2015 Archives

TriMet bus operator allegedly drives into people on Williams Ave, then flees – UPDATED

This photo shows a TriMet bus driver who drove through a crosswalk despite the presence of people walking and biking.
(Photos by Abraham Sutfin)

Last night a TriMet bus operator turned her bus directly into a group of people who were using North Williams Avenue. Witnesses reported that contact was made between the bus and a trailer attached to a man’s bicycle, but luckily there were no injuries. According to people at the scene, the bus operator forced her way through a crosswalk that was full of bikers and walkers while honking repeatedly, then fled only to stop several blocks later after people chased her down.

Showers Pass has introduced eight new items meant for touring, bike camping and year-round commuting.

This year’s massive kickoff ride was the first sign that something was up.
(Photo: M.Andersen/BikePortland)

Here’s another take on the much-discussed and increasingly well-documented problem of people who are in a big hurry to drive on some of Portland’s neighborhood greenways (sometimes known as bike boulevards).

My commute has me driving for four blocks on the Clinton bike boulevard west of 21st. For the second time this month I’ve had an aggressive drive pass me to speed down the street. This morning there was a line of bicyclists in front of me basically taking up the lane through to the next signal, as well as oncoming traffic. It would not have been safe or prudent to overtake the bicyclists as I would have to either cut one of them off or stay in the oncoming lane until the next signal. Instead I just drove at the speed of the bikes which was around 18mph. The car that passed me nearly took out a cyclist trying to get back in our lane to avoid a head on collision. It’s completely ridiculous to me that PPB has nearly zero traffic enforcement, especially on our neighborhood greenways where safe respectful driving is even more important. I’ve tried calling in requesting enforcement but have not seen any cops. Any ideas on how to make our streets better, and what the fuck is going on this summer that is making all the drivers extra aggressive?

Help is on the way.
(Photo: ODOT)

82nd Avenue is finally getting the attention is so badly deserves. The state-owned arterial is one of the City of Portland’s ten High Crash Corridors, a designation it has earned by being the place in Portland where you’re most likely to die or be seriously injured while walking.

But two projects might change that — and you might be able to help.

The Oregon Department of Transportation announced today they’re seeking members for the Community Advisory Committee for their 82nd Avenue of Roses Implementation Plan. That effort will identify transportation projects along a seven-mile stretch of 82nd from NE Killingsworth to Johnson Creek Blvd.

Mystery of spray-painted bike lane now revealed. The proposal, which would also improve crosswalks across 3rd, aims to make the area more walkable.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

Nine months after a three-day event that tested a single southbound lane of auto traffic on a few blocks of NW and SW 3rd Avenue, a group of stakeholders on the street has endorsed a middle ground: two lanes.

Bikes welcome too.

Don’t let the event name and marketing fool you, next month’s “PDX Drive-In Movie Spectacular” at the Portland Expo Center (located at end of MAX Yellow Line, I-5 and Marine Drive) welcomes bike-in customers too.

The event invite caught my eye because I’m a huge fan of drive-ins. My family and I have enjoyed several nights in the back of our mini-van at the 99W Drive-In in Newberg. But I’ve always thought it’d be great to have a drive-in with a bunch of bikes instead of cars.

While the folks at the Expo Center have put a strong auto-centric spin on the event, they are also encouraging people to show up on bikes. Here’s more from their press release:

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

An e-boost makes toting the kids easier.
(Photo: Xtracycle)

Willamette Blvd as it should be.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

Another Sunday Parkways is in the books, and it was simply sublime. The weather, the people, the parks — it was Portland summer and community spirit at its finest.

As I rode the nine-mile loop with my family (going slower than usual to ride alongside my wife Juli who decided to jog the loop), I kept wondering why it only happens in my neighborhood for five hours a year.

Just five precious hours out of 8,766 hours every year.

Technically you would only need one time travel
ride. Apparently it’s this Thursday.
(Photo via Shift)

It’s that time of the summer: the solstice has slipped past, the afternoons are getting seriously hot, and that “do I really want to go to a bike ride tonight” feeling is giving way to the realization that Pedalpalooza comes but once a year.

As Portland’s inimitable bike festival heads into its third and final week, we thought we’d help you suck the marrow out of June 2015 by highlighting a few of the most interesting weekday rides. Check back later this week for our usual Weekend Event Guide to bring you into Pedalpalooza’s big finish, including what’s looking like an 80-degree World Naked Bike Ride…

Jesus on a Bike Ride music video shoot – Monday, 5:45-8:45pm, 4629 SE 64th Ave
“A ride of biblical proportions. Put on your holiest attire and ride with Jesus on a Bike. We’re shooting a music video for youtube … It’s a punk rock interpretation highlighting Jesus as a radical who wanted to bring down the corrupt systems he saw around him. More storytelling, less dogma! Appropriate for all ages.”

For sale.
(Photo via Craigslist)

This week’s Monday Roundup has been made possible by Metro and their fantastic Bike There! Map. Pick up a copy today!

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

Art trike: A giant, rideable Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton can be yours for $2,000.

Montreal activism: The Guardian’s Peter Walker digs up the stories of the crazy dreamers who made Montreal one of North America’s best biking cities.

Back to basics: Former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown is volunteering at a local bike shop. “Listen, I don’t need a job; I don’t need any money,” the Republican said. “But I’ve always wanted to learn how to put together and take apart bikes.”

Blank slates: “What happens when a city loses its people? It loses its cars,” says Anthony Taylor, a leading advocate of African-American biking, about Detroit. “So what happens when people re-imagine the possibilities when they’ve lost their cars? All of a sudden you wind up with biking.”

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TriMet bus operator allegedly drives into people on Williams Ave, then flees – UPDATED

Industry Ticker: Showers Pass introduces new Cascade Collection

It’s not your imagination: Pedalpalooza’s big rides are getting bigger

‘Aggro’ driving on neighborhood greenways annoys Portlanders in cars too

State wants help in effort to improve 82nd Avenue

Old Town businesses and residents endorse buffered bike lane on 3rd Avenue

Portland Expo Center will host six bike-in movies in August

Industry Ticker: Xtracycle brings electric cargo bike tour to Portland

Opinion: Just 5 hours of Sunday Parkways is not enough

Pedalpalooza to the fullest: Seven weekday rides to check out while you can

The Monday Roundup: T-Rex trike, Montreal’s colorful advocates and more

Job – Information Technology Manager – Velotech, Inc. – FILLED

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