July 2010 Archives

A chat with T4 America Director James Corless

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

James Corless in Southwest Portland this morning.
(Photo © J. Maus)

James Corless, the Director of Transportation For America — a national coalition of 400 organizations pushing for a new transportation program — is in Portland today. Corless is here to meet with local experts, learn about Portland’s innovations, and share an update on their campaign efforts. I sat down with Corless for a brief interview this morning at the headquarters of 1000 Friends of Oregon in Southwest Portland.

Floyd Landis at today’s opening stage.
(Photo: Pat Malach/Oregon Cycling Action)

CyclingNews reports today that embattled professional bike racer Floyd Landis will start the Cascade Cycling Classic in Bend this week. In addition, CyclingNews reports that ABC’s Nightline television show will be following him for an upcoming episode. The presence of Landis and ABC news cameras means the 31st edition of the race — and its host city of Bend — will attract national attention.

Landis had his 2006 Tour de France title stripped away after he failed an anti-doping test. Earlier this month, Landis spilled his guts to The Wall Street Journal about what he alleges is a culture systemic doping in the sport of cycling. Most notably, Landis accused global icon Lance Armstrong and several other teammates of knowingly using illegal, performance-enhancing drugs. Armstrong has denied the allegations and a federal grand jury has begun an investigation.

Rapha Performance Roadwear, whose North American headquarters are in North Portland, has partnered with Focus Bicycles USA to field a professional cyclocross team for the 2010-2011 season. The Rapha-Focus Team will consist of young up-and-coming racers Chris Jones (Auburn, California) and Zach McDonald (Seattle, Washington).

Gates around damaged trail prevent
through bike traffic.
(Photos © J. Maus)

A portion of the Willamette Greenway Trail north of the Steel Bridge is closed to biking and walking due to an erosion problem that is causing the paved trail to crack and sink into the river. A handwritten, “Sidewalk closed – Use Naito” sign has been posted on a locked gate just north of the railroad tracks at the southern end of the closure.

According to Portland Parks spokesperson Beth Sorensen, that segment of trail is maintained by the McCormick Pier Condominium homeowners association, which took over maintenance responsibilities from the City of Portland in 2002.

Robby Fenstermaker in his SE Madison
Avenue location in August 2009.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Portland-based used bike shop The Recyclery has closed two of their four locations. The Ladds Addition and SE Madison Avenue shops are now closed, while the St. Johns and downtown Portland locations will remain open.

Owner of The Recyclery, Robby Fenstermaker, confirmed the closures via telephone today. I got in touch with Fenstermaker after several people contacted me saying he had closed all four locations and was planning to leave town with customer bikes awaiting repair. When I shared those allegations with Fenstermaker, he got upset and said that, “After being slandered and totally treated like s***, I’m doing everything I can to keep the stores open.”

Parks will consider adding stripes
and signage to warn riders of
these bumps.
(Photos © J. Maus)

Last week I joined a Portland Parks & Recreation staffer for a visit to the Eastbank Esplanade. Our intention was to see what, if anything, could be done to smooth out a series of bumps that exist on ramps leading to the floating portion of the trail.

The meeting came after I published a story on July 9th about the bumps. That story sparked over 200 comments that expressed a range of opinions about them. Many people said they are no problem at all (once you get used to them), while others felt the bumps should be fixed. The man featured in that story, Ron Richings, crashed and sustained a serious shoulder injury after the bumps caused a bungee cord attached to his bike to become dislodged and get caught in his wheel.

When I first became familiar with Bogota’s ciclovias — the event that inspired Portland’s Sunday Parkways — I was excited by its sheer size. Unlike in Portland, Bogota (and other cities in Latin America) closes major thoroughfares, not just small residential streets during their events. The result is an event that has transcended transportation and has become firmly ensconced as a cultural institution enjoyed by millions of people each week.

Now, it looks like Germany might be headed in the same direction. On Sunday, Germans enjoyed a carfree autobahn that stretched for 40 miles. The event was part of a cultural celebration. Here’s more from BBC News (followed by a video):

Smiles for miles at East Portland Sunday Parkways.
-Slideshow below/Gallery–
(Photos © J. Maus)

The Portland Bureau of Transportation’s Sunday Parkways event traveled to uncharted territory over the weekend with its first every foray into outer east neighborhoods. Thousands turned out to walk and bike on 4.5 miles of streets that were (mostly) closed to motor vehicle traffic. This was the third of five Parkways events PBOT is putting on this year.

Here’s the news that caught our eye this week:

– Bend, Oregon continues to be the choice of big-time race organizers. They’ve been chosen to host the 2011 and 2012 Marathon Mountain Bike National Championships.

– The final 150 mile gap of an off-road biking and walking path running from Washington, DC to Pittsburgh will be completed soon.

– The Wall Street Journal takes a look at cycling fashion, and as an afterthought, bicycle transportation. Meanwhile, the NY Times takes a look at cargo bikes.

From the Bureau of Transportation:

TRAFFIC ADVISORY
SE Hawthorne and SE Madison reconstruction work begins Sunday night

The Portland Bureau of Transportation will be reconstructing SE Hawthorne Boulevard and SE Madison Street between SE Grand and SE 12th beginning Sunday night. The general public should expect delays in the area due to lane closures.

The street surfaces will be ground down and repaved over the next three weeks. Travelers should expect rough surfaces and use caution in the work zone. The bicycle lanes on SE Hawthorne and SE Madison will be removed during construction. Bicycles will be sharing wider outside lanes with motorized vehicles. Sidewalks will remain open.

The majority of reconstruction work will occur between 6 p.m. and 7 a.m. to minimize impact to motorists and cyclists. More information can be found at www.keepportlandmoving.org.

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Red specialized allez 2009

Year: 2009
Brand: specialized
Model: allez
Color:Red
Serial: WUD092020314E
Photo: http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/1849901706.html
Stolen in Portland, OR 97205
Stolen:2010-07-18
Stolen From: NW Couch and NW 10th between 3:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on July 18th. Was removed from a pole with a sign. Sign and screws left on ground.
Neighborhood: Pearl District
Owner: john patrick
OwnerEmail: john@jwpatrick.com
Reward: Yes
Description: bright red, brand new specialized allez bicycle. hardly used, flawless condition. had a human rights campaign sticker elegantly placed on the middle bar. chrome rims. very sexy bike.
Police record with: Yes
Police reference#: 10058553
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Kona Smoke 2007

Year: 2007
Brand: Kona
Model: Smoke
Serial: I120602073
Stolen in Portland, OR 97214
Stolen:2010-07-17
Stolen From: Locked to a street pole on 727 SE Morrison St.
In front of Pigeon Toe Ceramics and Rose City Tobacco shop.
Neighborhood: Buckman
Owner: Elspeth Runyan
OwnerEmail: elspethrunyan@gmail.com
Description: Great condition, black Kona brand bike.
Cat Eye brand front and back lights, Kryptonite brand U-lock holder on frame of bike.
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

A chat with T4 America Director James Corless

Landis, ABC will bring national attention to Cascade Classic in Bend

Rapha teams with Focus bikes for pro cyclocross team

Portion of Willamette Greenway Trail closes; erosion suspected

The Recyclery closes Ladds Circle and Madison Ave locations

Portland Parks addresses bumps on Esplanade ramps

A 40-mile people-bahn in Germany

Sunday Parkways rolls through East Portland (photos and recap)

The Monday Roundup

Traffic alert: SE Hawthorne and Madison reconstruction

Red specialized allez 2009

Kona Smoke 2007

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From the Archives

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