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

PBOT ad campaign: ‘This is why drivers should slow down’

Detail from PBOT advertisement.

It’s a sad fact that too many people are killed while walking on Portland streets. Despite having some of the safest roads in the country, we still lose too many of our fellow citizens this way. Recently, these troubling tragedies have caused advocates to sound the alarm and local electeds to use “improving pedestrian safety” as a rallying cry in their effort to raise new local transportation revenue.

Another way our city has reacted is with a new marketing campaign aimed at addressing some of the root causes of these collisions: speed and road user behavior. The other day I cam across a new promotional ad created by PBOT with the goal of getting people to slow down and be more aware when using the streets.

The main title of the piece is “Put the brakes on: This is why drivers should slow down.” The ad also shares the infamous “speed kills” graphic that lays out how an even 10 mph difference can mean life or death. The bulk of the piece focused on tips for walkers — with a list of seven tips translated into eight different languages.

Sharon White, a traffic safety specialist at PBOT who works on the High Crash Corridor program (among other things), said the “Put the brakes on Pedestrian Deaths” ad campaign is being inserted into high school newspapers. Specifically, PBOT has placed the graphic in two schools located close to SE Powell Blvd, one of the most dangerous streets in Portland: the Franklin High School Post and the Cleveland High School Clarion.

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Mayor Greg Ballard will bring wisdom from Indianapolis to Portland next month

ballardbyannis

Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard.
(Photo by Rob Annis)

Though the flow of gawkers from other city governments to Portland may have ebbed a bit, our city still draws its share of leaders from around the country to see our streets in action.

But next month, Cycle Oregon is turning that tradition on its head: at the suggestion of Portland Bicycle Planning Coordinator Roger Geller, it’s bringing the mayor of Indianapolis on its 10th annual Policymakers’ Ride (a.k.a. the Visionary Voyage), so one of the country’s bike-friendliest mayors can offer insights to his counterparts here in Portland.

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A six-point plan to make Portland a better place to grow up

Mayor Adams at Safe Routes to School ride-8

A Portland Safe Routes to School event in 2010.
(Photos J.Maus/BikePortland)

A community conversation about Portland's bike future

Part of our new series of guest posts: America’s Next Bicycle Capital. This week’s guest writer is Kari Schlosshauer of Safe Routes to School Pacific Northwest.

After living in Copenhagen, I moved to Portland because it would be the place in the United States with the greatest opportunity to bicycle calmly, safely, and in good company. I had a bit of a shock when I got here: I realized right away that there was so much still to do.

But it is possible.

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Weekend Event Guide: Parkways, parties, art & more

Sunday Parkways North Portland 2012-8

Riding along the bluffs of Willamette Blvd (that’s Forest Park in the background) is just one reason to be excited for Sunday Parkways in north Portland this weekend.
(Photo J. Maus/BikePortland)

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

With that crazy hail and rain storm behind us, it’s looking like nothing but blue skies this weekend. And that’s good news because there are lots of reasons to be out in it on your bike.

As per usual this month we’re devoting separate posts to Pedalpalooza events so take a look at our latest ride picks and stay tuned here on the Front Page (or follow us on Twitter) for our next preview that will publish Saturday morning.

For now, here’s our selection of the best (non-Pedalpalooza) events of the weekend…

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Job: Bicycle Mechanic/Sales – Canyonview Cyclery (Longview, WA)

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title
Bicycle Mechanic/Sales

Company/Organization
Canyonview Cyclery

Job Description
Canyonview Cyclery in Longview, WA is seeking a knowledgeable and experienced cycling professional to add to our team. You must have at least 2 years bicycle shop experience. The open position is for a full or part-time seasonal bicycle mechanic. UBI or other certification preferred but not required.

We offer a generous employee purchase program.

Pay depends on experience.

Duties Include:
– New Bicycle Assembly
– Service Estimating
– Bicycle Repair (Tune-ups, Hydraulic Brakes & Suspension)
– Customer Service/Sales

What SW Washington offers:
– World Class Mountain Biking
– Conveniently located 45 miles from Portland
– Less than 70 miles from both Seaside and Longbeach

Canyonview Cyclery is a full service, locally owned bicycle shop. We feature Pivot, Raleigh, Norco, and Sun bicycles.

How to Apply
If you are interested and meet the qualifications please email a cover letter and resumé to Mark at canyonviewcyclery@gmail.com.

Man injured after being clipped by rear-view mirror on Highway 26

Oregon State Police photograph showing location of collision.

Yesterday just after 3:00 pm a man was struck while bicycling on the shoulder of Highway 26 about seven miles east of Sandy (at the bottom of Cherryville Hill, map).

According to an Oregon State Police statement, the collision involved Irma Swearengen, an 80-year-old woman who was driving a 1998 Pymouth Voyager mini-van and Kennedy Salveter, a 20-year-old man who was riding a triathlon bike. Both of them live in Sandy.

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PBOT details fix for Marine Drive rumble strip slip-up

A reader sent in this photo of the method used
by a PBOT contractor to warn people about
the dangerous and incorrectly installed
rumble strips on Marine Drive.

PBOT’s effort to implement safety upgrades on Marine Drive as part of their High Crash Corridor program took a bit of a detour last week when one of their contractors incorrectly installed rumble strips in the bike lane near NE 122nd Ave. The grooves in the pavement have created dangerous bicycling conditions and have sparked major concerns from road users.

Because the of the incorrect installation and location of the grooves, the usable biking space has been cut in half (creating a space so narrow that it falls below even FHWA standards). And when you are forced to roll over them, the impact is so jarring it could lead to crashes, swerving, equipment failure, and so on.

Thankfully, PBOT admitted the error and they’re working to make things right.

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Portlander’s ‘protected intersection’ concept gets first on-street demo (in Minneapolis)

PopUp Protected Intersection Event 04

A temporary “protected intersection” at Open Streets MPLS June 8.
(Photos courtesy Alta Planning and Design)

A Portland planner’s concept for a way to almost completely eliminate bike-car conflicts from American intersections got its first road test in Minneapolis this month.

Bikeways for Everyone,” a Blue Cross Blue Shield-funded, Minneapolis-based advocacy coalition with a goal to build 30 miles of protected bike lanes by 2020, invited Nick Falbo of Alta Planning and Design to create a one-day demo at Open Streets MPLS, the city’s version of Sunday Parkways.

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‘Bikes + Books’ event will showcase local authors

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

A cool event coming to the Disjecta arts space in Kenton next week (6/26) combines two of our favorite things: bikes and books. It’s being organized by the same folks behind Filmed by Bike so you know it’ll be great.

Check out the event announcement below:

Bikes+Books: A literary event with a bar.
Wednesday, June 25
6:30-8:30pm
Disjecta Contemporary Arts Courtyard – North McClellen east of N. Denver in Kenton

In the last five years, Portland has seen an explosion of authors publishing bike-related books. For one night only, Nisus Gallery, in conjunction with Filmed by Bike, will bring these authors to the Disjecta alfresco stage for an evening of live readings, a bar, food cart, book sales, book signing and a photo booth in the courtyard.

This event is free. Rain or shine. (indoor space available)

MORE INFO >>

If you are planning on going to the Photobooth ride, you can do both! We will be rockin a photo booth and the photo booth ride will stop by at 9, so you can join in with them at that time.
Authors

– Joe Kurmaskie aka The Metal Cowboy
– Mykle Hansen “I, Slutbot” “Help a Bear is Eating Me”
– Lucy Burningham “Hop in the Saddle”
– Evan P. Schneider “Boneshaker” and “A Simple Machine, Like the Lever”
– Stephanie Routh “How to Move by Bike”
– Brian Benson “Going Somewhere”
– Ellee Thalheimer “Cycling Sojourner” “Hop in the Saddle”
– Sarah Mirk, Bitch Magazine and “Oregon History Comics”
+ more!

Job: Recycle and Reuse Manager – Bike Works Seattle

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title
Recycle and Reuse Manager

Company/Organization
Bike Works Seattle

Job Description
RECYCLE AND REUSE MANAGER (FULL-TIME EXEMPT)

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW:
Bike Works, based in Seattle, builds sustainable communities by educating youth and promoting bicycling. Bike Works has been working for kids, bikes, and community in Seattle since 1996. Our programs and services invest in young people and encourage bicycling as a clean and healthy transportation alternative. Last year over 600 youth, ages 9 to 17, participated in our programs and gained the skills and resources they need to translate lessons about confidence and leadership into their own lives, helping them to make healthier decisions about their futures. We also recycle and redistribute close to 5,000 used bicycles annually to youth and adults locally through our programs and community bike shop, and internationally through organization partners. We value and seek diverse team members who are passionate, innovative, collaborative, professional, fun, responsible and solutions-oriented.

ROLE OVERVIEW:
The Recycle and Reuse Manager reports to our Bike Shop Director and oversees our bicycle recycling program. This program is an essential component of our mission, increasing access to affordable, environmentally-friendly transportation in Seattle by distributing thousands of refurbished bicycles back into the community. This program prolongs the life of usable bikes and parts and each year diverts thousands of pounds from the waste stream. The Recycle and Reuse Manager oversees this process, and supplies other departments at Bike Works with the bikes, parts, and accessories they require to carry out our mission. The Recycle and Reuse Manager leads procurement efforts for bike donations, manages bike recycling intake and processing systems, and supervises up to three staff within the Recycle and Reuse department. This position is full-time (40 hours per week), exempt.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Oversees intake and triage processes, and inventory systems, for donated used bikes, bike parts, and accessories
• Acts as lead in bike donation procurement efforts
• Manages Recycle and Reuse department, supervising staff mechanics and mentoring volunteer mechanics
• Acts as liaison to corporate bike donation partners, including companies within the bike industry
• Serves as facility manager in our bike recycling warehouse
• Works cross-departmentally at Bike Works to mentor new bike mechanics and develop youth leadership
• Contributes to the organization’s vision, participates in organization-wide programs, and helps to create a sustainable organizational culture

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:
• Two or more years of experience in a bike shop, community bike project, non-profit, or related bike industry organization
• Two or more years of experience supervising staff within the bike industry or in a related field
• Professional-level bike mechanical skills
• Strong communication and leadership skills, with a proven track record of working cooperatively in a team and across departments
• Previous experience designing, implementing, and holding others accountable to organizational systems and work processes
• Enthusiasm for Bike Works’ mission and the ability to motivate others around that mission
• Commitment to youth leadership, sustainable communities and bicycle transportation
• Willingness and ability to work with people from a variety of racial, cultural, religious and economic backgrounds, with various ages, lifestyles, sexual orientations, gender orientations and political beliefs
• Commitment to social justice and environmental sustainability
• Ability to work some evenings and weekends, scheduled in advance
• Driver’s license and ability to pass a driving record check
• Ability to lift bicycles (up to 50 pounds), and load or unload bicycles from containers or vehicles

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:
• Energetic, flexible, personable, and a sense of humor
• Ability to write in a clear and concise manner and verbally communicate with people from diverse communities
• Fluency in two or more languages
• Ability to manage time effectively
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Access and internet searching
• Comfort with speaking in front of groups

COMPENSATION: $33,000 to $38,000, depending on experience, plus medical, dental and paid vacation.

How to Apply

HOW TO APPLY:
Please visit our website at www.bikeworks.org for more information about Bike Works.

Email your resume, cover letter, and contact information for three references to steve@bikeworks.org.
NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.

This position is open until filled. Complete applications received by June 28, 2014 will receive priority consideration.

Women and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply. Bike Works is an Equal Opportunity and queer-friendly employer.