The Willamette Valley is no stranger to great bicycling. After all, it’s home to the first official “scenic bikeway” in America. But until this past weekend there was a large chunk of it which I had yet to pedal through: the western section of Yamhill County south of Forest Grove.
Welcome to Monday! We’ve got lots of fun and important stories to share this week. But lets not forget where we came from.
Here are the best bits of news and bike-related reporting we came across last week…
Elevating women and people of color: Meet Gritchelle Fallesgon, one of the founders of Friends on Bikes, in this short but sweet Q & A she did with the adventure riding enthusiasts at Our Mother the Mountain.
Highway boondoggle detection guide: This “anatomy of a highway boondoggle” should be required reading for every elected official and policymaker in America. Please stop wasting our money. Thanks.
Earth Day of remembrance: Portland economist Joe Cortright reminds us that we came from proud legacy of smart transportation decisions — and now is not the time to kneel down to the all-mighty freeway lobby.
Meanwhile in New York State: NY’s Governor has announced he’ll spend $112 million in federal funding on 81 projects that will make biking and walking better.
Design Week Portland kicks off tonight. If you are an urban planner, transportation reformer, bicycle commuter, or just a lover of Portland, you should check out what they’ve got planned.
“… design process whereby Portlanders define the character and identity of the project in a way that reflects their individual needs and aspirations for the future.”
The event — which runs through next Saturday (April 29th) — features several bicycle, transportation and urban planning-related talks, workshops and more. And this year the City of Portland’s Green Loop project is the brightest star of the entire festival.
From this Sunday through Friday (April 28th), there will be a free Green Loop exhibition at Design Week Portland Headquarters at The Redd (831 SE Salmon St). At Assembling a Mosiac, planners aim to “bring to life a design concept for the Green Loop” — a project they describe as a “six-mile linear park, linking Portland’s east and west sides with a robust bicycle and pedestrian network.” Untitled Studio, winners of the LoopPDX design competition, will host the exhibition. You can learn more about their vision for the Loop here.
This post was originally submitted as a Subscriber Post by long-time BP reader and supporter Chris Anderson.
Portland is full of unpaved and unimproved or deteriorating roadways. While a nuisance and a sign of disrespect from City Hall to some, many of us feel these streets are an element of our city’s character to be celebrated. But at the same time, a lack of clear policy about how we can make them better leaves these spaces feeling neglected. Neighbors who want to improve their block have to be trailblazers willing to pave their own way.
That’s what I did (without the paving). Here’s my story…
Looking for a new place to spread you cycling wings? We’ve got five great job opportunities that just went up this week.
Learn more about each one via the links below…
–> Part Time Bike Sales Associate – Western Bikeworks (Tigard)
–> Sales/Acquisition Specialist – Ruckus Composites
–> Mechanic, Part Time – Left Coast Bicycles
–> Service/Mechanic Specialist – Ruckus Composites
Job Title *
Bike Mechanic
Company/Organization *
Sellwood Cycle Repair
Job Description *
Sellwood Cycle Repair is seeking a full-time bike mechanic. The ideal candidate has several years of professional experience working on all styles of bikes with a focus on high-quality repairs. Bike and merchandise sales are required as needed, although this is not a primary role. We emphasize a commitment to excellent customer service and positive communication with an ability to work with anyone, co-workers and customers alike. Availability on Saturdays is a must. Pay rate is commensurate with experience; health benefits are available.
How to Apply *
Please contact shop@sellwoodcycle.com with an introduction and resume. Thanks!
From now until the end of September, all Portlanders will benefit from a much more humane Naito Parkway. Along a busy section of our marquee riverfront street usually held hostage by speeding motor vehicles spewing toxic fumes into the air we breathe, people will drive more slowly and there will be much more room to walk and bike and roll.
As I type this, transportation bureau crews are installing the plastic wands and other elements that will help re-allocate space on the northbound (east) side of Naito for about 3/4 of a mile between SW Main and NW Couch. The $350,000 project was supported by City Council last October. Former Mayor Charlie Hales was an ardent supporter of improving vehicle access on Naito. Prior to voting on it last fall he said, “Expanding the public realm for bicycles in this city, and is something we’re still committed to.”
When Tesla Motors revealed plans for a showroom in Portland last May we feared the worst. The location of the showroom (4330 SW Macadam Avenue) on the west side of the Willamette River just south of Portland’s burgeoning South Waterfront district, was smack-dab in the middle of an annoying gap in a key multi-use path.
Sorry, this job has been filled. Browse more great jobs here.
Sorry, this job has been filled. Browse more great jobs here.
Job Title *
Mechanic, Part Time
Company/Organization *
Left Coast Bicycles
Job Description *
We are seeking a qualified mechanic to be available on a part time basis 2-5 days/week 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
Eventually lead 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
This is a contract part-time job with potential for growth and advancement for the right candidate. Our schedule is variable and our assignments range from 2 to 5 days in length. (3-5 days during Peak season)
(DOE) competitive hourly pay
Access to wholesale parts / new bikes
Weekends off
How to Apply *
Email your resume to aaron@leftcoastbicycles.com.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and why you think you be a great addition to our team.
Metro released a new video this morning that reveals why a different approach to traffic safety is so important.
Our regionally-elected planning organization is updating their Regional Transportation Safety Action Plan as part of their work on the 2018 Regional Transportation Plan. This morning a committee of elected leaders and policymakers gave Metro staff the go-ahead to move forward in setting a Vision Zero policy that reads: “By 2035 eliminate transportation related fatalities and serious injuries for all users of the region’s transportation system, with a 16% reduction by 2020 (as compared to the 2015 five year rolling average), and a 50% reduction by 2025.”
(The wonks among you will note that the 2014 RTP called for a fatal and serious crash reduction of 50 percent by 2030. The new timeline will put Metro’s policy in sync with the State of Oregon’s target adopted by the Oregon Transportation Commission last year via ODOT’s Transportation Safety Action Plan.)
Policy is one thing; but without smart communications and marketing it doesn’t matter nearly as much. And that’s where Metro’s new video comes in. It starts as a standard, boring, government agency PSA. I almost tuned it out, but I’m glad I watched it all the way through. Metro asks people in the video (watch it below the jump) three simple questions.