March 2010 Archives

A cautionary tale: Medford scraps bike licensing ordinance

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

“We just think this is an unnecessary ordinance and is really unenforceable.”
— Randy Schoen, Medford police chief in the Mail Tribune newspaper

In the southern Oregon city of Medford, local lawmakers have decided to repeal an ordinance that required bicycles to have a license.

According to a story in the Mail Tribune yesterday, the ordinance was lifted by Medford City Council because it was difficult to enforce and it lacked a clear community benefit. The paper also reported that in the past 15 years, only one or two of the $195 citations had been issued.

This guest article was written by Tori Bortman, owner and operator of Gracie’s Wrench, which offers private and group bike maintenance clinics (and more). Tori wrote a similar article for us last spring, but this one’s new and improved!

Spring is coming!
(Photos © J. Maus)

Thanks to El Nino, spring has officially sprung a bit early this year. Not that I’m complaining. More long weekend rides, less getting caught in torrential downpours — I’m all for it.

You may be ready for spring… but is your bike?

If you haven’t taken the time this winter to give your bicycle a thorough re-vamp, now is the time. That doesn’t mean you have to go running to the shop. Start slow and bring your steed back to life with some simple steps that will make your next ride practically dreamy.

Raitt, going for the stage win on the
final ascent through Riverview Cemetery.
– Watch video below –

Portlander Merritt Raitt’s dreamy commute takes him from his home in Ladd’s Addition, along the Willamette River via the Springwater Corridor Trail, and then over the river and up the hills to Oregon Health Sciences University. It’s such a nice ride that Raitt decided to make a movie about it.

But Raitt didn’t make just any movie, he painstakingly edited a play-by-play of his commute that mimics a stage of the Tour de France — complete with narration by legendary announcers Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen.

Team Oregon Bike Advocacy in 2009.
Meet the 2010 team below.
(Photos © J. Maus)

The 2010 National Bike Summit gets underway in Washington D.C. next week and the Team Oregon is ready to go.

But before I introduce the fine set of advocates who will serve you at the Summit, a big thanks is order to Planet Bike. For the third year in a row they have stepped up to be the official sponsor of all our National Bike Summit coverage. As I have for the past four years, I plan to document my trip (I’ll be there from Tuesday to Friday next week) with photos and stories to give you the inside perspective on all the Summit happenings. Bookmark our special coverage page to read the latest stories.

Year: 1995
Brand: DEAN XtraCycle
Model: custom steel “Colonel”
Color:Orange
Size:21″
Serial: None
Photo: http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g285/bleber/ebay%20craigslist/tiffandkatie.jpg
Stolen in SE Portland, OR 97206
Stolen:2010-03-3
Stolen From: Stolen from our house’s porch on SE 43rd and Clinton St.
Neighborhood: Richmond
Owner: Brian Leber
OwnerEmail: brianleber@bikegallery.com
Reward: Yes!
Description: Frame: 1995 Dean Colonel steel (853). powdercoat orange. It has a Breezer rearend with the Nickle coin cap.
Fork: Bontrager Alloy
Handlebars: Mary Bars
Parts Kit: 2008 Gary Fisher Marlin 9spd Shimano Deore
Brakes: Avid BB5
Rear Derailleur : 1st gen XTR 9spd
Front Derailleur : XT
Front tire: BIG APPLE
Front fender: Electra Classic Cruiser green
Rear Fender: 45mm Silver SKS

And obviously the Xtracycle attachment with the little feet, bags, rear handlebar/stem mount with a High Life shim, and the on-board (in bags)Bontrager air compressor powering the Halogen lighting on fender.
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Editorial: When it comes to family biking, size matters

A few weekends ago my girls and I, and several other families, planned to attend a local event. Since it was a sunny day, the location of the event was fairly close, and we all tend to bike frequently anyways, it turned into an impromptu group ride. There were kids (youngest was age 7) riding bikes on their own, kids in tag-alongs, and adults with various types of family cargo bikes. There were about 13 of us in all.

While I enjoyed the company of friends and the pleasant ride, being the bike geek that I am, I also couldn’t help from noticing a few other things.

Studded tires cause $50-60 million
in road damage across the state
each year — like these ruts on
N. Rosa Parks Way in Portland.
(Photo © J. Maus)

With a lack of funding for transportation projects such a major issue in this town, it’s not surprising that some activists are taking a serious look at studded tires. Why? According to the Oregon Department of Transportation, studded tires cause an estimated $50-60 million a year in road damage and ODOT spends $11 million a year fixing it.

Citizen activist Jeff Bernards has been trying to raise awareness of this issue for five years and says, despite contacting Governor Kulongoski’s office and PBOT and ODOT officials, he’s gotten “nowhere.” Now, Bernards wants to pursue a ballot initiative to ban studded tires. He explained his interest in this issue in a recent email:

Our story about public accusations of illegal activity by The Recyclery bike shop has sparked a lot of dialogue. Yesterday, I spoke about this issue with Portland Police Bureau Sergeant Troy King who works in the PPB’s Special Property Investigations unit.

One of Sgt. King’s main responsibilities is enforcing Portland’s Secondhand Dealer regulations. I asked Sgt. King if his office has had any dealings with The Recyclery and/or if they’ve received complaints about illegal purchases or sales of stolen goods at that shop.

TriMet has launched an online survey to help come up with a name for their new bike parking facilities. The facilities, funded with $1,000,000 in federal stimulus funds, will provide secure bike parking at the Sunset, Beaverton and Gresham Central transit centers.

The survey includes several names to choose from, including “Bike & Ride,” “Bike Barn,” “Cycle Station,” and “Park & Pedal.” You can also write in your suggestion.

Open House at Portland Bicycle Studio-12

A hub of bicycle-related businesses on Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd in Northeast Portland has become a one-stop shop for performance-minded cyclists.

On Monday evening, the Portland Bicycle Studio opened its doors to the community for an up-close look at high-end helmets and bikes — but the event also gave attendees a chance to see how several business owners have come together to offer an impressive list of services that cater to Portland’s vast crop of bike loving, performance-minded athletes.

With spring almost here, many Portland parents find themselves trying to choose between the myriad choices of local summer camps. Among them are two camps that will introduce your kid to the mix of fun, function and fitness that only a bicycle can bring.

Here’s a bit more information on two great options. One comes from local non-profit stalwart the Community Cycling Center and the other from well-known youth biking instructor Gregg Lavender.

A flyer that has been posted far and wide on the streets of Portland contains allegations that the owner of local used bike shop chain, The Recyclery, “knowingly purchases” and then sells stolen goods.

The flyer contains serious accusations and names The Recyclery’s owner Robby Fenstermaker as being responsible for the alleged “fencing operation.” Fenstermaker says he’s aware of the flyers and maintains the allegations are likely the result of sour grapes due to the success of his business.

A cautionary tale: Medford scraps bike licensing ordinance

Guest Article: Get your bike ready for spring

Video: A “Commuter Dreams” of the Tour de France

Meet the Oregon bike advocacy team headed to the National Bike Summit in D.C.

Orange DEAN XtraCycle custom steel “Colonel” 1995

Editorial: When it comes to family biking, size matters

What do studded tires have to do with bike funding?

Police: No complaints lodged against The Recyclery

Help TriMet name their new bike parking facilities — UPDATED

Recovery, training, coaching, and custom bikes; all under one roof

This summer, treat your kid to a bike camp

Shop owner responds to allegations of selling stolen bikes, parts

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From the Archives

What five people say about living outside along the Springwater path