Month: June 2013

Former Portland mayor to lead public art bike ride

The BTA and Bud Clark have re-imagined
the famous 1978 poster.

Former Mayor Bud Clark is no stranger to Portland public art or bicycling. In fact he has reached iconic status for both. Clark, who was our mayor from 1985-1992, is known for his promotion and participation in Bike to Work Day and his appearance on the “Expose Yourself to Art” poster made him a household name in the 1970s. (Disclaimer: I had a copy of the poster on my bedroom wall through high school and college without even knowing anything about Clark or Portland).

Now Clark is set to lead the Expose Yourself to Art Ride as part of Pedalpalooza.

Clark posed for the famous poster in 1978 and he has remade it for the BTA with a more bicycle-centric theme. Clark, who owns the Goose Hollow Inn bar and restaurant in southwest Portland, has remained a part of the community since retiring from public office. He has ridden in the annual, invite-only “Policymakers Ride” a few times and he pops up at bike-related and other events throughout the year.

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Editorial: So much carnage on our streets, yet so little response

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Mike Cooley is still in the hospital with serious
injuries after a man hit him
from behind while he rode on N. Interstate
Ave on Saturday night.

Road carnage in America has reached epidemic proportions. Consider the barrage of news I’ve encountered in the past 24 hours…

— The Portland Police released photos and offered a reward to try and find a man who drove his large pickup truck into 59 Mike Cooley as he rode home from work up N Interstate Avenue on Saturday night. Cooley has very serious injuries and remains hospitalized while the police search for the suspect.

— A major study from the Harvard School of Public Health has found a link between autism and air pollution from motor vehicles. As in, the unborn children of pregnant women that breath tailpipe emissions are impacted by our transportation policies that put the auto access and capacity above everything else. Do we really care more about auto traffic “flow” than the health of our babies?

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Rapha names new head of North American marketing and sales

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Hillary Benjamin

Rapha, a London-based bike apparel and accessory company with its North American headquarters in Portland has made a major new hire. Hillary Benjamin is now Head of North America – Marketing & Sales. Check the press release below for more info…

Rapha Names Hillary Benjamin as Head of North America – Marketing & Sales

Portland, Oregon, June 17, 2013 -­-Rapha today announces the hiring of Hillary Benjamin as Head of North America – Marketing & Sales for the company’s Portland, Oregon-­-based North American office. She takes the position previously held by Slate Olson, who moves to the London office in a new role as Chief Marketing Officer. Hillary will oversee the North American office, eight Portland-­-based staff and one in New York City, as well as the San Francisco Cycle Club and the soon-­-to-­-open New York City Cycle Club. She begins July 1, 2013.
“Rapha has been growing at a brisk pace since we set our North American roots in Portland in 2008, “ says Slate Olson. “Back then it was just me and a few part-­-time freelancers in a 600-­-square-­-foot space above a garden store. Five years later we have a beautiful office and event space in Northwest Portland, a thriving Cycle Club business and US distribution from Portland with our partners at OIA Global,” he says. “We have even greater growth expectations for our North American business and recognize that we need a strong, experienced business leader who can put 100% focus on this market as I transition to a global role based in London. Bringing Hillary in to drive our business and further define the brand is an exciting step to ensure our future. Her experience in the luxury space, online marketing, retail and her knowledge and passion for cycling gives us a lot of confidence.”

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City Club works to make bike report recommendations a reality

(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

Following an overwhelming vote of support from their membership, the City Club of Portland is wasting no time in getting to work on implementing the recommendations in their report on bicycling in Portland.

On June 13th, City Club members voted 254 to 31 in favor of the report which recommended that local elected leaders and policy makers make a much stronger commitment to cycling because it is, “an affordable and efficient means of transportation that is essential to continued growth in the local economy and overall quality of life for Portland residents.” The report recommended a stronger focus on bicycling in local and regional transportation plans, more physically separated bicycle infrastructure, more bicycle counters to help with data collection, more funding set-asides for bicycle infrastructure, a 4% excise tax on new bicycles, and more. (See all the recommendations here.)

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Job: Mechanic/Wheelbuilder/Fitter – Portland Bicycle Studio

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title
Mechanic/Wheelbuilder/Fitter

Company/Organization
Portland Bicycle Studio

Job Description
Portland Bicycle Studio is hiring an experienced, professional mechanic for our Service Course.

Ideal candidates are dedicated, career cycling mechanics with several years of experience in customer service, bicycle fitting, high-end and custom bicycle sales and service.

Being self motivated, an excellent communicator, able to accept and exchange criticism, problem solve, listen to and follow instructions (from clients and co-workers), be extremely clean, detail oriented, and a meticulous technician are minimum requirements. A passion for bicycling culture, bicycle racing culture, and a welcoming, positive attitude are a must.

We are currently hiring for a part-time, seasonal position with the possibility to move to full-time.

How to Apply
Please submit a resume with references to:

Portland Bicycle Studio
1420 nw 17th ave. #588
Portland, Oregon
97209

Green Trek 7.1 FX 2013

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Year: 2013
Brand: Trek
Model: 7.1 FX
Color:Green
Size:20″
Serial: SWTU070C8155G
Photo: http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/fitness/fx/7_1_fx/#/us/en/model/qa?url=us/en/bikes/road/fitness/fx/7_1_fx
Stolen in Portland, OR 97233
Stolen:2013-06-16
Stolen From: Back porch of a Grey and Purple Townhome 6-plex on SE 139th & SE Division. Porch and chain-link fences face the 4-Division Westbound bus stop.
Neighborhood: Outter East Portland
Owner: Marissa Shoemaker
OwnerEmail: mshoemaker04(replace with at sign)yahoo.com
Description: White water cage, U-Lock Mount on the frame or waring from the band (if it was removed), kickstand. Brand new (just 3 weeks out of the bike store)
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 13-49146
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Silver with purple accents Raleigh RX 2012

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2012
Brand: Raleigh
Model: RX
Color:Silver with purple accents
Size:54cm
Serial:u115k18366
Stolen in Portland, OR 97217
Stolen:2013-06-17
Stolen From: Left Bank Building Broadway& Vancouver Ave
Neighborhood: North/NE
Owner: Emily Craker
OwnerEmail: emcraker@gmail.com
Description: 2012 new 54cm Raleigh Rx, white handle bars and white seat, black bike rack, old and small black bike bag
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: T13005257
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Job: Bike Mechanic/Bike Builder – Bike Gallery

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title
Bike Mechanic/Bike Builder

Company/Organization
Bike Gallery

Job Description
Responsibilities

Interacting with customers
All service technicians are expected to be skilled and confident in assisting customers at the service counter; on occasion this may require stepping out from behind the service counter to assist with a bike, part, or accessory question. These responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
• Greeting customers who are picking up or dropping off bikes for service
• Provide estimates for service and repairs based upon customer interaction and an evaluation of the bike in question
• Write service tickets that are clear and legible
• Provide customers with an estimated time for completion of the work; remind customers of our service hours and that they will be called when the work is done
• Investigate and capitalize on opportunities to sell customers upgrades in repair or replacement parts
• Investigate and capitalize on opportunities to sell customers replacement rubber
• Be able to answer customer questions about accessory compatibility and installation with confidence
• Initiate contact with customers when service work is completed
• Respond with confidence to opportunities to demonstrate features, advantages, and benefits for parts of other products customers may inquire about
• Always respond to phone inquiries with professionalism, courtesy, and enthusiasm

Perform service and repairs on customer bicycles
When not interacting with customers, service technicians are expected to occupy their time in servicing and repairing scheduled or ‘while you wait’ repairs. Bike Gallery service technicians are required to have in their possession the tools necessary to perform all routine mechanical services; supplies will be provided by the shop service manager on an as needed basis.
• Be able to diagnose and service a wide range of performance complaints for a wide range of equipment types
• Be able to diagnose and service a wide range of noise complaints for a wide range of equipment types
• Be able to complete a bicycle assembly for any product carried, to the established quality standard, and within the established time parameters for the product in question
• Be able to identify and perform all aspects of replacement part installation to the established time and quality standards
• Be able to deliver established service packages (tune-ups, overhauls, etc.) to the established time and quality standards
• Be able to recognize and respond to changes in the work priorities of the service department as indicated by volume or other circumstances
• Test ride all completed service work to verify performance
• Be able to recognize and respond to opportunities to build customer loyalty through the delivery of prompt, accurate service
• Be prepared to demonstrate the value of the service menu pricing and as well as all work performed
• Stay current with equipment manufacturer specifications and product developments that affect service procedures or compatibility issues

How to Apply
Send cover letter & resume to:
BGresumes@bikegallery.com

PBOT Director Leah Treat likes bikes

Leah Treat’s family vehicle.
(Photo @leahtreat on Twitter)

In case it didn’t come through in the two stories I’ve posted about new PBOT Director Leah Treat today, I want to make it clear that she likes bikes. Treat rides bicycles regularly and she’s not shy about sharing her appreciation of bicycling with the public. Does this matter? Yes. Does it mean everybody’s bike dreams will suddenly come true? No.

As we’ve unfortunately experienced for the past four-plus years, politics often trumps good policy and projects here in Portland. But that being said, I think Treat’s love of cycling and her understanding that bicycling plays a crucial and valuable role in the urban transportation mix, is an extremely important trait that is likely bode very well for Portland’s future. This is especially true when her perspective is combined with that of her two bosses — Commissioner Steve Novick and Mayor Charlie Hales — both of whom are very supportive of bicycling and seem poised to shake up the local transportation status quo.

What evidence do I have that Treat likes bikes? Here are a few things quickly gleaned from the Interwebs…

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RED Cannondale 800 1995

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 1995
Brand: Cannondale
Model: 800
Color:RED
Stolen in Portland, OR 97227
Stolen:2013-06-14
Stolen From: Sassy’s on Morrison
Neighborhood: SE
Owner: Tyler Bice Bice
OwnerEmail: tyler_bice(at sign)hotmail.com
Description: RED. Cannondale 800. Missing left pedal. fendors and hybrid tires.
Police reference#: 13-153821
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

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