2010 Archives

Burnside-Couch project brings changes to bikeways

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Looking north on NE 12th at Sandy/Burnside.
(A bicycle-only lane is coming soon).
(Photos © J. Maus)

The East Burnside Couch Couplet project is nearing completion and the Bureau of Transportation has already begun the “traffic transfer” that will eventually turn Burnside and Couch into one-way, east-west thoroughfares.

What will these changes mean for people on bicycles?

It’s been six months since I took an in-depth look at how bike traffic is impacted by this project, so last week I got a briefing from PBOT on the latest updates and bike traffic advisories. I also took a reconnaissance ride through the area a few days later just to see how things were shaping up.

April 14th!

Bike to Blazers is shaping up nicely and now we’ve even got the blessing of Blazers icon and NBA Hall of Famer Bill Walton (watch video below).

But before I bring you up to speed, get your tickets if you haven’t already. We’ve got a limited amount set aside so all us bike nuts can sit together — which will make our “We Biked Here” signs and five seconds of fame on the jumbotron that much sweeter.

OK, back to the updates…

Local rider Ben Kaufmann riding
on trails near The Grotto.
(Photo: Andrew Callaci)

Local BMX riders are hoping to stop what they say are plans to bulldoze a popular network of trails and jumps located in a forested area near The Grotto in outer Northeast Portland.

Shad Johnson, owner of Goods BMX shop, told us that Portland Police approached people at the site yesterday to announce that due to a complaint by a nearby homeowner, the trails and jumps will be “plowed within two weeks.”

“This is really big deal,” says Johnson, “these trails have been a staple to Portland BMXers for 16 years. In the past few years with BMX growing stronger in Portland there has been a lot of work been put into them.”

bike parking near Aerial Tram - South Waterfront-2

The time is ripe for a new bike shop
in South Waterfront near the tram.
(Photos © J. Maus)

Portland is an ideal place to start a bike-related business. Not only do we have a vast array of people who enjoy riding all types of bicycles, but we’ve also got an increasingly supportive business and development community.

In the past few days I’ve come across three interesting opportunities that every aspiring bicycle entrepreneur should be aware of.

Brand: Shogun
Model: road bike
Color:Black/White
Size:60
Stolen in Portland, OR 97232
Stolen:2010-03-23
Stolen From: NE Everett St between 22&24
Neighborhood: kerns
Owner: Paul Banta
OwnerEmail: ponderingsage@hotmail.com
Description: I am contacting local shops to keep an eye out for my bike which was stolen right from my house. I wish I had the serial # but don’t. Its a Black and white shogun, Tall about 60 cm. Red cloth bar tape on bull horn style bars. Black fenders back and front. Also had a rack on the back and A burly Trailer hitch attachment on the rear dropout.
Please let me know if you come across it.
Thanks
Paul
503.515.9925

Black/White Shogun

Brand: Shogun
Color:Black/White
Size:60
Stolen in Portland, OR 97232
Stolen:2010-03-23
Stolen From: Stolen right out of my house. On NE Everett St. between 22th and 24th.
Neighborhood: kerns
Owner: Paul Banta
OwnerEmail: ponderingsage@hotmail.com
Description: Black and white shogun, Tall about 60 cm. Red cloth bar tape on bull horn style bars. Black fenders back and front. Also had a rack on the back and A burly Trailer hitch attachment on the rear dropout. PBlack and white shogun, Tall about 60 cm. Red cloth bar tape on bull horn style bars. Black fenders back and front. Also had a rack on the back and
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

PBOT plans bikeway through Ed Benedict park

Detail of PBOT plans for a new bikeway through Ed Benedict Park in Southeast Portland.

A bike tax has more supporters
than you might think.
(Photo © J. Maus)

2010 will be a year of major discussions about how to finance America’s transportation system. As the use of bicycles is taken more seriously and more money is spent on bike-centric facilities, calls for a revenue stream taken directly from people who ride bicycles — as opposed to the gas tax — are sure to grow louder.

One idea that seems to be growing in support is a bicycle excise tax that would be charged at the point of sale of new bikes and/or bike parts.

The idea is obviously popular with people who represent highway users, but I’ve noticed a growing number of high-profile bike advocates, politicians, and organizations express their support as well.

My, what a difference a few years makes.

It was less than three years ago when then US Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters proclaimed that “bike paths” were not a part of transportation infrastructure. Fast forward to early this month when the current DOT chief Ray LaHood issued a strong statement calling for the “end of favoring motorized transportation at the expense of non-motorized.”

Introducing the Hauler — a solar, sweat and electric powered vehicle its designers hope will bridge the gap between bicycle and car and bring a new level of utility and affordable mobility to millions in the process.

The Hauler is a product of Hood River-based Senkai Motor Works (Senkai is “revolution” in Japanese). The three men behind it are Aaron Blake, 29, Adam Kravetz, 30, and Tris Tarantino, 28. I caught up with Blake and Kravetz between meetings with potential investors during a recent visit to Portland.

The City of Portland Bureau of Transportation is moving forward on their Going Street Bicycle Boulevard project.

One of the centerpieces of the estimated $250,000 project is the crossing of MLK Jr. Blvd. For the uninitiated, MLK is a major north-south arterial that’s technically a state highway (99E). That means it handles a lot of fast motor vehicle traffic and because it is so unpleasant to cross in many places it acts as a de facto barrier between neighborhoods.

Year: 2008
Brand: Bike Friday
Model: Pocket Llama
Color:yellow
Serial: 61619
Stolen in Portland, OR 97202
Stolen:2010-03-22
Stolen From: 29th and Waverleigh
Neighborhood: Hosford/Abernatyh
Owner: Joe Percival
OwnerEmail: jpercival@murase.com
Description: folding bike, with front and rear racks, black Brooks Seat, handle bar bag, pump, underseat kit bad, and my name on a silver plaque on side of drop bar.
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Burnside-Couch project brings changes to bikeways

A message from Bill Walton (and a Bike to Blazers update)

BMX riders rally to save jump trails near The Grotto

Portland, the land of (bike business) opportunity

Black/White Shogun road bike

Black/White Shogun

PBOT plans bikeway through Ed Benedict park

How do you feel about a bike excise tax?

Equality for bikes, now part of the National conversation

Hood River engineers unveil their “human utility vehicle” – UPDATED

The Going gets easier at MLK

yellow Bike Friday Pocket Llama 2008

Latest Headlines

Reminder: No riding through River View Cemetery during Memorial Day Weekend

Guest Article: Demand a pause on PBOT’s SW Alder decision

Guest Opinion: The bike beat lives on in all of us

Our 20th Anniversary Party is this Wednesday

From the Archives

The 10 busiest bicycling spots in Portland