Month: January 2011

New bumps installed on Esplanade ramps: What do you think?

Bumps on the Esplanade-2

The existing “transition strips” on the
Esplanade ramps. See the new ones below…
(Photos © J. Maus)

The City of Portland Parks and Recreation Bureau has installed new bumps — a.k.a. “transition strips” — on one of the ramps (gangways) that leads to the floating portion of the Eastbank Esplanade. The installation is a pilot to determine if the new strips improve the experience of bicycling on the ramps.

Back in July, we detailed the problem with the existing bumps and ten days later I met at the site with Parks Bureau staffer Bob Downing to talk about the issue. The problem with the old bumps is that they are jarring, loud, and so severe that they catch many riders unaware and can lead to crashes.

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‘Circulus’ mini-velodrome finds a home in Portland

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

The Circulus is moving to Portland.
(Photos: Emily Lace – More images here)

The Circulus, a 132-foot circumference wooden velodrome made as a senior thesis project by an art student in California, will get a second life thanks to a Portland-based bike company.

Artist Samuel Starr is a graduate of Pomona College who created the unique track as a senior capstone project last year. When Dan Powell, one of the founders of Portland Design Works saw a video of the track online this past summer, it left a lasting impression. When he heard it was for sale, he got in touch with Starr and the rest is history.

Here’s another photo of Circulus:

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Watch the City’s new promo video on Clinton to the River Multi-Use Path

Screen grab from new PBOT video about
Clinton to the River project.

The City of Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is pushing hard to win a $1.9 million federal grant to fund the Clinton to the River Multi-Use Path. To encourage supportive public comments on the project (that can be made online), and to make the case to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) that the project should be selected, they’ve released a new video touting its safety and livability benefits.

The project would create about a half-mile of a multi-use path and bike boulevard connection “to complete a seamless 2.8-mile bicycle route adjacent to the Portland-Milwaukie light rail alignment”.

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Go Ducks!

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Portlander Tommy Brooks flying his Oregon Duck colors on the way to work this morning.
(Photo © J. Maus)

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The Monday Roundup

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Here’s the news that caught our eye last week…

– Gabrielle Giffords, the U.S. Congresswoman who was the target of a mass shooting over the weekend, is no stranger to bicycle transportation issues. She and her husband ride regularly, and she has worked at a state and federal level to pass bicycle safety laws. Read an interview with Rep. Giffords that appeared on Tucson Velo last fall and read more about her from the League of American Bicyclists.

– Do roads pay for themselves, via user fees? Nope.

– In Baltimore, a study has found that, per dollar spent, building bicycle infrastructure creates twice as many jobs as building roads.

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blk/gray Trek Pilot 2.1 2008

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2008
Brand: Trek
Model: Pilot 2.1
Color:blk/gray
Size:58cm
Serial: WTU360SA0222C
Stolen in Vancouver, WA 98665
Stolen:2011-01-9
Stolen From: River Maiden coffee shop parking lot, 600 N. Devine Rd, Vancouver, WA
Neighborhood: McGloughlin middle school across street
Owner: Gus Harmon
OwnerEmail: gus4702@yahoo.com
Description: 2008 Gray/black Trek pilot 5.1 with,red seat & black fenders w/mud flaps,58cm,30 speed,DuraAce rear wheel & Bontrager ft wheel,SPD pedals,Gus 360 991 3686.
Police record with: Ridgefield, WA
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

bleu surly long haul trucker 2010

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2010
Brand: surly
Model: long haul trucker
Color:bleu
Size:46cm
Serial: m9091568
Stolen in Portland, OR 97204
Stolen:2010-12-12
Stolen From: downtown pdx on sw 6th btwn oak and ankeny
Neighborhood: downtown
Owner: su-lien pino
OwnerEmail: food4thought99@hotmail.com
Description: bought at citybikes annex, so i think the citybike stamp is on the frame.
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Washington’s proposed safe passing law; and how it differs from ours

Bike lane in action

This year, Washington State lawmakers will consider a new safe passing law. The bill, House Bill 1018 (PDF), is just one part of what’s been dubbed as the “Mutual Responsibility Bill.” It appears to have support from both sides of the aisle (in total, eight democrats and three republicans support it) and seems to stand a better chance of passage than a similar attempt in 2008.

What’s in Washington’s bill, and how does it compare with Oregon’s existing safe passing law?

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Beaverton Bike Gallery to hold special “Women’s Night” event

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

The Beaverton Bike Gallery is hosting a big Women’s Night event this coming Tuesday (1/11). On their website, the shop says the event is, “The perfect opportunity to talk with knowledgeable staff, industry reps, and other female cyclists about women’s clothing and bikes, family riding, and more.”

I was curious about the event, so Beaverton store staffer Lana Pressey answered a few questions for us. Read her replies below:

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From the Archives

With six kids and no car, this mom does it all by bike