🚨 Please note: BikePortland is currently on hiatus and only publishing guest articles. Learn more here. Thank you. - Jonathan 🙏
Filmed By Bike, Portland’s homegrown bike film festival, just keeps getting better and better. Now in its 13th year, the festival takes place May 22-24 at the historic Hollywood Theater.
To up the excitement for this year’s event, founder Ayleen Crotty has put together a trailer that is sure to make you smile. We got an exclusive first look before it’s released anywhere else. Check it out below and see how many local fave riding spots you can identify…
Want to get your message in front of our awesome audience? Sponsor the Monday Roundup and we’ll give you these lines of text and a link to your site. Get in touch for more info.
Here are the bike-related links from around the world that caught our eyes this week:
Bike lane maps: The Washington Post mapped what four cities look like with just their bike-only infrastructure showing.
Mandatory reflection: Copenhagenize.com provocateur Mikael Colville-Andersen started a clever petition in response to Volvo’s spray-on reflective “Lifepaint” for bikes: because black cars are 50 percent more likely to get in collisions, every Volvo should be painted in Lifepaint. Plus he urged Volvo to encourage car helmets, for the sake of safety of course.
Shifting blame: A DC-area transportation agency urged people to “wear something bright or reflective” to avoid being killed by cars. A local man proposed an alternative version.
Add the 16 members of the Portland Parks Board to the list of people where blindsided by a decision last month from Commissioners Amanda Fritz and Nick Fish to prohibit bicycling at River View Natural Area.
On Wednesday the Board sent a pointed letter (PDF) to both commissioners demanding to know why the two leaders made the unilateral decision without first consulting the project’s two advisory committees, the public, or the Parks Board itself. Even the Parks Board’s representative on the River View Project Advisory Committee, Mauricio Villarreal, did not learn about the decision until one day after it was announced.
Here’s an excerpt from the letter:
The most important concept in American streets advocacy right now seems to suggest that all rapid car travel should be abolished.
That’s the perspective of BikePortland reader Tait, who argued semi-satirically this week that if preventing one person’s death is truly more important than fulfilling everyone else’s desires, maybe we should cut freeway speeds to 35 mph, or even lower.
In a comment beneath our post Tuesday about some Oregon legislators’ effort to raise cars’ freeway speed limit from 65 to 75 mph, Tait had this to say:
Job Title
Bike Camp Instructor
Company/Organization
Community Cycling Center
Job Description
We’re looking for enthusiastic and motivated instructors to lead camp adventures on two wheels. The ideal instructor would have a personality that campers connect with, comfort facilitating group discussions and decision making, and experience with risk management.
About the Community Cycling Center:
The Community Cycling Center promotes an inclusive and dynamic work culture. The Community Cycling Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that broadens access to bicycling and its benefits. We believe that the bicycle is a tool for empowerment and a vehicle for change. The Community Cycling Center promotes an inclusive culture and encourages people with diverse backgrounds and abilities to apply. Visit www.CommunityCyclingCenter.org for more information about us.
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion:
We are committed to creating an inclusive environment in every facet of our operations. We value diversity, collaboration, and respect for all people and ideas that contribute to a healthy, connected community. We recognize that there is societal injustice, so we strive to promote equity through constructive dialogue, organizational reflection, and effective, meaningful action.
A Day at Camp:
Before the campers arrive, instructors prepare for the day by planning routes, lessons, and strategizing about group management with co-instructors and support staff. At 9am campers sign-in and do their safety checks at our Alberta St. bike shop. From there, instructors lead their groups out on a day of bike adventure based on the skill and preference of their campers. The group of campers may ride the Eastbank Esplanade, the Columbia Slough trail, or neighborhood greenways to reach their destination, one of many parks located in Portland. Activities at parks may include games, bike-skills rodeo, or a bike maintenance lesson. Our themed camps offer specialized activities such as bike crafts, lunch at Portland’s food carts, and hands-on mechanical experience. Groups then return to the shop by 3pm to conclude the day for the campers.
Over the week campers grow as a team, gain confidence in riding, improve practical understanding of traffic safety, and build mechanical skills, all within a fun experiential learning setting. Our instructors are excited about empowering their campers through these experiences. For more information about the camps themselves visit www.CommunityCyclingCenter.org
The Role of Instructors:
Instructors work in pairs to lead groups of up to 12 students for a five-day long camp in one of four age groups. Instructor pairs have the flexibility to plan their route itineraries and incorporate curriculum activities and learning objectives according to their instructional style and the needs of their group. The role involves communicating with parents, planning with a co-leader, team-building and conflict resolution with campers, managing safety on the road, and working with support staff.
Essential Job Function:
Bike Camp instructors will have passion and experience working with youth ages 6 through 14, a familiarity with experiential education, an interest in bicycles, and a bicycle of their own. This is a full-time, seasonal position that will run from June 8 through August 27. This is a prime opportunity to gain valuable hands-on teaching experience in a collaborative, fun environment.
Duties:
– Complete a paid training course for all summer Bike Camp instructors the week of June 8 – 12.
– With a co-instructor and using an established curriculum, implement up to 11 successive week-long bike camps for up to 12 youth per camp (ages 6-14). The curriculum includes basic bicycle safety checks, rules of the road, basic maintenance, games, field trips to parks and community partners, and group rides from 1 -25 miles in distance (mileage depends on age and ability of group).
– Maintain a safe environment for all participants.
– Complete administrative duties as needed, including daily child check in and out and maintenance of Community Cycling Center and partner agency property.
– Communicate and participate in team meetings and peer reviews.
– Facilitate and support one instructor-in-training during camp hours.
– Communicate with camper parents about camp activities and their children’s progress in camp.
– Conduct oneself in a professional manner.
– We believe that fundraising is everyone’s job. There is an expectation that all employees will support fundraising activities.
General Qualifications:
– Bachelors degree or equivalent experience (In a related field preferred)
– Experience facilitating groups of children (Experience with summer camps or outdoor education preferred)
– Experience working with diverse individuals
– Strong communication skills, both with co-instructors and campers.
– Comfort and experience bicycling in an urban setting
– Ability to ride a bicycle up to 25 miles a day
– Ability to work and interact positively with co-instructors, volunteers, staff and local organizations
– Ability to communicate effectively
– Ability to lift up to 25 pounds
– Criminal background check required
– Valid CPR/First Aid certification required prior to the first day of training
Pay scale: $11.50 an hour starting, opportunity for raise for returning staff
Hours: 32-40 hours per week
– Please note that all instructors are required to work between the weeks of July 6 – July 17
– Instructors are expected to take one week off during the summer
How to Apply
Please send your application packet to: jobs@communitycyclingcenter.org
Application should include the following materials:
– One Page Cover Letter including:
– Introduction: Why would you like to be a Bike Camp instructor?
– Previous experience working with youth in an educational setting
– Your approach to creating an inclusive teaching environment
– Discuss a situation you have observed or experienced relating to bicycle safety. As an educator, what would you suggest to improve the situation?
– How you learned of the position (briefly)
– Resume
– Three References
– Signed Application Addendum upon interviewing
Position closes April 16
Job Title
Consumer Service Rep
Company/Organization
Yakima Products, Inc.
Job Description
General Description:
This is a great opportunity for an individual looking to make the move from retail to inside sales, or for anyone who is looking to start a career in the outdoor industry. The position provides Yakima customers with the amazing support they have come to expect in our 35 years on the road. This is done by providing rack recommendations based on vehicle fit, rack installation and troubleshooting assistance, warranty support, and order support via phone and email. Responsibilities include processing phone calls, emails and sales orders with the speed, accuracy. Further, this position will help execute and support projects with teammates to deliver against initiatives in Yakima’s strategic and annual plans.
Scope and Responsibilities:
•Provides troubleshooting and analysis to resolve consumer problems in a timely, efficient, cost effective, professional manner, and within established guidelines
•Processes sales orders, including follow-up and documentation, in an accurate and timely manner
•Provides timely technical product support to dealers by phone and email
•Increases sales through suggestive selling to consumers
Qualifications:
•AA degree from an accredited college, or equivalent experience preferred
•One (1) year customer service experience in outdoor retail sales, and experience selling Yakima racks preferred
•Intermediate level with Pac’s: Microsoft Office Suite; Outlook
•Ability to effectively develop work systems to manage workload, work independently and efficiently, have a keen ability to prioritize, and ability to identify and address needs in advance
•Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal/external customers and consumers
•Professional level communicator ~ both oral and written correspondence
•Data base experience preferred
•Mechanical aptitude
•Able to visualize and understand geometric and spatial relationships
Physical Requirements:
•Able to sit and work at a computer keyboard for extended periods of time
•Able to perform activities such as stooping, kneeling, bending at the waist and reaching on a daily basis
•Able to lift and carry objects up to 75 pounds occasionally
•Corrected 20/30 vision
•Must be able to safely operate a motor vehicle and sit for extended periods of time
The complete posting can be found at www.yakima.com
Compensation:
DOE
Comprehensive benefit package provided
How to Apply
To apply for this position please submit your resume and salary requirements to: CSRep@Yakima.com
Portland Parks & Recreation has resumed the public process for the River View Natural Area project. This is the project that has been mired in controversy since a surprise announcement on March 2nd that bicycling would be banned in the park until further notice.
In an email yesterday, the Parks bureau announced a Public Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting that will be held on April 8th and an open house event that will follow on May 4th. This would be the first PAC meeting since January of last year.
Down the elevator into the basement of an Old Town housing project, around three corners and under the fluorescent lights of one of the six beige rooms labeled “storage,” Mark Sando was walking in a more or less constant loop around the part of the floor that wasn’t carpeted two feet deep in broken bicycles.
“We don’t need to loosen this enough to slide this up and down, we only need to loosen it enough to rotate the handlebars to the right alignment,” he told the ex-con leaning over one of the room’s four workstations, who nodded in understanding.
Welcome to your menu of weekend rides and events, lovingly brought to you by our friends at Hopworks Urban Brewery.
Looks like the calendar is a bit light this weekend. It is Easter weekend after all and lots of folks will just chill on Sunday with family and friends.
Then again, if Easter isn’t your thing, Sunday would be a great day to be on the roads given how few people will be driving.
No matter what you do this weekend, you’re probably sure to see a few people with huge bunny ears on their helmets. Of course here in Portland, we see that type of thing year-round so it’s really no big deal.
Travel Oregon announced earlier this week that they plan to add cycling to their “7 Wonders” marketing campaign. This could be a great boost to Oregon’s bicycle industry and to bike tourism in the state in general.
Check out the teaser Travel Oregon has shared:
7 Wonders of Oregon Campaign Launches Cycling Component
Travel Oregon’s added a new cycling component to this year’s 7 Wonders marketing campaign. We’ve asked 7 of the best Oregon bike builders to make 7 custom bikes, each inspired by a different Wonder. The story of how they are built and the landscapes they are designed for will inspire bicyclists to imagine Oregon as an ultimate cycling destination. Can’t wait to see what the bikes look like? Well we can’t wait to share.
Tune in during early May for the big reveal. We’ll be sharing cycling content all summer long!
This isn’t the first time Travel Oregon has made bicycling one of its top marketing priorities (not by a long shot).
We’ve asked for more details and will update you as we hear more about it.
With a few dozen orange cones and minimal fuss, a team of bridge inspectors and a county traffic safety specialist assembled a perfect Portland-quality detour on the Burnside Bridge Thursday.
It might seem like a small matter, but anyone who’s ridden a bike or walked near many construction detours knows how frequent it is for them to push people into mixed-traffic lanes rather than meddle with the flow of cars — even on streets that are far wider than they need to be for cars to keep flowing freely.
As Portland edges closer to possibly adding protected bike lanes to its downtown, a new study has found that one of its most unusual bike-lane intersection treatments seems to be working.
The LED sign above the intersection at NE Couch and Grand that flashes “Turning Vehicle Yield to Bikes” seems to have reduced right-turn conflicts by more than 60 percent since its 2011 installation.