April 2012 Archives

Black/Charcoal Trek 6000 Disc 09

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 09
Brand: Trek
Model: 6000 Disc
Color:Black/Charcoal
Size:19.5
Serial: wtu775c2868d
Photo: https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTZQKSCN7iTfZEcRpSZMg57I5F5aAWkCO0phvC-SVAJ_8TLp-Os
Stolen in Portland, OR 97205
Stolen:2012-03-28
Stolen From: The basement of the Benson Hotel, near the employee locker room in Downtown Portland.
Neighborhood: Downtown
Owner: Nick Kosta
OwnerEmail: nrkosta@gmail.com
Reward: 100
Description: Bright Blue Oury handle grips
Clip in Pedals
Smaller looking rear road tire, larger traditional dirt front tire.
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Gold/Wite Jamis Women’s Satellite 2010

Year: 2010
Brand: Jamis
Model: Women’s Satellite
Color:Gold/Wite
Size:51/52 CM
Serial: u8xu36852
Stolen in Portland, OR 97219
Stolen:2012-04-12
Stolen From: Lewis & CLark College
Owner: Dharma Khalsa
OwnerEmail: dkhalsa7@gmail.com
Reward: $100
Description: Black handle bar tape
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Ask BikePortland: Was a bicyclist right to yell at me for jogging in the street?

This installment in our ongoing Ask BikePortland series tackles a question I’m sure many of you have had. It comes from reader Ian D.

“I was yelled at on Tuesday by a bicyclist who claimed I was doing something illegal by jogging on the street. Was he right?”

I’ve had this experience too, and I have to admit I was mildly frustrated at the person running. I think the feeling stems from the fact that when I’m riding my bike there’s a constant stream of compromises to the space I’m trying to occupy. If there’s no bike lane, not all people in cars are nice about sharing the space. If I’m on the sidewalk (which is legal except for a swath of downtown), than I must defer to people on foot. Even when I’m on a bike lane, there are often delivery trucks and hotel guests who push the limits of the legal exception that allows them to be there.

So, what is the deal with people who use roadway shoulders and bike lanes as jogging tracks?

Year: 2001
Brand: Motiv
Model: Smoothie
Color:forest/dark green
Size:26 in
Serial:CA21130089
Stolen in Ashland, OR 97520
Stolen:2012-04-01
Stolen From: Southern Oregon University campus, on the bike rack next to the dorms by the library
Neighborhood: SOU Campus
Owner: Allyson Rupp
OwnerEmail: leftylucyhistoryfreak3@yahoo.com
Description: forest/dark green, has a little yellow by the label on the frame, had bike light, water bottle holder
Police record with: Ashland PD
Police reference#: 12-824
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

maroon Schwinn World Sport

Brand: Schwinn
Model: World Sport
Color:maroon
Size:19
Photo: http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/9853/photo1lc.jpg
Stolen in Portland, OR
Stolen:2012-04-10
Stolen From: Stolen off the back porch of my house off NE Shaver and Garfield
Neighborhood: King
Owner: Rebecca Bohn
OwnerEmail: jazzcat87@live.com
Description: I built the bike myself over a year ago, size 19″, single speed, step through frame, psu bike sticker between handle bars (no longer valid), back rear rack painted black, black planet bike fenders, black oury grips, a cable lock (not mine), a cruiser seat with shocks and a light, 2 different wheels (700 in back, 27 in front), a lot of the parts were used from the community cycling center or citybikes.
Police record with: Portland PD
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Study: Highly visibile infrastructure key for seniors, visually impaired riders

Portland would be wise to make bikeways
easily visible by all users.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

A new study, Improving the visibility of bicycle infrastructure, by researchers at the University of Gronigen (in the Netherlands) shows that roads built with poorly visible markings and obstacles on infrastructure where people ride bikes contributes to crashes and that older people and those with visual impairments are especially at risk.

Dutch Mobility reported on the study in their latest issue:

The researchers Eva Fabriek and Dick de Waard state that the visual characteristics of road design play an important role in preventing accidents by cyclists with visual handicaps…The questionnaires revealed that 45% of respondents had at one time or other fallen or ridden against an obstacle – usually the kerb or a bollard.

Job Title
Bike Mechanic

Company/Organization
North Portland BikeWorks

Job Description
Experienced Bicycle Mechanic Wanted

North Portland Bike Works is seeking an experienced bicycle mechanic to compliment our friendly neighborhood shop for their spring and summer season. The job is approximately 30 – 40 hours per week with a pay ranging from $10 – 12/hour depending on experience. All applicants must have at least two years of professional shop experience with references. Below is a detailed job description of what we’re looking for.

Mechanical needs:
• Knowledge of current and older bicycle repair
• Ability to perform service in a timely fashion
• Ability to diagnose and estimate cost of repairs
• Refurbish donated bikes for resale
• Built new bikes out of boxes

Customer service needs:
• Ability to help a wide variety of customers in a friendly and accessible manner
• Able to explain issues in an easy to understand way
• Knowing our inventory and what’s available to meet their needs
• Help explain our new bikes for sale in an outgoing manner
• Size and fit customers on new bikes for sale
• Friendly, friendly friendly!!!

Personal traits:
• Good communication
• Easy to engage with
• Flexible
• On time/punctual
• Able to ask questions or help if needed

How to Apply
North Portland Bike Works is a non-profit community bike shop with a small, committed staff. Please look at our website www.northportlandbikeworks.org to get more info on us. We are looking for a mechanic with no typical “bike dude” attitude. We are a very friendly and motivated shop with a goal of helping anyone regardless of their knowledge or experience. Please drop off your resume during shop hours Mon – Sat 11:00 – 6:00 and Sunday 11:00 – 4:00. 3978 N Mississippi Ave Portland OR 97227. Do not mail or email your resume. We would like to meet you when you drop it off. Thanks.

Seattle judge says City not liable in streetcar track lawsuit

New tracks on Lovejoy.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

There’s been a big development in a legal battle up in Seattle that has similarities to an issue we have here in Portland. As we shared back in June 2010, several Seattle residents who crashed while bicycling across streetcar tracks filed a lawsuit claiming that the City of Seattle, “knowingly allowed unsafe conditions.”

According to the Seattle Times, that lawsuit has been tossed out by a judge who says the City is not liable. Before you jump to the conclusion that the plaintiffs are just whiners who need to figure out how to ride their bikes (a common reaction whenever this topic comes up), what’s important to note is that the case didn’t center around whether or not the tracks posed a danger to people on bikes. All the City had to do in their defense was prove that they followed existing engineering standards.

Here’s a snip from the Times (emphasis mine):

Drawing of project in Hillsboro that will come with a cycle track.

I tell a lot of people there are exciting things happening in Washington County and two examples have popped up recently in Hillsboro.

First, the City of Hillsboro is forming a new citizen subcommittee to advise the City on issues pertaining to biking and walking for transportation. And second, Hillsboro is unveiling significant roadway improvements — including a separated cycle track — leading to the Fair Complex MAX station on April 20th.

The new citizen subcommittee, dubbed the Active Transportation Subcommittee, is actually one of two new groups to advise their Transportation Committee. The second group will focus on motor vehicles and public transit. Hillsboro Transportation Planner Brad Choi explained how the two subcommittees will work:

Job Title
Mechanic

Company/Organization
Bike N Hike

Job Description
Can you turn a wrench? Do you have at least two years of bike shop experience? Are you passionate, friendly, and dependable? Here at Bike N Hike, we’re looking for qualified mechanics to provide unparalleled service in both our Portland & Milwaukie locations. We’re seeking detail oriented team players with excellent communication skills to join our team. Basic computer skills, service writing experience and a positive attitude are a must. Seasonal position, part-time with potential for full-time.

How to Apply
Email resume to joshb@bikenhike.com

Report: Per person carbon emissions down 26 percent in Multnomah County since 1990

One would expect the decline to continue.
(Graphics: City of Portland/Multnomah County)

A new two-year progress report on Portland and Mutnomah County’s 2009 Climate Action Plan released today (PDF) shows per person carbon emissions have dropped 26 percent in Multnomah County since 1990. Overall, emissions are 6 percent below 1990 levels. These reductions come despite a huge spike in population growth and a national trend that is headed (unfortunately) in the other direction.

The City’s Bureau of Planning and Sustainability and the Multnomah County Office of Sustainability tout a variety of efforts that have led to the emissions reductions: more energy-efficient homes; curbside food composting; green buildings; 7,000 new trees planted last year; and of course, a continued focus on a transportation system that gives people options to driving.

Black/Charcoal Trek 6000 Disc 09

Gold/Wite Jamis Women’s Satellite 2010

Ask BikePortland: Was a bicyclist right to yell at me for jogging in the street?

forest/dark green Motiv Smoothie 2001

maroon Schwinn World Sport

Study: Highly visibile infrastructure key for seniors, visually impaired riders

Job: Bike Mechanic – North Portland BikeWorks

Seattle judge says City not liable in streetcar track lawsuit

Hillsboro forms new Active Transportation committee, builds new cycle track

Meet and mingle with City Council candidates tonight

Job: Mechanic – Bike N’ Hike

Report: Per person carbon emissions down 26 percent in Multnomah County since 1990

Latest Headlines

Building tenants cry foul at planned bike lanes that would replace car parking

Bill moves forward despite concerns over Safe Routes and rail program funding

Sarah Iannarone steps down as leader of The Street Trust

Monday Roundup: Oil shock, counting pedestrians, and more

From the Archives

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