Month: November 2009

ODOT group decides on shuttle for two-year bridge closure

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The Oregon City Bridge
(Photo: Wikipedia)

An ad-hoc working group formed by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has decided that shuttle service is the “most feasible and reasonable” way to maintain non-motorized access between Oregon City and West Linn during an impending two-year closure of the bridge that connects the two cities.

According to a letter from ODOT to members of the group, the agency has budgeted $550,000 for the shuttle service and says they are “commited to providing convenient, easy to use, high quality shuttle service to meet the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians during the closure of the bridge.”

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Blumenauer takes a ride in New York City

Blumenauer (in green jacket) avoids
a taxi while riding on Sixth Ave.
-Watch video below-

U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer went for a ride with bike advocates in New York City over the weekend and Streetfilms was there to capture the action.

Blumenauer rolled down the bike lane on Sixth Ave, calling the experience “pretty grim”. However, when he turned onto the cycle track on Ninth, his feelings “changed completely”.

Paul Steely White, executive director of Transportation Alternatives, shared how far New York City has come in recent years:

“We started years ago aspiring to be Portland, looking to Portland for best practices, now we’re at the point in New York where Portland is actually borrowing from us.”

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The research is in: You’re safer in the bike lane (or bike boulevard, or cycle track)

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“Results to date suggest that sidewalks and multi-use trails pose the highest risk… and the presence of bicycle facilities (e.g. on-road bike routes, on-road marked bike lanes, and off-road bike paths) was associated with the lowest risk.”

There’s a constant chorus — sometimes soft, sometimes overpoweringly loud — in every conversation about bike infrastructure in America. Its refrain: You’re safer without any bike lanes, separated lanes, cycle tracks, bike boulevards, off-road paths. Just take the lane, follow the rules, wear your helmet, and you’ll be fine.

A group of scholars at the University of British Columbia have found otherwise. They conducted a literature review, looking at all available studies linking bicycle safety with infrastructure. Their conclusions will be counterintuitive for some.

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Blue Giant OCR 3 2006

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Year: 2006
Brand: Giant
Model: OCR 3
Color:Blue
Serial: GR6G1580
Photo: http://shop.devercycles.co.uk/images/prod_1911.jpg
Stolen in Portland, OR
Stolen:2009-10-17
Stolen From: It was stolen from a bike rack on the south side of Cramer Hall at Portland State University. The lock cable was cut.
Neighborhood: Downtown Portland
Owner: Ryan Nelson
OwnerEmail: selfdestructing@gmail.com
Reward: Yes
Description: My blue Trek OCR 3 has wires for a computer hookup, front and back fenders, a pump holder on the back vertical bar and a bottle holder on the bottom bar. I think the handle wrapping is coming undone on the left side.
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Green Giant Cross 1998?

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Year: 1998?
Brand: Giant
Model: Cross
Color:Green
Size:25″
Stolen in Portland, OR 97214
Stolen:2009-11-2
Stolen From: Backyard of residence 39th & Ash
Owner: Charles Freeborn
OwnerEmail: charles@charlesfreeborn.com
Reward: $50.00
Description: Black rear luggage rack, Trek brand U lock around seat post held to rack with bungee. Rear fender only
“Incredibell” handle bar mount bell
Police record with: 09-98730
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

One woman killed, another critically injured at SE Foster and 80th (Updated)

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Map of location.

Two women who were crossing SE Foster Blvd at 80th Ave on foot last night were struck by a car. One woman, 23 year old Lindsay Leonard, died on the scene. The other, 29 23 year old Jessica Finlay, is in critical condition.

According to the Oregon State Police, the women were crossing Foster in a crosswalk southbound from the Fred Meyer parking lot. Here’s more from the OSP: “The vehicle was travelling westbound on Foster and witnesses stated that it appeared neither pedestrian saw the vehicle approaching.”

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Red Trek 2000 2001

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Year: 2001
Brand: Trek
Model: 2000
Color:Red
Size:54cm
Serial: WL1629302
Stolen in portland, OR 97209
Stolen:2009-11-2
Stolen From: Hawthorne Ave. Vintage shop
Neighborhood: SE
Owner: Mary Schindeler
OwnerEmail: marycatweaver@hotmail.com
Description: Well worn, red Trek 2000 road bike. Light on the back. Duck tape on front.
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

The Monday Roundup

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

– On Tuesday, a cable on San Francisco’s Bay Bridge snapped. The bridge and its approaches have been closed since, resulting in transportation difficulties and rare photos of huge swathes of urban freeway completely empty of cars.

– In the midst of a mayoral election in which a primary issue is what to do about Seattle’s aging Alaskan Way Viaduct freeway, a public records request has unearthed a WSDOT video simulating what would happen to the Viaduct in an earthquake similar to one that occurred in 2001.

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Yellow Haro 2000

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Year: 2000
Brand: Haro
Color:Yellow
Stolen in Portland, OR 97203
Stolen:2009-10-31
Stolen From: Near Alma and Lombard st. Near the Fred Meyers.
Neighborhood: St. John’s
Owner: Lena Traenkenschuh
OwnerEmail: lena.loftus@gmail.com
Reward: yes
Description: Yellow Haro mountain bike with blue shocks and a blue front fork. Has black fenders and may still have a cable lock attatched.
Police record with: Officer Jim Habkirk
Police reference#: 09-98399
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

Brown Cannondale F4 2006

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Year: 2006
Brand: Cannondale
Model: F4
Color:Brown
Size:M
Serial: R096916
Photo: http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/10/cusa/model-0FS4.html
Stolen in portland, OR 97211
Stolen:2009-11-01
Stolen From: 320 SE 2nd (off of Burnside and the river)
Neighborhood: Inner SE
Owner: Klaas de Jonge
OwnerEmail: klaasfietst@hotmail.com
Reward: everlasting gratitude!
Description: Brown cannondale with front custom rack, large 1 liter bottle holder, lights, silver ring contraption through front shock
Police record with: 09-098369
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Latest Headlines

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From the Archives

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