March 2014 Archives

‘Wheelwomen Switchboard’ is a new forum for women in biking

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

A screengrab of the new Wheelwomen Switchboard.

A new online community for the women’s bicycling movement, launched by a local bike writer and built on a web startup by two Reed College alumni, seems to be off to a roaring start.

Created by Elly Blue, who is herself a sort of bicycle hub who has taken human form and lives in Portland, Wheelwomen Switchboard sorts its users’ posts into two categories: “asks” and “offers.” The Wheelwomen community has drawn more than 70 such posts in its first two weeks.

(Photo by Erin Greeson)

Welcome to the third installment of our series on bicycling and transportation culture in New Orleans by former Portlander and BikePortland contributor Erin Greeson. Erin currently lives in New Orleans. Read the rest of the series here.

Part III: Rich Community, Gumbo Culture

New Orleans’ traditions of art, music, creativity and festivity translate to its bike culture.

At the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, seasoned locals lock dozens, if not hundreds, of bikes near the entry gates (pictured below). They know to avoid driving anywhere near the scene, which draws music lovers from around the world: topping out at over 425,000 attendees in 2013.

There are bicycle “second-line” parades organized by Bike Easy, which put a two-wheeled spin on a deep-rooted New Orleans tradition. There are colorful, quirky bike groups. Thursday night meet-up rides feature themes reminiscent of Portland’s “Pedalpalooza” rides, New Orleans-style. NOLA Social Ride hosts a signature Thursday ride and other rides throughout the week. Bikes are often incorporated into costumes and parades; costumes and festive attire are commonly worn in New Orleans, not just for Halloween and Mardi Gras, but for occasions ranging from Saint Patrick’s Day to Saints games.

Year: 2013
Brand: Spot
Model: Ajax
Color:black
Size:57cm
Serial:h2jh2254(8)
Photo: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8101/8464277596_65a256410b.jpg
Stolen in Portland, OR 97211
Stolen:2013-03-18
Stolen From: Near NE 33rd and Ainsworth
Neighborhood: Concordia
Owner: James Luce
OwnerEmail: jaluce@pdx.edu
Reward: 1800$
Description: Black spot ajax, converted to drop bars. Similar to bike in photo, but logos are dark gray, and much of frame is wrapped in black cloth tape. These bikes are typically flat bar, the drop bars are unique. Has a rear rack and fenders like bike in photo. These are relatively rare belt drive, internal hub disc bikes, so they tend to stand out.
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 14-22074
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Let’s help Richard get his bike back

Stolen!

Portlander Richard Lorenz got his high-end Moots titanium mountain bike stolen yesterday afternoon. Then last night he got tips and photos from from two people who saw his bike on the Eastbank Esplanade. Now he’s determined to get his bike back safe and sound and he’s hoping more eyes on the street can help him out.

The bike was taken from inside his car as it was parked in the parking garage on SW 6th and Salmon in downtown Portland. Richard had just sold the bike on eBay and was going to ship it out on Monday. He never got time to box it up and when he went out to his car after work he found his window smashed and the bike gone. He figured it was gone for good, but he still filed a stolen bike listing, made a police report, posted to Craigslist and generally spread the word however he could.

Click the image for a link to the documents.

When the basics of biking are essentially passed on as folk wisdom from one individual to another, is there any wonder so many of us fail to pick up the best practices?

Local programs like Safe Routes to School and Create a Commuter try to fill this gap for elementary schoolers and working-age riders, respectively. And now the federal government is offering a free three-part guide aiming to help middle school and high school “physical education teachers and recreation specialists” teach the basics of bike use, maintenance and safety.

The 355-page curriculum includes seven units: Getting Ready to Ride, Bicycle Handling Basics, Emergency Bicycle Handling Skills, Advanced Bicycle Handling Skills, Rules of the Road for Riding, Bicycle Maintenance and Riding for Fitness.

Year: 2008
Brand: Moots
Model: Mooto-X
Color:Titanium
Size:17″
Serial: 17M8595
Stolen in Portland, OR 97204
Stolen:2014-03-17
Stolen From: Stolen out of my car in a parking garage on 6th and Salmon.
Neighborhood: Downtown
Owner: Richard Lorenz
OwnerEmail: rlorenz(at sign)chbh.com
Reward: Yes.
Description: Moots Mooto-X 29er mountain bike with full xtr drivetrain and distinctive blue trim pieces including headset, bottom, bracket, grips and pedals. Enve carbon wheels with chris king hubs.
Police record with: Portland
Police reference#: 14-21876
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Got thoughts about Barbur Blvd? Tell ODOT at open house Wednesday

Taking a lane on the bridge.
(Photo by J. Maus/BikePortland)

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is hosting an open house this Wednesday (3/19) to discuss the Newbury Vermont Bridges Rehabilitation Project.

This is the project that sparked interest in doing a “road diet” on Barbur that was ultimately rejected in favor of future traffic studies. While some saw the bridge rehab project as a golden opportunity to re-design Barbur, ODOT maintained that consideration of a road diet was beyond the scope. Instead, they opted to spend $180,000 to install four “Bikes on bridge” flashing warning signs that were turned on last week.

Wednesday’s open house is a chance to offer feedback on those signs and learn more about how the rehab project will impact traffic on Barbur Blvd.

E-bike powered.
(Photo by J. Maus/BikePortland)

What’s the latest with electric bikes? Is their popularity growing or is it leveling out? What about the future? Will motorized and pedal-assisted bicycles ever be fully embraced by other road users?

These issues and more will be discussed at an event next month in downtown Portland. The event is being promoted and organized by Drive Oregon, a non-profit trade association that pushes “electric mobility and alternative means of transportation.”

We’ve covered e-bikes for years here on BikePortland. From the local industry that has sprung up around them to the people who credit them for changing their lives, they definitely seem to be gaining traction. That being said, they are still not commonly seen in the bike lanes and their mix of human and motor power makes it hard for them to find a comfortable niche among the existing mix of vehicles on the road.

Year: 2012
Brand: Cannondale
Model: Caad 9
Color:Black/white
Size:57/58cm
Photo: http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=62588
Stolen in Portland, OR 97214
Stolen:2014-03-17
Stolen From: SE Yamhill and 35th Ave
Neighborhood: Sunnyside
Owner: Sarah Augustine
OwnerEmail: sarahaugustine333(AT)gmail.com
Description: It has a front light, a cable lock and little bell on the front handle bars, a vertical rear light on one of the tubes. Black full fenders.
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 14-21768
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

silver Cannondale Caad 5x 2012

Year: 2012
Brand: Cannondale
Model: Caad 5x
Color:silver
Size:48
Serial: NM70032
Stolen in Portland, OR 97214
Stolen:2014-03-16
Stolen From: SE 35th and Belmont
Neighborhood: Sunnyside
Owner: Gretchen Lovell
OwnerEmail: gretchen.lovell(replace with at sign)gmail.com
Description: silver with a pink pump and fenders
Police record with: Portland
Police reference#: 14-21767
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

Specialized Stumpjumper Comp 2003

Year: 2003
Brand: Specialized
Model: Stumpjumper Comp
Serial: M5FJ16583
Photo: [URL=http://imgur.com/24raRCV][IMG]http://i.imgur.com/24raRCV.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
Stolen in Portland, OR
Stolen:2014-03-15
Stolen From: NW 23rd & Quimby
Neighborhood: NW
Owner: Greg Murphy
OwnerEmail: atscapital( atsign )gmail.com
Reward: $200
Description: Peddles are clip-in on one side and flat on the other. Has black water bottle holder.
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 14-002451
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

double Custom refurb’d TRAILER TRAILER 1999?

Year: 1999?
Brand: Custom refurb’d TRAILER
Model: TRAILER
Color:double
Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bethness/11487871746/in/set-72157638897830973
Stolen in Portland, OR 97211
Stolen:2014-03-16
Stolen From: Stolen from residence location near NE 15th and Dekum
Neighborhood: Woodlawn
Owner: B. Hamon
OwnerEmail: periwinklekog(replace with at sign)yahoo.com
Description: Avenir kid trailer, refurbished and upgraded with 24″ wheels, Burley “classic” hitch and strong nylon webbing to replace floor and sides. Webbing is recycled from Parr Lumber; the company name appears clearly all along the webbing. Trailer is needed for work and money very tight right now, cannot afford replacement, please help me find it!
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

‘Wheelwomen Switchboard’ is a new forum for women in biking

Biking the Big Easy: Rich Community, Gumbo Culture

black Spot Ajax 2013

Let’s help Richard get his bike back

New ‘Bikeology’ curriculum guides spell out bike skills for grades 6-12

Titanium Moots Mooto-X 2008

Got thoughts about Barbur Blvd? Tell ODOT at open house Wednesday

Event will highlight e-bike trends in Oregon

Black/white Cannondale Caad 9 2012

silver Cannondale Caad 5x 2012

Specialized Stumpjumper Comp 2003

double Custom refurb’d TRAILER TRAILER 1999?

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From the Archives

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