and analyzed the hearing in a separate post.]

Tonight the Portland Planning Commission will get a presentation from City of Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) staff about the Portland Bicycle Plan for 2030. This is a public hearing and, despite it being the opening game of the Portland Trail Blazers’ season, there are actually quite a few people here ready to testify.

As I rolled up to the bike parking outside, City of Portland bike coordinator Roger Geller was locking up. He said (with a grin), “I think we’ll hear it from both sides tonight… from people who think we’re going too far [for bikes] and those who think we’re not going far enough.”

Year: 2002
Brand: Cannondale
Color:Blue
Size:men’s
Stolen in Portland, OR 97219
Stolen:2009-10-20
Stolen From: from my garage along with my women’s kona mountain bike. 6815 SW Virginia Avenue, portland, or 97219
Neighborhood: John’s Landing
Owner: Ann Marie Fallow
OwnerEmail: annmarie.fallow@nike.com
Description: men’s cannondale bike
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

Dark Green TREK 7500 1999

Year: 1999
Brand: TREK
Model: 7500
Color:Dark Green
Size:20″
Serial: WTUD009395R
Stolen in Portland, OR 97212
Stolen:2009-10-27
Stolen From: Backyard of house on 39th between N.E. Failing and N.E. Shaver
Neighborhood: Beaumont-Wilshire
Owner: Tom Sincic
OwnerEmail: sincict@mindspring.com
Description: Green Bike with men’s black seat with rear light below seat, attachment for light on handlbar, attachment on frame to hold bike lock and lock was on the bike when stolen, kickstand, black rack carrier over back wheel. Bike is in excellent condition. Purchased at Bike Gallery with sticker on frame.
Police record with: Portland Police
Police reference#: Temporary Report #T09000048
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Pinkish KONA 2000

Year: 2000
Brand: KONA
Color:Pinkish
Stolen in Portland, OR 97219
Stolen:2009-10-20
Stolen From: My garage….6815 SW Virginia Avenue, Portland, OR 97219
Neighborhood: Johns Landing
Owner: Ann Marie Fallow
OwnerEmail: annmarie.fallow@nike.com
Description: Magenta Kona Mountain bike. Has a bike seat made for a woman by a woman. There is a tear on the seat with duck tape covering it. There are 2 bike locks around the base of the seat.
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

White TREK 7500 2000

Year: 2000
Brand: TREK
Model: 7500
Color:White
Size:17.5″
Serial: WTUF034531s
Stolen in Portland, OR 97212
Stolen:2009-10-26
Stolen From: Backyard of our house at 39th between N.E. Failing & N.E. Shaver.
Neighborhood: Beaumont-Wilshire
Owner: Sally Sincic
OwnerEmail: sincicsj@mindspring.com
Description: Bike had kickstand, women’s cushioned black seat, toe straps, attachment for cat-eye light on front handlebar, insulated waterbottle carrier, black carrier rack over rear wheel with black zippered expandable case that sat on top and rear light attached to back of rack. Bike is in excellent condition.
Police record with: Portland Police
Police reference#: Temporary Report # T09000048
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Bike parking gets a boost from Planning Commission

A ‘cross costume primer

Orange w/ baby blue Masi Speciale 2004

In-Depth: Tracing the roots of the Oregon Handmade Bicycle Show

Planning Commission hears (mostly) support for Bike Master Plan

Halloween is the time to celebrate bike fun (or mourn it)

black Cannondale Bad Boy Ultra 2007

Live! Bike Master Plan hearing at Planning Commission

Blue Cannondale 2002

Dark Green TREK 7500 1999

Pinkish KONA 2000

White TREK 7500 2000

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From the Archives

Opinion: If we’re serious about cycling, let’s get serious about cycling infrastructure