Year: 2015

Bike Theft Task Force, Project 529 team up on census effort with new app

censuslead

Love bikes? Hate theft? Seeking volunteers to build
a baseline of Portland bike parking(Graphic by J Allard)

J Allard is CEO and Founder of Project 529 and a Core Team member of the Portland Police Bureau Bike Theft Task Force.

I’ve learned a lot about bike theft after being victimized 3 years ago, and even more as we’ve developed and rolled out the 529 Garage. A common pattern as I speak to people is the desire for a silver bullet solution. Sorry fellow cyclists, there isn’t one.

Fact is, today’s bike thieves and fences are more organized, more dedicated and leveraging technology better than the communities they are attacking. To fight back, we’re going to have to step up our game, and I’m happy that here in Portland we’ve begun to with the formation of the Bike Theft Task Force.

One of my biggest learnings is how little data and research exists. I can’t think of any $400 million problem (annual, in the US alone) that has received as little focused attention as bike theft. Sure, there’s a couple of general reports, but no deep studies on the problem that can offer much insight to the problem as we search for answers.

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14 Clinton Street businesses celebrate bikeway birthday with discounts this week

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Neighborhood advocates have teamed up with local businesses to celebrate the huge role bikes play in Clinton Street’s commercial prosperity and the huge role small businesses play in making Clinton Street such a great destination.

The event happens as the City of Portland continues to express concern that businesses and residents would oppose adding one or more traffic diverters to Clinton Street to reduce cut-through car traffic and make the neighborhood greenway a bike route that people of all ages would feel comfortable using.

The organizations Safer Clinton and BikeLoudPDX have joined up to produce the event Bike to Shop Clinton, which kicked off yesterday and continues through Thursday night.

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The Monday Roundup: Testing the Idaho stop, the origin of helmets and more

salmon street stop sign

Look both ways.
(Photo: J.Maus/BikePortland)

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

Idaho stop: Bicycle Quarterly’s Jan Heine created his own private code of conduct for the last six months: he treated red lights as stop signs and stop signs as yield signs while biking around Seattle. What he learned was pretty interesting.

Bike to Work Week: It makes biking feel like “paying your taxes or calling grandma on Mother’s Day,” writes Bike Snob Eben Weiss in Time.

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ODOT says $3 million project to raise overpass 18 inches has no budget to add a sidewalk

strawberry lane overpass

The overpass is being raised so that large-load trucks can drive under it rather than detouring onto Strawberry Lane.
(Images: Google Street View)

Despite receiving a dozen public requests to add sidewalks to an overpass it’s planning to raise by 18 inches, the Oregon Department of Transportation says there’s no room for them in the $3 million project.

Instead, ODOT will add a five-foot-wide striped walking and biking lane on the bridge’s eastbound side. The road-level lane will be marked with a pedestrian symbol.

The Strawberry Lane bridge south of Clackamas is the only crossing of Interstate 205 for one mile in each direction.

As reported Wednesday by the Clackamas Review, the purpose of the project is to raise the overpass enough to prevent most large-load trucks from having to detour onto Strawberry Lane in order to avoid the relatively low bridge.

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Weekend Event Guide: Clinton, swaps, e-bikes, and more!

Forest Grove - Barney Reservoir loop-23.jpg

Make the most of your 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.

We’ve got a full slate of rides and events so I hope you’re ready to roll.

Need new gear? Two bike swaps and a party at North St. Bags new retail location should have you covered. Want to support local business and remind Portland that Clinton is a bike-priority street? Then join the Bike to Shop festivities.

And of course if you just want to ride with friends old and new, we’ve got some tips for that too…

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Jobs of the Week: Stages, Left Coast, OTTO, Velotech, Chris King, Performance

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

We’ve had seven great job opportunities listed this week. Learn more about them via the links below…

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Job: Bike Mechanics, Builder & Sales Associates – Performance Bicycle

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title
Bike Mechanics, Builder & Sales Associates

Company/Organization
Performance Bicycle

Job Description
Performance Bicycle Beaverton is NOW HIRING!

Do you ride a bike?

Can you change a flat tire?

Are you eager to learn?

Does getting a great deal on the best cycling brands interest you?

If you answered yes to 3 or more of the above questions, Performance Bicycle might have an exciting and rewarding opportunity for you to work in the bicycle industry.

Performance Bicycle, the nation’s leading retailer of bicycling products, is actively seeking customer-focused, experienced part-time Bicycle Mechanics, a Bike Builder and part-time Sales Associates to join the Performance team at our Beaverton location.

We are looking for Mechanics and a Builder who understand the mechanics of bicycles, how to service them and keep them in top condition and how to trick them out to give our customers an edge.

We want Sales Associates who understand cycling and know how to guide customers toward getting the best out of themselves and their equipment.

If you are an experienced bike shop employee, or simply someone who rides bikes, Performance Bicycle has the technical training and management structure to help motivated individuals succeed.

Performance Bicycle is not a commission-based employer. This allows us to provide, first, a superior value for the customer, and second, a no pressure atmosphere for providing the best customer service.

Performance Bicycle offers competitive wages, a comprehensive benefits package including a generous employee discount program, and opportunity for advancement. Love what you do with a rewarding career or part time job in the cycling industry!

If you are interested in joining the best, please take a moment to apply by replying with a copy of your resume or visiting the store at 3850 SW Hall Blvd., Beaverton.

www.performancebike.com/beaverton

Ride safe and we look forward to hearing from you!

How to Apply
Email resume as an attachment in PDF format to: retailhr@performanceinc.com
Or, fill out an application at the store.

Job: Bike Shop Sales Associates – Performance Bicycle

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title
Bike Shop Sales Associates

Company/Organization
Performance Bicycle

Job Description
Performance Bicycle Tualatin is NOW HIRING!

Do you ride a bike?

Can you change a flat tire?

Are you eager to learn?

Does getting a great deal on the best cycling brands interest you?

If you answered yes to 3 or more of the above questions, Performance Bicycle might have an exciting and rewarding opportunity for you to work in the bicycle industry.

Performance Bicycle, the nation’s leading retailer of bicycling products, is actively seeking customer-focused, experienced part-time Sales Associates to join the Performance team at our Tualatin location.

We want Sales Associates who understand cycling and know how to guide customers toward getting the best out of themselves and their equipment.

If you are an experienced bike shop employee, or simply someone who rides bikes, Performance Bicycle has the technical training and management structure to help motivated individuals succeed.

Performance Bicycle is not a commission-based employer. This allows us to provide, first, a superior value for the customer, and second, a no pressure atmosphere for providing the best customer service.

Performance Bicycle offers competitive wages, a comprehensive benefits package including a generous employee discount program, and opportunity for advancement. Love what you do with a rewarding career or part time job in the cycling industry!

If you are interested in joining the best, please take a moment to apply by replying with a copy of your resume or visiting the store at 7071 SW Nyberg St. (Nyberg Woods Shopping Center), Tualatin

www.performancebike.com/tualatin

Ride safe and we look forward to hearing from you!

How to Apply
Email resume as an attachment in PDF format to: retailhr@performanceinc.com
Or, fill out an application at the store.

Job: Data Entry Specialist – Chris King Precision Components – 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
Data Entry Specialist

Company/Organization
Chris King Precision Components

Job Description
Chris King Precision Components, manufacturer of bicycle components, is seeking qualified applicants to assist the production department with all data entry, administrative and project functions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Process production moves
• Track merit based pay system
• Assist with basic scheduling tasks
• Assist with purchasing as needed
• Produce professional shop documents
• Provide support to the production offices in the daily administrative tasks
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills, Knowledge, and License or Certificate Required:

• Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Office Skills preferably using MACs
• Requires a minimum of two years directly related expereince in office and/ or administration
• Attention to detail
• Superior organizational skillls
• Ability to handle a variety of assignments simultaneously
• Ability to work under deadline pressure
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing

How to Apply
The successful applicant will be team oriented, eager to learn, enthusiastic and have a strong commitment to the community, the environment and excellence in general. Please furnish a letter of interest and resume in the body of an e-mail to jobs@chrisking.com (no attachments will be accepted). A drug free environment and equal opportunity employer. Visit our website at www.chrisking.com.

Job: Purchasing Coordinator/Expeditor – Velotech, Inc – 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
Purchasing Coordinator/Expeditor

Company/Organization
Velotech, Inc

Job Description
Purchasing Coordinator/Expeditor

Function of Position:
Provides Clerical support to the Purchasing Department. Including expediting purchase orders, updating ETAs, New product set up, obtaining website photos, PO database maintenance, maintaining and updating vendor databases.

Expected Job Duties:
• Data entry into various databases as needed to manage/update open orders
• Engage with buyers to identify and manage crucial open orders
• Identify and resolve shipment or vendor related problems
• Provide continuous monitoring and maintenance of delivery schedules/due dates in system and ensure accurate and timely updates.
• Communicate updates to the Director of Purchasing, Buyers and other departments on delivery statuses
• Escalate critical issues with urgency to appropriate Buyer
• Expedite purchase orders for buyers and maintain tracking and report progress
• Assist buyers with resolving non-conforming materials and other vendor quality and/or delivery issue
• Coordinate with accounts payable with follow up/resolution of invoice discrepancies or missing invoices
• Manage special orders through collaboration with Customer Service, Store Personnel, Receiving and Vendor Partners.
• Foster relationships with Vendor Partners to ensure priority order handling.
• Assist department in other duties and special projects as needed.
• Other related duties as assigned.
EXPERIENCE:
Two to Four years administrative experience involving customer service, telephone work and computer skills or equivalent. Preferably in purchasing and/or Finance/Accounting. Proficient in MS Word, Excel and data entry. Proficiency in written and spoken English.
EDUCATION:
High school diploma.

SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE:
• Strong knowledge of road and/or mountain bike products and lifestyle.
• Two years as a Purchasing Clerk or similar Purchasing role
• Excellent attention to detail
• Ability to multi task with changing/conflicting priority levels
• Strong communication skills: written, oral, listening
• Desire to provide stellar customer service for both internal and external customers
• Excellent organization and follow-up skills
• Ability to work with minimal supervision while remaining on task and hitting deadlines
• General knowledge of the fundamentals of Purchasing
• Work as a member of a cohesive team
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship, pregnancy or veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

How to Apply
Send your cover letter and resume to Jobs@velotech.com

Legislative update: Dead red passes, rear light bill might not, and more

New safety signal at Couch and Grand-8-11

You can roll through, but only if it’s
safe and it doesn’t detect you.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

As we get into the home stretch of the 2015 Oregon legislative session, I figured it’d be a good time to roundup all the action on the bills we’ve been tracking. This session wasn’t too groundbreaking when it comes to bicycle-specific bills; but there have been some interesting ideas and at least one bike bill of consequence is already headed to the Governor’s desk.

Here we go…

Passed

Senate Bill 533 – Allows bike and motorcycle riders to proceed through red signal under certain conditions
Ever come up to the red light that never changes? Now you will have the legal right to roll through it thanks to SB 533, which passed a vote in the House yesterday. This bill (here’s our post on it) was proposed by motorcycle advocates and initially did not apply to bicycle riders. It was only after some lobbying action by the Bicycle Transportation Alliance that “bicyclist” was added.

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Latest Headlines

Housing construction fee waiver comes at a cost for transportation infrastructure

Kotek calls special session, pushes back layoffs

Monday Roundup: Protected intersections, fast e-scooters, and more

Local shop launches mutual aid program to help keep riders on the road

From the Archives

Opinion: If we’re serious about cycling, let’s get serious about cycling infrastructure