It’s the end of the year, and that means the next couple weeks here on BikePortland will be rich with retrospectives and analysis from 2014 and predictions for 2015.
One of those will be part of a new tradition: the annual question show on our podcast. This is a fun endeavor where the three of us — Jonathan, me, and producer Lillian Karabaic — take questions from listeners and others and address as many as we can, on air, in 25 minutes. The only restriction: the questions somehow have to be about either the year past or the year to come.
Last year, we tackled subjects like proper use of crosswalks, the latest improvements to the Springwater Trail and the Nobel Prize for Physics.
It was a great time, and we’ve all been looking forward to this next edition. We’ll be taping on Monday, Dec. 29. Leave your questions about the year past or the year to come in the comments below or email podcast@bikeportland.org.
Thanks for reading.
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When will cycle tracks (or multi-use path) be installed on SW Multnomah Blvd from SW 40th Ave to SW Garden Home Road?
two of the three of you have hand built bikes. what will it take for the third person to get a hand built bike and what would that bike be like?
How disappointed should I be about the lack of direct access from PSU to the South Waterfront is $5 million for an overpass route nothing in today’s project dollars?
Is a retrofit even possible?
Today I witnessed a first: a parking enforcement officer ticketing a delivery driver for parking illegally in the painted buffer next to the crosswalk at NE 8th & Multnomah. This particular spot has seen a constant stream of commercial vehicles illegally parking, since demolition began at the Hassalo-On-Eighth project a year ago, and in that time I’ve made probably thirty calls to the parking enforcement hotline, and not once seen a response. How effective is the parking enforcement hotline? The stats on calls and responses would be interesting.
Our small city is likely to get some “neighborhood greenways” designated next year. It’s looking like we’ll get sharrows and 20 mph but no diverters, bumps, calming or enforcement. Should we be happy or disappointed?
(Jerry Seinfeld voice) “What’s the deal with Williams?”
Aaand now it seems like there’s so many questions surrounding this project that narrowing it down to one is difficult. one of the many issues with this project is the way we handle construction zones for pedestrians and bicycles users. Has the city learned anything from this or other projects to make construction zones more people friendly? It’d be nice to see a new precedent in 2015.
I’d like to hear some views on “big picture” issues. Sure, they’re all important in their own right, and yes, moving forward means progress needs to be made among each and all of them, but could you put some emphasis on how you (each) see them prioritizing and fitting together?
examples:
– Bicycle master plan implementation
– Legal front, including improved laws (VRU, passing distance, MSP), enforcement, local control of speed limits, etc.
– Controlling bike theft
– Urban planning beyond bikes (Michael’s real estate beat; could include parking here if you want)
– Bike user education (kids, laws, how-to, safety, security…)
– Industry trends (I still see ~99% sport bikes…)
– {your pet issue here}
What do you see trending in the world of bike business? Are small-batch custom bikes (Cielo, etc.) going to be the next big thing?
And any updates on Ian, the wandering Australian bike tourist?
Just watched a Streetsblog video on Berkeley’s bicycle boulevards: http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/01/24/streetfilms-berkeleys-bike-boulevards/ They seem to be very similar to our neighborhood greenways, but I like the prominence of signage and stenciling that the city of Berkeley has done with their boulevards to communicate that these roads being used heavily by people on bicycles. Wouldn’t our neighborhood greenways benefit from similar measures to communicate further that streets like Clinton have been set aside as a calmer bicycle route?
What’s the proper response to a “Portland nice” driver stopping for me at an intersection when THEY HAVE THE RIGHT-OF-WAY!!? I’m waiting at the stop sign for you to go by and you’re asking me to ride out in to the road. GO!!!!!
What’s the status of the ‘Sellwood Gap’ on the Springwater Trail?
Also, is PBOT aware of the potential mess that will be created in on 17th in Sellwood when Milwaukie builds the 17th ave multi-use path (which is going to be completed in approximately two years)?
The two items above are connected.
I rode this very route today, Matt. Yes, what a mess – or (best case) what a massive lost opportunity.
And keep the questions coming, everybody! We’re looking into them.
I have a feeling the PBOT/Metro will be forced to deal with the north end of the 17th ave project once it is done… there will be too many conflicts between bikes/peds/ autos at SE Ochoco to ignore.
Hayden Island / Jantzen Beach / Bridgetown, including connections to Vancouver and Marine Drive…any hope for better/easier biking?
General question: Is there enough frustration growing among people who do bike (and more vocal advocacy, e.g. Bike Loud PDX) about the political apathy that 2015 will see ‘bike’ become no longer the dirty word it has become in City Hall?