Month: December 2009

Need a transportation bike for your kid? Good options are out there

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

Most kids’ bikes available in the US,
like these spotted at Tour de Ladd this fall,
aren’t fitted out for city riding.
(Photo © J. Maus)

After an exhaustive search for a good city bike for my son, I have concluded that kids bikes in general are in a sorry state. Either they are poorly constructed and will last only a year or two or they are overengineered and just not equipped for a city-riding kid.

By the looks of the offerings on the US market, it appears bike manufacturers think that kids mostly go off road and need mountain-type bikes, or that all kids need is a way to cruise around their cul-du-sac with no gears and just foot brakes.

Read more

Newswire: PBOT installs four more bike corrals

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

December 7, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Dan Anderson
503-823-3723
dan.anderson@ci.portland.or.us

PBOT installs four more bike corrals

The Portland Bureau of Transportation is unveiling four new on-street bike parking corrals today and tomorrow.

PBOT has been working with the business community along Lower East Burnside to increase the amount of bicycle parking for customers. This led to corrals are being installed outside Rontoms, Doug Fir Lounge and Grendel’s Coffee House on East Burnside between SE Sixth and Ninth avenues.

The fourth bicycle corral is located off the Spokane Street bike boulevard outside of Bertie Lou’s Cafe at SE Spokane and SE 17th. The Spokane Street bike boulevard is currently under construction.

With the completion of these four facilities, the City of Portland now boasts a total of 40 on-street corrals that provide 790 bicycle parking spaces.

All on-street bike corrals are installed with the support and approval of the adjacent business and property owners. More information about PBOT’s On-Street Bike Parking Corrals can be found online.

Editorial: Why bikes matter at COP15

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Downtown Copenhagen.
(Photo © Tom Miller)

As hundreds of leaders, politicians, scientists, experts, and advocates from around the world gather in Copenhagen for the United Nations Climate Conference, the most important thing they experience might not even be on the agenda. If any of them happen to walk the streets of Copenhagen, the solution to many of their problems will be right in front of them: Bicycles. Everywhere.

Copenhagen just happens to be the City of Cyclists and its dedication to providing streets that make biking a viable option for its citizens has already had an incalculable impact on many cities.

Read more

Hundreds brave chills to enjoy ‘Winter Wonderland’ by bike

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward
Winter Wonderland-Bike Night at PIR-16

Riding under the lights (and in the cold)
last night at PIR.
(Photos © J. Maus)

Note to event organizers: All it takes to coax hundreds of biking Portlanders to your event — even in temps hovering near the 20s — is to make it carfree and serve free hot drinks.

Last night was the first-ever bike-only night at Portland International Raceway’s annual Winter Wonderland holiday light spectacular. The folks at PIR create dozens of light sculptures and let folks roll around the race track taking in the festive sights. Usually it’s a treat only people in cars can enjoy, but this year, thanks to some persistent nudging from local bike advocates, they had a Bike Night.

Read more

Did you fight the cold today? If so, who won?

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Brrrr. See how others bundled up below.
(Photos © J. Maus)

This morning’s commute was one of the coldest (mid-20s without windchill) and windiest I can remember in the five years I’ve lived in Portland. I was curious how many people would set out on their bikes this morning (I know several friends who opted to bus or drive) and I thought it’d be fun to capture those that did on camera.

Did you ride today? If so, share your experiences/tips. If not, perhaps the photos below will inspire you to try tomorrow…

Read more

Black K2 2ED 4.4 2009

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2009
Brand: K2
Model: 2ED 4.4
Color:Black
Size:Medium
Serial: G090515548
Photo: q
Stolen in Portland, OR 97209
Stolen:2009-12-6
Stolen From: Stole in Fron of the Llyod center Mall in front of nordstroms
Neighborhood: Llyod center mall
Owner: Matthew Aspiri
OwnerEmail: Virtigo18@yahoo.com
Description: The bike is a 24 speed. The lock was also stole with the bike. It was a cable bulldog lock.
Police record with: 09109075
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Black/Silver with red accents Specialized Stumpjumper FSR XC 2001

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2001
Brand: Specialized
Model: Stumpjumper FSR XC
Color:Black/Silver with red accents
Size:54 CM
Serial: P0172814
Stolen in Portland, OR 97206
Stolen:2009-12-6
Stolen From: stolen from behind the house
Neighborhood: Woodstock community
Owner: Chris Valencia
OwnerEmail: cjvalencia@hotmail.com
Description: Chris King headset, Ritchey stem and seatpost, crankbrothers egg beater peddles, FOX racing shox, Manitou front shock, raceface crank, SRAM cassett, schwalbe marathon 26 X 1.35 tires. Lastly, had Thompson & Bell stickers on frame.
Police record with: Portland Police
Police reference#: PP0910950
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

Checking in on the 8th annual Filmed by Bike

This year’s event poster
is by local artist Tiago DeJerk.

Film aficionados take note: submissions for the the 2010 Filmed by Bike fest is just about two months away. Closer still is the deadline to nominate someone to the jury.

Judges attend two submissions screening sessions in February, get a sneak peek at all films submitted, and must “wear the FBB badge of honor proudly on their chest for the duration of their rank of Esteemed Jury Member” says Filmed by Bike’s founder Ayleen Crotty.

Here’s more from Crotty:

“The jury is hot stuff. They’re the people who get the first look at the submissions to Filmed by Bike. Over the course of two days, they wade through endless hours of good and, er, questionable bike movies from around the world. Competition is fierce: only 30 movies can make the final cut. The jury, the ESTEEMED JURY, gets to decree what’s gold and what’s… not.”

Read more

The Monday Roundup

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Here’s the news that caught our eye amidst all the wind, ice, and fog this week:

– The embargo has been lifted! San Francisco has begun to install all the pent-up bike infrastructure that it’s been planning for three long years. They’re jumping right in to the modern era with separated bike lanes.

– The new federal push for high speed rail is getting set to create jobs and boost the economy as rail companies will be required to source rail cars from US factories. GE is already trying to position itself to supply locomotives to US markets.

Read more

Latest Headlines

Transportation commissioners grill Interstate Bridge project staff

Lawmakers eye Safe Routes to School funding to backfill maintenance hole

Road diet, new crossing coming to deadly section of Cesar Chavez Blvd

New plan to boost cycling would capitalize on existing infrastructure

From the Archives

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