February 2011 Archives

Report: Regional trails, parks account for $115 million per year in health care savings

Saving money.
(Photo © J. Maus)

A new report* estimates that our regional trail network saves us about $115 million per year in averted health care costs. The report (PDF) was done for Metro and focused on their interconnected system of trails, parks and greenways known as the Intertwine. The Intertwine (background story) consists of 1,250 miles of designated biking and walking trails, 12,000 acres of developed parks and 24,000 acres of maintained natural area and is visited by an estimated 8.3 million people each year.

In Physical Activity and the Intertwine: A Public Health Method of Reducing Obesity and Healthcare Costs, naturopathic doctor and public health expert Kurt Beil looked at the Intertwine as a public health asset. He analyzed the estimated amount of physical activity that occurs on the Intertwine and did some calculations to come up with health cost savings. Here’s an excerpt from his report:

[Publisher’s note: Please join me in welcoming our new News Intern Patrick Croasdaile. We’re excited that he has joined our team. This is his first article for BikePortland.]

A grant will help the Community
Cycling Center continue and expand
their work in communities like Hacienda.
(Photos: CCC)

The northeast Portland based non profit Community Cycling Center has received a grant from the Bullitt Foundation for $25,000. The grant will be used to strengthen CCC’s ties to their community partners and continue their work in under-served neighborhoods.

The focus of the grant funds will be the creation of a new collaborative advocacy program called Communities in Motion. This program seeks to build on past successes working with the City of Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), community leaders from New Columbia and the Hacienda Community Development Corporation. Collaborative advocacy as a means of preventing problems and growing sustainable communities is a hallmark of the Bullitt Foundation’s granting process.

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

House Bill 2824 is up for a public hearing in front of the House Judiciary Committee in Salem today. The bill would create a new crime for “trafficking in bicycles with a destroyed or altered serial number.” Maximum punishment for a violation of the law would come with a $1,250 fine, 30 days in jail, or both.

Here’s the the language of the proposed law as currently written:

“A person commits the offense of trafficking in bicycles with a destroyed or altered serial number if the person knowingly buys, sells, receives, disposes of, conceals or has in the person’s possession a bicycle from which the serial number has been removed, defaced, covered, altered or destroyed for the purpose of concealing or misrepresenting the identity of the bicycle.”

New analysis of the crash that claimed the life of 47-year old Beaverton resident Bret Lewis last Saturday reveals that — contrary to what was reported initially by the Beaverton Police Department and subsequently covered by several local media outlets (including this one) — it’s very possible that Lewis was crossing Tualatin Valley (TV) Highway prior to being hit.

The police reported that Lewis was bicycling westbound on TV Hwy and that he was hit from behind by James Nguyen. Much of the discussion around this tragedy has revolved around why Lewis was not riding in the bike lane or the lane nearest to the curb (witnesses have helped police determine that Lewis was in the lane to the south of the bike lane).

But, what if Lewis was crossing the street? Would/should that change how we make sense of this tragedy?

TriMet architect Bob Hastings presented
the idea last night.
(Photos © J. Maus)

As part of the public art planned along their Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail project, TriMet is considering something quite interesting for the new Willamette River Bridge — a “sonic bike path.”

TriMet architect Bob Hastings and Public Art Program Manager Mary Priester presented the idea to the City of Portland Bicycle Advisory Committee (PBAC) last night.

The “sonic bike path” concept is still in its early stages, but at this point, the idea is to create a series of grooves on a 150 foot section of the bikeway on each end of the bridge. The grooves would be placed in such a frequency and depth that a melody would be emitted as bicycle tires rolled over them. As for the song, the artists are considering Simon and Garfunkel’s “Feelin’ Groovy.”

A chance to meet Chairman Mica.

Next Monday (2/21) the United States House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will make a stop just north of Portland in Vancouver, Washington as part of a national tour of field hearings. The goal of the meeting is to get feedback and a local perspective on how to approach the reauthorization of our nation’s transportation law.

The meeting is being coordinated by the office of Congresswoman Jamie Herrera Beutler (R-WA) and will take place from 9:00 – 11:00 am at the Vancouver PUD Community Room (1200 Fort Vancouver Way).

Under the new law, ODOT would come
up with standards to make sure
this guy stays safe.
(Photo © J. Maus)

A new bill set for introduction in the Oregon legislature would establish minimum construction standards for bicycle trailers sold in Oregon. The bill is currently in draft form (PDF here) and is expected to be introduced publicly next week. Senator Floyd Prozanski (D-Eugene) is the lead sponsor of the bill and he told me this morning he’s already got several others signed onto it — including Rep. Mitch Greenlick (D-Portland).

As it stands now, the bill would direct the Oregon Department of Transportation to adopt a set of rules “establishing minimum standards for bicycle trailers designed for human passengers.” The bill also states that ODOT would consult the existing ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) specifications for bicycle trailers in forming their standards.

Matt Garrett, Director of ODOT.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Last month, we wondered whether Governor Kitzhaber would make a personnel change at the most powerful position inside the Oregon Department of Transportation. This week the Governor announced a slew of changes atop various agencies — but ODOT wasn’t one of them. Read the email below that was sent from ODOT Director Matt Garrett to his employees about the news…

“I wanted you to know that I have received notice from Governor Kitzhaber that I will remain as director of ODOT.

As I told Governor Kitzhaber, I have been extremely proud to have led this organization for the past five years. I illustrated for him what you have accomplished in administrative efficiency, customer service and project/program delivery. You have a well-earned reputation for delivering huge programs like OTIA and the multimodal investment of ConnectOregon on time and on budget. Our work is very important because it affects thousands of Oregonians across the state every day. Your reputation and performance have favored me in this decision.

I thank Governor Kitzhaber for his trust and confidence in me and in us. Together we will accomplish much more. I appreciate what you do every day.”

Follow-up: TriMet to get $4.5 million in ODOT Flex Funds

Earlier this month, TriMet — in a last-ditch effort to fill the local funding gap in their $1.5 billion Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail project — put in a request for a 10-year, $19 million funding commitment from the State of Oregon.

Artist rendering of Portland-Milwaukie light rail line.

The request raised serious concerns with transportation officials around the state for a variety of reasons. Some were concerned that TriMet was muscling into one of the very rare dedicated funding sources available to non-highway projects anywhere in the state (These non-highway “Flexible Funds” are a relatively small pot of money totaling about $20 million) and that the multi-year commitment would unfairly compromise the availability of funds for other projects.

Year: 2006
Brand: GIANT
Model: OCR C3
Color:SILVER
Serial: GM5C823
Photo: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.bikejournal.com/images/ashmanP7120008.JPG&imgrefurl=http://www.bikejournal.com/club.asp%3FClubID%3D%257B293CAD37-1348-43EE-9263-261A6F4E44AE%257D%26sort%3Dbikemake&usg=__Fs7Cn7F-IfXQSPtcSXIkYNNpzMI=&h=398&w=600&sz=48&hl=en&start=0&sig2=eTWrU_jWjIga0BfF_nYMWw&zoom=1&tbnid=LTOv2CgN7ShGzM:&tbnh=131&tbnw=175&ei=iMtZTYTMPIHCsAO9noyOCg&prev=/images%3Fq%3DGIANT%2BOCR%2BC3%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1270%26bih%3D688%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=321&vpy=357&dur=92&hovh=183&hovw=276&tx=131&ty=113&oei=iMtZTYTMPIHCsAO9noyOCg&page=1&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:13,s:0
Stolen in Portland, OR 97205
Stolen:2011-02-14
Stolen From: 620 SW MAIN ST. PORTLAND, OR 97205

PARKED AND LOCKED ON THE CORNER OF MAIN & 6TH.
Neighborhood: DOWNTOWN PORTLAND
Owner: Whitney Adams
OwnerEmail: whitneyrice.adams@gmail.com
Reward: $100
Description: -BLACK BACK FENDER -BLACK GRIP TAPE -MOUNT FOR BIKE COMPUTER -ONE WATER BOTTLE HOLDER -SILVER WITH RED AND BLACK WRITING
Police record with: PORTLAND PD
Police reference#: 11-150846.
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Snowy commute open thread

Reader pic: Snow in the hills on
Science Park Road near Highway 26.

It’s been snowing this morning throughout Portland. Did you ride this morning?

Just thought I’d put this post up so you could share about the conditions in your neck of the woods.

It looks to be sticking now up here in North Portland. I’m headed south down toward the Broadway Bridge. Check back in an hour or so for some fresh and snowy photos. Please chime in below with your snow report…

UPDATE: It’s more wet than white out there now (at least in Northeast). Not the big white dump of snow I was hoping for… But It’d still be fun to hear the weather report where you are…

White Peugeot mid 80’s

Year: mid 80’s
Brand: Peugeot
Color:White
Stolen in Portland, OR 97211
Stolen:2011-02-15
Stolen From: Stolen from inside our car, in our drive way. NE 7th and Prescott.
Owner: Nicolas Smith
OwnerEmail: nicolascsmith@gmail.com
Description: White Peugeot fixed gear, blue letters and seat. Knobby tires. UO bicycle licence sticker on seat tube.
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 11-150852

Report: Regional trails, parks account for $115 million per year in health care savings

New grant allows Community Cycling Center to broaden its reach

Salem Watch: Bike theft prevention law up for hearing today

What if Bret Lewis was crossing Tualatin-Valley Highway?

TriMet considers ‘sonic bike path’ idea for new bridge

Details set for House Transportation Committee ‘listening session’ in Vancouver

Oregon bill would establish ‘minimum standards’ for bike trailers

Matt Garrett to remain ODOT Director

Follow-up: TriMet to get $4.5 million in ODOT Flex Funds

SILVER GIANT OCR C3 2006

Snowy commute open thread

White Peugeot mid 80’s

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