October 2011 Archives

Portland, bikes and the ‘Plenitude Economy’

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

The ‘Plenitude Economy’ concept looks
a lot like Portland.

With the Occupy Wall Street movement continuing to spur discussions across America about a fundamental shift in how we approach our lives and our economy, now seems like a good time to propose a different path.

For many people in Portland, what could be considered a different path to the majority of America has been the reality here for years now.

Today I was forwarded a video about the “Plenitude Economy.” The idea is being promoted by the Center for the New American Dream. If you have 5 minutes, it’s worth watching. After a quick summary of how we got into our current mess, a cool animation explains how we might move forward differently.

Maher at the opening of
a Bike & Ride facility in July 2010.
(Photo: Jim Parsons)

TriMet’s Bicycle and Pedstrian Access planner Colin Maher has accepted a new position in Australia and plans to leave the agency at the end of this month.

Maher, a graduate of Portland State University’s urban and regional planning program, came to TriMet as their bike programs intern back in 2007. He has since become their go-to guy for all things bike, handling everything from controversial policy questions to nuts and bolts planning. His new position will be as Senior Planning in the Office for Cycling and Walking at the South Australia Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure in Adelaide.

Yesterday I asked Colin to reflect on the the past four years and share some of his memories and other insights…

Brand: Miyata
Model: Altitude 650
Color:light blue
Stolen in Portland, OR 97212
Stolen:2011-10-20
Stolen From: Hollywood Fred Meyers, NE Broadway and 30th
Neighborhood: Hollywood
Owner: dan mohrman
OwnerEmail: redwingsilvertail@yahoo.com
Description: Mountain bike, greenish blue, full fenders, bike rack, Miyata frame, gel seat, ergonomic handle bar grips, Kryptonite U-lock if not already removed…
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

black Trek 2007

Year: 2007
Brand: Trek
Color:black
Size:13
Serial:WTU351C0484B
Stolen in Portland, OR 97232
Stolen:2011-10-19
Stolen From: Laurelhurst K-8 School. NE 41nd St & NE Royal. Sidewalk bike racks south side of school.
Neighborhood: Laurelhurst
Owner: charlie shapiro
OwnerEmail: cshapiro@pobox.com
Reward: $50
Description: rear shelf rack over back tire. kick stand. bike/paint in very good shape
Police record with: Portland Police
Police reference#: 11-155863
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Clackamas County backs effort to cash in on bicycle tourism

Detail of flyer for upcoming training event.

Sandy, Estacada, Molalla, West Linn and Wilsonville are among the cities in Clackamas County lining up to learn more about how to position themselves as bicycle touring destinations.

Travel Oregon, an organization that promotes tourism statewide, is co-hosting a ‘Bicycle Tourism Studio’ event on November 8th along with Clackamas County Tourism and Cultural Affairs. The Bicycle Tourism Studio concept is part of Travel Oregon’s focus on tourism development in rural communities. Funded by our state’s 1 percent lodging tax, the initiative aims to train local agencies, governments, and organizations to capitalize on sustainable tourism.

Kristin Dahl is Travel Oregon’s Sustainable Tourism Development Manager. She says Clackamas County has a big advantage over other counties when it comes to bike tourism. “They’ve got public transportation connections to Portland like the MAX line and the Springwater Corridor.”

Yet another company in the bicycle industry has decided to open up shop in Portland.

Planet X, a company based in the UK that owns several bike brands, has moved its North American headquarters to Northeast Portland. Planet X bought Titus Bikes in late 2010 and they also own the On One brand and are the exclusive North American distributors of Guerciotti. According to Rick Kirton, the company’s US sales and marketing manager, they plan to open up a showroom later this month at 57 NE Hancock.

Year: 80′
Brand: Vitus
Model: 979
Color:Red/Silver
Size:52
Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/vondoom/sets/72157627945241596/with/6264705910/
Stolen in Portland, OR 02840
Stolen:2011-10-19
Stolen From: 52nd Ave at Holgate
Neighborhood: Woodstock (ish)
Owner: Taryn Mazza Mazza
OwnerEmail: taryn.mazza@gmail.com
Description: Aluminum Vitus 979 52(ish), crappy saddle, Campy brakes (Campy handlebar grips), single chain ring in front. Mavic wheel set
Police record with: T11007529
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Bike Friday coming to Portland for public test ride event

Just noticed that Eugene-based Bike Friday is headed to Portland for a test ride event this Saturday.

Just thought we’d shoot you a quick reminder that we will be in Portland on Saturday, Oct. 22 from Noon until 4 p.m. (or whenever you’ve had enough!)

Special Projects Manager Raz and Customer Service Rep Michael Macemon will be at the Green Castle Food Court, on the corner of NE 20th and Everett.

There will be specials offered by the food carts at the court, so it should be a great afternoon of good food, good company and good rides.

Raz and Michael will be on hand to answer all your questions about Bike Fridays and allow you the opportunity to take them for a nice test spin.

We want to satisfy your needs, so email Raz to RSVP and let him know what Bike Friday you would like to ride.

Mayor Adams requests state funding for 7 ‘non-highway’ projects

The Oregon Department of Transportation is set to award $21 million to “non-highway” transportation projects throughout the state as per their Flexible Funds program. Of that amount, Portland officials expect about $2.2 million to be awarded locally and today Mayor Sam Adams sent in his list of project requests.

In the last go ’round of this funding pot, ODOT awarded Portland nearly $3 million for two key biking and walking projects — the “Going to the River” project and the SE 122nd Avenue complete street project.

Here are the seven projects that Mayor Adams has requested funding for:

Year: 2010
Brand: Volume
Model: Thrasher
Color:Raw/Grey
Size:53
Photo: http://s3.amazonaws.com/data.tumblr.com/tumblr_lq8ptu46wc1r210sgo1_1280.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAJ6IHWSU3BX3X7X3Q&Expires=1319155861&Signature=SLQkTK%2FiYpiYJXB1Htu9frb56lg%3D
Stolen in Portland, OR 97202
Stolen:2011-10-17
Stolen From: SE 14th & Alder PDX, OR
Neighborhood: Belmont Area
Owner: Kevin Selle
OwnerEmail: selle.kevin@gmail.com
Reward: YES
Description: Raw Volume Thrasher with Matte Black Thrasher Fork
Fixed Gear Freestyle bike with dual 26″ wheels (Blk. Spank rims laced to Blk. Profile hubs w/ blue nipples)
Micheline City (front) Serfas Drifter (back)
Polished Cult Salvation Top-Load Stem
Black 5.5″ S&M Slam Race Bars (mini two-piece bmx style risers) w/ Black Animal Edwin grips
Black Resist Pivotal seat w/ Chrome Resist post
Snafu BMX Splined Drive crankset w/ Volume Splided Spider and Sugino Messenger Chainring
White plastic clip on rear fender
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: T11007503
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

White Scott Speedster S30 2008

Year: 2008
Brand: Scott
Model: Speedster S30
Color:White
Size:Standard men’s
Serial: H8F209587
Stolen in Portland, OR 97209
Stolen:2011-10-19
Stolen From: Underground garage at Tanner Place, on the south end of Jameson Park. NW Johnson St. between 10th and 11th.
Neighborhood: Peral District
Owner: Chris Patterson
OwnerEmail: chris.w.patterson@comcast.net
Reward: $250
Description: Lightly used. Has accessory lights front and rear, small zipper compartment under the seat, and compact tire inflation pump bolted to the frame upright.
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 11-155832
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Riders find strip of tacks glued across bike lane on Marine Drive

Strip of tacks found in Marine Drive bike lane.
(Photos: Jeremy Dunn)

Last Saturday, Portlander Jeremy Dunn and a friend were riding westbound on NE Marine Drive when they noticed a piece of debris in the bike lane in front of them.

Luckily they avoided it because upon further inspection, they noticed it was a strip of tar paper with thumbtacks pushed through it. Dunn is convinced the paper and tacks were put there with the intention of flatting bicycle tires.

When he sent in an email and photos about it, I asked why he felt it was a malicious act. Couldn’t it have simply been some roofing project debris that fell off a truck?

“No way,” replied Dunn, “they were thumbtacks that were pushed through a piece of tar paper and then glued (with tar) perpendicularly across the bike lane.” Here’s another photo sent in by Dunn…

Portland, bikes and the ‘Plenitude Economy’

TriMet’s bike access planner Colin Maher to leave at end of month

light blue Miyata Altitude 650

black Trek 2007

Clackamas County backs effort to cash in on bicycle tourism

With Titus in their pocket, Planet X sets up shop in Portland

Red/Silver Vitus 979 80′

Bike Friday coming to Portland for public test ride event

Mayor Adams requests state funding for 7 ‘non-highway’ projects

Raw/Grey Volume Thrasher 2010

White Scott Speedster S30 2008

Riders find strip of tacks glued across bike lane on Marine Drive

Latest Headlines

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Weekend Event Guide: Birds by bike, block party, flute fun, and more

Checking in after my knee operation

From the Archives

More biking = better driving. So why isn’t this said more often?