May 2011 Archives

Job: Retail Sales (Cyclepath)

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title: Retail Sales
Company/Organization: Cyclepath
Job Description:
Cyclepath is looking for someone with excellent customer service skills who is familiar with the high-end of the bicycle world to fill a retail sales position. The ideal candidate would possess extensive bicycle retail shop experience, especially pertaining to the high-end of the road, cross and mountain bike world. At least two years mechanical experience essential. Familiarity with bike fit, nutrition and torque specs a major plus.

While the focus of this position will be sales, merchandising and mechanical work will be required when needed. Ability to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the business, including evening and weekends is essential. Must be able to stand for several hours and lift up to 50 lbs.

How to Apply: Please send a resume to Bill (at) Cyclepathnw (dot) com

or, you can drop one off in person at:
2436 NE MLK Jr Blvd
Portland, OR 97212

Follow-up: No ‘Bikes in Roadway’ signage for Sandy Blvd

PBOT says ‘Bikes in Roadway’ signs
aren’t the right approach for Sandy.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Remember our story last week about NE Sandy Blvd? We shared the experience of riding on that large arterial street through the eyes of Esther Harlow.

Despite a lack of comfortable bike access, many people like Harlow prefer riding on Sandy Blvd because it’s a straight shot into the central city. While more significant bike access improvements on Sandy aren’t in the near-term pipeline, Harlow had an idea to improve bike access she felt would help the situation immediately.

To make the bike/car interactions a bit more pleasant, Harlow wants to have “Bikes on Roadway” signs installed. She made an official request to PBOT with her idea. Harlow heard back from a PBOT civil engineer and she shared the response with us. PBOT declined the request, but the engineer makes a reasonable case for his decision. The reply (below) might help others understand the thinking PBOT does before deciding whether or not to install signage (it’s also cool to see a government agency take someone’s request so seriously)…

Year: 19??
Brand: Miyata (no label)
Color:Green-White
Size:52-54cm
Serial: L744416
Photo: http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j470/whistleboy/20110517_stolen_miyata_low.jpg
Stolen in Portland, OR 97202
Stolen:2011-05-16
Stolen From: Cleveland High School (SE 26th and Powell
Owner: Jeremy Bauer
OwnerEmail: bauerje@msn.com
Reward: $75
Description: The bike is an old Miyata that was recently powder coated green. It has white tires, white saddle, short bullhorns from cut drop bars with white bar tape, v-brakes, beautiful old campy cranks and “L744416” stamped on the bottom bracket
Police record with: Portland Police
Police reference#: 11-152511
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Who I met at the Bike to Work Breakfast

Syrup for cycling.
(Photos © J. Maus)

This morning I swung by Pioneer Courthouse Square to partake in a grand Portland tradition — the Bike to Work Breakfast.

The crowd wasn’t too big this year (I think as biking becomes more normal, events like this lose their appeal to some); but that just meant more hot and fresh pancakes, egg and toast combos, bagels, coffee, and free bike repairs (thanks Bike Gallery!) for those who did show up.

The event was also a great chance to chat with folks. After all, Pioneer Square isn’t known as “Portland’s living room” for nothing.

I bumped into Portland Police officer Cage Bird (yes, that’s really his name). Officer Bird works the night shift patrolling downtown and was just headed home to Vancouver. “I just finished my shift,” he said, “So I figured I’d stop and fuel up.”

Last night, The Oregonian’s commuting reporter and columnist Joseph Rose published an article about Portland Mayor Sam Adams’ budget decisions. The article, Portland Mayor Sam Adams boosts funding for bike projects, but now there’s less for paving streets, attempts to make the point that Adams’ decision to allocate a larger percentage of discretionary revenue to “bike projects” comes at the expense of “motor vehicle projects.”

Not surprisingly, the article has spurred hundreds of comments, many of them by angry Portlanders who don’t like the idea of any spending that benefits bicycling and who feel Adams’ priorities are not in the right place.

Seem like a déjà vu? Unfortunately, it’s not out of character for him or for The Oregonian to frame a bike news story in a way that makes readers take sides. Whether it’s referring to a “cold war” on our streets and warning of an impending “backlash” against people who ride bikes, dropping an inaccurate and biased story on the Idaho Stop proposal the day before it was heard by legislators, or sensationalizing road rage to sell papers (which they later admitted to) — we’ve seen this happen time and time again.

Brand: Raleigh
Model: Phoenix M40
Color:Black some grey
Size:Normal male mtn bike size
Serial:U48K46369
Photo: http://facebook.com/photo.php?pid=31227548&l=c7811009e4&id=141200439
Stolen in Portland, OR 97202
Stolen:2011-05-17
Stolen From: 13th and Sellwood 7237 SE 13 ave Portland OR 97202 -Back porch stairs closest to the street
Neighborhood: Sellwood
Owner: Nick Korda
OwnerEmail: Nicnakorda@gmail.com
Reward: Gear from any outdoors company.
Description: Raleigh Black Phoenix Mountain Bike
-Front bike bag (full of bike tools – made of black bike tubes)- green guru gear bag design company.
– Green spray paint spot on the bottom of the down tube.
-Top tube pad – black outside – blue inside made of old bike tubes.
– Rear reflector has RED tape holding it to the seat post holder.
– Black handle grips and gear shifter falling apart.
– Black Bern helmet with stickers on it like 303, squirrel, mad rock, American alpine club, access fund, skull and cross ice axes, and many others.
– Rock Shox J2 front shocks only (aka hard tail)

Bike Pictures:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.517632754063.2024058.141200439#!/photo.php?fbid=521427708943&set=a.517632754063.2024058.141200439&type=1&theater

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=31227548&l=c7811009e4&id=141200439

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.517632754063.2024058.141200439#%21/photo.php?fbid=521427708943&set=a.517632754063.2024058.141200439&type=1&theater

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.517632754063.2024058.141200439#%21/photo.php?fbid=524232672773&set=a.517632754063.2024058.141200439&type=1&theater

Helmet:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30920863&l=7a64b1e1ea&id=141200439

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=31294847&l=339946adfe&id=141200439

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=31207760&l=68162d9217&id=141200439
Police record with: N/A – Portland PD won’t take one…
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Job: Shipping Specialist (Velotech Inc.)

Job Title: Shipping Specialist
Company/Organization: Velotoch Inc.
Job Description:
Velotech Inc. is looking for a detail oriented shipping specialist. This person will be expected to pick and pack shipments in a timely manner. Additionally there will be many random tasks that will assist in warehouse operation.

Compensation starts at $10.00 an hour and the schedule will be
9-5 Sunday
8-4 Mon – Thur

– Must be able to lift 50lbs
– Must be comfortable with ladders
– Warm temperature in the summer and cool temperatures in the winter.
– Teamwork oriented
– Basic knowledge of cycling components preferred.
– Enthusiasm for cycling.
– Fun and exciting work environment

Thank You

How to Apply:
Please send resume to chrisa[at]velotech[dot]com

Based on public input, City will consider lane change on Williams

Existing conditions on Williams Ave-11-10

A better bikeway in this section is
back under consideration.
(Photo © J. Maus)

A report released last night (PDF here) on the April 16th open house for the North Williams Traffic Safety Operations Project shows that, after hearing overwhelming support from the community, PBOT and their project team will further consider reducing Williams to one lane for motor vehicle traffic in the commercial district between known as Segment 4.

PBOT project manager Ellen Vanderslice told us via email today that, “Based on the public input we’ve received, the project team is investigating options for N Williams that would convert a traffic lane in Segment 4.”

PBOT surprised many in the community by showing up at the first open house with the commercial district between N Cook and Skidmore as the only segment of the project where an existing vehicle lane wouldn’t be re-allocated to make room for an “enhanced bikeway.”

For many singletrack lovers in Portland, the lack of local riding opportunities is a constant bummer. (That’s why we saw so much community support for more singletrack in Forest Park.) For really good trails, you’ve got to hop in a car and drive a minimum of about 45 minutes — or you can use the newly launched Portland Singletrack Shuttle.

With the tagline, “You want sweet, sweet singletrack. We make it happen,” the folks behind the Singletrack Shuttle have made it their business to connect riders with trails.

Ramp outside River City Bicycles.
(Photo: Dave Guettler)

About a week ago, River City Bicycles built a concrete quarter-pipe in their parking lot outside their store on SE Martin Luther King Blvd just north of the Morrison Bridge. Shop owner Dave Guettler installed the ramp so employees and customers could practice tricks and have a bit of fun.

Guettler had no idea that it might help save a woman’s life.

According to Guettler, the ramp has become an instant hit with local skateboarders. “They were out there last night for several hours trying to nail a trick.” Then, around 6:00 pm (during shop hours), the skateboarders heard a woman screaming inside a car that was parked in the shop’s parking lot.

(Drawing by Sarah Mirk)

Portland Mercury reporter Sarah Mirk drew this sketch of me (and uploaded it via Twitter) during a panel discussion on Saturday at the 2011 Digital Journal Conference. I was on a panel about blogging and the topic of comments came up several times.

And yes, it’s true. I respect both the comments and the people who leave them. Thanks to everyone who keeps the comments interesting and productive… And thanks Sarah for the cool drawing.

PBOT reveals candidate projects for federal ‘flexible funds’

The City of Portland and counties throughout the region are busy putting their project wish lists together to apply for about $22.5 million in federal grants. The money is distributed by Metro and is part of a $70 million pot known as regional flexible funds.

Of that money, the City of Portland will get about $6.6 million to spend on bicycling and walking projects. On Friday, PBOT released the five projects they’ve identified for funding so far. They also announced a public meeting on June 1st to discuss the projects and hear your feedback.

Here are the five projects on PBOT’s list:

Job: Retail Sales (Cyclepath)

Follow-up: No ‘Bikes in Roadway’ signage for Sandy Blvd

Green-White Miyata (no label) 19??

Who I met at the Bike to Work Breakfast

The Oregonian strikes again: And it’s not just about the numbers

Black some grey Raleigh Phoenix M40

Job: Shipping Specialist (Velotech Inc.)

Based on public input, City will consider lane change on Williams

New shuttle service caters to singletrack lovers

Bike shop’s new ramp helps thwart assault

How I feel about comments (in comic form)

PBOT reveals candidate projects for federal ‘flexible funds’

Latest Headlines

Portland’s ‘Bike Buddy’ program is flourishing thanks to Clean Energy Fund grant

Podcast: Blame, bad drivers, and ‘safety science’

Join us at Bike Happy Hour tomorrow for an interview with Mayor Keith Wilson

Bicycle rider dies after crash in Washington Park

From the Archives

Ray Thomas on the unintended consequences of “ambiguous intersections”