2010 Archives

Talking bikes in Tigard – Get Together event recap

Washington County Commissioner
Dick Schouten addresses the
crowd in Tigard last night.
(Photos © J. Maus)

If the energy and turnout at our Get Together in Tigard last night is any indication, the West Side is poised for big leaps in biking in the coming years — but it won’t come easy.

About 60 people filled the back room at the Fanno Creek Brew Pub on Main Street in downtown Tigard. The turnout was diverse — from Tigard Mayor Craig Dirksen to local bike shop owners, and even a few Portland residents who work in the area.

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

A serious and important community forum tonight kicks off a weekend of haywire bike fun and creative activism. Who says we can’t have it all? Share your events and plans below.

Thursday, January 28

6:00pm – 8:00pm: 21st Century Civil Rights: Transportation Health Equity Community Forum
How can improving our transportation systems improve our communities, our health, and our lives — that is, for all of us? Come learn about and discuss these issues at the PSU Native American Center.

Friday, January 29

7:00am – 9:00am: Breakfast on the Bridges
Leave a few minutes early for your downtown commute and take a break on the Hawthorne or Steel Bridges for a cup of coffee, a donut, and some good company.

Show me the money.

On the same day President Obama announced $8 billion for high speed rail and “the largest investment in infrastructure since the Interstate Highway System,” a report released today by the non-profit Alliance for Biking and Walking (formerly known as the Thunderhead Alliance) shows that in almost every state and major U.S. city people that walk and bike are at a disproportionate risk of being killed and are more likely to have serious health issues because they receive less than their fair share of transportation dollars.

I know you’re thinking, “Duh, we already knew that!” — but in this country, where biking and walking are still struggling to gain respect as viable modes of transportation, these sort of reports are needed to pressure lawmakers into action and to give advocates and citizens ammunition to push for change.

A sign of things to come?

Will a new LEED-like road certification program help the Oregon Department of Transportation do more for biking and walking access?

According to the Daily Journal of Commerce, the ODOT is considering whether they should adopt The Greenroads Sustainability Performance Metric. Greenroads is a joint effort by the University of Washington and CH2M HILL, a large project consulting firm with offices in Portland and around the world.

According to the Greenroads website, the program gives points to road projects (new and rehab) and then gives them a rating from honorable mention to “Evergreen.”

BTA legislative committee
chair Doug Parrow.
(Photo © J. Maus)

The BTA’s Board Chair Mary Roberts sent out a letter via email today with updates on “major initiatives” they’re working on.

Here are a few bits from the letter that caught my eye:

Preparing for the 2011 Legislative Session
The legislature will be making critical decisions about transportation and bicycling in 2011. The BTA will present a legislative package, including a vehicular homicide law, to make Oregon safer and more convenient for bicyclists.

ReRack (and the BTA) want
your used racks.
(Photo: ReRack)

I’ve heard a lot of good things about ReRack — a Portland-based company that buys and sells used roof racks and components — and now they’ve teamed up with the Bicycle Transportation Alliance. It makes sense. After all, for many people who ride bikes, having some sort of way to carry them around on a car is a fact of life.

Jesse Cornett.
(Photo © J. Maus)

When Jesse Cornett threw his hat into the ring in the race for Commissioner Dan Saltzman’s seat on the Portland City Council, I immediately heard from my sources at Portland State University (where Cornett worked before leaving to run his campaign). They were ecstatic that someone with such a bike-sensitive ear and track record in government (he was PSU’s lobbyist in Salem) was making a run to be one of Portland’s five leaders.

I met Cornett for the first time at the BTA’s annual New Year’s Day ride and I’ve been looking forward to a more formal sit-down interview ever since. I got that opportunity yesterday. Cornett and I discussed a number of issues — including how to pay for new bike infrastructure, the Columbia River Crossing project, bikes as an economic development tool, and more. Read a transcript from our conversation below:

The main bike racks at the Rose Garden.
(Photos © J. Maus)

The Portland Business Journal reports that the Rose Garden Arena (home of the Portland Trail Blazers) has been awarded a “Gold” level LEED certification. Among the reasons is the large percentage of attendees get there by something else besides a car.

Here’s the blurb about their transportation green-ness:

More than 30 percent of Rose Garden attendees use public or alternative transportation, such as bicycle commuting. The team subsidizes transit passes for staff and uses bikes and electric vehicles for on-site operations.

Earlier this month I dropped by a meet and greet for City Council Candidate Mary Volm. I expected to have a quick chat and introduce myself, but as luck would have it, I was able to sit down with her for a one-on-one conversation.

For about 30-40 minutes, Ms. Volm and I discussed a number of issues including her 20-year career as a City employee (most them as spokesperson for the Bureau of Transportation), how Portland can raise new revenue for transportation (she’d like to derive some revenue from “bicyclists”), her feelings about Mayor Adams (she supported the first recall effort), the Columbia River Crossing project, and more.

News Release from: Portland Police Bureau
HIT AND RUN SUSPECT ARRESTED
Posted: January 26th, 2010 12:00 PM

On January 25th, 2010 at approximatley 8:40 P.M. Portland Police Officers arrested Patrick Wayne Livingston, a 44 year old male. Livingston was wanted in association with the hit and run of two high school students.

On January 22nd, 2010 at approximately 12:00 P.M., Livingston and a passenger were driving in the area of SE 52nd avenue and SE Woodward street. Livingston approached the intersection at and drove around several vehicles which had stopped to let two students cross. Livingston struck both students. One student sustain multiple broken bones and required hospitalization. The second student had minor injuries.

Livingston is being arraigned today, on charges of Hit and Run and Assault in the Second Degree. A photograph will be sent to all media.

geen/gray schwar custom 2009

Year: 2009
Brand: schwar
Model: custom
Color:geen/gray
Size:55×55
Stolen in portland, OR 97217
Stolen:2010-01-26
Stolen From: peace lutheran churchrosa parks and n. newcastle north portland
Neighborhood: arbor lodge
Owner: mathew schwar
OwnerEmail: mathewschwar@yahoo.com
Description: fillet brazed, extended head tube, s bend seat and chain stays, one armed cable hanger, lugged fork crown, double eyelet dropouts. chris king headset, ttt stainless stem, nitto "jitensha" handlebar, paul brake levers and cantilever brakes. front wheel: philwood low flange track hub to a mavic cxp 33 crows foot lacing.
rear wheel: white industries eno hub to a black velocity rim dura ace track cranks. mks track pedals, blue mks double straps, silver metal fenders
Police record with: officer nichols
Police reference#: 10007268
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Cornett looks to bridge bike traffic for final signature push

City Council candidate Jesse Cornett is reportedly closing in on the 1,000 signatures and $5 donations he needs to qualify for public campaign financing.

According to the Portland Mercury, Cornett is just a few hundred signatures away from the goal, putting him ahead of Jason Renaud, Mary Volm, and others. Candidates have until Friday to turn in all their signatures.

A volunteer for Cornett’s campaign, citizen activism Chris Smith (who knows a thing or two about trying to win a seat on the Council), announced today that he’ll accompany Cornett onto the Hawthorne Bridge to try and curry favor (and signatures) from the non-motorized constituency.

Talking bikes in Tigard – Get Together event recap

Weekend Event Guide

Thursday, January 28

Friday, January 29

New report: People on bike, foot are at risk due to lack of investment

UPDATED – “Greenroads” for ODOT? Maybe

Alice Awards in June, vehicular homicide, and other updates from BTA Board Chair

BTA hopes to go from racks to riches with donation event

A conversation with City Council candidate Jesse Cornett

Rose Garden goes LEED Gold: 30% get there by bike or public transit

A conversation with City Council candidate Mary Volm

Newswire: Hit and Run Suspect Arrested

geen/gray schwar custom 2009

Cornett looks to bridge bike traffic for final signature push

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