Month: June 2013

Surprise! New driving research shows “hands-free” isn’t safe

Cover of Measuring Cognitive Distraction in the Automobile,
a new report from AAA.

Yesterday the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety dropped a bomb into the national debate about distracted driving. They conducted research and developed a report that shows “significant levels of cognitive distraction” by people who drive while performing various hands-free tasks. The report comes amid a growing trend in the auto-industry to turn cars into smartphones. In fact, on the same day this report came out, Apple made a big announcement about their new operating system, iOS in the Car, which promises to allow users to, “easily and safely make phone calls, access your music, send and receive messages, get directions and more.”

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The vote is in: Over 80% of City Club membership supports bicycle research report

bike barometer

One of the recommendations
in the report is a 4% excise tax
on new bike sales that would fund
safety programs and more bike counters
throughout the city.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

BikePortland has learned that the City Club of Portland will announce tomorrow that their membership has officially voted to support their research report on bicycling. No Turning Back: A City Club Report on Bicycle Transportation in Portland is an 83-page report that delves deeply into the bicycle issue in Portland and tackles everything from politics to projects and funding. The report was released on May 29th and some of City Club’s estimated 1,500 members voted on it in person at a “Friday Forum” event on June 7th.

However, this is the first report that City Club opened up to a new process of online voting. In February of this year, City Club’s Board of Governor’s voted to amend the organization’s bylaws to allow online voting as a way to increase the number of members who vote. Given that the report strongly endorses bicycling and calls on the city to do more to advance it, there was some nervousness among local advocates that the electronic vote might be close and/or even reject the research.

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White Trek 4000 1977

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 1977
Brand: Trek
Model: 4000
Color:White
Size:23 inch
Stolen in Portland, OR 97212
Stolen:2013-06-13
Stolen From: The Irvington Club
2131 NE Thompson

Stolen from bike racck between NE 21st aand 22nd and Ne Thompson
Owner: Tom Scribner
OwnerEmail: scribner(replace with at sign)easystreet.net
Reward: $100.00
Description: Mountain bike without any fork shocks. Had a black flat rack over the back wheel. Armadillo front tire with red trim on side of tire. Shimano components.
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 13-47783
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

White Trek 4000 1977

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 1977
Brand: Trek
Model: 4000
Color:White
Size:23 inch
Stolen in Portland, OR 97212
Stolen:2013-06-13
Stolen From: The Irvington Club
2131 NE Thompson

Stolen from bike racck between NE 21st aand 22nd and Ne Thompson
Owner: Tom Scribner
OwnerEmail: scribner(A T)easystreet.net
Reward: $100.00
Description: Mountain bike without any fork shocks. Had a black flat rack over the back wheel. Armadillo front tire with red trim on side of tire. Shimano components.
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 13-47783
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

The Lumberyard set for first anniversary party

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Our friends at The Lumberyard deserve a huge party! Congrats to them on a successful first year in business. Check out party details below…

Join us for The Lumberyard MTB first anniversary bash!

June 6, 2013

The Lumberyard MTB, Portland’s unique indoor bike park at 2700 NE 82nd Ave, will celebrate its first anniversary with a bash the weekend of June 29th! Help The Lumberyard celebrate in style its first year in the community. There will be pro rider demos, live music, gear giveaways, bike games, food and drink specials throughout the weekend.

Thousands of people of all ages and from as far away as New Zealand and Brazil have come to catch air on the jump lines, whip around the pump track and venture on the cross-country features. Additionally, the Lumberyard will be unveiling two new areas at the anniversary bash: the Bunker, a street course/grind room, and the Pen, an outdoor play park that will feature expert jumps, a massive air bag for practicing aerials, and skills area for beginners.

“This has been an incredible year full of amazing growth! We couldn’t have done it without our amazing sponsors & customers! We look forward to celebrating this year with you and to many more exciting years of shredding the ‘Yard with you.” – Michael Whitesel, Co-Founder

Plus Size BMX will be in the house to help out with the birthday bash. Plus Size BMX will provide pro rider demos, bike games for all ages, and giveaways. Saturday morning from 10:00am – 2:00pm will focus on kids! Full of fun riding events for kids on push bikes to full size mountain bikes, this is sure to be a day to remember!

Friday: Kick off & riding with the pros

Saturday: Family Fun (10am-2pm), 3pm-close Plus Size BMX events
** More details to follow on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Lumberyard.MTB **

—

New idea for Foster Road: A center median bike lane

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Detail of a new concept for
SE Foster Road.

The City of Portland is currently trying to decide how to re-design the failing SE Foster Road. As it exists today, the street is a classic auto-centric thoroughfare with the crash rates and unwelcoming atmosphere to match. Late last year there were dreams of making a major bikeway on the street; but as our Michael Andersen recently reported, it appears the City has scaled back their ambitions to nothing more than an old-fashioned bike lane.

At issue is how to manage the space on the street in a way that meets the many goals the project’s stakeholder committee has set for itself. Those goals include, “a safe corridor for motor vehicle travel with smooth, consistent traffic movement” and “adequate on-street parking” as well as, “a safe attractive, and comfortable cycling environment.”

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Inspiration from… Indianapolis?!

Screenshot of Indy Cultural Trail
from latest Streetfilms video.

If you have trouble relating to examples of street designs from Copenhagen or the Netherlands, how about something closer to home? Like, say, Indianapolis. Yes Indianapolis. There’s a popular meme going around that Portland is getting its bike-friendly booty handed to us by other American cities that are doing big things; but that list has never included Indianapolis. Until now.

Streetfilms ace photog Clarence Eckerson just got back from Indianapolis where he captured their recently completed Cultural Trail in all its glory. As I reported in a story from the NACTO Conference in New York City back in October, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail is a true “8-80” bikeway. As in, it creates the conditions where people young and old feel safe riding a bicycle in an urban environment.

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Gold Trek X01 2001

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2001
Brand: Trek
Model: X01
Color:Gold
Size:54cm?
Photo: http://crev.vo.llnwd.net/o42/roadbikereview/images/products/product_17442.gif
Stolen in Portland, OR 97212
Stolen:2013-06-7
Stolen From: Stolen from 537 Ash St. #401 Roundhouse Agency lobby
building corner of 6th and Ash
Neighborhood: SE
Owner: Sef McCullough
OwnerEmail: sef( atsign )roundhouseagency.com
Reward: $100
Description: Gold Trek X01 Cyclocross Aluminum frame – same model as shown in pic link, different components
White bar tape (no end plugs), white fizik saddle
mount for computer, bike light
rear rack, rear fender
bontrager wheel set
tires one long stem, one short
carbon stem
clipless pedals
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 13-153737-0
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

Gold Trek X01 2001

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2001
Brand: Trek
Model: X01
Color:Gold
Size:54cm?
Photo: http://crev.vo.llnwd.net/o42/roadbikereview/images/products/product_17442.gif
Stolen in Portland, OR 97212
Stolen:2013-06-7
Stolen From: Stolen from 537 Ash St. #401 Roundhouse Agency lobby
building corner of 6th and Ash
Neighborhood: SE
Owner: Sef McCullough
OwnerEmail: sef(replace with at sign)roundhouseagency.com
Reward: $100
Description: Gold Trek X01 Cyclocross Aluminum frame – same model as shown in pic link, different components
White bar tape (no end plugs), white fizik saddle
mount for computer, bike light
rear rack, rear fender
bontrager wheel set
tires one long stem, one short
carbon stem
clipless pedals
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 13-153737-0
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

Purple/Black SE Lager 2011

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2011
Brand: SE
Model: Lager
Color:Purple/Black
Serial: ICSE11A00923
Stolen in Portland, OR 97206
Stolen:2013-06-11
Stolen From: It was taken from my car in my driveway.
Neighborhood: Foster/Powell
Owner: Dietrich Feibel
OwnerEmail: dietrichfeibel(replace with at sign)gmail.com
Description: It is a SE lager single speed, Black frame with purple wheels, seatpost, peddls and stem. it has the sensor for a wireless cateye trip computer, and Thickslick racing tires.
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 13-47638
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

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