Month: October 2011

General Motors: An apology… and an opportunity?

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

“We’re in the business of transportation… we are looking at other modes of transportation because not everybody wants to get around in a vehicle and not everyone needs to own a car.”
— Tom Henderson, GM Media Relations

Last night I got a phone call from General Motors’ self-described “PR Guy” Tom Henderson (actual title is Manager, Cross Brand Communications and Media Relations). I had mentioned I wanted to talk with someone from GM about their “Stop pedaling… start driving” ad and Henderson was the guy who came forward.

Our conversation happened before Mark Degnan, Director of Local Advertising and Marketing for GM, posted a statement about the ad on the company’s “Fast Lane” blog (which has since been unanimously panned by commenters).

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A closer look at bike projects coming soon to East Portland

If all goes well, this will become
a more frequent sight in East Portland.
(Photo © J. Maus)

As we shared on Wednesday, the Portland Bureau of Transportation is ready to roll on a set of projects that are likely to give a major jolt to the anemic active transportation network in East Portland.

The draft East Portland in Motion implementation strategy an impressive body of work that combines PBOT’s strengths in bikeway engineering, a collaborative planning approach, and their commitment to fund projects that aren’t car-centric. It’s also noteworthy for the level of knowledge and engagement brought to the table by citizen groups like the East Portland Action Plan bike subcommittee (a.k.a. EPAPBike).

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Teal Specialized Allez 199?

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Year: 199?
Brand: Specialized
Model: Allez
Color:Teal
Size:14 or 15 inch frame
Stolen in Portland, OR 97232
Stolen:2011-10-13
Stolen From: directly outside of Pine State Biscuits 3640 Southeast Belmont Street
Neighborhood: se belmont
Owner: Eva Schifter
OwnerEmail: evaschifter@gmail.com
Reward: $100
Description: The bike is Teal with Yellow lettering and purple bar tape. There is a green stripe all around the tires. There is a dent in the downtube about the size of a silver dollar. Please contact me if you have any info 541-490-6745.
Police record with: Portland police bureau
Police reference#: 11-155698
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Security concerns, drug-use along Springwater Corridor give some riders pause

East Sunday Parkways-30

The Springwater at I-205.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Far from just a recreational trail, the Springwater Corridor is a vital active transportation route for thousands of Portlanders. Unfortunately, it’s also a place many people don’t feel safe bicycling through. In the past few weeks I’ve heard a growing number of concerned citizens who feel like certain sections of the Springwater in Southeast Portland are becoming too crime-ridden and dangerous to travel through.

Heidi Swift, who writes the Grit & Glimmer bike blog and writes a column in The Oregonian told us she was bicycling on the Springwater and almost ran into someone who came “stumbling out of the bushes.” “I never take it when it’s dark,” she added, “It’s really dicey back there and I definitely don’t feel safe.” Swift says the area between SE Bell Avenue and 82nd (where you turn off Johnson Creek Blvd) is the worst. “When I’m riding through that section at dusk or dark, I think about all the self-defense skills I know: my voice, fighting from the ground, my proximity to help, etc. I’m on full guard. It’s a shame, because it’s such a useful path.”

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Giant remakes GM ad and other reactions to the story

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Detail of Giant Bicycles response
to GM ad.
-See it below-

It’s been two days since we first shared the “Stop pedaling… Start driving.” General Motors ad and the story — and the ad itself — is still getting a lot of attention. GM themselves has responded by saying they’ll pull the ad out of rotation, several people (and one bike company) have offered their own versions of the ad, the national and local media has taken an interest, and the story has spurred an interesting discussion about the state — and the style — of bike advocacy in America.

Not long after word of the ad spread, GM began apologizing profusely about it via their Twitter stream. They said the “didn’t mean to offend,” that it was created with the help of students, and that they were open to the feedback and working on changes. Then the Los Angeles reported that GM decided to pull the ad saying that, “We respect bikers and many of us here are cyclists.”

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PGE work will close several sections of Springwater for one week

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Closures start tomorrow (10/14) and last one week. Check the press release below for info:

PGE upgrade work to temporarily affect Springwater Trail

WHAT: Portland General Electric is upgrading electrical equipment along the Springwater Trail that will temporarily affect bicycle and pedestrian traffic.

WHERE: Detours will be in place between SE Bell Ave. at SE Johnson Creek Blvd to SE 82nd Ave; SE 82nd Ave to SE 92nd Ave; and SE 92nd Ave to SE Foster Rd.

WHEN: Friday, Oct. 14 – Friday, Oct. 21

WHY: This upgrade work is part of PGE’s ongoing effort to improve service and reliability for its customers.

Job: Mechanic/Sales Person (Lucky 13 Bikes)

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Sorry. This job has been filled. See more jobs here.

Job Title
mechanic / sales person

Company/Organization
Lucky13bikes

Job Description
We are looking for a trustworthy and dependable person with bike shop experience.
We are a full service shop, so the right person will be able to handle tune-ups, bike builds, and a myriad of repairs with confidence. Wheel building, suspension, and disc brake knowledge is a plus. Other general sales duties include helping customers with new bikes, parts, and accessories. The ideal person will be able to work both with and without supervision. Salary commensurate with experience.

How to Apply
please send resume to lucky13bikes (at) gmail (dot) com or drop it off in person at 5020 se division

Silver/Baby Blue Specialized Dolce Comp 2006

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2006
Brand: Specialized
Model: Dolce Comp
Color:Silver/Baby Blue
Size:Medium
Photo: http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/822/bikez.jpg/
Stolen in Portland, OR 97209
Stolen:2011-10-12
Stolen From: NW 13th and Everett
Owner: Kate Daniel
OwnerEmail: s.katedaniel@gmail.com
Reward: $150
Description: Specialized Dolce Comp silver/blue, shimano ultegra and other components, white grip tape, two silver water bottle holsters, small black saddle pack, two headlight & taillight holders.
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 1188934
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

green Bianchi Volpe circ

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: circ
Brand: Bianchi
Model: Volpe
Color:green
Stolen in Portland, OR 97214
Stolen:2011-10-13
Stolen From: From the bike rack at Aprende Con Amigos Preschool. Interstate and Sumner
Neighborhood: North Portland
Owner: Diana Rempe
OwnerEmail: dianarempe@gmail.com
Reward: yes
Description: Tires are bright red and brand new. Terry butterfly seat.
Police record with: PPD
Police reference#: 1188892
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

City ready to roll with projects to improve biking and walking in East Portland

Ellen Vanderslice of PBOT presented
the report at a meeting last night.
(Photos © J. Maus)

The Portland Bureau of Transportation has released the public draft of their East Portland in Motion report, a five year strategy that sets a blueprint for improving biking and walking conditions in East Portland.

Work on the report has taken place over the past year through a variety of public meetings and surveys. The purpose, says a Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) statement, is to, “create a seamless network of accessible trails, sidewalks and bikeways that enable active transportation in the community.”

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