🚨 Please note: BikePortland is currently on hiatus and only publishing guest articles. Learn more here. Thank you. - Jonathan 🙏

Year: 2014

The Monday Roundup: Carfree, ‘Curbee’, car abuse & more

The “Curbee” footrest in action.
(Photo by Steven Vance/Streetsblog Chicago)

Here are the bike links from around the world that caught our eyes this week:

Cycling and social mores: Women in Afghanistan are seeking symbolic equality by the simple act of riding their bicycles. “For us, the bicycle is a symbol of freedom… We’re riding because we want to, because we love to, because if our brothers can, so can we.”

From crooked to carfree: Famous Lombard Street in San Francisco is now carfree on the weekends. And despite howling critics, the trial run went quite smoothly. What Portland streets could be improved by being carfree on the weekends?

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Sprockettes mark 10 years with epic reunion performance (photos)

Sprockettes 10th Anniversary Reunion Performance-67

28 Sprockettes — including all the founding members — danced together at the Bike Fair yesterday.
(Photos by J. Maus/BikePortland)

It was one of those moments that will be talked about for years. Portland’s beloved mini-bike dance troupe, The Sprockettes, gave an emotionally charged and historic performance in front of a large, appreciative crowd at the Bike Fair on Saturday.

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Weekend Event Guide: Mural debut, mountain biking, Mt. Hood, and more

Policymakers Ride - Gorge Edition-1

It’s a great weekend to explore Marine Drive and head out to the Gorge.
(Photo J. Maus/BikePortland)

Welcome to your menu of weekend rides and events, lovingly brought to you by our friends at Hopworks Urban Brewery.

Things have been a bit disjointed here at BikePortland for various reasons, so we’re looking forward to clearing the slate over the weekend and starting fresh on Monday. But before then, there’s a full weekend ahead and there’s a lot of fun riding to choose from.

The weather might be a bit wet on Friday and Saturday, but things are expected to clear by Sunday. And regardless of the rain, at least it’s nice and toasty outside. Embrace it!

Here’s our list of the best rides and events this weekend…

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Critical Mass returns (at least in name)

Critical Mass - Portland

Critical Mass in Portland, June 2005.
(Photos J. Maus/BikePortland)

After years of telling people that Critical Mass was dead in Portland, it seems I might have to start telling a different story. Tonight, after a nearly six-year hiatus the well-known tactic of bike-centric street activism will return — at least in name if not in form.

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Guest essay: A Portland perspective on Bogotá’s ciclovía

Jen Cicolovia

Author Jen Sotolongo.
(Photo: Dave Hoch)

Portland resident Jen Sotolongo and her partner Dave Hoch recently returned from a trip to Bogotá, Colombia where they took part in “Ciclovía” — the event inspired our own Sunday Parkways and that’s considered the Godfather of open streets events around the world.

Story and photos by Jen Sotolongo

——

We awoke from our short morning nap after a sickeningly bouncy, seven-hour night bus ride from San Gil, Colombia to Bogotá, feeling somewhat less nauseous, a touch more rested, and most of all, ready to take to the streets of Bogotá for Ciclovía.

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The Bike Fair returns to Colonel Summers Park this Saturday

Mult. Co. Bike Fair - MCBF '09-54

Colonel Summers Park has been home to countless Bike Fair memories over the years.
(Photos J. Maus/BikePortland)

For years, local bike fun organization Shift held the big, blowout, grand finale Pedalpalooza event — the Multnomah County Bike Fair — at Colonel Summers Park. But a few years ago, permit costs, tricky regulations, and other issues led organizers to move the event to a vacated street next to an abandoned high school in southeast Portland.

Since that move (in 2010) there’s been something missing. The crowds never got as large as the old days and the new location just didn’t have the same celebratory vibe.

That’s why, I’m happy to report that this year the Bike Fair is back at its original location! And the buzz around town is that it’ll be bigger and better than ever.

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Job: Bicycle Retail Sales and/or Service – Hutch’s Bicycles Bend, OR

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title
Bicycle Retail Sales and/or Service

Company/Organization
Hutch’s Bicycles Bend, OR

Job Description
Premier bicycle retailer in beautiful Bend, Oregon, has immediate openings for qualified and motivated service and/or sales.

Successful candidates will possess:
Passion for cycling and the cycling culture
Previous bicycle retail experience (or suitable alternative)
Proven sales skills (ability to engage, persuade, motivate)
Ability to provide excellent customer service
Capacity to provide tailored service to address a broad demographic, and exceed customers’ expectations
High attention to detail and follow-through
Ability to multi task in a fast paced environment
Willingness to learn new things
Aptitude for bicycle mechanics
Computers skills
Positive, professional attitude
Ability to thrive in team environment

Service Technician candidates:
Previous experience as a bicycle mechanic is required

Duties will include but are not limited to:
Assisting customers by addressing and influencing their wants and needs
Operating register and point of sale system
Handling rental bike reservations
Transferring inventory and assisting with inventory management
Creating layaways
Special ordering products
General cleaning

We are a group of hard working, bike loving, outdoor enthusiasts who love what we do. Our mission is to connect our customers with the world of cycling and spread our passion for the sport. If you are interested in joining our team please contact us. Please include resume.

How to Apply
Please send resume and cover letter to:
John Frey
Hutch’s Bicycles
General Sales Manager
john.frey@hutchsbicycles.com
541-382-3008 o

‘Lost Oregon’ blog unearths rare footage of Yellow Bike program

Still from video of Portland’s Yellow Bike program.
(Via LostOregon.org)

John Chilson, the local urban history buff behind the Lost Oregon blog, has shared some excellent and rare footage of Portland’s Yellow Bike program.

The Yellow Bike program (Wikipedia) was Portland’s innovative experiment in community bike sharing that was launched in 1994. These days it’s often brought up in the same breath with our more modern attempt at bike-sharing; but as you can see in the short video below, the Yellow Bike program was decidedly low-tech and had almost nothing in common with today’s systems.

With the help of volunteers at the Community Cycling Center, the Yellow Bike program consisted of hundreds of cheap city bikes that were simply painted yellow and set out for public use along with a sign that read: “Free community bike. Please return to a major street for others to reuse. Use at your own risk.” It was a classic example of what The New York Times referred to in December 1994 as Portland’s “urban whimsy.”

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Job: Warehouse Worker – Portland Design Works – FILLED

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Sorry, this job has been filled. Browse more great jobs here.

Job Title
Warehouse Worker

Company/Organization
Portland Design Works

Job Description
Portland Design Works (PDW) designs and develops simple, beautiful gear for everyday cycling. Located in Portland, Oregon, we are a fast-growing passion-driven company looking for the newest member of our close-knit team. We are on the lookout for our new seasonal part time Warehouse Worker to take care of picking, packing, shipping, receiving, etc in our NE Portland warehouse. This person will be detail oriented, positive, and possess the personality to complement our current team.

Responsibilities:
• Picking orders correctly and efficiently
• Packing and shipping orders using UPS, FedEx, USPS, and LTL
• Putting away incoming product shipments
• Keeping warehouse clean and orderly
• Use forklift to move pallets on/off pallet racking and load/unload trucks
• Monitor warehouse supplies to make sure they do not run out
• Other duties as assigned

Skills and Experience:
• Very detail oriented and organized
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Basic math skills
• Knowledge of bicycle components and accessories
• Able to lift up to 45 pounds and perform physical tasks including pushing, pulling, and grasping
• Able to be on feet for up to 5 hours
• Forklift certification a plus
• Basic computer skills (Windows, Microsoft Office, Adobe Reader)

Hours
• Monday – Friday, 3-5 hours per day
• Seasonal position March-October, possibility of winter hours if needed

Compensation
• $12.50 per hour

How to Apply
Email resume and cover letter to Erik Olson, General Manager at erik@ridepdw.com

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