2024 Archives

Online house party looks to boost four bike-friendly council candidates

There’s an argument to be made that bicycling and transportation activists (aka the “all powerful Bike Lobby”) are one of the most influential and engaged voting blocs in Portland. Yes I’m biased, but consider this: before the cascading crises of recent years drowned it out, active transportation was consistently among this city’s most highly prioritized issues; some of our most powerful and well-known public figures have rested much of their legacy on building (or fighting) major transportation projects; Portland was the first major US city to earn a “Platinum” bike-friendly city award after a campaign that galvanized political and business leaders; and if you add up all the candidates we’ve hosted at Bike Happy Hour it’s surely the most popular venue for politicking in the city.

On Monday, four Portlanders will host an event that will make the case even more convincing.

“Bikes, Homes, and City Hall” will be a one-hour long, online, joint house party event with the specific goal of helping elect one Portland City Council candidate from each district. And because of Portland’s small donor election system, all organizers want is $5 for each candidate from every person who logs in.

The candidates chosen for the event are: Timur Ender in District 1 (East), Marnie Glickman in District 2 (Northeast), Angelita Morillo in District 3 (Southeast), and Chad Lykins in District 4 (West).

Housing and transportation activist Michael Andersen said he helped organize the event to boost candidates he thinks, “Have a clear path to win in November, but may not be the very highest-profile in their district.” “We think all four deserve particular attention from Portlanders who think better biking can serve the city,” Andersen added.

“We need a city council that works to build bike lanes, not remove them,” said even co-organizer and noted cycling activist Kiel Johnson. “We need a city council that understands the importance of good policy and has the guts to implement that policy. These candidates have stood out for their ability to help us create a city where anyone can bike and live wherever they choose to.”

Johnson and Andersen are trying to game the system. They know a low-commitment, low-donation, high-volume approach wouldn’t make sense in most cities. But in Portland’s small donor election system, bumping up a candidate’s total unique donor amount to 750 makes a huge difference because it unlocks double the matching funds — up to $80,000 — compared to the 250-donor tier. And a bump to 1,250 (in the case of Morillo) unlock $120,000.

Simply put, $5 bills are powerful political tools in Portland that should be wielded by everyone who cares about our city.

Organizers hope to raise $20,000, “Enough to give all these candidates a huge burst of momentum — and to make a big political splash on behalf of equitable transportation, abundant housing, and a city for everyone.” Good attendance will also burnish the reputation of bike activists as a powerful voting bloc.

The event will begin at 6:00 pm this coming Monday (June 18th). You can register here.

ODOT latest PSA explains new bike passing law

When it comes to safety for bicycle riders, there’s perhaps no more harrowing interaction than when you are passed on a rural road that has little or no shoulder.

That’s why advocates pushed to change Oregon’s bicycle passing law in 2023. They felt the previous version of ORS 811.420 lacked clarity and caused some drivers to get impatient and/or pass bicycle users too closely. The law now makes it clear that drivers can cross the centerline to pass a bicycle rider and that they must slow down while doing it.

But a law is meaningless unless people know it exists and alter their behaviors to comply with it. That’s where education comes in. On that note, I was pleased to see ODOT upload a new video to their YouTube channel a few days ago about the new law. It’s a relaxing animation with a “Be Patient & Hold Back” logo that features someone in a meditative pose on the thumbnail image.

Here’s the text of the video:

“When you’re driving in Oregon, it’s now legal to pass people on bicycles in a no passing zone, as long as they’re riding at less than half the speed limit.

First, be patient and hold back for a good moment to pass. Once it’s clear, move fully into the next lane and pass at five miles below the speed limit. This avoids crowding riders, keeping them safe from the force of passing vehicles. Lastly, wait until you see the riders in your rear view mirror before you move back over.

Share the Road, so we can all get there safely.”

I hope this is played at DMV offices and that there are social media ads, and a radio and TV commercial version. I’m not aware of any media buys yet and I’m skeptical it will have the broad reach it takes to inform a majority of drivers in our state. But nonetheless, it’s nice to know ODOT is thinking about bike safety and the message and video is very well done.

One of a kind Cinelli ‘Laser’ will star in custom bike show Sunday

The star of Sunday’s “Custom Bike Love” show at Cyclepath Bike Shop on NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. (Photos: @adangerPDX)

This Sunday you’ll have a chance to see one of the coolest and rarest bikes in the world: A one-of-a-kind Cinelli Laser Rivoluzione that broke the Internet when it was resurrected a few years ago and hasn’t been displayed publicly since 1987.

The bike belongs to Amy Danger, or who’s better known as @adangerPDX to her 46,000 followers on Instagram. Danger was just a casual cyclist in when a random stop into Cyclepath Bike Shop in 2017 changed her life.

“I was walking around into the back to pick up a few bike racks for a garage I was building for a client,” Danger shared in a phone interview today. “Then I saw, leaning against a wall, what I now know to be a track bike, but at the time I didn’t understand it. It didn’t have gears. It didn’t have brakes!”

The simple lines and design drew Danger in. She went home and Googled it. “A week later I bought my first fixed gear,” she recalls. Today Danger considers herself a collector and has a huge following on Instagram where she posts photos of the 30 or so bikes in her collection.

She’ll return to Cyclepath on Sunday as a featured exhibitor at Custom Bike Love, a free bike show that will feature 10 bikes from Danger’s collection as well as other custom bikes and vendors. Anyone with a cool custom bike is welcome at this community show-and-tell session.

This Lotus Sport 110 will also be on display.

The star of the show will be Danger’s most prized possession: A one-of-a-kind Cinelli Laser Rivoluzione. The bike debuted as a prototype in 1987, and after being battered and bruised and raced hard for years, it was almost sent to the scrap heap and lost forever. It was a fluke that Danger even came across it online one day in 2019. In a must-read 2022 post on The Radavist, Danger recounted what went through her mind when she realized a collector in Milan had it. “I lost my mind. I recognized it instantly and launched into a tormented spiral about how much I would love this bike but could never possibly own it.”

Danger sacrificed much of her collection to obtain the Laser and then spent a year on a full restoration.

What’s so neat about it?

“It’s hardly recognizable as a bicycle,” she shared. “It deviates so heavily from the double triangle that we’re accustomed to that, just to look at it, you know immediately something wacky is going on. The seat tube is completely missing and it also has a really interesting fairing on the front.”

I’m no expert, but the bike moved me when I first saw it in person at the 2022 Bridge Pedal when I bumped into Danger on a carfree I-405. Its wackiness is subdued by beauty and the ease with which one can imagine flying around on it. We’re lucky Danger brought it to Portland. And luckier still there were enough local craftspeople to help with the restoration, so Danger didn’t have to ship what she calls an, “incredibly precious piece of metal” back to Italy. Cinelli offered to restore it (and Danger worked with Cinelli’s owner Antonio Columbo and the bike’s builder Andrea Pesenti to plan the project), but Danger found ample talent locally to get it repaired and painted. “Portland is part of the story of this bike, and that thrills me,” she said.

You can share the thrills Sunday at Cyclepath between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. The event is a benefit for Girls Build, a Portland-based nonprofit. The raffle will include prizes from RockShox Rudy, Smith helmets, Silca pump and tools, Ultradynamico tires, Wolftooth tools and swag, and Cyclepath merch. More info here.

Road raging drivers have endangered Bike Summer riders at least twice this week

On two separate occasions in the past three days, a person driving a car sped dangerously down a street and intentionally put many lives at risk. Both incidents occurred as dozens participated in rides that were part if Portland’s annual Bike Summer (a.k.a. Pedalpalooza).

Thankfully, just one person was hit and they weren’t physically injured. But the road rage incidents have left nerves frazzled and ride leaders have pledged to redouble efforts to keep events safe.

Jason Cromer was on the Mellow Mondays French Ride with about 75 other people around 10:00 pm on Monday night when a driver became aggressive. The group was biking south on Northeast 21st Avenue and had just crossed over the Halsey-Weidler couplet when someone in a GMC Acadia began honking loudly.

In video taken by someone on the ride (above, shared here with their permission), you can hear the driver’s honks become louder and more frequent before they blast through the group at a high speed. NE 21st in this location is a relatively narrow road with a 25 mph speed limit, one general travel lane in each direction and on-street parking on both sides. Oregon law allows bicycle riders to take the full lane in situations like this.

The Subaru driver narrowly missed several riders and made contact with one of them, before speeding off. Riders chased them down to a nearby gas station to record the license plate number and call 911.

“The sound of the engine was loud and aggressive, and hearing it barreling past was frightening.”
– Jason Cromer, ride participant

Cromer said the driver first encountered the ride at a cross street and then turned onto 21st to go in their same direction. It’s clear in the video the driver knew what they were doing and chose to recklessly endanger innocent people. “It felt alarming,” Cromer said. “The sound of the engine was loud and aggressive, and hearing it barreling past was frightening. It immediately kicked in my adrenaline.”

The person the driver hit was Tony Brand. He shared his experience on Instagram after the ride, writing, “They clipped my rear left corner, bent the rack running board, but luckily didn’t knock me off or cause serious damage. I’m grateful they hit me and not anyone else.”

The driver also hit a parked car in the opposite lane. People described the driver as going, “ballistic” and being, “incredibly aggressive.” Another person who was helping lead the ride said the group had only been on 21st for two blocks, underscoring the lack of patience by the driver.

Three days later it happened again. This time it was on the “Flower Power Ride” that drew dozens of people on bikes and roller skates to, “wander around and admire gardens and flowers along the way,” while vibing to songs about bees and nature.

According to someone on the ride named Máximo, who was also on the French Ride, this time a driver in a Subaru (not the same one, I checked), became aggressive as they biked east on Northeast Ainsworth toward Alberta Park.

“The vehicle started getting close and we were telling her to take a side street and that we were legally allowed to be in the road,” Máximo recalled in a message to BikePortland. “She was shouting to ‘Get out of the way!’ and then there was an opening in the median and she sped up.”

Máximo noticed the driver behind him and yelled out to others, “Aggro driver!” in hopes they would move aside. Maximo said he then saw the driver brake suddenly, causing a rider to hit their rear bumper and flip over. “We all screamed that she hit someone and just drove off,” he shared. Máximo then gave chase (e-bikes come in handy for this type of thing), got her license plate number, and called it into 911.

Máximo thinks the Portland Police Bureau and drivers in general need to be more aware that Bike Summer is going on so they can inform the public to be safe and courteous when they see groups of people on bikes. He said he’s been doing rides like this for three years and has never seen drivers get so intense after just a few weeks of Bike Summer.

But it won’t keep him off his bike. “I’m concerned, but I’m not scared about riding — so I’ll be out and visible. I’m all about educating people that the roads belong to many people.”

And with many people riding bikes this summer on the hundreds of Bike Summer rides, perhaps it’s time for the PPB and Portland Bureau of Transportation to issue a general traffic advisory that everyone needs to be patient and courteous to other road users and that violent, rage-filled driving is never acceptable.

Have fun out there. Share the road. And stay safe.

Portland’s bike scene, captured by photographer Geoffrey Hiller

Geoffrey Hiller is a documentary photographer (HillerPhoto.com) with 50 years experience capturing images of people and places around the globe. His work has been featured in Newsweek, Mother Jones, New York Times Magazine, the BBC, and many other outlets. We previously featured his Bus 75 project. Geoff has returned to Portland to document our bike scene. You might have also met him at Bike Happy Hour. This is his first contribution to BikePortland.

Since 2021 I’ve been riding with and photographing Portland’s biking community. In all my travels I have yet to come across anything close to the eclectic community of cyclists we have in Portland. In the last year I’ve joined over 100 rides that were listed on the Shift calendar.

For the past fifty years as a documentary photographer I’ve covered what makes a community in various parts of the world, whether it’s the Hassidic Jews of Brooklyn or the American Quakers in the Cloud Forest of Costa Rica. Never did I imagine I’d become part of the Portland biking community right in my own backyard.

Hami Ramani on the PSU Farmers Market Ride.

Depending on your mood you can choose from a variety of curated rides — everything from a Private Investigator Ride led by a two private eyes to “Bleeps and Bloops” (tonight at 6:00!) where riders rig up musical instruments and interact with the sounds of the city. And then of course there is the “Talking Heads Ride To Nowhere” later this month.

After being dormant during the winter months, the 2024 Pedapalooza season is about to begin and if the recent Thursday Night Ride and Friday Night Ride turnouts are any indication, this summer is going to reach new heights. There were more than 200 riders on a recent Friday Night Ride due to the warm weather. Riding through parts of Old Town I wondered what the crowd of unhoused people waiting in line for a meal under the Burnside Bridge made of us. A few waved and I couldn’t help but think they wanted to join in.

For an easy mellow social ride I often meet up on Saturday Morning on Southeast Clinton Street for the PSU Farmers Market Ride led by Hami Ramani. The pace is slow and easy, allowing for conversation with fellow riders. I asked Hami to share his thoughts about the ride and he captures many aspects of what makes Portland’s bike scene so special:

“Knowing that I was coming to a place with such a rich bicycling culture, I was inclined to try my luck again at leading a ride to a farmers market; this was November 2020, some of the darkest times of the COVID pandemic. As soon as I had my bike I put out a call to folks I had just met briefly in person (outdoors) and those I had met online to see if there was interest in riding along. So began the PSU Farmers Market Ride which initially consisted of a core group of newly minted friends and acquaintances. The following summer I posted the ride on the Shift calendar for Pedalpalooza which then started the current iteration of the ride which has been taking place every Saturday (some holidays and ice storms excepted due to market closures).

The Farmers Market ride is something different for everyone. For me it is a form of meditation, activation, socialization and advocation. I bask in the glow of the smiles and conversation as I lead the ride. I am in awe of the self-initiated leadership many of the regular attendees of the ride show through their corking, sweeping (the person in the back that makes sure no one is left behind), informing (me of how folks are doing behind) and sometimes leading the ride when I cannot. The ride started mainly as a way to support our local farmers, makers and bakers — but it has transformed into something more ephemeral. The folks who attend come with full hearts in the spirit of community and with a love that is uniquely made available by riding a bicycle in a group. For this I am eternally grateful as every week I have the honor of witnessing the thing I know exists within each of us — love — on display for all the world to feel. The ride is all about the people who choose to spend a few hours of their Saturday morning supporting, fostering and building community.”

I hope you enjoy these images as much as I’ve enjoyed being part of the moments that led to them.

Weekend Event Guide: Trike Fest, Gorge Ride, Sunday Parkways, and more

The weekend is right around the corner and here are a few suggestions for what to do with it.

Reminder: Bike Summer aka Pedalpalooza is in full swing so you’ll want to check the official calendar and/or grab the Bike Fun App (iPhones only) for all ride options!

Saturday, June 15th

Gorge Ride – All day in the Gorge!
Don’t miss this spectacular ride in the Columbia River Gorge that will take you up Rowena Crest and includes a food stop at the beautiful Mayerdale Estate. More info here.

TrikeFest – 9:00 am – 4:00 pm at PCC Sylvania (SW)
Hosted by Recumbent PDX, this event is a great opportunity to test ride trikes and get all your questions answered by friendly folks. More info here.

Black Liberation Ride – 10:00 am at Irving Park (NE)
9th annual ride will celebrate Juneteenth, known as Black Independence Day. “This ride is a moment to come together, take up space, and celebrate in solidarity by riding around Portland. This ride is centered around the Black / Brown community.” More info here.

MTB Trail Grand Opening – 10:00 am at Rocky Point Trails parking lot (Scappoose)
Joint Warpaint to celebrate the opening of Axolotl, our region’s first BIPOC-build MTB trail. More info here.

Adaptive MTB Ride – 11:00 am at Newell Creek Canyon Nature Park (Oregon City)
Nonprofit Oregon Adaptive Sports will host this event and provide adaptive off-road bikes. Come out and see what you can do in the dirt! More info here.

Babies on Bikes – 2:00 pm at Irving Park (NE)
You have a little one. You have a bike. You have a desire to take them on that bike. You have questions. This ride has answers — and other folks in your same position. Come out and learn tips and tricks for hauling your precious cargo. More info here.

Sunday, June 16th

Custom Bike Show – 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at Cyclepath Bike Shop (NE)
See rare and beautiful bikes from the incomparable fixed-gear collection of Amy Danger, including this amazing Cinelli Laser. More info here.

King Farmers Market Ride – 10:00 am at Alberta Park (NE)
Grab treats for Sunday Parkways and the week’s meals all in one trip and support local farmers. Bring a cooler for perishables. More info here.

Sunday Parkways Northeast – 11:00 am to 4:00 pm in Cully Neighborhood (NE)
What better way to spend Father’s Day then in community with hundreds of other dads and kids on bikes? Whether you’re into dads or not, Sunday Parkways always delivers an amazing experience. More info here.

Librally Cat – 1:00 pm at Laurelthirst Public House (NE)
Team up for an alley cat (scavenger hunt race by bike) that will take you into little free libraries looking for clues and trinkets. More info here.

— Did I miss your event? Please let me know by filling out our contact form, or just email me at maus.jonathan@gmail.com.

Job: Retail & Workspace Manager – Community Cycling Center

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title

Retail & Workspace Manager

Company / Organization

Community Cycling Center

Job Description

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY CYCLING CENTER

We love Portland and bikes. So, we put our two passions together nearly 30 years ago, creating a nonprofit organization on a mission to broaden access to bicycling and its benefits.  Our goal is to help create a healthy, sustainable Portland for all community members. Our vision is to help build a vibrant community where people of all backgrounds use bicycles to stay healthy and connected. We believe that all Portlanders—regardless of income or background—should have the opportunity to experience the joy, freedom and health benefits of bicycling. This is the motivation behind everything we do. 

The Shop Department of the Community Cycling Center consists of a DIY Workspace and retail storefront, warehouse sales and service, our classes, member events, and occasional pop-ups and events. This department is a revenue stream to provide funding for community programs.

This position operates out of our retail storefront at our membership based workspace in NE Portland. The Community Cycling Center (CCC) is an equal opportunity employer and strongly values diversity, equity and inclusion. Individuals with diverse backgrounds, abilities and experiences are encouraged to apply. 

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY

The Retail and Workspace Manager is the main person responsible for keeping the retail store and workspace stocked, organized, and clean and working order. They will be responsible for managing inventory of new and used goods and parts for sale, used bikes for sale, and inventory of consumables used in the workspace. Listening to customers’ will be imperative to ensure the store is curated to best meet their wants and needs. This position works with the Processing and Production Manager and Classes and Membership Manager to set and meet membership, class, and retail goals; and contribute to the budget process. The Retail and Workspace Manager will be responsible for training and managing retail staff.

Seasonally, shop staff will need to provide retail support at pop-ups and events. Staff in all positions at the shop will also be responsible for providing support to the Programs department as needed. This may include working mechanic shifts at one of our free service events or locations, providing ride support at events, or assisting at a learn to ride event.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Retail (30%)
• Create displays to showcase products in innovative and efficient ways
• Analyze sales trends to determine adequate stocking levels and product selection for the Alberta store
• Work in the retail store on Alberta to sell new and used parts, accessories, to customers and members
• Place orders with vendors to fill special orders for customers and restock the retail space
• Regularly communicate needs for used parts and bikes to the Processing and Production Manager
• Market classes to members and customers in the retail and workspace

Workspace (15%)
• Maintain a clean and organized space for members to work
• Maintain stock of consumables used in the workspace
• Manage contracts with vendors for services (rag cleaning, janitorial, etc.)

Strategic Planning and Process Evaluation (30%)
• Collaborate with other shop managers and staff to maintain and improve shop systems and facilities
• Work with the Shop Leadership Team to evaluate opportunities, trends and feedback towards financial growth for the shop and professional development for their team
• Contribute to the Shop’s annual budget process
• Regularly communicate with the Finance direct and Executive Director to stay on top of the budget and make finacle plans that will meet the needs of the organization
• Management of Staff & Shop Operations (20%)
• Partner with Shop Leadership Team to hire, train, and evaluate staff based on the quality and effectiveness of their work
• Partner with Shop Leadership Team to develop and ensure adherence to policies and procedures governing shop practices
• Other duties as assigned
• Manage staff timesheets and schedules
• Point of contact for security and facilities at the Alberta location

Other Responsibilities (5%)
• Help advance the mission of the Community Cycling Center across all departments
• Contribute to the standard work environment – answer phones, maintain a safe, clean & organized workspace
• Collaborate with other senior staff to train and support less-experienced mechanics, including youth interns and apprentices
• Other duties as assigned

REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
• 5+ years customer service experience or similar hospitality service
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Experience working with a diverse range of customers and being able to adjust to and accommodate a variety of expectations
• 5+ years of professional bike shop retail experience
• 3+ years experience managing staff
• Strong organizational skills including the ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously
• Ability to meet project deadlines and account for detailed objectives
• Experience and success in creating inclusive work environments where people from diverse backgrounds feel safe and welcome
• Ability to lift, bend, squat, climb and more—this is a physically demanding job but reasonable accommodations can be made
• Ability to work nights and weekends

PREFERRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
• Attention to detail and a methodical approach to accomplishing tasks
• Knowledge of local outdoor and cycling activities (bike routes/trails, camping, local cycling related social events, etc.)
• Experience with workflow improvement methods
• Experience in a high-volume shop
• Experience in large event planning
• Experience planning and executing social events
• Valid driver’s license
• Experience with Lightspeed POS, Excel, Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe
• Proficiency in Spanish

REPORTS TO: Executive Director
UNION/NON UNION: Non Union
HOURS: Full Time (40 hours)
COMPENSATION: Salaried $50K, Exempt
TERM: Permanent
SCHEDULE: 5-day week, workdays may vary, hours may fluctuate, may work nights occasionally
BENEFITS: Health, dental and vision, PTO and SICK time, HOLIDAY FLEX time

HOW TO APPLY: Send your resume, cover letter, and (3) references to Jobs@CommunityCyclingCenter.org. No phone calls, please.

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY
The Community Cycling Center is an equal opportunity employer. We will not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, age, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, citizenship, veteran status, marital status, sensory disabilities, physical disabilities, mental disabilities and/or any other bases protected by state and federal law. We take proactive measures to ensure against discrimination in hiring, compensation, promotions, and termination of staff, selection of volunteers (including board members) and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, customers, clients, volunteers (including board members), subcontractors, vendors, and other members of our community.

How to Apply

Send your resume, cover letter, and (3) references to Jobs@CommunityCyclingCenter.org. No phone calls, please.

Portland’s World Naked Bike Ride will take the year off

The pre-ride gathering at Peninsula Park on July 31st, 2022. (Photo: Jonathan Maus/BikePortland)

There will be no World Naked Bike Ride in Portland this year. Think of it as a well-deserved year off for a ride that’s been working overtime for two decades.

Organizers announced today they plan to take a one-year hiatus to “retrench” and work on the ride’s vast, behind-the-scenes foundation and make it even stronger in the future.

First held in 2004, the Portland version of the global protest against Big Oil quickly became one of the largest in the world. It put Portland on the map as a naked cycling epicenter and by 2013, the ride set a record with an estimated crowd of over 8,000 people who flooded streets with smiles for miles. It peaked at an estimated 10,000 riders in 2014. The ride got so large that in 2022 we reported that organizers publicly hoped fewer people would show up.

As we shared in 2015, the nonprofit Portland World Naked Bike Ride (PDXWNBR) takes an army of volunteers and dedicated do-gooders to pull off. Imagine several thousand naked people on bikes — many of them novice riders who haven’t dusted off their bikes since last year’s WNBR — rolling through public streets open to other traffic, with or without a police escort, and being led by volunteers. And they expect a big, fun, safe gathering before the ride and a party afterward.

That’s a huge undertaking for a grassroots nonprofit without any paid leadership or staff and that features new ride leaders each year.

In a statement today, organizers said they simply don’t feel like they’ve got the leadership and help in place to do justice to such an important, iconic ride. “The planning for 2024 didn’t start in September as expected, and by springtime we realized we were behind on our leadership recruiting goals,” the statement reads.

Here’s more from the statement:

“Making the protest safe and accessible is a huge undertaking, months in the making. For many Portlanders, the PDXWNBR may be their only ride of the year, so we hold the event to a high standard, with comprehensive volunteer organization, neighborhood outreach, and coordination with agencies like TriMet and Portland Parks & Recreation. Our history has also shown us how a little more planning can make the protest even more welcoming, with local artists, musicians, medics, bike mechanics, and other community partners all on hand…

Portland deserves the World Naked Bike Ride to be done right, so we are retrenching and focusing on growing our diverse, all-volunteer team this year.”

Meghan Sinnott, a former lead organizer and dedicated volunteer of the ride over the past 10+ years who I spoke to for this story said the ride — and all the people it means so much to — deserve a year off. “As this ride continues to grow in popularity, there are persistent struggles that are real,” she said.

I got a feeling from Sinnott that she was crushed the ride wouldn’t happen this year, but that it would be a disservice to everyone if it went forward. “There’s such a deep, deep reverence and love and joy around this event,” she shared. “This ride is bigger than Bike Summer. It’s bigger than Portland bike culture. It’s iconic. There’s a lot of emotional investment in this.”

Now Sinnott and other organizers want to focus on volunteer recruitment and finding great leaders for next year’s ride. They’re especially looking for people with varied perspectives beyond the bike community. If you’re curious and want to be on next year’s Leadership Committee, use this form to apply. The deadline is 11:59 pm on September 6th.

If riding nude is your thing and you’re bummed to miss WNBR, there are several other opportunities to ride naked this summer. Browse the official Bike Summer Pedalpalooza calendar on the Shift website.

— PDXWNBR.org

Southwest residents push for sidewalks on Shattuck Rd at meeting with city staffer

The area surrounding the Alpenrose site, bounded by Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway, SW Oleson Rd, Vermont St and Shattuck Rd.

On Monday night, I listened to the most informative neighborhood association meeting I’ve ever attended. Tammy Boren-King, a senior planner at the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), was invited by the Hayhurst NA to bring it up-to-speed on last week’s Alpenrose Public Works Alternative Review (PWAR) decision. Boren-King is a member of the PWAR Committee, and the NA wanted to better understand what PWAR was all about.

As BikePortland reported last week, the city’s PWAR decision regarding frontages on the proposed 51-acre, 269-unit “Raleigh Crest” subdivision was quite positive. The city accepted (in concept) the developer’s proposal to build a multi-use path (MUP) and bio-swale along the frontage on the west side of SW Shattuck Rd. The MUP will narrow as it crosses a stream to intersect with Vermont, and then split along the short Vermont frontage into a more traditional sidewalk and bike lane. The PWAR decision also described its reasoning for using the Red Electric Trail on the north of the property as an east-west connection which runs at a relatively level grade and with little disturbance of a sensitive environmental area, as well as the potential road connecting the proposed subdivision to the west, into Beaverton.

Admittedly, this is pretty dry stuff. But I see it as an “as-it-unfolds-in-real-time” opportunity to tell a story that I have struggled with for my three-and-a half years writing for BikePortland. Namely, how to explain to a mainly east side audience, with its largely complete street grid, what is involved in trying to get a sidewalk or protected bike lane built in southwest Portland. It’s complicated, and frankly, I’m not going to try to make it seem less so. That it is difficult is my point.

You might not care. Maybe how government works isn’t your thing.

But maybe, just maybe, you are sick and tired of riding on disconnected bike routes. Why are bike facilities, particularly in southwest Portland, so piecemeal? Why can’t Portland just connect things?

PBOT’s Boren-King, in a forthright and expansive discussion, answered a lot of those questions, at least indirectly.

She began by explaining that the City of Portland is organized, “as a series of bureaus that are run independently … we are working on changing that, moving to a city manager form of government. But as a result, a lot of our codes operate kind of independently of one another.” One of the tasks of the Public Works review is to reconcile the code requirements of four different bureaus operating in the right-of-way — PBOT, Environmental Services, Water and Parks.

Shattuck Rd looking north from north boundary of Alpenrose property.

With questions about PWAR answered, neighbors turned to what is becoming the bigger issue for them: how to get an off-site sidewalk and bike path that continues from the Alpenrose frontage all the way to Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway (BHH) to the north. Shattuck Rd is one of the area’s few north-south connections to the commercial centers and bus routes on BHH, and it currently lacks a sidewalk all the way from BHH to Vermont.

Boren-King responded:

The policy of the City of Portland is that the streets are built at the expense of the abutting property owners. So the goal is that over time, as things redevelop, we will get a complete system. Of course, that doesn’t happen and we end up with capital projects. But for this large of a chunk of land — it feels like we can’t with a straight face say they don’t need to build a sidewalk, at all. So I feel like, I have to require a sidewalk, a multi-path to connect people especially from Illinois, which is a neighborhood greenway, along the frontage of Shattuck and up to the Red Electric Trail.

But this is our shot of getting a sidewalk for this property. Hopefully some day in the future there will be funding available to build the next segment and the next segment and the next segment. But I hear what you are saying, that this is another “sidewalk to nowhere.” I don’t have a perfect answer for you.

Hayhurst NA President Marita Ingalsbe then asked how to advocate for funding and prioritization for the rest of Shattuck Rd. “Is there any chance of the System Development Charges (SDCs) that the developer is going to be paying, [to] have those allotted to the rest of Shattuck? How would we go about that?”

Boren-King said she’s not an SDC expert but that funds from a specific development aren’t necessarily spent nearby. “It’s a priority [project funding] list based on the system-wide plan,” Boren-King explained.

This is just one snippet of an information-dense evening. I’ve been limiting my reporting to Shattuck Rd, but meeting attendees had questions about all the frontages, the crossings on Shattuck, traffic impacts on surrounding streets and more. Boren-King touched upon the legal limits of what a city can require a developer to build on public land and the city’s request for more information in the Traffic Impact Analysis.

That is a lot to understand for your average Portlander who just wants a safe space to commute by bike or on foot. One Hayhurst neighbor, Claudio Mello, captured the frustration of someone who doesn’t want to become an expert, but just wishes everything were more coordinated. Mello wanted to know why, given that the city wanted more people to take the bus, it wasn’t providing the neighborhood with a safe way to reach the bus stop on BHH. Indeed.

But there is good news too. All parties — the developer, the city and the neighborhood organizations — appear to listening to one another and working together. Boren-King, the city staffer, even praised the developer. Neighbors emphasized they were advocating for safe streets, and appeared sincerely interested in, and knowledgeable about, transportation. The developer has submitted early frontage plans which, in some instances, go beyond city requirements. So far, relations appear to be cooperative and free of the animosity that can often arise.

My take on the process, though, is that it eats the time of volunteers. Neighbors should not have to become mini-land use experts to get a sidewalk built. Couldn’t Marita Ingalsbe’s efforts be supported by a representative or three on a city council which is attentive to local issues? I noticed at least one District Four candidate, Bob Weinstein, on the zoom call, and that gives me hope that in the future neighborhood associations might not have to shoulder these issues alone.

The Friends of Alpenrose will be hosting a Community Conversation on June 24th which will be moderated by Metro Councilor Duncan Hwang and State Representative Dacia Grayber. My recommendation to the moderators is that they come prepared. This is a very knowledgeable group of neighbors.

[Correction, 6/13/2024: An earlier version of this story misidentified Tammy Boren-King as the Chairperson on the PWAR committee. That is incorrect. Boren-King is a member of the committee. We apologize for the error.]

Red light for everyone is now default at one Portland intersection

Late night road users will be seeing red when they approach SE 28th on Powell. (Photo: City of Portland)

The City of Portland is testing a new traffic signal technology that makes red lights the default. (Don’t worry, it’s only during late night and early morning hours.)

Last month, the Portland Bureau of Transportation flipped the switch on their first intersection with “rest on red” signal timing. Traffic signals on SE Powell Boulevard at 28th Avenue now display red lights in all directions during late night and early morning hours (10 p.m. to 6 a.m. on weekdays or 7 a.m. on weekends) when no drivers are approaching. Previously, this intersection displayed green lights during late-night hours.

Powell Blvd is a state-owned highway with a long history of crashes and speeding. City data shows it’s Portland’s second deadliest street (behind only Marine Drive). The crossing at 28th is adjacent to Cleveland High School and is a designated crossing for walkers and bicycle riders. In addition to this new signal technology, it has a center median island, a bicycle-only signal, and other elements owing to its important role in the 20s Bikeway route.

Since nearby 26th is infamous for its dangers, many people prefer to cross at 28th. (Photo: Jonathan Maus/BikePortland)

PBOT says the new technology aims to, “slow down drivers on one of Portland’s deadliest streets.”

Here’s how PBOT explains the new signal operations:

When a person driving a vehicle approaches a “rest in red” intersection, the traffic signal may stay red until it detects that the driver reached the intersection. Assuming no cross-traffic is approaching, the traffic signal will turn green to benefit people that are driving within the speed limit.

This change communicates to people driving on Portland’s second deadliest street to slow down as they’re approaching the traffic signal, which will turn green before they come to a complete stop (as long as they’re driving at or below the speed limit).

The “rest on red” pilot was a recommendation from PBOT’s 2023 Vision Zero Action Plan update. If all goes according to plan, PBOT will expand the pilot along SE Powell and other locations. Learn more on the city’s website.

Portland bike theft expert takes down international crime ring

A Portland resident is being hailed for his role in taking down a major bike theft ring. In a feature story in Wired that was just published this morning, Bike Index co-founder Bryan Hance is credited with uncovering, “a bicycle-theft pipeline of astonishing scale.”

The article details Hance’s biggest catch yet: a man named Ricky Zamora who Hance estimates sold about 654 bikes worth as much as $1.2 million between 2020 and 2024. Zamora operated out of Jalisco, Mexico but partnered with a co-conspirator in San Jose, California. Their massive operation sourced bikes from up and down the west coast, including Portland.

Hance has spent countless hours in the past four years working with victims, law enforcement officials, and pulling all the threads that led to an indictment by the US Department of Justice back in February. The story in Wired pieces it all together while sharing more about Hance’s background.

You might recall Hance as BikePortland’s resident bike theft expert and the creator of our Stolen Bike Listings in 2009. Hance received a distinguished service medal from the Portland Police Bureau in 2012 and was instrumental in helping us set up the PPB Bike Theft Task Force in 2015. In 2016 Hance’s website Bike Index was credited with helping take down a prolific apartment bike room burglar.

Learn more about Hance from his interview on the BikePortland Podcast in 2022 and come out and meet him sometimes at Bike Happy Hour where he’s a regular attendee.

And don’t miss the amazing story from Wired that perfectly captures how Hance uses his unique skills and dedication to find justice for bike theft victims and reconnect them with their beloved steeds.

Shooter was out for revenge on speed cameras that shot him first

Screenshot from police video of shooter on SE Washington. Inset: Photo of damaged camera on SE Washington and 103rd sent in by a reader.

Portland Police have apprehended a man suspected of shooting a handgun at automated traffic enforcement cameras throughout the city. In a crime spree that spanned at least two weeks, 28-year-old Chase Grijalva allegedly fired his handgun 17 times at more than a dozen traffic cameras owned by the City of Portland and caused more than $500,000 worth of damage.

When the judge considers his case, Grijalva’s motive will become clear. According to court records, he’s received five speeding tickets from three separate traffic cameras in southeast Portland in the last four months. The video PPB shared last week of Grijalva pulling over and shooting the camera at SE Washington and 103rd was taken just three days after he was cited by that same camera for driving 56 mph in the 30 mph zone.

Grijalva must have really had it in for that camera on SE Washington because that was his third citation from it since early March. On March 5th that camera nabbed him for driving 43 mph (13 over the limit) and on April 1st it caught him driving 41 mph (11 over the limit).

Two other speeding citations on Grijalva’s record — one on March 2nd for driving 44 mph in a 30 mph zone on SE 102nd and Stark, and another on April 6th for driving 43 mph in a 30 mph zone on SE 122nd and Steele — were also at locations where cameras are installed and were coded by police as coming from “radar” so we can assume automated cameras are what issued them.

The PPB say they arrested Grijalva after he drove recklessly through southeast Portland “at times into oncoming traffic.” Once Grijalva was stopped by police, they say he left his vehicle “in a very non-compliant, agitated state,” and it took a physical altercation to subdue him and bring him into custody. (These details contradict a statement released Monday by PPB that said he was taken into custody “without incident.”)

Police have evidence that ties Grijalva to shootings at cameras along Stark at 122nd and 148th, and on NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd at NE Oregon. He faces 17 counts of Criminal Mischief in the First Degree and Unlawful Use of a Weapon, as well as a charge of Resisting Arrest. According to The Oregonian, Grijalva pled not guilty at his first court appearance Tuesday.

The Portland Bureau of Transportation currently operates about 27 traffic cameras that enforce speed and/or red light running. The speed and intersection safety camera program is considered a major pillar of their Vision Zero efforts.

On Tuesday afternoon, PBOT Mingus Mapps posted a statement to social media. “An alleged shooter damaged cameras that reduce deaths and serious injuries from traffic violence — while firing a gun on busy streets in our city,” Mapps wrote. “These reckless actions make our community less safe.”

PBOT is working to repair damages and Mapps appears to be undeterred. “We will continue to expand our use of this life saving technology,” he said.