Month: January 2012

Opinion: Sticking up for Sunday Parkways

Sunday Parkways SE-12-11

Yes it’s a party, but it’s not
all fun and games.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

Remember the flap about Sunday Parkways at City Council last week? After listening to the full audio of the meeting, I feel like it deserves a second look — not only for the policy debate but for the way the story was covered and reacted to in the local media.

To quickly recap: A standard vendor contract relating to Sunday Parkways was on the agenda and Commissioner Dan Saltzman used it as an opportunity to debate budget priorities. He said that while Sunday Parkways is a “fun” event, it’s not more important than funding street paving or biking and walking improvements. (Note: The city doesn’t think so either, that’s why the proposed budget still includes millions in paving and road projects.)

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The Monday Roundup

Bike share programs are the “gateway drug”
to bicycling, according to one news editor.
(Photo: Will Vanlue)

Here’s the news that caught our eyes this past week…

– Another one bites the dust… After doing a little reasearch, city officials in Ottawa recently determined the cost of implementing bicycling licensing will outweigh the benefits of such a program. They concluded that implementing the program would present “limited benefits and significant challenges” while also introducing “a significant barrier to cycling.

– Commuting on a bicycle will continue to be an economic gain over driving if the price of gas stays high or continues to rise. CNN’s Fareed Zakaria explains why politics, not direct supply-and-demand, is likely to keep the price of oil high for some time to come.

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silver novara method 1.0 2008

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Year: 2008
Brand: novara
Model: method 1.0
Color:silver
Size:26
Stolen in Lake oswego, OR 97034
Stolen:2012-01-15
Stolen From: Premier Press parking lot
510 NW 15th Ave + Glisan
Neighborhood: Pearl
Owner: Mark Richards
OwnerEmail: 14sdad@gmail.com
Reward: $100
Description: blue colored pivot piece on rear shock assembly
lobos tires
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 12-4447
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Snowbomb!? Why you should Zoobomb tonight

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Just read a funny/worthwhile message on the Shift email list. It’s from our friend/man about town Carl Larson and it’s a plea to join him on the hill tonight for what will likely be very cold and invigorating night of Zoobombing:

If YOU haven’t been Zoobombing in months or EVER (repent!), tonight just might be your night!

Here are a few reasons why you should Zoobomb tonight:

1) It’s Sunday and Zoobombing only happens on Sunday.
2) Maybe you don’t have to work tomorrow thanks to MLK Jr.?
3) It might snow and that would be AWESOME!

I’ve invited some friends who’ve never Zoobombed before and here is the plan if you’d like to join us:
8pm — Pregame at the NEW Sizzle Pie (formerly Rocco’s) at 10th and SW Oak
9pm — Meetup (and get a “pyle bike” if you want one) at The Pyle, SW 13th and Burnside
10pm — If you don’t want to meet at the Pyle, make sure you’re getting off MAX at Washington Park by 10. Follow the people with bikes.

Things to keep in mind: You don’t have to go fast. You can ride your own bike (but a little one’s WAY more fun). It’s safe. You can be home before midnight.

Suggested packing list: Warm clothes (prepare for standing around), shareable snacks or drinks, good lights, styrofoam hat, open mind, $2.10.

Kiyo Miyazawa, bottecchia, bianchi 1980

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Year: 1980
Brand: Kiyo Miyazawa, bottecchia, bianchi
Photo: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150693954934951&set=a.470428149950.253178.694384950&type=1&theater
Stolen in Portland, OR 97232
Stolen:2012-01-15
Stolen From: Del Ray 2555 NE Glisan Portland, OR
Owner: Zack Teachout
OwnerEmail: zack@hovercraftstudio.com
Description: STOLEN BIKE ALERT
Three bikes were stolen last night from inside of my secured building.

When: last night, Jan 15, between midnight and 9am
Where: from inside of the Del Ray building on NE 26th & Glisan
Reward: cash reward for 1, 2 or all 3 bikes. (most interested in the Bottecchia and Kiyo being returned)
Contact: Zack Teachout, 857-719-1649, zack@hovercraftstudio.com

1983 Bottecchia Professional, 50cm
– Neon green & neon purple
– period campy components
– black bar wrap with Bontrager plugs
– white tires
– photo of frame attached for reference, this is not actual bike.

1980’s Kiyo Miyazawa track frame, 50CM
– dark gray with blue decals, has a crimp in top tube and down tube, japanese characters on top tube (decal)
– this was not a complete build and parts were hand tight – easily stripped for sale.
– gold HplusSon rims laced to suzue pro max hubs
– gold nitto stem, heavily faded
– gold nitto risers
– photo of actual bike in state it was stolen below

2002 Bianchi Brava, 52cm
– Dark blue with teal decals
– Original componenets (teal saddle/bar wrap/tires, all Shimano Sora)
– Serial Number etched into drive side seat post by previous owner (in process of getting that / confirming location)
– photo of similar bike in original condition attached
Police record with: Yes
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Man recounts hammer-wielding road rage attack in NE Portland

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“… guy jumps out passenger door and yells “are you getting lippy with me ******?” and charges at me with… a hammer.”

Late this afternoon, several readers brought a Reddit post titled, Got attacked by 2 dudes in a white van on Thurs in NE, to my attention. It’s a harrowing tale that warrants everyone’s attention.

Here’s the post:

“I was riding my bike to a 4pm class on Sumner in NE. I came to the stop sign at NE 17th and a white van slowly came up to the intersection and stopped. They had the right of way, so I pointed at the stop sign. They both looked at me kinda blankly so I pointed with both hands at the sign and said “look, I have a stop sign, you can go!”

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Chariot child trailers recalled

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If you own a Chariot trailer, please read the recall notice posted today by the CPSC:

Chariot Carriers Recalls Child Bicycle Trailers and Conversion Kits Due to Injury Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Chariot bicycle trailers and bicycle trailer conversion kits

Units: About 44,000 bicycle trailers and 70,000 bicycle trailer conversion kits

Manufacturer: Thule Child Transport Systems Ltd., d/b/a Chariot Carriers, of Calgary, Canada

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Black Globe Vienna 1 2008

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Year: 2008
Brand: Globe
Model: Vienna 1
Color:Black
Size:49 cm
Serial: WUD 8438754
Photo: http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/381/summersglobe.jpg
Stolen in Milwaukie, OR 97222
Stolen:2012-01-13
Stolen From: 10414 SE 24th Ave, just off Harrison
Neighborhood: Historic Milwaukie
Owner: Chantelle Gamba
OwnerEmail: chantelle@markgamba.com
Reward: $50
Description: Totally stock Specialized Globe girl’s bike. Unique in that there is nothing unique about it.
Police record with: Milwaukie PD
Police reference#: 12-1065
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Red Cannondale Super V1000 1997

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Year: 1997
Brand: Cannondale
Model: Super V1000
Color:Red
Size:XL
Serial: HK B1 0302 12165
Photo: http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/9968/markscannondale.jpg
Stolen in Milwaukie, OR 97222
Stolen:2012-01-13
Stolen From: 10414 SE 24th Ave. just off Harrison.
Neighborhood: Historic Milwaukie
Owner: Mark Gamba
OwnerEmail: mark@markgamba.com
Description: SBC Milano saddle
Police record with: Milwaukie PD
Police reference#: 12-0165
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

black Surly Cross Check 2011

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Year: 2011
Brand: Surly
Model: Cross Check
Color:black
Size:56 cm
Serial: M10032245
Photo: http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/1913/surlycrosscheck.jpg
Stolen in Milwaukie, OR 97222
Stolen:2012-01-13
Stolen From: SE 24th Ave, just off Harrison.
Neighborhood: Historic Milwaukie
Owner: Chantelle Gamba
OwnerEmail: chantelle@markgamba.com
Reward: $100
Description: Shimano 105 5500 series drive train. Chris King headset and Shimano PD-A530 dual sided pedals. White Fixation saddle, Planet Bike full coverage fenders & Blackburn rear rack.
Police record with: Milwaukie
Police reference#: 12-0165
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Portland bike companies poised for Obama’s “insourcing” initiative

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That’s right. 100% made here in Portland.
(Photos © J. Maus)

President Barack Obama made headlines yesterday as he announced a new effort to re-ignite America’s manufacturing base by hiring from within — within the United States that is.

Obama, with Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber and CEO of locally based Keen Footwear by his side, talked up “insourcing” (as opposed to outsourcing, get it?) and laid out several measures to help make it happen. The new initiative seems tailor-made to give a much-needed bump to Portland’s flourishing bike industry.

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From the Archives

Advocate has near-death experience on Barbur, a street he’s pushing to make safer