June 2010 Archives

BTA development director resigns

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Eileen Trudeau
(Photo: Elly Blue)

The Bicycle Transportation Alliance’s development director, Eileen Trudeau, has resigned. Incoming Executive Director Rob Sadowsky confirmed Trudeau’s decision today, saying “She felt it was a good time to move on.”

Trudeau joined the BTA in April 2009 and is the second of three directors to resign from the organization this year. Former Operations Director Angela Koch left the organization in March after being first hired to lead their Safe Routes to Schools program in May 2007.

Sadowsky says the tumultuous recent history of the BTA has taken a toll on staffers:

Multnomah County will celebrate the completion of improvements to NE 223rd Avenue in Fairview (12 miles east of downtown Portland) today. The $7 million project replaced a railroad bridge that crossed over NE 223rd near I-84 and it also widened the road under the bridge.

NE 223rd is a link to the bike path on Marine Drive and recreation opportunities at Blue Lake Park, but prior to this project it was extremely narrow. The project widened the existing lanes and added bike lanes and sidewalks. You can get a good sense for how much more inviting this road is now by looking at the before and after photos below…

Wet and tired after an all-out effort.
– Slideshow below/Gallery–
(Photo © J. Maus)

Under dark and wet skies, the Mt. Hood Cycling Classic began with a prologue time trial last night. The event was held at Portland International Raceway just north of downtown Kenton in North Portland.

Some of America’s strongest bike racers battled against the clock to set the overall standings for the five stage race that continues with Stage 1 at Mt. Tabor Park tonight. Riders hunched over their bikes and focused all their physical and mental energy on their pedals. To cheat the wind, they wore teardrop helmets and rode high-tech, aerodynamic bikes made especially for time trials. They covered the four mile course in just over 7 minutes, with the winner, Paul Mach (Bissell), clocking a 07:11.

Year: 2008
Brand: Trek
Model: 6000
Color:Black
Size:22
Stolen in Portland, OR 97206
Stolen:2010-05-28
Stolen From: Behind Amor Lounge, Foster & 62nd.
Neighborhood: Foster-Powell
Owner: Charlotte Hoffstrom
OwnerEmail: wanaicat@gmail.com
Reward: Yes
Description: Black Trek 6000 with silver details/text on the bike. Stolen with a burnished metal bell ringer, mud flap on back, attachment for bike light on handlebars, bike rack with grey milk crate tied to it. All other parts were original components except for the seat which is cushier and light grey.
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: T10003299
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Black/Bronze/metal Colnago Mexico City 1980

Year: 1980
Brand: Colnago
Model: Mexico City
Color:Black/Bronze/metal
Size:62cm
Photo: http://www.picklopolis.com/SSL11455.JPG
Stolen in Portland, OR 97202
Stolen:2010-05-24
Stolen From: SE 12th and Lincoln ..Portland
Neighborhood: Ladds Addition
Owner: David Barber
OwnerEmail: briney@picklopolis.com
Reward: 150.
Description: 62 cm bronze/black metallicky flake. yellow and black colnago decal..chrome fork and chain stay…campy record all around..faded yellow tape on a salsa short n sassy bar..black and yellow colnago saddle..mavic rims.
yellow cable sheaths.
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

In Seattle, bike crashes on streetcar tracks lead to lawsuit

Mixing with streetcar tracks
in Northwest Portland.
(Photo © J. Maus)

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports today that six people who crashed while biking across streetcar tracks are now suing the city for negligence because more was not done to make the tracks safe:

“Six cyclists who crashed while crossing the South Lake Union Streetcar tracks are suing the city of Seattle, claiming officials ignored hazards to pedal-power commuters.

All six were hurt when their tires got stuck in the flange way gap between the rail and street. They claim city officials were negligent in designing the tracks and knew of the risks but failed to post warning signs until after several people had been hurt, according to the lawsuit, filed last week in King County Superior Court.”

Riding near downtown Vancouver.
(Photo © J. Maus)

The City of Vancouver is proposing to cut its Bike Program.

According to a draft of its Transportation Improvement Program, the Bike Program is one of five programs in the City’s transportation department that are “not funded beyond 2010.” The City also plans to eliminate programs to install ADA improvements, traffic safety infrastructure, and its Pedestrian Program.

The cut would be a blow to the city’s recent bike infrastructure momentum. Back in March, Vancouver got their first on-street bike parking corral. In addition to more bike parking, the City had recently installed a buffered bike lane and a project is in the works to install signage and markings to improve the bikeway across the I-5 bridge.

Big time bike racing returns to Portland tonight with the kick-off of the Mt. Hood Cycling Classic. The race is one of the largest professional stage races in the country and several top teams are slated to participate.

Among the notable pros lining up this year will be Olympian Billy Demong who won a gold medal in nordic skiing at the Vancouver Olympic Games.

The Urban Trail Fund, a new grant program that was included in the state transportation bill (HB 2001) passed in 2009, will officially open for applications today.

ODOT will award $970,000 this year to a maximum of four projects. Only one application is allowed per city and projects must be within the Urban Growth Boundary. According to the bill language the money must go to projects that:

[This story was written by BikePortland contributor and Beach School parent, Chris Sullivan]

The Bike Fairy greeted kids
at Beach School on Friday.
(Photos: Chris Sullivan)

A few years ago, bikes were forbidden at Beach School in North Portland. Here’s a snip from the school’s 2002-03 family handbook:

“Bicycles, Skateboards, Roller Skates, etc… Due to the safety factor and other problems that occur at school over scooters, skateboards, Walkmans, roller skates, radios, toys, bicycles, etc., we are asking that students not bring these items to school.”

Last Friday morning the school hosted the culminating event of Walk + Bike to School month — a walk and bike train with over 100 kids, parents, staff, and neighbors. It stretched for four blocks.

BTA development director resigns

Before and after: County widens NE 223rd, adds bike lane

Mt. Hood Classic gets off to rainy start

Black Trek 6000 2008

Black/Bronze/metal Colnago Mexico City 1980

In Seattle, bike crashes on streetcar tracks lead to lawsuit

Vancouver budget cuts would include Bike Program

Mt. Hood Cycling Classic kicks off in Portland tonight

$970,000 up for grabs in Oregon’s new Urban Trail Fund

Once prohibited, biking now a big part of Beach School

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