The Street Trust to ODOT: Don’t use pricing revenue to make driving easier

Congestion relief.
(Photo: J. Maus)

If left to their own devices, it’s very likely that any money raised by the Oregon Department of Transportation via decongestion pricing (also known as value pricing or congestion pricing) would be funneled right back into projects to make driving easier.

That would be a very bad move. Portland-based non-profit The Street Trust has launched a petition to encourage ODOT to do otherwise.

“Tell ODOT,” the petition headline reads, “Get Serious About Traffic and Invest in Transit, Biking, and Walking.”

Here’s the rest of The Street Trust’s call to action:

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Job: Sales Associate – Trisports

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title

Sales Associate

Company / Organization

Trisports

Job Description

Trisports is hiring. Trisports is Portland Oregon’s premier Triathlon and Bicycle store located just of I-5. We are a full service Swim, Bike and Run shop dedicated to service the endurance athlete, weekend warrior and beginner enthusiast. Trisports is a division of Velotech Inc.

We are currently looking for a full time Sales Associate to work with our very active customer base.

JOB OVERVIEW: The Sales Associate position handles and learns day-to-day processes in bicycle retail at Trisports – keying transactions, returns and exchanges, and handling escalated issues. This role is responsible for treating both their coworkers and customers using the following standards: identifying their goals, finding solutions to help them achieve those goals, and owning their experience from first contact through the resolution of that goal.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
• Operate store Point of Sale equipment
• Assist customers with product selection by spending the time to learn about the customer’s needs and then suggesting appropriate product to satisfy those requirements. This will extend (but not be limited) to bicycle selection and sizing, nutrition selection, and accessory selection
• Provide higher than expected (by the customer) customer service including but not limited to assisting with removal of bicycles from their vehicle, searching all possible avenues for special order or out of stock product, expediting all service and transactions as much as possible, and hand writing thank you cards
• Prepare the retail store for normal operations at opening time (lights, signage, setup PCs, etc) and handle End of Day procedures
• Assist with the setup and teardown of marketing events at the store (movie premieres, vendor presentations, etc)
• Work on receiving, placing product on the floor, store cleanliness, etc. at the discretion of the store manager
• Answer incoming phone calls and respond to incoming customer email

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS:
• No specific formal education is required
• A bicycle background is great
• Must be computer literate
• This position would include weekend work

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Knowledge of cycling products
• Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication
• Ability to work independently or with others to manage multiple task with minimal supervision.
• Ability to spend time talking to people about bicycles and all store products.

How to Apply

To apply, please click on the link below:

https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/index.php?/job/apply&clientkey=4C6D7027145254251F7D24DAA9BDF3F7&job=19760&jpt=

Ride Biketown for free and park anywhere you want in May

Spring fever has hit Biketown too.
(Photo: J. Maus)

The City of Portland has launched a novel promotion to boost Biketown ridership next month: It’s completely free.

To celebrate National Bike Month, the bureau of transportation announced today that new and existing Biketown riders can use the bright orange bikes for up to 90 minutes without being charged. Annual members who’ve already paid will get a promo code worth $12 (the monthly price). Better yet, the free promotion extends to the system’s Adaptive Biketown program, and the Biketown for All program, which offers disounted memberships to people living on low-incomes.

But wait! There’s more! During the month of May, the entire Biketown service area will become a “super hub zone.” That is, you’ll be able to park the bikes anywhere without incurring a fee. This aspect of the promotion is also a way for the City of Portland to highlight the dockless capabilities of the system — at a moment when they’re feeling pressure from private firms who want to release dockless scooters and bikes in Portland.

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Job: Mechanic and Sales – The eBike Store

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title

Mechanic & Sales

Company / Organization

The eBike Store

Job Description

Hello!

Our team is looking for a competent mechanic that like people and enjoys sharing their knowledge.

eBike knowledge is not required – we will train you. Tons of opportunities for personal and professional growth.

What you should bring to the table:
* Ability to efficiently assemble & tune bikes
* Wheel truing experience
* Ability to & enjoyment of learning
* Can lift up to 50 lbs
* Can Stand for long periods of time
* Love of cycling – it is part of the job!

Payment: DOE
Amount of work: close to full time. Could be seasonal or could turn into a full time gig. Must be able to work weekends. Might also be interested in a 2nd person who could only work weekends.

How to Apply

Please email us and let us know how awesome you are! (or just come on by the shop during our open hours). Please bring a resume or list of industry related experience we can go from.

A bridge instead of the Canby Ferry? Clackamas County wants your opinion

The Canby Ferry is a fun and scenic respite on a long ride.
(Photo: J. Maus)

If you’ve ever ventured south of Portland on your bike en route to Champoeg State Park or Salem, chances are you’ve used the Canby Ferry to cross the Willamette River. As the only (non-driving) way across the river between Oregon City and Newberg, the ferry is a part of some of Portland’s best road rides.

It used to be free until 2012 when Clackamas County commissioners adopted a $2 fee. With cities on all sides of the ferry growing, more changes could be afoot.

Clackamas County has launched a survey and feasibility study of new transportation options at the ferry location — some of which would end ferry service and replace it with a bridge. They’re considering the following six options:

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River City Bicycles launches “Low Pressure” mountain bike program for women

Unlike many bike shops, River City Bicycles in southeast Portland has long had a reputation as a place where women feel safe and welcome. In 2008 the shop was named the most “female friendly” in the nation and they have sponsored many top women racers.

Now the shop wants to use mountain biking as a vehicle to help women build confidence — both on and off the trails. Their “Low Pressure Women’s Mountain Bike Series” is described as, “A stress-free, female led mountain bike event, clinic, and ride series through which we hope to build, educate and inspire a supportive community of women in our sport.” The series will include weekly practice sessions at The Lumberyard’s indoor bike park, on-trail clinics and weekly rides. There’s a launch party at the shop tonight (4/20) from 7:00 to 9:00 pm.

With help from Elaine Bothe of Wenzel Coaching and shop staff, River City is opening this LGBTQ+ friendly initiative up to all levels and all ages (sixth grade and over) of riders.

River City’s Lisa Luna told me this week that she put this together to encourage “positive self-talk” and to build women up from the inside.

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Job: Bike shop mechanic / Customer service – North Portland Bike Works

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title

Bike shop mechanic / Customer service

Company / Organization

North Portland Bike Works

Job Description

We need another body in the shop!

North Portland Bike Works is in need of some shop help.

We want someone who is a good mechanic and a good person. Customer service and being warm and inviting are priorities for our shop.

Shop experience necessary. Preferably 2 years, however if you have a good grasp of bikey things and are fantastic with people, please feel free to drop by a resume.

Customer service needs:
— Ability to help a wide variety of customers in a friendly and accessible manner
— Able to explain mechanical issues in an easy to understand way
— Size customers on new bikes for sale and point them to all

Mechanical needs:
— Assess and estimate repairs
— Perform repairs in a timely fashion
— New bike builds
— We are a very basic commuter shop, no suspension or hydraulic service and not much in the way of high end bits

Traits we appreciate:
— Good communication
— Easy to engage with
— Flexible
— On time/punctual
— Ability to ask questions or for help if needed

The position will be three or four days a week, 27-36 hours. Weekend hours will be necessary. Pay rate depends on experience.

Women are strongly encouraged to apply.

North Portland Bike Works is a non-profit community bike shop with a small, committed staff. Please look at our painfully outdated website www.northportlandbikeworks.org to get more info on us. We are a very friendly and motivated shop with a goal of helping anyone regardless of their knowledge or experience.

How to Apply

Feel free to drop off your resume during shop hours. Mon-Sat 11-6 and Sunday 12-4. 3978 N Mississippi Ave Portland OR 97227 (SE corner of Mississippi and Shaver) Or email info@northportlandbikeworks.com
Thanks!