August 2011 Archives

Commissioner Fritz: No to bike share until “dangerous” bicycling subsides

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Commissioner Amanda Fritz
(Photo © J. Maus)

Portland City Commissioner Amanda Fritz plans to vote against a PBOT request for federal funds that includes a bike share system when it comes in front of Council tomorrow.

Since her winning campaign back in 2008, Fritz has championed “basic services for all 95 neighborhoods” as the pillar of her policy making. Given that, when it was reported yesterday that she would vote no on bike share, I wasn’t completely surprised.

What I am surprised about is that the “basic services first” mantra isn’t the only reason she objects to the bike share project.

Jacob Rathe
(Photo: Pat Malach/Oregon Cycling Action)

Remember Jacob Rathe?

He’s the local bike racer we caught up with three years ago (when he was just 17) prior to racing in the Junior World Championships in South Africa for Team USA.

Rathe, now 20, has moved far beyond the Junior ranks. One day after taking a stage win at the Volta a Portugal on Saturday, news broke that Rathe had signed a one year contract with the Garmin-Cervelo — one of only three UCI World Tour teams based in the U.S. That’s not some under-23 or junior development squad; that’s Garmin’s “A-squad” (as one insider put it) that finished first in the team competition at this year’s Tour de France.

Not even 24 hours has passed and the Portland Bureau of Transportation’s (PBOT) decision to include bike share in a federal funding request is already facing opposition — and some of it is coming from unlikely places.

But, while this bike share funding decision is poised to become just the latest bike-related political/media punching bag, supporters of the project are confident and feel that the time is right to move forward.

At issue is whether or not a large-scale bike-sharing system deserves funding priority over other, more traditional biking and walking safety projects. Bike share is on a $6.6 million list of three active transportation projects that PBOT hopes to get adopted by City Council tomorrow. Not on that list is the SW Barbur Boulevard Streetscape project, which would improve a street that has claimed two lives in the last year and that many neighborhood activists have been working on for years.

Year: 1990
Brand: Bridgestone
Model: RB-1
Color:Small
Size:White/black
Stolen in Portland, OR 97211
Stolen:2011-08-13
Stolen From: NE Going and 10th, portland 97211
Neighborhood: Close to Alberta st. and the Bye and Bye.
Owner: Robjn West
OwnerEmail: Avocadoeater@gmail.com
Reward: $100
Description: White road bike with diagonal black stripes. White seat, bright green drop bars. Wireless cateye computer, brass and black bell, cateye light mount. Shimano components, silver rack with rear light.
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 11-154383
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Job: Part Time Bike Mechanic (Go By Bike Shop)

Job Title
Part Time Bike Mechanic

Company/Organization
Go By Bike Shop

Job Description
We are looking for a friendly mechanic to join our new bike repair team.

The Go By Bike Shop is a bike repair cart located next to the tram at South Waterfront. Two part-time shifts are available.

The ideal candidate will have at least 2 years of bike shop mechanic experience, and preferably hold a certification from UBI.

Pay is based on experience level.

How to Apply
Please send a resume to kielij [at] gmail [dot] com

Turquoise blue Univega Superstar

Brand: Univega
Model: Superstar
Color:Turquoise blue
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1887275019010&set=a.1359934555828.52923.1155470980&type=1&theater
Stolen in Portland, OR 97210
Stolen:2011-08-13
Stolen From: In front of apartment at 23rd and Marshall in Northwest Portland
Neighborhood: Northwest
Owner: Audrey Forbes
OwnerEmail: audrey.forbes@gmail.com
Reward: TBD
Description: Turquoise blue univega mixte, black handlebars, silver front brake levers, black seat, black rear rack, silver bell near right handlebar
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 11-69840
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

Silver Gary Fisher Monona

Brand: Gary Fisher
Model: Monona
Color:Silver
Serial:WTU021C0959C
Stolen in Portland, OR 97214
Stolen:2011-08-14
Stolen From: SE 38th Ave & SE Stephens St (backyard of residence)
Neighborhood: Richmond
Owner: Gene Merrill
OwnerEmail: gene@personaltelco.net
Description: Silver Men’s Gary Fisher Monona, mountain bike style, street tires. No accessories other than mount for U-lock.
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 11-154409
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Cycle track coming soon to site of fatal hit-and-run

View of SE Division where a fatal collision occurred last week. Note SE 87th in the upper left hand corner.

Casey Martell of Rose Pedals Pedicabs gives a few kids a free ride during the Alberta Street Fair on Saturday.
(Photos © J. Maus)

[Publisher’s note: Thanks to the non-profit Community Vision and their annual Harvest Century (October 8th) for support of the Monday Roundup! – JM.]

Here’s the bike news from around the world that caught my eye this week:

– The ban on bicycling in the casino town of Black Hawk, Colorado is now headed to that state’s Supreme Court.

– In preparation for a bike sharing system in Tel Aviv, Israel has adjusted its helmet law so that adults may legally ride helmetless in cities.

– A woman in Harare, Zimbabwe starts riding a bike, and shares her thoughts. “I was no longer a hostage to religion, tradition or men. I was free. On my bicycle I felt like I was in a room of my own.”

– It’s unclear if we really needed an in-depth look into the carbon footprint of bicycle transportation, but here one is anyway.

Year: 2009
Brand: Novara
Model: Divano
Color:Red
Size:48 Cm
Serial: U91K1-7220
Stolen in Seattle, WA 98146
Stolen:2011-08-13
Stolen From: Portland, Ore
Owner: Danita Dunlap
OwnerEmail: dunlaptoolanddie@comcast.net
Description: Red 2009 Novara Divano, Bike lock cut and bike stolen from the original owner while visiting Portland.
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Commissioner Fritz: No to bike share until “dangerous” bicycling subsides

20 year old local racer Jacob Rathe, signs major pro team contract

As opposition grows, supporters defend bike share funding decision

Small Bridgestone RB-1 1990

Job: Part Time Bike Mechanic (Go By Bike Shop)

Turquoise blue Univega Superstar

Silver Gary Fisher Monona

Cycle track coming soon to site of fatal hit-and-run

‘Bicycle living’ on Alberta Street

The Monday Roundup

Red Novara Divano 2009

Latest Headlines

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PBOT staffer brought to tears after questioning from city councilors

Feds pitch in $250,000 for Cesar Chavez road diet

Oregon House Rep Travis Nelson airs concerns about North Willamette Blvd project

From the Archives

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