2010 Archives

Update on Tigard Get Together (it’s Wednesday!)

Trails and how they (don’t) cross big
roads is likely to be one of many
topics we’ll discuss.
(Photos © J. Maus)

Our Get Together in Tigard this Wednesday (1/27) is shaping up quite nicely. We’ve got a slew of interesting folks joining us and there will be no shortage of important issues, projects, and big ideas to learn about and discuss.

As per usual with these events, the idea is for citizens, bureaucrats (and I mean that in the best way possible) and politicians to mix and mingle and learn from each other. On that note, here are a few of the confirmed attendees so far.

Notice that little sticker?
It just might help people be
a bit more vigilant when turning.
(Photo: VigilantVelo.com)

It’s always nice to hear from old bike industry acquaintances, especially when they’ve crossed over into the non-profit advocacy world. One such name from my past is Raymond Galang, co-founder of (legendary website) MTBR.com and Roadbikereview.com. Raymond dropped me a line last week to share his new endeavor — VigilantVelo.com.

Raymond had built a nice web and graphic design consultant business, but says that in recent years he’s “been saddened and horrified by the number of cyclists getting hit on the road by automobiles” (including “numerous” close calls himself). “I started to become paranoid and always felt that the next car behind me could be my fate. It’s no way to ride I thought to myself.”

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

“We are not opposed to expanding the wildlife area, but feel strongly Pioneer Orchard trail should remain open.”
— Tom Archer, director of advocacy for the Northwest Trail Alliance

The Portland Parks and Recreation Bureau will hold a public open house tonight to unveil a new trail plan for Powell Butte Nature Park. Off-road cycling advocates are concerned that one of the proposed concepts on the table expands the wildlife area and closes a popular riding trail.

Headlines like this don’t exactly
encourage folks to walk more.
(Screen shot from KGW-TV)

A spike in traffic collisions over the weekend highlights the urgent need for traffic safety improvements across the Portland area.

On Friday, two Franklin High School students were hit while walking in a crosswalk near their school. According to the Police Bureau, the boys were attempting to cross SE 52nd Avenue at Woodward, when someone driving a car sped around already stopped cars, struck them, and then drove off. Their injuries were not life-threatening.

Here’s the news that caught our eye this week:
– Another voice has joined the chorus pointing out that the federal government can create more jobs by building public transit rather than freeways.

– The 2010 Winter Olympics will be in Vancouver, BC, and the big question on the minds of many is how to handle transportation, with private cars seen as one of the least desirable parts of the mix.

– Here in green, dense Portland, the numbers show that most households still own and use a private car. What’s going on? A blogger tries to wrap his head around that in light of Portlanders’ fairly low transit use and walking rate, and eventually points his finger at the city’s massive amount of subsidized street parking.

Year: 1998
Brand: Specialized
Model: Rockhopper
Color:Silver
Size:23″
Serial: PV741617
Photo: http://www.BikePedia.com/Images/image.aspx?filename=Rockhopper%20A%203019.jpg
Stolen in Portland, OR 97211
Stolen:2010-01-23
Stolen From: SE 8th Avenue and SE Morrison St.
Owner: Jim Wagstaff
OwnerEmail: jim@shout-design.com
Description: Small dent in frame. Sticker of eye and globe beneath stem. Hutch’s Bicycle’s sticker on seat tube.
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Newswire: Man killed while walking across SE Foster – Updated

UPDATE 1/24 at 9:00pm: The man was originally thought to have died at the scene but he was later revived at OHSU:

This just in from the PPB:

PEDESTRIAN HIT AND KILLED BY VEHICLE

Posted: January 23rd, 2010 8:53 PM

Tonight at 7:20 p.m., Portland Police Officers responded to the area of 122nd and Foster on a call that a pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle. When the officers arrived, they found a deceased a 44-year-old man at the scene. The driver of the vehicle that hit the pedestrian remained at the scene and cooperated with police.

The Major Crash Team responded and are investigating this incident. Investigators have determined that the pedestrian was crossing south to north and the driver was traveling westbound on 122nd when the accident occurred. Witnesses reported that the pedestrian was not in a crosswalk and walked in front of one car before walking in front of the vehicle that hit him. Investigators do not believe speed or alcohol was a factor in this incident and the driver is not being cited.

The name of the deceased man is not being released at this time.

Contact Info: PIO Contact Name: Detective Mary Wheat
Email Address: mwheat@portlandpolice.org

Job: Inside Sales Representative (Bike Friday)

Job Title
Inside Sales Representative

Company/Organization
Bike Friday

Job Description
Bike Friday Sales Consultant – Inside Sales Representative

Bike Friday is a leading custom bike manufacturer with worldwide dealers and clients.

We are currently seeking a self-motivated and energetic Inside Sales Representative to motivate and encourage our customers, dealers, and prospects on new business.

The right candidate will:
Effectively utilize our consultative sales strategy and ensure the company meets revenue and profit objectives through a targeted list of prospects, while also receiving daily leads.
Work towards a defined sales quota and focus on initiating relationships through phone calls, customer referrals and emails. You will be provided leads through our direct marketing strategies.
Initiate five outbound “warm” calls an hour and complete two bike sales per day.
Minimum 5+ years sales experience required.
Bicycle knowledge and a commitment to a healthy lifestyle strongly preferred.

How to Apply
Bike Friday offers a competitive compensation and benefits package. Please do not apply for this position without related experience. This position is located in Eugene, Oregon. There is no relocation assistance provided. Please e-mail a resume with cover letter explaining your attraction to the position and describing an example of your recent success in sales. Submit to jobs(at)bikefriday(dot)com.

Friday Cartoon: A bigger piece of the pie?

Download full size (200kb jpg)

– Illustration by Mark Markovich
– Concept and writing by Jonathan Maus
– Related story: Delving into PBOT’s 2010-2011 budget
– See past cartoons here.

Noted bike advocate runs for Washington County chair

Washington County Commissioner, former Alice B. Toeclips Award winner, and active bike advocate Dick Schouten is running (or should I say riding) for what the Beaverton Valley Times refers to as “Washington County’s top job.”

Schouten announced his intentions to run for the position of chairman of the Washington County Board of Commissioners last week. Schouten is well-known for his dedication to active transportation. He won an Alice B. Toeclips award from the Bicycle Transportation Alliance in 2001 and in fall of 2009, as a member of Metro’s Executive Council for Active Transportation, he went on a study tour to learn more about bikeways in Amsterdam and Copenhagen.

Screenshot from KGW.com.

The Columbian was at the sentencing hearing for Antonio Cellestine at the Clark County Courthouse in Vancouver today. According to their report, Cellestine was sentenced to 5 years in prison for driving his car into 50-year old Gordon Patterson back in September. A commenter who was at the hearing today, said Cellestine’s attorney plea bargained with the judge to not have the offense become his client’s first strike.

Exciting news from the Northwest Trail Alliance: On Sunday, February 28th they’ll host the Portland Bike Swap Meet at Sandbox Studios (same place we had BikeCraft) in Northeast Portland.

Here’s a blurb from the event announcement:

Got some great bike stuff to sell? Or are you looking to find the best deals on bike related merchandise?
From the smallest bike parts to some vintage high-end bikes, you’ll find it at Northwest Trail Alliance’s annual Portland Bike Swap Meet, the largest bicycle-focused swap meet in the Portland area!
– All types of bikes: road, mountain, cross, commuter, BMX, kids bikes,… heck, even unicycles!
– Find bike parts, bike components, full bikes, bike crafts, and more.
– Enter our raffle and win an admission to Mountain Bike Oregon and other awesome prizes!
– Play on our skills park or chill with a coffee while striking up a conversation with fellow riders.
– Attend free workshops on basic bike maintenance and flat repair by Tori Bortman of Gracie’s Wrench.

Update on Tigard Get Together (it’s Wednesday!)

A new bike safety effort that just might stick

Powell Butte open house tonight: Weigh in on future of trails

Spate of collisions highlight urgency of safety improvements

The Monday Roundup

Silver Specialized Rockhopper 1998

Newswire: Man killed while walking across SE Foster – Updated

Job: Inside Sales Representative (Bike Friday)

Friday Cartoon: A bigger piece of the pie?

Noted bike advocate runs for Washington County chair

Man driving in fatal hit and run was texting; gets five years

Mark your calendars for the Portland Bike Swap Meet

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