February 2017 Archives

Here are the Oregon Senate bills we’re following this session (Part 1 of 2)

Legislator bike ride at the Oregon Bike Summit-1

(Photo: J. Maus/BikePortland)

The 2017 Oregon legislative session is well underway. Votes have already taken place and bills are moving up and dying off as I type this.

I’ve combed through hundreds of bills to find ones that matter to people who care about transportation safety and the culture of our streets. Since there are so many bills I want to bring to your attention, I’ve decided to do this in two parts. First I’ll share a list of the Senate bills I’m following. Then in a separate post, I’ll share the House bills.

Here we go…

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Looking for a new place to spread you cycling wings? We’ve got two great job opportunities that just went up this week.

Learn more about each one via the links below…

–> Mechanic, Part Time – Left Coast Bicycles Mobile Repair

–> Mechanic w/ Sales Backup – The eBike Store

BikePortland subscriber and resident bike theft expert Bryan Hance from The Bike Index checked out the Iota Tracker with an eye towards bike tracking, DIY hacking, and more.

We field a lot of questions about ‘bike trackers’ at the Bike Index – everybody wants a small, affordable GPS tracker for their bike. Sounds like a simple request; but many people are surprised to learn a product like this doesn’t exist yet.

There are a few basic reasons why trackers aren’t as great as you think:

Size/hideability — It is hard to disguise a tracker so thieves can’t instantly find it. And having something that uses several antennas (GPS and cellular) means they aren’t easily hidden – nor are they very small.

Reliance on cellular — Most trackers use the cellular network to report their location, which means most trackers are 50% cell phone parts – and means paying for cell data, supporting a SIM card, having a hefty battery, etc.

Check out the projects coming down the pike and let ODOT know what you think about them. This is for their 2018-2021 “STIP” – Statewide Transportation Improvement Program.

ODOT press release below:

Now is your chance to provide feedback on Oregon’s transportation priorities! Tell us what’s important to you.

The Oregon Department of Transportation is requesting public comment on the draft 2018-2021 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, also known as STIP.

The draft outlines Oregon’s transportation priorities for 2018-2021. The STIP includes 146 projects in the Portland-metro area, which represent ODOT’s plan for design and construction with anticipated federal funds.

Learn more about the proposed transportation projects and provide your feedback online at www.odotR1stip.org.

You can also share your opinion in person on Wed., Feb. 22 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at ODOT Region 1 Headquarters, located at 123 NW Flanders in Portland, or Thurs., Feb. 23 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Multnomah County Library’s Gresham branch, located at 385 NW Miller Ave.

The current public comment period closes Feb. 28. However, comments can be submitted at any time online.

Thank you for taking the time to share what’s important to you in Oregon’s transportation future.

PBOT will use little-known “emergency” law to rein in speeding drivers

PBOT Vision Zero Task Force meeting-2.jpg

PBOT Director Leah Treat at a meeting of the Vision Zero Task Force in City Hall this morning.
(Photo: J. Maus/BikePortland)

When a city says traffic safety is their top priority, it should be willing to do whatever it takes to make people drive more slowly.

In Portland that means taking a very close look at the Oregon Revised Statutes.

Portland Bureau of Transportation Director Leah Treat announced today that her bureau will seek permission to enact section nine of ORS 810.180 which gives the city the power to set an “emergency speed” without going through the often onerous process of asking for permission from the State of Oregon. (Note: Another section of this same law gives cities the power to reduce speeds on certain residential streets, thanks to a lobbying effort by PBOT in 2011.)

Treat said they’ve decided to take this very rare step in order to keep people safer on outer Southeast Division Street. Back in December two people were killed while trying to walk crossing Division Street in two separate crashes just hours apart. The tragedies sparked outrage from local residents, activists and even top PBOT staff. One day after the deaths, PBOT Active Transportation Group Manager Margi Bradway called neighborhood leaders to talk about the city’s response. Those conversations led to the passage of $300,000 in emergency funding to do outreach and education in adjacent neighborhoods (which are populated by many people of Chinese and other descents who don’t read or speak English).

To continue their focus on taming Division Street, Treat said PBOT will bring an ordinance to Portland City Council on March 2nd asking them to support the move. The existing state law gives PBOT the ability to make this move, but we’ve never heard of it actually being done.

With a shovel in his hand to drive the point home, Portland reporter Reed Andrews with KATU (our ABC affiliate) highlighted the problem of gravel in the bike lanes on their news broadcast last night.

Andrews focused his story on the layer of gravel on the St. Johns Bridge sidewalk we reported on Tuesday. He interviewed the owner of Block Bikes, a bike shop just steps away from the east end of the bridge who vouched for the problems it causes for his customers. The story also included an interview with a bicycle rider who said he often rides miles out of his way just to avoid riding the bridge sidewalk.

photo caption
(Photo: J Maus/BikePortland)

Hard to believe this weekend marks the 14th annual Mini Bike Winter.

The event sprung to life during the Golden Age of Portland Bike Fun Culture in the early 2000s. The traveling Bike Summer event hit our shores in 2002 and went so well that locals wanted to keep it going. That led to the formation of Shift and “Mini” Bike Summer in 2003. By 2004, Mini Bike Summer had morphed into what we now know as Pedalpalooza and our friends at Zoobomb kept the “Mini” part alive by launching the first Mini Bike Winter that same year*.

None of that history really matters (unless you’re a cultural anthropologist or bike fun history nerd); but what does matter is that we continue to have fun on our bikes — even in winter. And Zoobomb is here to help us do just that. Check out the full slate of events below and have a great weekend…

Take note:

NEWS RELEASE

Reminder: Traffic changes downtown during courthouse night work

Underground utility night work has begun for Multnomah County’s new Central Courthouse at the west end of the Hawthorne Bridge. Sewer lines need to be relocated before excavation can begin for the courthouse on the block bordered by SW Jefferson, SW Naito Parkway, SW First Ave., and SW Madison St. In-street construction will be performed at night to reduce impacts on commuters.

Utility relocation details:

Work will be conducted between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Monday through Thursday from February 13 through March, to reduce impacts on traffic

From February 13 – March 1 (tentative), night detours and lane closures will be needed at:

– SW 1st Ave. between SW Main St. and SW Madison St.
– SW Main St. across the intersection with SW 1st Ave.
– Access to the north sidewalk of the Hawthorne Bridge will be available from the Naito Parkway ramp or stairs from Waterfront Park only. The sidewalk on SW Main St. will be closed between Naito Parkway and SW First Ave. The south bridge sidewalk will be open.

From March 1 – 17 (tentative) between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. the eastbound approach to the Hawthorne Bridge from SW Madison St. will be closed to all modes of traffic between SW Naito Parkway and SW 1st Ave. Eastbound traffic can access the bridge from northbound SW Naito Parkway at night.

Noise generating activities include saw-cutting, excavating and sound from vacuum trucks. A telephone line (503-988-8888) is set up for questions and concerns about construction noise.

Work schedules are subject to change, due to weather and other factors.

On February 20, a staircase from the west sidewalk of SW Naito Parkway to the south sidewalk of the Hawthorne Bridge is scheduled to be closed for demolition. A new staircase will be built as part of the project, opening in 2019. Pedestrians can still access the south bridge sidewalk from SW Madison St. and from the sidewalk on the east side of SW Naito Parkway.

The new Central Courthouse is estimated to cost $300 million and open in 2020. A construction open house is scheduled on Thursday, February 23 from 4 – 6 p.m. in the Jury Assembly Room of the County Courthouse at 1021 SW 4th Ave. For project information, visit www.multco.us/central-courthouse.

…

Lawmakers, ODOT Director hear emotional testimony at Vision Zero bill hearing

ODOT Director Matt Garrett (lower right) was in the house for today’s hearing.
(Photo: Oregon Walks)

A bill that would establish an official State of Oregon Vision Zero Task Force got its first public hearing today. And it was heart-wrenching.

The eight members of the House Committee On Transportation Policy who presided over the hearing for House Bill 2667 probably didn’t expect the 8:00 am start time to attract testimony from nearly two-dozen people. And they probably didn’t expect to hear from people like Marina Hajek, the mother of a 10-year old boy who was hit and killed by a reckless, speeding driver while walking his bike across a street in Eugene 10 years ago.

Job Title *
Mechanic w/ Sales Backup

Company/Organization *
The eBike Store

Job Description *
We’re looking for an individual that loves biking, knows bike repair and maintenance backwards and forwards, loves learning new things, and is good at explaining what they know.

The eBike Store is Portland’s oldest electric bicycle shop. We specialize in eBikes & eBike conversions and we also provide rentals and tours.

The Mechanic w/ Sales Backup we’re looking for has:

Excellent repair skills. From building wheels to servicing internal hubs.
Strong verbal and written communication abilities
Enjoys working as a team, but can also work independently
Eagerness to work with a bike shop that works with a population who often have not ridden a bike in years.
Requirements:
Candidate must be available to work at least 20 hours/wk starting.
Must be able to work weekends
Previous shop experience
Must be able to lift and maneuver heavy objects up to 55 pounds.
Compensation:
Position is part-time and seasonal with the potential of full time permanent work for qualified applicants. Pay starts at 13.50/hr but could be more for candidate with year of shop experience. Potential to move up after a 30 day review.

How to Apply *
Interested candidates should send an email info@ebikestore.com with a paragraph or two stating your interest in this position, and why you would like to work with us.

PBOT planning jersey-barrier protected bikeway on North Greeley Ave

This is what northbound North Greeley Avenue looks like today (can you spot the bicycle rider in this picture?). The future could look very different.
(Photos: J. Maus/BikePortland)

One of Portland’s scariest places to ride a bicycle is about to be erased from the map and replaced with a new bikeway that is physically protected from motorized vehicle traffic.

Job Title *
Mechanic, Part Time

Company/Organization *
Left Coast Bicycles Mobile Repair

Job Description *
Do you need more hours at your existing shop gig or other job? Are you a great mechanic, in school, in search of part time work?

We are seeking a qualified mechanic to be available on a part time basis to help out with our repair events.

Our ideal candidate exudes warmth and friendliness, is independent and has a confident attitude and character. You have a rich and varied experience in the bicycle industry and are comfortable working on all varieties of bikes from clunky commuters to carbon race machines. You have excellent customer service skills, are able to communicate the nuances of each customers bicycle needs in an approachable, friendly way. You are independent, a good problem solver with a can-do attitude, but you also work well as part of a team.

Key Responsibilities

Assist Head Mechanic with repair events
Transport of bike-shop on wheels to repair events in central Portland
Set up of bicycle repair station and LCB promotional materials
Thorough personalized bicycle repair estimates and tune-ups

Strong Candidates

Have at least 3 years experience in bike shops wrenching on a variety of bikes and able to perform an accurate repair estimate
Generally a people person and good communicator
Independent and able to perform an accurate bike repair estimate
Mature, responsible team player
Excited about the bike lifestyle and culture

Job Info

Flexible schedule. This is a contract part-time position. Our schedule is variable and our assignments can range from 1 to 5 days in length
Competitive hourly pay (DOE)
Access to wholesale parts / new bikes
Weekends off
More work available during Summer months

How to Apply *

Email your resume to aaron@leftcoastbicycles.com

Tell us a little bit about yourself and why you would be a great addition to our team.

Here are the Oregon Senate bills we’re following this session (Part 1 of 2)

Jobs of the Week: Left Coast Bicycles and The eBike Store

Review: The Iota – a tiny bike tracker with huge potential

ODOT wants your feedback on future regional transportation projects

PBOT will use little-known “emergency” law to rein in speeding drivers

On live TV, reporter shovels gravel off St. Johns Bridge sidewalk – UPDATED

Weekend Event Guide: It’s all about Mini Bike Winter

Traffic detours coming near Hawthorne Bridge due to courthouse project

Lawmakers, ODOT Director hear emotional testimony at Vision Zero bill hearing

Job: Mechanic w/ Sales Backup – The eBike Store

PBOT planning jersey-barrier protected bikeway on North Greeley Ave

Job: Mechanic, Part Time – Left Coast Bicycles Mobile Repair

Latest Headlines

I’m going on hiatus

Come to BikePortland’s 20th birthday and beer collab release party!

Big day for PBOT budget as new revenue proposals head back to Council Wednesday

Monday Roundup: Paris in Brooklyn, ‘Trail Towns’, e-bike reviews, and more

From the Archives

The 10 busiest bicycling spots in Portland