March 2010 Archives

The National Bike Summit: A primer

crowds and random stuff at the National Bike Summit-4.jpg

D.C. here we come!
The Summit starts tomorrow.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Tomorrow is the opening day of the 2010 National Bike Summit in Washington D.C. (I hope on a red-eye flight tonight!). Last week I introduced you to the Oregon advocates that will make the trek to D.C. to attend. But, some of you may be wondering, what the heck happens at the Summit? Hopefully this post answers a few of your questions.

The Summit is, at its core, a lobbying event. The intention is to make the presence of bicycling felt on Capitol Hill, shake hands with members of Congress, and explain to them why bicycling is important and deserving of their support.

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Johnnie Olivan.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Johnnie Olivan of Portland-based Rejuiced Bikes has won a $15,000 commission to build a mini-fleet of “bike-cars.” Olivan has already been riding several of his bike-cars around Portland, but he’ll use the money to take the design to the next level.

The commission comes from a joint project by Seattle-based non-profits 4Culture and Great City. Olivan replied to a call for ideas through Great City’s aLIVe project, which “aims to spark interaction across disciplines, showcase ideas and suggest action around issues of energy, livability and design.”

(Photos © J. Maus)

Saturday was one of the most gorgeous days Portland has seen in recent memory. The warm sun and the spring blooms on trees all over the city combined for a nearly perfect day to be on a bicycle. Riding under Portland’s blossoming street trees this time of year is something I can’t get enough of. And I’m not the only one.

On days like Saturday, Portland streets come alive with people on bikes. I rode around north and northeast Portland for a bit, just taking it all in and snapping photos…

A stretch of SW Lombard in Beaverton where there
is no designated bikway.
(Photo: Jim Parsons/BikePortland)

Bikes advocates in Beaverton were shocked when a meeting of that city’s Transportation Commission on Thursday night ended in a 5-1 vote against putting bike lanes on SW Lombard Avenue.

On the agenda was a proposal to stripe bike lanes on a one-mile stretch of SW Lombard Ave between 1st Street and Denney Road. The Commission was also set to hear a related proposal to remove motor vehicle parking on SW Lombard between 7th St. and Allen Blvd.

– Statistically speaking, what’s more distracting than talking on the phone while driving? Adjusting the radio while driving. And what’s even more distracting than that? Driving with children.

– Speaking of distracted driving, what about those digital billboards? The NY Times takes a look.

– In Washington, DC, the local transportation department, DDOT, has issued a bold “Action Agenda” that builds on the district’s existing bicycle and pedestrian master plans and goes much farther, calling for the creation of a new Progressive Transportation Services Administration.

Year: 1996
Brand: Gary Fisher
Model: Wahoo
Color:Gray
Size:Large
Stolen in Portland, OR 97266
Stolen:2010-03-7
Stolen From: SE 119th and Powell
Neighborhood: Powellhurst
Owner: Shawn Paul
OwnerEmail: shwnpl3@gmail.com
Description: Gray Gary Fisher Wahoo, yellow marlin fish riding a yellow bike on vertical frame post, black T style handlebars, rust and dings on handlebars and frames. Says “Wahoo” in yellow on top crossbar.
Police record with: Portland Police
Police reference#: T10001261
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

White Boomer Pathfinder ST 2010

Year: 2010
Brand: Boomer
Model: Pathfinder ST
Color:White
Size:Step through
Serial: PB91709085
Photo: http://boomerelectricbikes.com/Pathfinder-ST.html
Stolen in Portland, OR 97221
Stolen:2010-03-7
Stolen From: SW Cameron Rd. Portland Oregon
Neighborhood: SW/ Hayhurst School area
Owner: Peggy Ingram
OwnerEmail: peggyingram@comcast.net
Description: White electric bike, step through style. Has double baskets. Battery could be missing unless thief was able to buy another.
Police record with: Portland Police
Police reference#: T10001265
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Weekend Guide and Open Thread

[Originally published on Thursday 3/4]

On Saturday, help Friends of Trees
plant by bike.
(Photo: Aaron Tarfman/Flickr)

Another warm and (hopefully, mostly) dry weekend on tap here in Portland. Check out the fantastic round up of rides and events below and plan accordingly. As always, feel free to plug events in the comments if I missed something. I’ll repost this to the top of the home page at the end of the news day tomorrow so you remember to share your weekend adventures in the comments.

Friday, March 5th

1:30pm: Mayor Adams Press Conference at SE Foster and 80th
Mayor Adams will return to the site of a tragic collision that claimed the life of two people trying to cross SE Foster near 80th last year. He’ll cut the ribbon on new Rapid Flash Beacons installed a few days ago. Leaders from the Willamette Pedestrian Coalition will also be in attendance.

Green streets; where bikes, fish
and plants coexist.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Portland Mayor Sam Adams has released details of his promise to find $20 million to “kickstart” funding of the 2030 Bike Plan. As expected, the money will come from the Bureau of Environmental Services budget and will be allocated toward “Green Streets projects on prioritized boulevards.”

As we pointed out last month, “Green Streets” is the name of a BES program that manages stormwater runoff through street designs that incorporate things like permeable pavers, vegetation, and bioswales. The Bureau of Transportation has worked in partnership with this program for years because some green street features — like curb extensions — are also used on bicycle boulevards.

The ordinance to be voted on this Wednesday will be considered as an “emergency ordinance” and will take effect immediately. According to language in the ordinance, an emergency exists because “the timeframe for completion necessitates beginning project development and outreach immediately.”

Intersection of SE Clinton and 29th.

A group of parents in the inner-southeast Hosford-Abernethy neighborhood are fed up with what they say are people riding bicycles too dangerously down one of Portland’s busiest bikeways — SE Clinton Street. At issue is a school bus stop near the intersection of Clinton and SE 29th that services Abernethy Elementary.

According to Liz Gatti, a resident and mom of two kids who use that stop, people on bicycles frequently do not stop when the bus’s flashing lights are on. Instead, they zoom around it while children are boarding and crossing the street. Gatti, and other parents who are mobilizing around this concern, are worried that one of their children will be struck and hurt as a result.

The parents have resorted to standing behind the bus “looking like a bunch of thugs” to try and encourage people to stop.

Below is an “Open Letter” written by Gatti and shared with BikePortland at the behest of Portland Police Officer Robert Pickett:

Are custom, personalized U-locks the next big thing in bike fashion here in Bike City, USA? After all, U-locks are pretty much ubiquitous on the urban biking scene and they’re not exactly easy to conceal. So, why not add some flair and make a fashion statement out of them? Seems reasonable to me.

Check out these examples of the latest must-have bike fashion accessory seen on the streets of Portland…

I’ve really enjoyed all the helpful advice shared in response to our new Ask BikePortland column. Several people said they’d like to read a follow-up post with the most popular answers summarized, so here goes…

This week’s question was from a reader who said she never learned to ride a bike as a kid, but wants to learn. Where/how can an adult learn to ride a bike in Portland? Below are some of the top answers.

The National Bike Summit: A primer

Local builder gets $15,000 boost to build “bike-cars”

A Saturday to remember

Beaverton Traffic Commission votes against bike lanes on Lombard

The Monday Roundup

Gray Gary Fisher Wahoo 1996

White Boomer Pathfinder ST 2010

Weekend Guide and Open Thread

Friday, March 5th

Mayor Adams releases details on bike plan “kickstart” funds

Southeast Portland parents raise concerns about speedy bike traffic

Custom u-locks; new bike fashion trend?

Answered: Learn how to ride a bike in Portland

Latest Headlines

Neighborhood group, backed by bike advocate, opposes bike lane upgrades

Monday Roundup: Dakar’s buses, daily steps, e-bike moral panic, and more

Weekend Event Guide: Lents cleanup, Zwickelmania, 6-7, and more

Meet District 3 City Council Candidate Tom Sollitt

From the Archives

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