The City of Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) and the Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) are teaming up on a project to add sidewalks, stormwater management and bikeways to SW Multnomah Blvd between SW 21st and 31st Avenue. This project is just the first phase of a plan to re-design Multnomah Blvd from SW Barbur all the way through Multnomah Village.
This just in from the US DOT office. Looks like the Obama Administration thinks that transportation investment is one way we can “Win the future.” (I am anxiously awaiting to hear the word “bicycle” at one of these events)…
Vice President Biden to Hold Event in Philadelphia Tomorrow
Vice President, Secretary LaHood to Discuss Administration’s Infrastructure Plan to Help America Win the FutureWashington, D.C. – Tomorrow, February 8th, the Vice President and Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood will travel to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At 10:45 AM, they will deliver remarks at 30th Street Station on the Administration’s plan to build a 21st century infrastructure – from roads and bridges to high-speed rail. The Vice President and Secretary LaHood will discuss new initiatives to increase our nation’s competitiveness, export goods to new markets around the world, and put Americans back to work while growing the economy and helping America win the future.
Here’s the news from around the globe that caught my eye this week…
– The snow continues! And in Minneapolis, people on bikes “seem to be the only ones prepared for the weather.” Meanwhile, the world’s bicycle snowplow fleet is being deployed.
– An Australian has won her years-long legal battle to be allowed to bicycle without a helmet.
The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a hit and run that happened early Friday morning on Highway 30 just north of NW Quarry Road (north of Sauvie Island Bridge, about 11 miles north of downtown Portland).
The man who was hit while riding his bicycle is Joseph Anderson, a Portland resident. A friend of Anderson’s tells me he is “an avid cyclist.”
Whew! It was another busy week and it seemed to end with a flourish. I haven’t posted a weekend open thread for a while, but I feel like it’s time to do it again. You know the drill — share your bike adventures (or even non-bike adventures) in the comments below.
Sunday is the big Super Bowl game, so it’d be a perfect day to head out for a long ride on quieter than usual streets. Just watch the clock… because after the game the streets will fill up with drunk people (PPB is doing enhanced enforcement in preparation).
Feel free to share your weekend riding plans — or whatever else you feel like sharing — below. Enjoy your weekend!
Year: 1985
Brand: Schwinn
Model: Sierra
Color:dark grey
Serial: 6026376
Stolen in Portland, OR 97203
Stolen:2011-02-3
Stolen From: Roosevelt High School
Owner: Juno Van Valkenburgh
OwnerEmail: vanvalke13@up.edu
Description: 15 speed boy’s bike with bottle rack, rack over back wheel, plastic fenders
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 11-150663
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike
Year: 2009
Brand: Felt
Model: Compulsion 3
Color:White
Size:Medium
Serial: WUD61601728D
Photo: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/2002ep3/2009FeltCompulsion3.jpg
Stolen in Salem, OR 97309
Stolen:2011-02-4
Stolen From: Chemeketa Community College Purple Lot Salem Oregon
Neighborhood: NE Salem
Owner: Ruben Ponce
OwnerEmail: rueben.ponce@gmail.com
Reward: $100
Description: White frame with grey lettering, black huck n roll decal(gorilla figure) Grey Fox Racing decal, Black “Santiam Bikes” decal on top, and a red “Santiam Bikes” decal on downtube. RockShpx Pike fork, Fox rear air shock, WTB rims. On the side of the down tube, there is a black GoPro mount to mount a camera.
Police record with: Marion County Salem Police
Police reference#: 11-1969
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike
*See updates below
Portland Police are investigating a crash resulting in potential life-threatening injuries to a person riding a bicycle near SW Multnomah Blvd and 51st Ave.
According to the PPB statement, the crash happened at about 2:21 pm at the 6000 block of SW Multnomah Blvd. Initial reports were that the collision was a hit and run, but officers discovered later that the motor vehicle operator that hit the bicycle rider then went through a fence and hit a house.
There’s currently a detour around OMSI that takes bicycle traffic off the Eastbank Esplanade and onto the bike lane on SW Water Avenue. A Portland woman riding in that lane yesterday crashed near a storm grate and fractured her clavicle. Here’s a bit more from the woman who was injured:
Retro Image Apparel, a Portland-based clothing company that specializes in designing licensed artwork into bike jerseys, will launch a local chapter of the Major Taylor Education Program.
Roger Mallette, founder and director of Retro/Micro Beer Jerseys, launched the Major Taylor Education Program in Chicago in 2007. Mallette recently approached the Trail Blazers Boys and Girls Club in North Portland and a host of other partners to get the program started here in Portland. In addition to the Boys and Girls Club, Retro’s partners on the project include John Bennenate, Director of Bicycles and Ideas for Kids’ Empowerment (B.I.K.E., a local non-profit youth racing team), Kirk Whiteman Coaching (KWC), and River City Bicycles.
Joshua de Parrie is The Bicycle Plumber. Fresh out of a four-year apprenticeship to get his professional plumbing contractor license, the 38 year old native of Southeast Portland is already completing jobs around town, using a Kona Ute longtail bike, a cargo trailer and his own power to cart around tools and supplies.
de Parrie told me this morning that he’s “never really been that into cars” and that he didn’t get his driver’s license until he was in his mid-20s. He started his business, St. Francis Plumbing, about two months ago and — while he has a truck that he’ll use if he has to — he’s tailored the geographic range of his clients and the scope of his jobs based on what he can carry by bike.
