April 2011 Archives

‘Portland Society’ names first crop of grant recipients

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Lindsay Caron Epstein will use her
grant to help fund web design
classes.
(Photo © J. Maus)

The Portland Society, a non-profit that supports women in the bike industry and the transportation field, has announced its first crop of grant recipients.

The Portland Society Fund (which is administered by Umbrella, a 501(c)3 organization) will award Portlanders Michelle Week, Laura Koch, and Lindsay Caron Epstein. The grants — which range from $250-$500 — will go “toward education to develop their leadership and professional skills to promote vibrant, welcoming public spaces and active transportation in Portland.”

According to co-founder of The Portland Society, Elly Blue, “The applicant pool was extremely strong” and it came down to applicants that showed a strong commitment to the mission of “transforming streets into welcoming, vibrant, livable places that serve communities.”

Summit Day 2 - the Opening session-7.jpg

Randy Neufeld with the SRAM Cycling
Fund will be among the guests
on tomorrow’s show.
(Photo © J. Maus)

You don’t want to miss the monthly KBOO Bike Show tomorrow. Show co-host Michelle Poyourow has put together an impressive panel of guests to give us wide view of what’s going on with bicycling in cities across North America

Here’s the show description:

“Bike coordinators and advocates from across North America discuss how their cities are taking the lead on cycling– including bike sharing programs, off road trail developments and much more. Portland may be a forerunner in cycling, but these cities are inspiring and quickly on the way to becoming bike meccas themselves. Guest Randy Neufield, National advocate with the SRAM Cycling Fund, will give our listeners a broad perspective on where and how cycling is affecting transportation nationwide.”

Other guests include:

(Photo: Cycle Dog)

Since their launch less than two years ago, Portland-based Cycle Dog has grown by leaps and bounds. The company — which makes dog collars, belts (for humans) and other products out of used bicycle inner tubes — boasts dealers nationwide and they took home “Best in Show” honors at the 2011 Global Pet Expo trade show.

Now, Cycle Dog owner Lanette Fidrych says they’re expanding the reach of their tube recycling programs, going directly to individuals with a network of “Tube Drop” locations throughout Portland.

Year: 2011
Brand: Schwinn
Model: 21-gear Shimano
Color:black, red, some silver
Stolen in Portland, OR 97202
Stolen:2011-04-4
Stolen From: Reed College: 3203 Woodstock Blvd.
Neighborhood: South East
Owner: (not available)
Description: – suspension seat (seat with a big coil under it) cabled-locked to bike frame
– metal basket placed horizontally on the back rack
– no back fender: one detachable gray front fender
– very heavy; mountain bike
– heavy metal (silver) pedals
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

Job: Retail Sales (Bike Gallery)

Job Title: Retail Sales
Company/Organization: Bike Gallery

Job Description:
The Bike Gallery is seeking outgoing and dynamic individuals for positions on our sales floor. The Bike Gallery is one of the most acclaimed specialty bicycle retail organizations in the U.S. and currently has openings for full and part time seasonal positions working directly with customers to deliver exceptional customer service in a fast paced, high volume setting. Preference given to applicants with bicycle retail experience and who demonstrate a commitment to and enthusiasm for, the cycling lifestyle; other specialty retail experience is also helpful.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate a strong history of self motivation, professionalism, team work, and customer service excellence.

The Bike Gallery is an equal opportunity employer. Sales positions require the ability to lift 40 pounds to shoulder height and to work extended hours while standing.

How to Apply:
Send a resume and cover letter to resumes(at)bikegallery(dot)com

Job: Bike Mechanic (Abraham Fixes Bikes)

Job Title: Bike Mechanic
Company/Organization: Abraham Fixes Bikes
Job Description:

Abraham Fixes Bikes is a repair only bicycle shop. We are hiring an experienced bicycle mechanic for a seasonal position. Please take some time to read through the website, discover our philosophy and see if you would compliment our business. www.abrahamfixesbikes.com

The position will open mid-April or May and be for 25 hrs to start and most likely venture to 40hrs per week as we move into the month of June. This position is for someone who is seeking advancement in the bike mechanic world, i.e., this position could turn into a full time-year round opportunity for the right mechanic.

Compensation is $10 to $12 per hour depending on experience.

Mechanical necessities:
• UBI or other professional training AND 1 year of professional service shop experience.
• Or 2 years professional service shop experience.
• Knowledge of current and older bicycles and the replacement of their parts
• Ability to perform service in a timely fashion
• Ability to diagnose and estimate cost of repairs
• Familiarity of wholesalers and ordering parts

Customer service needs:
• Ability to help a wide variety of customers in a friendly and accessible manner
• Able to explain difficult issues in an easy to understand way
• Treat every customer with the same amount of respect.
• The ability to assess customer’s knowledge and meet them where they are with their cycling needs.

How to Apply:
Apply IN PERSON with detailed resume in hand at 3508 N Williams Ave, Portland, OR 97227

The bike/transit alliance: The good, the bad, and the experts

This guest post is by Michael Andersen of Portland Afoot, a “10-minute newsmagazine” and wiki about low-car life in Portland.

A big strategy shift was in the air at this year’s Oregon Active Transportation Summit, the two-day conference and lobbying blitz that was, until 2011, known as the Oregon Bike Summit. Woven through the lectures and panels was a new bit of gospel: That bike and transit advocates need to work together. That they’ll get more done if they team up.

The umbrella they should share, believers say: “active transportation.” “Active transportation” includes riding the MAX? You’d better believe it, said BTA Executive Director Rob Sadowsky.

[After a hiatus, our Bike Science column is back. Below, carbon fiber master and engineer Shawn Small shares the science behind one of his recent projects.

Steven Peace at start line of 2010
UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships.
(Photo: Joy Anderson)

Steven Peace was a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy in his early 30s when he suffered a massive stroke while lying alone one night in his apartment. He was found 14 hours later when EMT’s broke down his door. When he came to, he was paralyzed on his right side and suffered from severe aphasia.

Only 6 months after leaving the hospital Steven quickly defied all odds by riding a Catrike Trail (recumbent) in the Soldier Ride which goes from Phoenix, AZ to Las Vegas, NV. Here’s how Steven described that first ride; “..the ride was unbelievable, and life-changing. After the first ride, I knew I had to do another one, and another, and another.”

So much cool bike stuff goes on every weekend here in the Portland region that I thought a quick recap would be one way to share some of it.

Cherry Blossom Road Race
A lot of Portlanders competed at the first big road stage race of the year. The Cherry Blossom took place out on the wide open and sunny roads of The Dalles. The photo below is by Kenji Sugahara (see fully gallery here):

After hearing about the issue from a citizen, PBOT smoothed out the harsh bumps that used to exist on the median at NE Tillamook and 16th.
(Photo: Josh Berezin)

Year: 1997
Brand: Lemond
Model: Tourmalet
Color:saphire (blue)
Size:55
Stolen in Portland, OR 97214
Stolen:2011-03-31
Stolen From: PSU Shattuck Hall
Owner: Logan Cravens
OwnerEmail: lcravens1@hotmail.com
Description: Bontager wheels, specialized seat, shimano RSX rear derailleur and shift/brake levers, shimano spd pedals,black bike rack, black handlebar tape, cat eye speedometer bracket and wirem bronze bell, Bike Gallery decal at lower seat tube
Police record with: PSU Campus Police
Police reference#: 11-0152
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

The Monday Roundup

Here’s the news that caught our eye in the last week:

– Friday was a notable news day across the board, and we would be remiss not to point out several of the more important transportation stories broken that day: New York City has unveiled its truly visionary new transportation plan, even if one prominent politician has suddenly become a surprise advocate for greener alternatives.

– Okay, seriously now, in NYC, the campaign (in which the above mentioned politician has a role) to abolish a successful new bike lane turns out to be something other than the grassroots initiative by safety-conscious citizens that it’s purported to be. Who knew?

– A Danish researcher shows that despite common assumptions to the contrary, bicycling is safer than driving.

‘Portland Society’ names first crop of grant recipients

National bike leaders on KBOO Bike Show tomorrow

Cycle Dog to launch “Tube Drop” recycling program in Portland

black, red, some silver Schwinn 21-gear Shimano 2011

Job: Retail Sales (Bike Gallery)

Job: Bike Mechanic (Abraham Fixes Bikes)

The bike/transit alliance: The good, the bad, and the experts

Bike Science: Trigonometry and carbon fiber help Paralympian win

The weekend in pictures

One less bump: Citizen activism in action

saphire (blue) Lemond Tourmalet 1997

The Monday Roundup

Latest Headlines

Police to PBOT: Remove traffic diverters in the name of public safety

Recap and Photo Gallery: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly ride

What are your three big wishes for Portland’s transportation system?

Transportation Commission says state can move forward with I-5 Rose Quarter project

From the Archives

What five people say about living outside along the Springwater path