Year: 2012

Ian, a bike traveler from Darwin, Australia, as seen by
Salem resident Chad Butler on Sunday.

[Publisher’s note: We have confirmed that the man in this story might be running a scam. A commenter below (whom I have also contacted directly via email) met “Ian” back in 2010 and heard a similar story from him. The commenter loaned the man money and then later saw him in a bar drinking and playing video poker. The generosity of strangers is a great thing to see; but be advised about this man’s history. — JM]

An Australian man on a bike tour through Oregon has learned first hand how supportive and compassionate our community is.

On Sunday, Salem resident Chad Butler was on his way home from participating in the Sisters Stampede mountain bike race when he came across a man from Darwin, Australia named Ian (no last name given) whose rear wheel had been badly damaged after being hit by a van. Butler spoke with Ian, and then shared what he learned on the Oregon Bicycle Racing Association email list:

“This was actually his second bad adventure of the day, as earlier he stopped at a rest area to use the restroom and someone stole one of his panniers with his cash, I.D., passport, etc. He’s now hoping to get to Seattle to the nearest Aussie Consulate.”

After offering to help Ian himself, Butler then made an appeal for others on the OBRA list to step up:

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Portland-based Better World Club will soon be the first company in America to offer affordable, comprehensive bicycle insurance*.

Better World Club Marketing Director Lauri Fish says they are just ironing out some details and expect to have the new services available in June. Fish says Better World will add the medical and liability insurance — as well as optional coverage for bike theft and property damage — onto their existing Bicycle Roadside Assistance package.

Options for comprehensive bike insurance that is similar to auto insurance has long been lacking for folks who primarily ride and for the increasing number of Americans that don’t own a car at all. (Learn more about this issue in our post, A guide to bicycle insurance options from January 2010).

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Photo from the scene.
(Photo source: Unknown)

[Publisher’s Note: Normally I wouldn’t report this story. Traffic collisions happen every day and sometimes they involve a person on a bike. I don’t consider them newsworthy simply because a bicycle is involved. In this case, I decided to publish more information about this collision because of questions some readers had following a minor mention of it in The Oregonian on Saturday. — Jonathan]

A minor collision at the intersection of NW Broadway and Glisan sent a woman to the hospital on Saturday morning.

We have learned from the Portland Police Bureau that 50-year-old Alan Moditz from Ridgefield, Washington was driving a four-door Hyundai southbound on NW Broadway when a collision occurred with a bicycle being ridden by 37-year old Megan Neuman from southeast Portland.

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