What’s a little rain? At least it isn’t freezing this weekend. (The good news is that if icy conditions did get you down, literally, support is out there.)
There are plenty of opportunities this weekend to go out and enjoy bike fun, either out in the elements or indoors somewhere warm. Here are the highlights:
Reader Doug C. from Beaverton just sent a few photos of an invention he calls the “Drycycle.” Words can’t really do it justice, so thankfully he also sent along some photos. Check it out:
The Portland Water Bureau is constructing a second reservoir at Powell Butte Nature Park and the project comes with an exciting opportunity to improve the park’s off-road trail network.
The 600-plus acre extinct cinder cone in outer southeast Portland already allows multiple uses — including mountain biking — on about nine miles of trails, but Cecily Norris, a regional representative with the Northwest Trail Alliance (NWTA) says this project gives the community a chance to vastly improve those trails. Norris sits on the 11-member advisory committee that is helping the Water Bureau decide on what the renovated park will look like.
BikePortland reader Ross Kenney writes to us that he moved this fall from Portland to Seoul, South Korea to teach English. He included some photos and notes on the state of bicycling infrastructure there.
Year: 2003
Brand: Giant
Model: DS2
Color:blue
Size:26″
Stolen in portland, OR 97236
Stolen:2009-12-11
Stolen From: 2529 SE 136th ave Portland OR 97236. The Apt. complex is right behind Cruisers restaraunt on the corner of 136th & Division
Neighborhood: Gilbert Powellhurst
Owner: cody keller
OwnerEmail: bansheedude999@hotmail.com
Reward: Yes
Description: It is a full suspension mountain bike. It is a darker blue with white and gray stickering. It has a sticker that says warp on the swingarm. When stolen it had a mini mag light duct taped to the handlebars. Not sure if it would still be on there but I would think that if it has been removed there would still be tape residue on the bars, just to the left of the stem. The seat rails are also starting to poke out the rear of the seat, they havent pierced through the vinyl and cloth yet but are visibly poking out. It has got brand new black scott hand grips. The grips dont have the donut ring that protect your hand from the de-railer. These particular grips are made without them.
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike
Job Title
Warehouse Worker
This position has been filled.
Company/Organization
Castelli USA
Job Description
Castelli USA is seeking a full-time Warehouse Worker for our warehouse in NE Portland. The position performs various warehouse functions (picking, packing, shipping, receiving, etc.). Applicants should be highly motivated with an attention to detail and a team player. Starting pay is $10 hourly.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Picking orders correctly, quickly and efficiently
• Packing and shipping orders using UPS Small Package plus some freight
• Receiving inbound products and putting away on shelves
• Keeping warehouse neat and clean
• Helping with physical inventory counts
• Process returns from customers
QUALIFICATIONS
• Must be detail oriented and organized
• Must have a positive attitude and be highly motivated
• Must be punctual and maintain a good attendance record
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
• High School Diploma
• 1-2 years Warehouse experience
• Basic PC skills, Word, Excel, Outlook, UPS Worldship
How to Apply
Please send resumes to msheppard (at) castelli-us (dot) com
To all our 2009 Cycle Oregon participants:
We want to confirm with sadness that one of our riders, John Aeby, died while on the ride this year. John, who had ridden multiple Cycle Oregons, died peacefully in his sleep of heart disease while we were in Grants Pass. His widow, Clarice, wishes to thank those of you who have sent your thoughts her way. John worked at Holt International Children’s Services, and he was a passionate advocate for adoption. A memorial fund has been established in his name; donations can be sent to Holt at P.O. Box 2880, Eugene, OR 97402.
Also, as you may already know, some riders experienced gastroenteritis on our ride in September. Since we were made aware of the problem during the ride, we’ve been gathering and processing all the information we can, in order both to address this problem and to put in place preventive measures for the future.
We recently received a report from the Oregon Public Health Division (OPHD) based on their examination of the event (click here to review a copy of the report). OPHD conducted phone and online surveys with many of our riders, as well as interviewing our food and sanitation vendors and others.
We wanted to relay the main points of the report to everyone involved. To sum up:
* The “bug” was determined to be Norwalk virus, more commonly known as norovirus. Based on the pattern of spreading illness, indications are that transmission was person-to-person rather than food-borne or some other source. (All our food handlers are trained in hygienic food handling, and our mobile kitchen facilities were inspected in Grants Pass and given a favorable report; none of our food handlers or EMTs were sick during or after the ride.)
* OPHD explored a number of possible transmission sources within Cycle Oregon’s facilities and infrastructure, but couldn’t single out one individual factor as being responsible.
* While we doubled the number of hand-washing stations in camp and talked about the illness outbreak during our nightly announcements, a significant number of survey respondents weren’t fully aware of the problem during the ride or didn’t recognize the number of hand-washing stations available.
Looking forward, we’re already working hard to prevent this from happening again. The risk is always there when you gather 2,000 people to camp out for a week, whether someone brings an illness to the event with them or a rider contracts it along the way. One of the main things we gleaned from the OPHD report is that hand-washing is the only universally useful form of protection in a situation like that, and so we will add even more stations for 2010 and position them more obviously and strategically.
We’ve worked hard to earn Cycle Oregon’s reputation for being completely thorough in our planning and logistics, and we’re not about to jeopardize that. We’re doing everything feasible to take care of our riders, including re-assessing sanitation considerations throughout camp. We hope this information is helpful to you, and we hope we see you back on the road with us in 2010.
Thank you for being part of the Cycle Oregon “family.” We will continue to do everything we can to put on the best bike ride in America.
Best wishes to all,
Jonathan Nicholas – Chairman, Cycle Oregon Board of Directors
Just got this email from reader Maria M. in Portland:
Last night during the pouring rain and darkness I was hit while on my bike. I wasn’t hurt but my front wheel was damaged. I was at the Marriott on Naito crossing over to the park when a car turned into me. I had the green light and was in the crosswalk with the walk signal. The guy who hit me pulled over. We exchanged info. and the very kind valet guys at the Marriott gave me their info as witnesses. Mostly, I was in shock.
Should I file a police report? Should I ask him to pay for damages to my bike?
[See our answer and share yours below the jump.]
[UPDATE: The Oregonian’s Hard Drive blog has an update on this story]
The Willamette Week has gotten their hands on a preliminary report of this year’s bike counts from the City of Portland Bureau of Transportation that shows a decrease in bicycle ridership for 2009.
Here’s a snip from Willamette Week reporter Beth Slovic’s story (emphasis mine):
“That preliminary report, the 2009 “Portland Bicycle Counts,” shows the number of bicycle trips across Portland bridges (and at more than 100 other locations citywide) has fallen a combined average of 6 percent compared with the same time period in 2008.”
This morning the Federal Highway Administration released a 135-page comprehensive update to their Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), a standards guide that has driven (pun intended) the design of traffic controls in America for over three decades.
In a press statement, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said the updates — the first major changes since 2003 — where part of a “continuing effort to improve safety on the nation’s roads and bridges”. Several of the new updates will make it easier for city traffic engineers across the country to implement signs, signals, and markings that improve conditions for biking and walking.
Some of the key changes to the MUTCD that benefit bike and foot traffic are:
News Release from: Portland Police Bureau
PORTLAND POLICE HAND OUT BICYCLES FOR HOLIDAYS
Posted: December 16th, 2009 9:12 AMOn Friday, December 18, 2009, Portland Police Officers will be distributing donated bicycles at Clarendon-Portsmouth Elementary School at 2:00 p.m. Commissioner Dan Salztman will also be there to support the kids and cops as the children receive bicycles donated by community organizer, David Yandell, and NW Natural Gas.
Officers will also be assisting kids with helmet fittings so that everyone can have a safe holiday season.
Officers will be available for media interviews at the school. the school is located at 5103 N. Willis Blvd.
[Stay tuned for a Front Page story this within the hour. — Jonathan]
Federal Highway Administration Revises Rules to Make Highways Safer
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Calls Updates Needed and WelcomeWASHINGTON – As part of his continuing effort to improve safety on the nation’s roads and bridges, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today released a comprehensive update to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). The manual, which has been administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) since 1971, sets the standards for road safety throughout the country.
“Safety is this Department’s top priority,” said Secretary LaHood. “These new and updated standards will help make our nation’s roads and bridges safer for drivers, construction workers and pedestrians alike.”
The MUTCD is the national standard for all traffic control devices, including traffic signs, pavement markings, signals and any other devices used to regulate, warn or guide traffic. Ensuring uniformity of traffic control devices across the nation – from their messages and placement to their sizes, shapes and colors – helps to reduce crashes and traffic congestion. This is the first comprehensive update to the manual since 2003.
The MUTCD’s 2009 edition features many new and updated requirements, ranging from changes in highway signs and bike lanes to the color of high-visibility garments worn by road workers. Most changes are a result of extensive research; however, seven changes stem from recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board. This is the largest number of NTSB recommendations adopted by the MUTCD at one time.
“Adopting the lessons learned in recent years will help make roads safer for everyone,” said Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez.
By requiring better pavement markings which can increase bike lane safety, and extending walk times for pedestrians at crosswalks, the updated MUTCD furthers the “complete streets” concept – an effort long championed by the FHWA to ensure roads accommodate all types of travel, not just automobiles.
Among the other new provisions in the MUTCD:
• Replacing highway signs with brighter, larger and more legible ones that are easier to understand at freeway speeds. States will begin using the newer signs as existing ones wear out.
• Adding different lane markings for lanes that do not continue beyond an intersection or interchange to give drivers more warning that they need to move out of the lane if they don’t intend to turn.
• Expanding the use of flashing yellow arrow signals at some intersections to give a clearer indication that drivers can turn left after yielding to any opposing traffic.
• Changing the formula used to calculate crosswalk times to give walkers more time.
• Identifying electronic toll collection lanes with purple signs – the first time purple has been sanctioned for use on highway signs.
• Adding overhead lane-use control signs to reduce confusion among drivers in unfamiliar multi-lane roadways.
For an overview of the new rules and recommendations, visit http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov.