Month: February 2011

Read PBOT testimony in favor of bicycle signal bill

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward
Broadway-Williams bike signal day 3-5

More bike signals ahead? Maybe.
(Photo © J. Maus)

As we reported yesterday, PBOT’s Signals and Street Lighting Division Manager, Peter Koonce, was in Salem yesterday to testify in support of a bill (SB 130) that would give official state backing to bicycle traffic signals. (ODOT is behind the bill, PBOT is supporting it.)

Below is the text of his testimony (emphasis mine)…

Chair Beyer and members of the Committee. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you this afternoon regarding Senate Bill 130. For the record, I am Peter Koonce, the Signal and Street Lighting Manager for the City of Portland’s Bureau of Transportation.

Read more

Helmet cams for justice and for advocacy

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Still from helmet cam footage taken
in SW Portland by Seth Alford.

According to a BBC article published yesterday people wearing helmet cams while bicycling is becoming more common in the UK. For many, the article says, the helmet cams are a way to capture bad drivers in the act. As helmet cam quality goes up and cost comes down, I wonder if this is a trend we’ll start seeing in other places. I’ve come across a few helmet cam videos recently that point to the trend possibly taking hold here in Portland as well.

The BBC article features a guy whose helmet cam footage was used in court to win a case against another vehicle operator:

Read more

BTA urges against state Flexible Funds for TriMet light rail project

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

“We strongly urge that the state look to other sources for funding this vital project.”
— BTA’s Rob Sadowsky in a letter to the Oregon Transportation Commission

Last week we shared the news that TriMet is making a major funding request for ODOT’s $21 million pot of Federal Flexible Funds. The request is for a 10 year commitment of about $2 million per year to help fund the final portion of their $1.49 billion Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Line (TriMet would then bond against the funds to raise a total of $15 million for the project).

Yesterday, the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) sent a letter to the Gail Achterman, Chair of the Oregon Transportation Commission (the OTC is a Governor-appointed body that advises ODOT policy and makes the final decision about who gets this money). In their letter, the BTA wrote, “We strongly urge that the state look to other sources for funding this vital project.”

Read more

Job: PHP Developer (Alta Bicycle Share)

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title: PHP Developer
Company/Organization: Alta Bicycle Share
Job Description:
Are you an experienced PHP Web/Application developer with a well rounded technology background? Are you interested in having a hand in the entire IT infrastructure instead of only a specific area?

And just as important, are you interested in bikes and/or bicycle sharing?

Alta Bicycle Share, the global leader in bicycle share operations, is looking to add a PHP Web site/application developer and general IT support person to their staff. This person will work out of the Portland office but will support Bicycle Sharing systems in the US and globally.

This position will involve developing both internal and external web sites and applications as well as acting as a part of the IT team to support all the technology needs. Including being on site for the launches of new systems, supporting staff equipment and gaining expert level knowledge of the bicycle sharing system technology.

Requirements:
Bachelors in CS or related technical field and least 3 years experience developing PHP applications
Strong knowledge of SQL, database design, WordPress, CSS, virtual server hosting environments
Writes clean, commented code
Works well as part of a development team and as an individual
General Windows technical support skills
Knowledge of routers/firewalls/switches
Organized and calm under pressure
Project management skills (both in terms of development and non development projects)
Strong analytical skills

Pluses:
Knowledge of GIS software
Smartphone App Development
Knowledge of Google Apps
Cares about expanding bike sharing as a mode of transportation around the world

How to Apply:
If this position interests you please send a resume, cover letter and salary requirements to resumes+dev(at)altabicycleshare(dot)com. Resumes without a cover letter and salary requirement included will be ignored.

Idaho stop law introduced (again) in Oregon – UPDATED

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

UPDATE: We have learned from the BTA that the entire text of the bill is just a placeholder that Sen. Burdick plans to swap out for different language. According to the BTA, Burdick plans to address the issue of rolling through an intersection when the light does not have a bike sensor and/or fails to turn when a bicycle is present. We’ll share more as soon as possible and we regret the false alarm.

Read more

Blue Spalding Blade

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Brand: Spalding
Model: Blade
Color:Blue
Size:medium
Stolen in Beaverton, OR 97008
Stolen:2011-02-01
Stolen From: Central Beaverton Fred Meyer
Neighborhood: CEntral Beaverton
Owner: Ken Rencher
OwnerEmail: kenrencher@gmail.com
Reward: 10
Description: Front and rear lights
Police record with: Beaverton PD
Police reference#: 11-00740
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

Black Trek 7.3 fx disc 2006

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2006
Brand: Trek
Model: 7.3 fx disc
Color:Black
Serial: WTU101C0575C
Stolen in 97272, OR
Stolen:2011-01-18
Stolen From: Driveway of my house, near SE 19th and SE Rex
Neighborhood: Sellwood/Westmoreland
Owner: Tom Chatkupt
OwnerEmail: tchatkupt@comcast.net
Reward: $100
Description: Well-used commuter bike with full accessories – full fenders, rear rack, handlebar extensions, Cygolite Hi-Flux II LED w/battery, Blackburn USB rechargable blinkers, and collapsable rack basket.
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 11-150577
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

Black Kona Dew Drop 2009

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2009
Brand: Kona
Model: Dew Drop
Color:Black
Size:58
Serial:F901K4018
Stolen in Portland, OR 97212
Stolen:2011-02-01
Stolen From: The bike was stolen off of my front porch on Northeast Tillamook between MLK and NE 7th Ave. I think it happened today, but the last time I saw my bike FOR SURE was yesterday, the morning of 1/31/11.
Neighborhood: NorthEast – Eliot
Owner: Zachary Dunham
OwnerEmail: zach.dunham@gmail.com
Reward: $75
Description: At 7:05 this evening, I realized that my bike was no longer in its usual place – locked up on my front porch – and that in all likelihood, it has been stolen.

It’s an all black 2009 Kona (Dew Drop model) that I purchased new at the beginning of 2010 from Sellwood Cycles – I’ll be contacting them to update this entry with the serial number and other information regarding the bike specs.

The bike was all black with black grip tape, disc brakes, a chain that was badly in need of grease, 18 or 21 (can’t remember) speeds, a small black bell on the right side of the drop handlebars, and mounts for a front and back light (both "Cat Eye" products).

The back tire was completely flat, and the outside of the right pedal was noticeably chipped due to a recent crash. The right brake/gearshift was yanked partially out of wack during that same crash, so the brakes are a little tighter on the right side.

Everything else was stock issue on the bike – I’ll try to think of more details, but that’s all I’ve got at the moment.

Thanks very much for any help that you can provide. Please call me at (206) 419-8210 if you have any information.
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 11-150601
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Latest Headlines

Portland bike thief sentenced to four years in prison

An homage to Portland’s bikeway network signs

Exciting progress on Willamette Blvd project

Jobs of the Week: Bike Clark County, Metropolis, Cycle Portland, and more

From the Archives

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