June 2012 Archives

Leonard pushes West Hills skateboarding ban to September

There were several skateboards in
Council chambers today.
(Photos © J.Maus/BikePortland)

A proposed amendment to Portland’s city code that would ban skateboarding and “other similar devices powered exclusively by human power” (but thankfully, not bicycles) on several miles of roads in the West Hills and quadruple traffic fines on a host of related infractions, is on the agenda at City Council this morning.

*Scroll to end of post for updates.*

Since coming to light on June 11th, the proposed ban and fee increases have drawn concern from the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, the Portland Police Bureau, and many in the community who feel such a hard-handed response to the issue is unneccessary. Residents of the Arlington Heights Neighborhood, led by board member Eric Nagle, pushed for the ban because they feel it’s the only way to stop the high-speed skateboarding that has led to numerous injury collisions in the past year.

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

National Bike Summit 2010 - Lobby Day-22

It doesn’t look good.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

Members of the House and Senate have been working since April to hammer out an agreement on the transportation bill. When I checked in on the bill’s progress last month, advocates were fighting to lobby members of the conference committee (put together to hash out differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill) to keep key provisions and leave out others in.

Advocates hope to stave off a shift in how states access Transportation Enhancements money. The fear is that House Republicans will succeed in keeping provisions that make it very easy for states to opt-out of spending money on TE projects that would boost bicycling and walking and instead shift those to maintaining and building new roads and bridges. Other concerns are that key programs like Safe Routes to School and Recreation Trails (which funds natural surface trail and off-road bicycling projects) would be scrapped altogether.

Year: 1992 (approx)
Brand: Miyata
Model: Road bike
Color:Red
Photo: http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/4372/miyataoct0804.jpg
Stolen in Portland, OR 97213
Stolen:2012-06-26
Stolen From: The bike racks at Hollywood Transit Center (in front of 24hr Fitness). Stolen between 5.30pm and 6pm (Tuesday).
Neighborhood: NE Hollywood
Owner: Greg Stokes
OwnerEmail: greg.stokes@comcast.net
Reward: $100
Description: Red frame w. yellow accents and original chrome fork. Yellow tire in front. Red tire in back. Black bars w. cork grips, black seat, black Thompson elite seat post.
Police record with: Portland PD
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

celeste green bianchi vintage road made in italy 1986 ??

Year: 1986 ??
Brand: bianchi
Model: vintage road made in italy
Color:celeste green
Size:53 port
Stolen in Portland, OR 97214
Stolen:2012-06-27
Stolen From: NW 10th & Johnson. By riteaid.
Neighborhood: the pearl
Owner: lilli kendle
OwnerEmail: lakendle@gmail.com
Description: Celeste green vintage model road bike. Made in Italy. This decal is on the down tube still. White Scott speed saddle. Worn white sticker on left side of top tube. Black grip tape. Back tire has green piping. Front is solid black. Generic s&m style bmx peddles.
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

Seafoam green Kona Dew Plus 2008

Year: 2008
Brand: Kona
Model: Dew Plus
Color:Seafoam green
Size:49cm
Serial: I030801466
Stolen in Portland, OR 97212
Stolen:2012-06-26
Stolen From: Securely locked on my front porch at 526 NE Fargo Street, near MLK and Freemont
Neighborhood: NE, between Boise and Irvington
Owner: Susan (SuSu) Hunniecutt
OwnerEmail: Srhunnie@gmail.com
Reward: A big kiss and many thanks!!
Description: 2008 Kona Dew Plus, 49 cm frame, seafoam green color stolen from front porch.

Bike is in excellent condition and has only been ridden maybe 20 times. Just started using it as a commuter.

All original parts with the following exceptions:
1) black rear rack added
2) kryptonite lock installed on interior side of frame
3) front and rear reflectors removed, maybe reflectors on pedals removed

Serial number: I030801466, purchased from Bike Gallery on Sandy Blvd. on June 14, 2008.
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: T12005389
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

E-assist cargo bikes miss out on ODOT EV truck incentive program

Morrison Bridge bike-walk path dedication event-23

EV incentive programs should
not leave out bikes.
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)

Last week the Oregon Department of Transportation announced the availability of $4 million in incentives for electric trucks. The money comes from the federal government’s Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program and it’s aimed at, “encouraging the purchase of zero-emission urban delivery trucks.”

Unfortunately the money (which comes in the form of $20,000 vouchers per qualifying vehicle) cannot be used to purchase cargo trikes and other vehicles that use human-power in addition to electric assist. One stipulation of the grants is that the vehicles weight over 10,000 pounds.

“Council finds: Skateboarders use neighborhood streets as a venue for an extreme thrill sport, and not as a means of transportation for which the streets were designed;”
— Text from the skateboarding ban ordinance

The Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) has waded into the debate over whether or not City Council should support a proposed ban on skateboarding in the West Hills.

In a letter to Commissioner Randy Leonard (who’s pushing the ordinance at the behest of Arlington Heights Neighborhood Association board member Eric Nagle), the BTA said that despite a recent clarification in the ordinance that the ban would not include bicycles, they remain uncomfortable with the proposal and they want it removed from tomorrow morning’s City Council agenda.

Specifically, the BTA is concerned about a section in the ordinance’s pre-amble that reads:

Whether you love to ride dirt or pavement, PIR has you covered on Monday nights.
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)

To understand how vibrant and healthy Portland’s bike racing scene is, you needn’t look any further than Portland International Raceway (PIR) on a Monday night. Nestled in former wetlands just north of Kenton and west of I-5, PIR hosts two major weekly race series’ — one for dirt lovers and one for the roadies.

Ready to rumble?
(Photo: Missouri DOT)

As part of their ongoing High Crash Corridors program, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is considering installing rumble strips on NE Marine Drive.

PBOT bicycle projects staffer Jeff Smith is currently looking for feedback on the plan. Since Marine Drive is a very popular route for weekend riders and racers training for competition, Smith has emailed the idea to local riding groups like the Portland Wheelmen Touring Club and the Oregon Bicycle Racing Association.

PBOT is focusing on Marine Drive (between I-5 and NE 185th) for a safety analysis and improvements because it has a “substantially higher” fatality rate that the citywide norm (17 out of 1000 crashes is fatal, compared to 3 out of 1000 citywide). Adding to the safety issues on the street are high speeds and a lot of truck traffic. According to PBOT data, between NE 33rd and 185th, an average of 82% of all motor vehicles exceed the speed limit (with about 11% exceeding the posted speed by 10 MPH or more).

PLEASE NOTE: The Missing Link was bought by a new owner and the shop is open and going strong! Same location at 7215 NE Sandy. Check them out at MissingLinkPDX.com.

Final days at The Missing Link bike shop-22

The Missing Link bike shop on NE Sandy and 72nd will close at the end of this month. After nine years owning a shop (4 1/2 at this location), owner Joe Rettke is ready to move on.

Rettke had hoped to sell the business and keep a bike shop in the Roseway neighborhood, but he says potential buyers had a hard time lining up funding. “We tried to sell it,” Rettke shared with me during a visit to his shop on Friday, “It would have been great to keep it going… But the banks won’t loan anything.”

Year: 1999
Brand: Schwinn
Model: Peloton
Color:Royal blue
Size:49cm
Stolen in Portland, OR 97217
Stolen:2012-06-24
Stolen From: Approx. N. Lombard and N. Vincent.
Neighborhood: North Portland
Owner: Sarah Creem
OwnerEmail: sarahbrudi@hotmail.com
Description: Blue Schwinn Peloton with carbon Colnago Flash fork (not original chrome fork), easton/velomax wheels, Chris King 1″ headset, Ritchey adjustable stem, drop bars with additional top-mount brake levers, Elite Ciussi water bottle cages, Shimano 105 9-speed components, shimano PD-7800 pedals, Shimano bike computer.
Police record with: Portland PD
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

Leonard pushes West Hills skateboarding ban to September

Transportation bill imminent: Here’s where things stand

Red Miyata Road bike 1992 (approx)

celeste green bianchi vintage road made in italy 1986 ??

Seafoam green Kona Dew Plus 2008

E-assist cargo bikes miss out on ODOT EV truck incentive program

BTA asks Leonard’s office to withdraw skateboarding ban proposal – UPDATED

On Monday nights, human racing machines take over PIR (Photos)

City considers rumble strips on Marine Drive

Final days in business for The Missing Link bike shop

Thoughts and photos from North Portland Sunday Parkways

Royal blue Schwinn Peloton 1999

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From the Archives

Opinion: If we’re serious about cycling, let’s get serious about cycling infrastructure