Month: February 2013

Local shop now offers hot tub rentals, delivered by bike

Trying out the Dutchtub-4

Wood-fired hot tub delivered by bike
and now available to rent.
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland

The folks at Clever Cycles, those blessed souls that never fear a bold step into a new market, announced their Dutchtub rental program today. Remember Dutchtubs? Nine months ago when we broke the news that Clever Cycles was bringing these portable, wood-fired hot tubs to Portland, the story caused quite a buzz.

Now, after using the product for several months themselves and ironing out all the details with an insurance company, Clever Cycles is finally ready to launch a rental program. Starting today, you can order a Dutchtub and sit back and wait for a Clever Cycles “tubbist” to pedal one to your front door.

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Job: Experienced Bike Tour Guide/Mechanic – Cycle Portland Bike Tours

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title
Experienced Bike Tour guide/ Mechanic

Company/Organization
Cycle Portland Bike Tours

Job Description
Local bike tour and rental company looking for experienced rider with strong customer service skills and detailed knowledge of Portland’s culture, neighborhoods, and events. This position includes leading rides, staffing our downtown rental shop and providing bike service and repair as needed. Position requires strong mechanic skills/ shop experience and a true desire to work with people from all over the world. Those that are bike snobs, loathe tourists, or have problems taking responsibility for their actions need not apply. Positive/ friendly demeanor or personality is mandatory and previous guiding experience is helpful. Thank You.

How to Apply
Please email resume and brief description of why you would be a good candidate for the position to info@portlandbicycletours.com

Bridge project that’s part of North Portland Greenway raises concerns over tree removal

City design plans showing tree slated for removal.

A bridge project in St. Johns that’s part of the North Portland greenway and the 40-Mile Loop has gotten some unwanted attention this week. Portland Parks & Recreation is set to start construction on a new biking and walking bridge between Pier Park and Chimney Park; but removal of a large sequoia tree has sparked an outcry from at least one concerned citizen.

The story broke earlier this week on KATU-TV:

“The bridge would be part of the ten-mile North Portland greenway. Right now, Union Pacific Railroad tracks separate the two parks and the bridge would go over those tracks. But construction plans call for one giant sequoia inside Pier Park to fall in the process.

It is a tough pill to swallow for Dennis Keepes. He has sounded the alarm bells, trying to build enough support to save the tree.”

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At bike share event, City begins crucial search for sponsors

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Mia Birk at bike share event

Mia Birk made the pitch for bike share
at the Porltand Art Museum last night.
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)

At the Portland Art Museum last night, high society donors mixed with corporate bigwigs and local bike industry luminaries. While PAM got in a few words about their upcoming major exhibition of Cyclepedia (opens June 8th), the main reason for the gathering was to wine-and-dine potential sponsors of the forthcoming Portland Bike Share system.

While the event put a shine on bike share in hopes to woo sponsors, it underscored an urgent need to raise money. So far the system only has $1.8 million in the bank thanks to a federal grant. However, the estimate to fully launch (750 bikes) and operate the system in the first year is $6.6 million ($4.7 million to get the system on the street and $1.9 million in operating costs). That leaves a significant funding gap that PBOT and Alta need to close. Given that the goal is to launch a complete system, rather than trickle out bikes and stations in phases, the City would prefer to wait until all that sponsorship money is in hand before moving forward.

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Dark Gray Origin8 Kit put together 2011

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Year: 2011
Brand: Origin8
Model: Kit put together
Color:Dark Gray
Size:Medium Frame
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/amanda.erickson.904#!/photo.php?fbid=862349223501&set=t.42006512&type=3&theater13
Stolen in Portland, OR 97206
Stolen:2013-02-18
Stolen From: SE Portland, Woodstock & 48th Ave. Stolen from a setback garage Monday the 18th of February night.
Neighborhood: Woodstock
Owner: Amanda Erickson
OwnerEmail: Originalmanda( atsign )yahoo.com
Description: Clipless pedals, converted single speed to 6 gears @ rivercity, straight mountain bike handlebars, steel Origin8 frame, black seat, medium frame 54-56cm (I am 5’8). My # is 503-545-7192. Thanks!
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 13-14745
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Mayor Hales shares his thoughts on paving and the PBOT budget

Mayor Hales

Mayor Hales at a City Council
PBOT budget work session yesterday.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

At an event last night I was able to grab Mayor Charlies Hales for a few minutes to ask him for his thoughts on the major PBOT budget move that was unveiled yesterday.

At a City Council budget work session, Hales’ interim director of PBOT, Toby Widmer, unveiled a plan that would take $7.15 from existing budget items and put it all toward street paving and maintenance. Among the places Widmer “realigned resources” for more paving is a $1.2 million sidewalk project already funded and slated for construction this summer in East Portland on SE 136th between SE Powell and Holgate (about 0.52 miles). Another Widmer realignment victim is PBOT’s ADA curb ramp program which is being asked to give up $500,000. According to PBOT sources, that chunk equals about 30% of the entire program (which has annual budget of $1.7 million).

Asked about the proposal last night, Hales distanced himself from it. “It’s a bureau budget. It’s just a starting point.”

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Job: Bike Mechanic (in Alaska) – Sockeye Cycle Co.

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title
Bike Mechanic – Alaska Business

Company/Organization
Sockeye Cycle Co.

Job Description
Hiring Bicycle Mechanics for the 2013 season for our Haines and Skagway locations. Must be 23 or older and available to work a minimum of 3 months between 4/1 – 9/30. Apply online at www.cyclealaska.com or call 877-292-4154 for more information.

How to Apply
www.cyclealaska.com

Bill would remove mandatory driving test for people with limited vision

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

I figured I’d post interesting bills I come across here on Page Two. If they warrant more attention, I’ll consider a Front Page story.

Senate Bill 288, “Eliminates requirement that person with limited vision condition take driver test every two years.”

The bill was introduced by state Senator Brian Boquist (R-Dallas). Current law calls for people with limited vision to take an actual driving test every two years. According to the law, the test must be “an actual demonstration of the person’s ability to operate a motor vehicle without endangering the safety of persons or property.”

The bill would amend the law to remove the driving test provision and swap it out for a requirement to be examined by a licensed vision specialist every two years and the specialist must certify to the DMV that, “the person meets the vision requirements” as laid out in existing Oregon driving laws.

An aide in Sen. Boquist’s office said he submitted the bill, “for one of his constituents.” The bill is slated for a public hearing and possible work session on Thursday (2/21) in the Senate Business and Transportation Committee. We don’t expect it to get very far, but we’ll keep track of it just in case.

“Symbolic” bike tax proposed in Washington should sound familiar

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North Portland Bikeworks new location-11-10

Don’t forget to add tax.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

The Seattle Times reported today on a $10 billion transportation funding package introduced by state lawmakers. The package includes a provision that would levy $25 tax on the sale of all bicycles over $500. The tax would be one of six revenue streams and would be expected to raise a mere $1 million per year.

Interestingly, a bike sales tax is not a foreign concept here in Oregon. In fact, it has been supported in the past by the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, Metro, PBOT Bicycle Coordinator Roger Geller, and even Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer.

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Proposal looks to “realign” $7.15 million in PBOT budget for paving, maintenance

Toby Widmer

PBOT Interim Director Toby Widmer
at a City Council budget work session today.
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)

With the ink on the paving audit barely dry, Mayor Charlie Hales’ interim director of the Portland Bureau of Transportation Toby Widmer, made a sweeping budget proposal during a City Council budget work session at City Hall today. They call it the PBOT Resource Realignment.

Widmer announced a $7.15 million proposal that would “realign” funds in the existing budget in order to do more paving and maintenance. The proposal includes:

  • $4.5 million is savings from debt service on Sellwood Bridge bonds (this money was originally slated for the City’s general fund, Hales is attempting to keep it all for PBOT);
  • $1.2 million from a sidewalk project slated for SE 136th Ave;
  • $950,000 from the Downtown Marketing Initiative program;
  • $500,000 from the City’s ADA curb ramp program.

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From the Archives

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