Month: May 2011

Gresham to dedicate “milestone” section of Gresham-Fairview Trail

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New bridge makes key connection for Gresham-Fairview Trail.
(Photo: City of Gresham)

U.S. Congressman Earl Blumenauer will be on hand this Thursday when the City of Gresham officially opens the newest section of the Gresham-Fairview Trail.

Blumenauer will join a Gresham City Councilor and a Metro Councilor at SE Powell and SW 10th, where a newly finished, 177-foot bridge takes bicycling and walking traffic up and over Powell. The bridge is the first of its kind in Gresham and it creates a crucial connection for the Gresham Fairview Trail.

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‘All Girl Alley Cat’ in Seattle wants Portland competition

Just got this via email from a reader in Seattle. A flyer and heads up on the “Girls of Summer All Girl Alley Cat“. Looks like a great event. Sort of reminds me of the SS Pussycat we had in Portland several years ago…

Wanted to let you know about an event we are holding up in the land up north. We would love to see some portland ladies come up. Flyers is below… We are now up to almost $2000 in prizes and have some really fun stops planned.

More info at MenstrualMonday.com.

Sharrows and a biking mayor in coastal town of Newport

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City crews installed sharrows on
6th Street in Newport this morning.
(Photo: Daniella Crowder)

The small coastal town of Newport, Oregon continues to show exciting signs of life for bicycling.

Reader Daniella Crowder (she’s also co-owner of the Bike Newport bike shop) tells us the City of Newport is installing sharrows this morning on 6th Street. Crowder says she thinks Newport is the first coastal community in Oregon to use sharrows.

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Reader comment: Opposition to urban cycling is class based

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“Wealthy people often tend to see cyclists as losers and indigents; after all, if cyclists could afford cars, they would drive them.”
— Al from PA, BikePortland commenter

Last week we shared the news that several entities have spoken up in opposition to various motor vehicle restrictions being proposed as part of an effort to improve bike access in the Lloyd District.

In the wide-ranging discussion that followed in the comments, one reader, who goes by “Al from PA,” brought up the issue of class and how it might factor into that opposition.

I wanted to share Al’s comment with a wider audience:

Opposition of these sort to bike facilities seems at first completely irrational. We as urban cyclists know that bicycles provide a viable, even necessary alternative to personal motorized transport. Others resist this: why?

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silver Raleigh Talus 2.0 2010

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Year: 2010
Brand: Raleigh
Model: Talus 2.0
Color:silver
Size:SM/16
Serial: U93U78893
Stolen in Portland, OR 97214
Stolen:2011-05-16
Stolen From: SE 29th and Washington, at our home
Neighborhood: Sunnyside
Owner: Amanda Hirscht
OwnerEmail: amameow@hotmail.com
Description: Front and back fenders, front light mount, water bottle cage, bike lock mount on handle bars, bell on right handlebar, 2 stickers on frame.
Police record with: PPD
Police reference#: 11-39839
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Red Novara Arriba 2000

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Year: 2000
Brand: Novara
Model: Arriba
Color:Red
Size:XL
Serial: F-8300090266
Stolen in Portland, OR 97212
Stolen:2011-05-15
Stolen From: Detached garage
Neighborhood: Alameda/Irvington
Owner: Scott Schaerer
OwnerEmail: scottschaerer@yahoo.com
Reward: 40
Description: Shimano grip shifters, Blackburn saddlebag rack, RST shocks, Ritchey handlebars and seat post.
Police record with: Portland
Police reference#: 11039843
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

The Monday News Roundup

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Here’s a look at bike news from around the country and the world:

– Tragedy struck during the Giro d’Italia, a famous, long-distance professional bike race. Closer to home, the Tour of California canceled its first stage due to snow.

– It’s Bike to Work Week, and rising gas prices have led to increased interest in bicycling, as well as scrutiny of various barriers and improvements. People thinking about starting to commute for the first time are given some sage advice.

– Speaking of high gas prices, bike sales are up 9% in the first quarter of 2011. Scooters are doing pretty well, too.

– In DC, bike advocates quietly reach out to lower-income neighborhoods, and it seems to be working.

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Green (original) Mt Shasta Hybrid 1993

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Year: 1993
Brand: Mt Shasta
Model: Hybrid
Color:Green (original)
Stolen in Portland, OR 97213
Stolen:2011-05-14
Stolen From: sidewalk bike rack at 42nd St Transit station-west side of 24 hour fitness. Chain lock cut
Neighborhood: Hollywood
Owner: William McNamee
OwnerEmail: wdmhak@gmail.com
Reward: $50
Description: 26″ with ugly front whitewall (yellow/brown)new rear tire (black), distinct bright yellow left brake cable, aluminum rear rack, upright handlebars, flimsy plastic fenders, black seat
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: T11003294
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

16.5 Trek 830 1995

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Year: 1995
Brand: Trek
Model: 830
Color:16.5
Size:Blue/Violet
Serial: GW402919
Stolen in Portland, OR 97230
Stolen:2011-05-13
Stolen From: Elaine Station
123 NE 172ND AVE
Portland, OR 97230
Neighborhood: One block from the Max line on Burnside
Owner: Patti Noonan
OwnerEmail: cloverpoetry@yahoo.com
Description: Gel seat, yellow sticker from registration with Tempe, Arizona police
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: T11003290
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Silver/Black Specialized hardrock 1999

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Year: 1999
Brand: Specialized
Model: hardrock
Color:Silver/Black
Size:22inch frame
Serial: PV804205
Stolen in Portland, OR 97217
Stolen:2011-05-14
Stolen From: In front of Kenton Library – 8226 N. Denverand N. McClellan
Neighborhood: Kenton
Owner: Scott Shlaes
OwnerEmail: scottshlaes@gmail.com
Reward: $50 and dessert of your choice
Description: Mountain bike adapted to be commuter: Silver with black and red lettering, climbing handle bar extensions, toe clips, short seat, black back rack, silver wheel covers/spray guards, blue ortlieb pannier
Police record with: PORTLAND
Police reference#: Oregon
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

PBOT announces public meeting to discuss bike/walk projects

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This just in from PBOT:

The Portland Bureau of Transportation will convene a public meeting to receive input on potential applications for federal transportation funds for bicycle and pedestrian projects under Metro’s Regional Flexible Funds (RFF) program. The meeting is scheduled for June 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. in Room B of The Portland Building at 1120 SW Fifth Avenue.

Metro forecasts that $70.7 million in federal Surface Transportation Program and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program funds will be allocated to the Portland region in fiscal years 2014 and 2015. While some of these funds have already been dedicated to construction of rail transit projects or will fund other transportation programs, $22.5 million is available for local projects. Of that amount $16.9 million is designated for Active Transportation and Complete Streets projects, which are projects that add or improve facilities for bicycling and walking and access to transit. Portland will receive approximately $6.6 million of Active Transportation and Complete Streets project funding.

Projects must meet the criteria described in Metro’s 2014-15 project nomination process guidelines. These guidelines and further information about the regional allocation process can be downloaded from www.oregonmetro.gov/regionalflexiblefund (also attached).

Beginning in January 2011, City staff has been working with two standing City committees to identify potential projects: the Bicycle Advisory Committee and the Pedestrian Advisory Committee. These committees are comprised of citizens appointed by the Mayor.

City staff has developed five candidate projects based in part on input from the BAC and PAC (attached). At the June 1 meeting, staff will present these projects to a wider audience for consideration and comment. Members of the public will also have the opportunity to suggest alternative projects. On June 17, The City will submit summaries of up to five candidate projects to Metro.

Latest Headlines

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From the Archives

What five people say about living outside along the Springwater path