Proposed alignment of the new trail from a City of Tigard leaflet
The City of Tigard (COT) has announced plans to close a gap in the Fanno Creek Trail located about 10 miles south of downtown Portland along Highway 99.
Month: January 2012
Obama tourism initiative has Oregon (and biking) connection
Todd Davidson.
(Photo: PureTravelNW)
(Photo: PureTravelNW)
President Obama announced a new initiative yesterday aimed at boosting U.S. tourism. With an eye on job creation and economic stimulus, the White House unveiled a host of strategies to make it easier to visit the U.S. and encourage cities and states across the country to roll out the welcome mat.
The man picked to lead the effort is none other than Travel Oregon CEO Todd Davidson. According to a statement released today by Travel Oregon, Davidson has been selected for the post by U.S. Secretary of Commerce John Bryson.
This news is not only validation for the work Travel Oregon has done to make Oregon a premiere travel destination, it also bodes very well for raising the profile of bike tourism in Oregon and beyond.
BTA launches privately funded ‘Jump Start’ program – UPDATED
Training for a lifetime of bike rides
(Photo courtesy of the BTA)
(Photo courtesy of the BTA)
Remember the old saying, “If you give someone a fish, they will eat for a day. Teach a person to fish and they will eat for a lifetime”?
The Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) is applying the idea in their Walk+Bike Jump Start program by training teachers in bike safety curriculum and giving schools a fleet of bikes to use for a full year. What makes this new program even more interesting though, is that the equipment for the program is being purchased with private donations instead of the state and federal grants the BTA usually relies on.
The BTA has partnered with the Gresham-Barlow School District and other organizations for a pilot of the program which will launch in September.
Video: East Portland pump track proves popular with kids
Breathless and tired from riding,
this kid is why pump tracks rule.
(Still from video – Watch it below)
this kid is why pump tracks rule.
(Still from video – Watch it below)
I just watched a video that, in just over one minute, makes the case for pump tracks better than anything I’ve ever read, seen, or heard. The video (watch it below) was shot by Northwest Trail Alliance President Tom Archer back in September and uploaded to the City’s website a few days ago. It shows a swarm of kids devouring the newly built Ventura Park Pump Track out in East Portland.
If you have a heart and you love bikes, I will guarantee this is the best thing you will watch all week…
Lighter greyish blue Raleigh Grand Prix mid-80s
Year: mid-80s
Brand: Raleigh
Model: Grand Prix
Color:Lighter greyish blue
Size:30″ stand-over height or 55cm seat-tub
Stolen in Portland, OR 97202
Stolen:2012-01-19
Stolen From: From my front porch, in broad daylight, just east of SE 13th and Lambert
Neighborhood: Sellwood
Owner: Joe CLement
OwnerEmail: joe@oregonhunger.org
Reward: $50
Description: It’s a 10-speed road bike with drop-bars and “bar-end” shifters. There’s a aluminum Brayburn rack on the back, with a U-lock attached to it by a black bungie. Red/black handle-bar tape with gash on right side under brakes from a spill.
Police reference#: T12000605
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike
City kicks off planning process for North Portland Greenway
A few pieces of the future
path already exist.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)
path already exist.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)
The City of Portland Parks & Recreation bureau has announced the beginning of the North Portland Greenway Trail Alignment Project — launching a 14 month process similar to the one they’re doing for the Sullivan’s Gulch Project.
When complete, the process will (hopefully) turn a 10-mile long, non-motorized path that will extend the northern end of the Eastbank Esplanade to the Columbia River, from dream to reality.
This is big news for a big project that has been many years in the making. Over six years ago I recall attending the very first public meeting of this project. It was hosted by citizen volunteers calling themselves, “Friends of the Greenway.” That group morphed into the full-fledged non-profit “npGreenway” which is still going strong today. npGreenway did a ton of heavy lifting to advocate for this project and bring it to where it is today.
From the Forums: Should I worry about rust on my bike?
[Note from publisher: Before Will shares a post from the Portland Bike Forums, I need to address a few things: Our server expert and I are currently working on issues with the forums related to spam user accounts. None of these accounts are visible, but hundreds of thousands of them have been created and they are taxing our servers. Because of that, I sometimes disable new user sign-ups. If you’ve signed up or would like to sign up, please be patient while we correct these spam/server issues. Thanks — Jonathan Maus]
Rust happens.
(Photo © J. Maus)
(Photo © J. Maus)
It’s been a while since we mentioned the Portland Bike Forums (We’ve got forums? Yes!); but a thread popped up which I think is relevant for a lot of people this time of year.
Bikes with steel frames will rust when they’re left out in the rain and snow. One small area of exposed steel can be a starting point for oxidation and once rust starts it can be tough to stop. Thankfully, our very smart and helpful forum members have discussed this issue and have some tips you might be interested in…
‘Cross Up’ indoor cyclocross event coming to The Lumberyard
The Lumberyard is still a work
in progress, but you can catch a glimpse
of it at “Cross Up.”
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)
in progress, but you can catch a glimpse
of it at “Cross Up.”
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)
Winter weather got you down? Then perhaps “Cross Up,” an indoor cyclocross race being put together by Amanda Sundvor of Backyard Blam, will deliver you from the doldrums.
Cross Up will be tournament style races with two riders going shoulder-to-shoulder in each heat. Racers will ride customized Raleigh Furley singlespeed cyclocross bikes with flat bars, big tires and platform pedals. Amanda and her Backyard Blam crew have devised a course that will include some jumps, rollers, berms and barriers. Whether you like catching air or if you prefer to stay earth-bound, Amanda says the course will be a ton of fun for novice and experienced riders alike.
black/blue Specialized Tricross 2010
Year: 2010
Brand: Specialized
Model: Tricross
Color:black/blue
Size:49cm
Photo: http://screencast.com/t/zmzRqKAFo
Stolen in Portland, OR 97205
Stolen:2012-01-17
Stolen From: Galleria Building, 600 SW 10th Ave. Portland, OR 97205. NE glass corner of the building where the entrance to Le Cordon Bleu culinary school is.
Neighborhood: SW Downtown Portland
Owner: Jennifer Phillips
OwnerEmail: jenny.s.phillips@gmail.com
Reward: 350.00
Description: Black & blue bike w/ tricross brakes. Black Novara water bottle holder. Black fenders. Black rack. Red light attached to rack on back. Back bell on front right along with light attachment (no light). FRAME number EN14781 but this is not the serial #. -bhance, sbr
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 12-105411
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike
City of Sherwood amends public place bike ban ordinance
At a public hearing on Tuesday, Sherwood police and city councilors clarified the purpose of a proposed city ordinance that prohibited the use of bicycles and other “wheeled activities” within 30 feet of a public space. According to officials, the ordinance is not aimed directly at bicycles nor will it apply to all areas of the town.
A late-night rendezvous with snow-filled streets
It didn’t stick around long, but it sure was pretty. (Photos taken in North Portland near Rosa Parks Way and Interstate Ave.)