Month: November 2011

Dispatch from Europe: Bikeway innovations abound in Malmö

— This guest article was written by Denver Igarta. Denver is a transportation planner with the City of Portland who’s on a study trip in Europe funded by the German Marshall Fund.

Welcome to the land of innovation.
(Photos: Denver Igarta)

Malmö, Sweden is the place bikeway inventions are born.

The city its first bicycle plan way back when I was two years old (1976 if you’re wondering). Even before that time, they have been leading the charge to create bicycle-friendly communities. It was back in the 1960s when they decided to invest in a system of segregated cycle tracks on major roadways. It must be strange for them to hear bicycle planners from other cities talk about their “breakthroughs” in bikeway design. Oh yes, we did that over 20 years ago, might be the response.

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Advocacy and other happenings this week

Evan Schneider will read from
his new book tonight at Powell’s.

Below is a menu of advocacy opportunities and other events around the Portland region this week.

Tuesday, November 22

Clark County Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee
6:00 to 8:00 pm, Clark County Community Health Building (1601 E. Fourth Plain Boulevard, Room 210, Vancouver WA)
This month’s agenda includes a 40 minute presentation and discussion on the Columbia River Crossing, and goal-setting for next year. Do you want to see bike and ped issues advance in Clark County and Vancouver? Consider coming to the meeting. More info.

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Royal Blue Kona Jake the Snake 2010

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2010
Brand: Kona
Model: Jake the Snake
Color:Royal Blue
Size:47cm
Serial: F1007k00556
Stolen in Portland, OR 97232
Stolen:2011-11-22
Stolen From: convention center on MLK blvd. Portland, Or
Neighborhood: NE
Owner: Maryann McCormick
OwnerEmail: scrap9@comcast.net
Reward: yes
Description: shimano 105, blue with black Kona on down tube,
detachable plastic rear fender, front light, pump on downtube
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 11-101217
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Portland company is U.S. distributor of ‘Early Rider’ balance bikes

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Bicycle Retailer & Industry News reported today that Portland-based Cyclone Bicycle Supply is now the exclusive U.S. distributor of Early Rider balance bikes:

Early Rider, based in Henley, England, produces a line of wood-framed balance bikes that feature pneumatic tires on aluminum rims, sealed hub bearings and a fully adjustable seat.

“Our ambition is to get every child mobile, without using stabilizers,” said Early Rider founder Andy Loveland. “We have combined British innovation with West Coast style and world-leading manufacturing.”

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Record numbers for Crusade series as cyclocross growth continues

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

The popularity of cyclocross
continues to grow.
(Photos © J. Maus)

The numbers are in and they show another year of very healthy growth for the Cross Crusade cyclocross race series. According to a tally by Oregon Bicycle Racing Association officials, 9,542 people participated in the series this year — that’s over 800 more than last year.

For a wider perspective on how much cyclocross has grown in Portland, in 2005, the Crusade series had just 3,579 participants.

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BTA Beat: Open house shows off cool bikes, good food, new office

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

The Noll family.
(Photos: Will Vanlue)

The Bicycle Transportation Alliance opened its new offices (618 NW Glisan St) to the public last week for an evening of food, bicycles, and fun. The evening featured hors d’oeuvres from Madison’s Grill and beer from Hopworks.

Guests also got to meet local bike builders and get an up-close look at award-winning Oregon Manifest entries from Pereira Cycles, Tsunehiro Cycles, Cielo Cycles, and Signal Cycles.

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Drk gray Gary fisher Mendoza 2007

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2007
Brand: Gary fisher
Model: Mendoza
Color:Drk gray
Size:Small
Serial: Wtu351c2300b
Stolen in Portland, OR 97215
Stolen:2011-11-22
Stolen From: Taken from garage
Neighborhood: Mt.Tabor
Owner: Aaron Pendland
OwnerEmail: Pendland@gmail.com
Reward: Yes
Description: Black bike rack, locking pin on front wheel and special bracket on back wheel for Burley
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: T11008622
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Silver/gray Gary fisher Utopia 2006 – Recovered

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Please note: This bike has been recovered!

Year: 2006
Brand: Gary fisher
Model: Utopia
Color:Silver/gray
Size:Lrg
Serial:C16as205
Stolen in Portland, OR 97215
Stolen:2011-11-22
Stolen From: Garage at home
Neighborhood: Mt. Tabor
Owner: Aaron Pendland
OwnerEmail: Pendland@gmail.com
Reward: Yes
Description: Silver bike rack, locking pins on front wheel and post. Attachment on back wheel for burley.
Police record with: Portland pd
Police reference#: 11.101527
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Wet and windy commute: Did you ride? Stay dry?

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

A wet Esplanade.
(Photo © J. Maus)

This morning was by far the wettest and windiest ride I’ve had into work all year. And you?

Despite my best attempt to stay dry, I arrived at my office pretty much soaked through the lower half of my body. I knew it might happen (my J & G rain paints stopped being waterproof months ago) so I brought an extra pair of pants.

My four mile ride from North Portland into downtown was pretty lonely. I didn’t see many other bikes out there. The conditions must be scaring folks away. Can’t blame them I guess. As I rode over the Broadway Bridge, strong wind gusts made me swerve a bit and I was pedaling hard even on the downhill.

Here’s what people shared with us via Twitter this morning…

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57 orbea onix T105 2010

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2010
Brand: orbea
Model: onix T105
Color:57
Size:white/blue trim
Stolen in Portland, OR 97206
Stolen:2011-11-06
Stolen From: Bike rack at Cascadia, 2415 se 43rd ave.
Neighborhood: Area naroud Division and low 40’s.
Owner: bruce russell
OwnerEmail: barmd2@hotmail.com
Reward: $250 cash–NQA
Description: Gorgeous, six month-old Orbea carbon road bike with Shimano 105 gruppo. Platform pedals, Cateye computer on handlebar, after-market black fenders. White Selaa Italia saddle and white tape.
Police record with: PPB
Police reference#: not available at posting
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Black, White, Yellow Scott Speedster S40 2009

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2009
Brand: Scott
Model: Speedster S40
Color:Black, White, Yellow
Size:XXS
Serial: H9K59187
Photo: http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/402/myscottbike.jpg/
Stolen in Portland, OR 97203
Stolen:2011-11-21
Stolen From: This was stolen from inside my locked garage at N Fairhaven Ave and N Fessenden in St Johns.
Neighborhood: St Johns
Owner: Crystal Warner
OwnerEmail: cdubcrystal@yahoo.com
Reward: $50.00
Description: My bike was stolen out of my garage!!! My locked garage!! Stolen at approx 9am-11am on Monday, 11/21/11. I had 2 bikes stolen, but one was recovered this morning, abandoned on N Midway Ave in St Johns (it was abandoned in someone’s yard, was a Trek Mountain Bike, red and white in color). I filed a Police Report w/ Portland Police: Case#CN-101045. If anyone sees it or has any information about this individual, please email me, or call the Portland Police #503-823-3333. I also have it registered on Portland Stolen Bike Registry! It is Yellow, Black, and White. It has approx 100-150 miles on it. Has a Digital Cateye Strata Odometer on the handlebars, has Alex 28 Race rims, has Shimano clip pedals, has a white seat and white tape on the hnandlebars. Also, has a bag attached under the seat, that has a bike tube and bike tools, also, the Shimano Clipless Pedal on the right side is scratched (I had a bike accident)
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: CN-101045
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

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From the Archives

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