Travel Oregon rolls out promotional video for Old West Scenic Bikeway

Still from new Travel Oregon video.

Travel Oregon has just released the first in a series of new videos in their ongoing effort to promote Oregon’s burgeoning network of officially designated State Scenic Bikeways. Last week we shared a bikeways marketing push that made its way onto a jumbotron in New York City’s Times Square.

To make the two-minute video (watch it below), the agency commissioned the Portland-based bike touring advocacy and journalism duo of Russ Roca and his partner Laura Crawford of Path Less Pedaled. Kristin Dahl, senior manager of destination development for Travel Oregon, said they plan to do a similar video for each of the nine officially designated scenic bikeway routes and they’ll be rolled out through spring of next year.

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Black/silver REI Afterburner tagalong 2008

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2008
Brand: REI
Model: Afterburner tagalong
Color:Black/silver
Serial: ACA07F000398
Stolen in Portland, OR 97232
Stolen:2012-08-30
Stolen From: NE 16th and Sandy
Neighborhood: Buckman
Owner: Kristen Becker
OwnerEmail: k10becker74@gmail.com
Description: Black/silver tagalong (attached to Redline bike, reported separately)
Police record with: Portland
Police reference#: 12-155333
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Police enforcement at Ladd Circle, N Flint ruffles feathers once again

The scene at Flint/Broadway last week.
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)

Once again, two of the city’s most infamous stop sign locations are being targeted by the Portland Police Bureau (PPB). This morning, and two other days this week, multiple motorcycle cops have stationed themselves at the intersections of N. Flint and Broadway and SE Ladd Ave at the circle. These locations have gotten bicycle-focused police attention for many years, but the behaviors that bring them there — a high rate of non-compliance by people riding bicycles — continue to be problematic.

At Flint and Broadway, I have confirmed with the PPB that they are working the intersection due to a request by the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT). The request comes as part of the move by PBOT last week to partially close N. Wheeler Ave (which is just a few yards west of the Flint/Broadway intersection). One vocal business owner who was opposed to the closure felt that the collisions at Wheeler were the direct result of people running the stop sign at Flint. Even though PBOT analysis shows a myriad of dangerous factors that contributed to the Wheeler right-hooks, media coverage of the closure then adopted this business owner’s perspective, thus cementing the idea with their audiences.

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Blue Redline 9 speed 2009

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2009
Brand: Redline
Model: 9 speed
Color:Blue
Serial:ICS9A01589
Stolen in Portland, OR 97232
Stolen:2012-08-30
Stolen From: NE 16th and Sandy
Neighborhood: Buckman
Owner: Kristen Becker
OwnerEmail: k10becker74@gmail.com
Description: My tagalong was attached to the bike and also stolen. It is an REI brand Afterburner tagalong, silver and black in color. (Tagalong has its own report).
Police record with: Portland Police
Police reference#: 12-155333
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Chrome Mongoose Silver BMX 2008

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2008
Brand: Mongoose
Model: Silver BMX
Color:Chrome
Size:20″
Serial: SNGNP06A17231
Stolen in Portland, OR 97233
Stolen:2012-08-26
Stolen From: Gated Residents Drive way, SE 151st between SE Millman and SE Main.
Neighborhood: Centennial
Owner: Lionel Lampkin
OwnerEmail: lionel_lampkin@yahoo.com
Description: Chrome Mongoose 20″ BMX Boys Freestyle Bike:
Oversized freestyle frame for durability
Tires are street tires smooth with s pattern. Alloy 4 bolt stem clamps bars tightly. Alloy caliper brakes and levers for sure stopping. Durable 1 piece crank. Dimensions: 56″L x 27″W x 38″H
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: Tracking# T12007265
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Black Fuji Absolute Commuter 3.0 2007

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2007
Brand: Fuji
Model: Absolute Commuter 3.0
Color:Black
Size:17″
Stolen in Portland, OR 97206
Stolen:2012-08-28
Stolen From: Back of my house, on patio. SE 48th and SE Long
Neighborhood: SE
Owner: Jacqueline Rubinstein
OwnerEmail: jacqueline.rubinstein@gmail.com
Reward: yes
Description: Fuji Absolute 3.0 commuter, 2007, hybrid wheels, 17″ frame, Deore components, back rack with blue milk crate attached with
zip ties, fenders on front and back
Black frame
Two stickers on the frame -one of the state of Oregon with a heart in it and one from Peoples Coop
Also has a dinosaur bell on it.
Upright, straight across handle bars
Water bottle holder attached to frame
White light attached to the front
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 12-155310
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

Dark Green KHS Urban Express 2008

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2008
Brand: KHS
Model: Urban Express
Color:Dark Green
Size:Large
Stolen in Portland, OR 97217
Stolen:2012-08-18
Stolen From: 212 north hayden bay drive. Jantzen Beach area
Neighborhood: North Portland
Owner: Gary Wright
OwnerEmail: gary@machinerysales.com
Description: upright handlebars, multispeed, pump, waterbottle holder, city bikes sticker
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 12-155313
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Ray Thomas on the unintended consequences of “ambiguous intersections”

What you see driving north on MLK Jr. Blvd at NE Going Street.

Noted local lawyer, bike law expert, and veteran advocate Ray Thomas has penned a new article about what he feels is a safety issue at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd (MLK) and N Going Street. Thomas is known for his writing and has published a number of articles on legal topics. He usually doesn’t write about intersection design, but he has made an exception this time.

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BikePortland jersey in the works: What do you think of the design?

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

After many years of toying with the idea, I’m finally moving forward with creating a BikePortland jersey. Our friends at Retro Image Apparel/Micro Beer Jerseys are putting it together. I’ll have full details once the samples come back; but for now, I’d love to hear your feedback on the design. It’s pretty far along already and we’re looking to send the final design off this week. I’m not looking for major feedback or new design ideas at this point, just minor tweaks and a general sense for what you think about it.

Check out the design after the jump…

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Riverfront condo owners install gate to restrict bike access

New gate up at The Strand to prevent
people from “racing through” on bikes.
(Photo: Gretchin Lair)

Owners at The Strand, a multi-tower condominium complex just south of the Riverplace marina, have erected a gate to prevent people from bicycling through their courtyard. The Strand’s courtyard makes for convenient and safe access from SW Montgomery Street to Moody Ave, which is the main road to access the South Waterfront area. The cut-through had become popular for people bicycling to and from South Waterfront because it’s direct and separate from motor vehicle traffic on SW River Drive.

Back in February, resident of The Strand, Barbara Brady, made a public appeal for people to avoid riding through this private courtyard. Brady made it clear that The Strand Board of Directors wasn’t keen on people “racing through” their common area on bikes. Knowing that the Board would move to prohibit bike access, Brady hoped increased public awareness might solve the problem.

But it wasn’t enough.

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Comment highlight: Thoughts on getting a “free” ride

A family ride to IKEA-8.jpg

Free riders.
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)

It’s a common refrain during civic debates about bicycling: People on bikes get a “free ride” and it’s just “not fair” that any public subsidies should go toward making bicycling better because people who ride “don’t pay their way” and they are scofflaws to boot. It’s that type of perspective that led to my thoughts last week on how we should approach the licensing discussion from a position of reform, not revenge.

That post has led to some excellent ideas and thoughts from the community and the comment section is still alive and well five days later. Last night, frequent commenter El Biciclero shared his thoughts on this concept that people on bikes are getting a “free ride.” I’ve pasted his entire comment below…

It is my firm belief that nowadays, most folks who call for licensing/registration of riders/bicycles do so with a revenge motive. A lot of people see cyclists just as you describe–as somehow cheating the system. They don’t think it seems “fair” for cyclists to get a “free” ride.

I’ll tell you about “free”.

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Grass fire close to Springwater path near Oaks Park yesterday

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

There’s been a bit of fire activity near the Springwater Corridor path where it goes by Oaks Amusement Park in Sellwood. Last night, crews put out what looks to be the second grass fire in the past week. Check out the statement below from Portland Fire & Rescue:

PORTLAND FIRE & RESCUE RESPONDS TO WILD LAND FIRE NEAR OAKS PARK
Posted: August 28th, 2012 9:01 PM

Fire crews were dispatched to a wild land fire at 6:56pm near Oaks Park Amusement Park (7899 SE Oaks Park Way). Callers reported that the 100′ x 100′ area was covered with fire. Station 29 (Gilbert), Station 25 (Woodstock), Station 4 (Portland State), Station 18 (Multnomah Village), and Clackamas County Engine 2 responded and quickly flanked the fire. “Grass fires spread very quickly,” said P.I.O. Ron Rouse…” but we were able to suppress it before it could spread to the trees.”

The burned-out area ended up being approximately 300′ x 300′ and was on the east side of the trail and tracks, directly across from Oaks Amusement Park. Two brush units, 18 (Multnomah Village) and 29 (Powellhurst) also assisted in cleaning up hot spots after the main body of the fire had been extinguished. Station 29 also houses ATVs which allows for a quick attack.
https://www.portlandoregon.gov/fire/article/56422

The cause of the fire is still under investigation and photos will be updated as they are received. The fire was brought under control at 7:26 pm.

Remember grass fires spread very quickly, making them uncontrollable in a matter of minutes. Please dispose of all fire related material appropriately.