2025 Archives

Job: Part Time Shop Lead – The Athletic Community

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title

Part Time Shop Lead

Company / Organization

The Athletic Community

Job Description

Part-Time Shop Lead
The Athletic Community | Portland, OR

Hey there! We’re looking for someone who gets it – someone who believes that meaningful relationships and quality gear go hand in hand. If you love connecting with people, can take the reins when needed, and want to be part of something bold and unconventional, this might be your spot.

What You’ll Be Doing
You’ll be leading our bright pink store, helping build the community that makes The Athletic special. This isn’t just about ringing people up (though you’ll do that too). You’ll be running the show during your shifts, sharing our story, getting to know our customers, and making sure everyone who walks through our doors feels the love we put into everything we do.

Day-to-day, you’ll:
-Open and close the store, handling all security and cash procedures
-Run the shop independently during your shifts, making decisions on the fly
-Welcome customers and share the story behind our gear – from that original PDX Airport Carpet Sock to our latest drops
-Ring up purchases and handle transactions with a smile
-Keep our shelves stocked and our space looking fresh
-Pack and fulfill online orders (because community extends beyond our four walls)
-Label products and help with inventory – the behind-the-scenes stuff that keeps us running smooth
-Support store events and community gatherings (these are the best part!)
-Handle customer concerns and returns with care and good judgment
-Answer questions about sizing, styles, and what makes our socks the best in the game
-Keep an eye on merchandising and suggest ways to make our products shine

Who You Are
You’re someone who moves through the world with intention and can be trusted to take care of business. Maybe you bike to work, lace up for weekend runs, or just appreciate quality gear that lasts. You’re comfortable striking up conversations with strangers, can think on your feet, and genuinely care about helping people find what they need.

You probably:
-Have 3+ years of retail or customer service experience, ideally with some supervisory background
-Are passionate about cycling culture and can share what makes the PNW bike scene so special
-Are comfortable with POS systems, cash handling, and basic inventory management
-Can be trusted with keys, alarms, and opening/closing procedures
-Can lift 30+ lbs and stay on your feet for extended periods
-Have a flexible schedule and can work weekends
-Get excited about community events and want to help make them happen
-Have an eye for detail (because every sock needs to find its perfect match)
-Can handle unexpected situations with calm and good judgment

What We Offer
This is part-time work with full-time heart. You’ll be part of a small team that actually cares about what we’re building here. Plus, you’ll get to wear some pretty great socks (and gear!) while you do it.

The Athletic is bold and unconventional, just like you. You carve your own path and you do it with flair.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The Athletic Community welcomes everyone. We’re committed to creating an inclusive space where all people can thrive, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status. Our community is stronger when it reflects the diversity of the people we serve.

15 – 20 Hours a week / $17-$20 DOE

Available shift hours –
Tue-Fri: 11:30am-6:30pm
Sat: 11:30am – 4:30pm
Closed Sundays/Mondays

How to Apply

Ready to Join the Community?
If this sounds like your kind of adventure, we'd love to hear from you. Drop your resume at careers@theathleticcommunity.com and we’ll be in touch about how you can help us support our community.

Let’s talk about that diverter memo

NOTE: This post was significantly updated at 5:01 pm.

First of all, this memo would not exist if not for BikePortland. This plan to remove the diverters and re-establish NW Johnson at 15th and NW 20th at Everett as two-way streets for drivers (they are currently one way for drivers and two-way for bicycle riders) was slated for implementation without any public notice. Since I intercepted an internal email on August 1st, the community’s resistance to these plans has forced the City of Portland to delay and think twice.

The memo, which was released publicly today at 12:00 noon, was written by City Administrator Michael Jordan (at right). I hoped it would add more clarity, but it has only created more questions. CA Jordan essentially doubles-down on the city’s positions and plans.

With that, here are my thoughts now that I’ve had more time to absorb the memo, followed by a few questions the community still deserves answers to…

Origin of concerns still unclear

CA Jordan did not provide any verifiable evidence about where the “community concerns” they heard about the diverters initially came from. This is a problem because if we can’t verify the origin of these concerns, what is to prevent the Portland Police Bureau, Portland Solutions (the city office that is leading this plan), the Public Environment Management Office (PEMO, a program under Portland Solutions), or any other city office or agency from simply claiming concerns about something in order to create a narrative that forces a certain outcome?

PEMO meetings in violation of public meeting laws?

One reason CA Jordan might not be able to provide this information is because PEMO (the office that hosts “Problem Solver” meetings where business owners, police officials, and residents reportedly shared concerns about the diverters) does not hold public meetings.

Despite being a city office that has influence on City policy and implements its recommendations, PEMO does not make their meetings public. I have confirmed with the City of Portland that PEMO does not keep meeting minutes, meeting agendas, or a list of attendees. I am currently aware of Portlanders who are considering legal action due to this possible violation of public meeting laws. (UPDATE, 8/13: I spoke about this concern with City Councilor Sameer Kanal Tuesday night and he said the Problem Solver meetings are not in violation of state public meeting laws but that their lack of public access is a concern that councilors are looking into.)

Emerson School, really?

The memo lists several business and organizations they claim have been negatively impacted by “public safety” in the corridor around NW 20th and Everett. One of them is the Emerson School, which the memo states, “relocated due to safety concerns.” But the Emerson School didn’t move primarily due to safety concerns. They were renting a temporary space and they moved into a larger space. This is just one example of how Portland Solutions and CA Jordan are trying to build a case with squishy evidence.

(Safety concerns at Couch Park are another stated rationale, but as I reported Saturday, the President of nonprofit Friends of Couch Park is against the diverter removal.)

PBOT didn’t support the plans initially

One of the most interesting things in the memo is how CA Jordan describes PBOT’s initial reaction to their concerns. The memo says that PBOT was approached with the plans and their first response was to do nothing and keep the diverters in place. “However, given the increased access needs and the broader awareness of the extent of the public safety-related issues,” the memo reads, “PBOT ultimately recommended the second option [to remove the diverters].”

The city’s plans make the road more dangerous for bicycle riders and pedestrians

Despite the memo’s claim that the plans, “preserve safe bike and pedestrian access,” it’s a fact that changing a street from a carfree lane to a sharrow-marked lane will make it less safe for bicycling and walking. Portland does not have any adopted city policy or goals that support a change that would make a street more dangerous for bicycling and walking.

What’s perverse about all this is the memo acknowledges that the diverter has reduced crashes. In the five year period prior to its installation there were nine crashes. In the four and-a-half years since they went in there have been three crashes.

About those new stop signs on NW Everett

The plan calls for a new set of stop signs on NW Everett at 20th. This will be the only stop on this stretch of Everett between NW 23rd and NW 19th. And given that Everett is a high-volume neighborhood collector and NW 20th a very minor, residential street, any traffic engineer will tell you there is likely to be very low compliance for these stop signs. In that context, the addition of stop signs and the false sense of security they might provide some road users, could actually add to safety problems at the intersection.

PEMO’s mission statement

PEMO is currently hiring three new staffers to implement plans like these. In that job listing, they state their mission as, “activating public spaces” and, “public space activation to promote economic vitality, community safety, and community use.” There is no precedent for trying to achieve those goals by adding more drivers and cars to a street. In fact, increasing car traffic volume has the opposite impact — which is why all of Portland’s adopted planning documents tell city planners to reduce car use as much as possible.

Some of my remaining questions:

Will these changes be framed as temporary or a “pilot” from the get-go? If so, what will the metrics for success or failure be?
Why are PEMO Problem Solver meetings not public? Are any changes planned to make sure they follow public meeting laws?
If they’ve been working on this plan for 2-3 years, why did they never think to run the idea by City Council, PBOT, or the Bicycle Advisory Committee until now (which remember, is only happening because of public scrutiny)?
Does CA Jordan and Portland Solutions think these changes will make the street safer for bicycle riders and walkers? If so, can they explain how?
Did PEMO ever consider just keeping the one-way for drivers and training officers to go around it if/when necessary?
Are there other neighborhood greenways around Portland that have come up at these Problem Solver meetings? If so, which ones and are they slated for changes too?

I’m off to the Bicycle Advisory Committee meeting. For more on this memo, I highly recommend perusing the amazing and insightful comments over on my previous story.

Two days of bicycle racing comes to Pearl District and The Lloyd this weekend

Note: This post is part of a paid promotional campaign.

Bike racing, running and a community ride will invigorate Portland’s central city for two days this coming weekend as the Portland Criterium makes a splashy return to the streets. The event was last held in 2022 and was considered a big success. We also had races around the North Park Blocks as far back as 2007 when thousands of people lined the street to cheer racers in what was known as the Twilight Criterium. There was also the Stumptown Criterium in 2014.

A criterium, better known as a “crit,” is a road race around a short course consisting of numerous laps. In addition to racing for the finish line, competitors strategize to win certain laps (“primes” (pronounced preems)) within the race where prizes and/or cash are on the line (you’ll know it’s a prime lap or the final lap when you hear a loud bell ring). Imagine dozens of racers careening into sharp corners at 30 mph or more in a whir of color, sound, sweat, and speed as they use teammates to maneuver to draft off one another, maneuver to the front of the pack, then launch an all-out sprint to the line.

Over 300 of the fastest bike racers in North America are expected to show up to do battle against local and regional talent. There will be heightened stakes as the races will crown State Champions in each category. Beyond the serious action, the free event is billed as a “celebration of bicycle community.”

On Saturday (August 16th) organizers and their title sponsor, Steeplejack Brewing, have a full day of festivities planned around the North Park Blocks, then the action moves the Lloyd on Sunday.

On Saturday at the North Park Blocks you can watch the racing and take part in community activities from 12:00 noon to 7:05 pm. There will be races for men and women of all ages and abilities with the professionals launching at 7:05 pm. There’s a running relay around the course at 2:45, a “street mile” running race at 5:00 pm, and at 5:15 a Pedalpalooza ride will circle the track along with anyone in the public for 30 minutes of carfree fun.

Sunday’s race in The Lloyd will include a course that circumnavigates the Lloyd Center and includes a short, underground tunnel diversion to keep the racing exciting. The racing coincides with the POP! Party on, Portland event from hosted by Lloyd Eco District from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Whether you’re a racer, a spectator, or just a lover of fun events, don’t miss the Portland Criterium this weekend! Check out PortlandCriterium.com for more information.

Leaked city administrator memo lays out case for diverter removal

NW 20th and Everett. (Photo: Jonathan Maus/BikePortland)

Just as I finished up my opinion piece a few minutes ago, I received a copy of the aforementioned memo from City Administrator Michael Jordan (read it below or view the PDF here). This is the memo I’ve expected since late last week. It’s being circulated in advance of two City Council meetings this week where the issue is likely to be discussed at length. The fact that CA Jordan felt he had to write this five-page memo is a testament to how heated the pushback to the City’s plans have become. The memo is a also likely an attempt to calm the nerves of City Councilors in hopes of winning their support.

Note that this memo has been leaked. It was not meant for the public. That means city administrators and the Mayor’s Office still have not issued any public statement or notification about their plans, despite saying they would do so back on August 1st.

I’ve pasted every word of the memo below for your convenience. I’m curious to hear what you think:

Office of the City Administrator
Michael Jordan, City Administrator

Memo: Transportation Infrastructure Changes in Northwest Portland

Date: August 11, 2025

From: Mike Jordan
To: Mayor Keith Wilson
CC: Council President Elana Pirtle-Guiney
Council Vice President Tiffany Koyama Lane
Portland City Councilors
Deputy City Administrator Bob Cozzie
Deputy City Administrator Priya Dhanapal
Police Chief Bob Day
Portland Bureau of Transportation Director Millicent Williams
City of Portland Vision Zero Lead Dana Dickman
Portland Solutions Director Skyler Brocker-Knapp
Chief Communications Officer Laura Oppenheimer

The City of Portland is committed to addressing concerns about public safety in all its dimensions – including crime, public health, and transportation. Long-term solutions require us to balance the interplay between these different elements of safety, prioritizing the overall health and well-being of our community.

This memorandum provides background, context, and recommended actions regarding transportation changes at two locations in Northwest Portland near Couch Park: Northwest 20th Avenue between Everett and Flanders streets and Northwest Johnson Street between 15th and 16th avenues.

Planters were placed at these locations in 2019 to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. However, these features have inadvertently escalated public safety concerns and impeded the city’s ability to respond.

Residents and business owners have reported increased narcotic use and sales, as well as assault and harassment toward pedestrians and cyclists. Meanwhile, public safety partners face challenges navigating the area to deter and respond to crime.

Our recommended changes – developed jointly by the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), Portland Police Bureau (PPB), and Portland Solutions – address escalating public safety concerns while preserving safe bicycle and pedestrian access. PBOT’s traffic engineering team is overseeing design and PBOT’s maintenance operations team (Structures and Traffic) will lead implementation, with safety and access as top priorities.

Problem Statement
For years, the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) has documented persistent public safety and livability issues in and around Couch Park, driven by a concentration of criminal behavior. In response to repeated community requests and feedback fielded through community meetings, Public Environment Management Office Problem Solver Meetings, and 911 calls, PPB has increased patrols to disrupt criminal behavior and monitor the area.

In response to repeated community requests and feedback fielded through community meetings, Public Environment Management Office Problem Solver Meetings, and 911 calls, PPB has increased patrols to disrupt criminal behavior and monitor the area.

There is limited access to routes between West Burnside Street and Couch Park. The current traffic pattern prevents northbound travel on Northwest 20th Avenue beyond Northwest Everett Street. This limits patrol access on the blocks between Northwest Everett and Glisan streets from routine police presence.

Problem Solver Interventions
As part of the Portland Solutions program, the Public Environment Management Office (PEMO) delivers solutions to livability-related issues in public spaces by coordinating resources efficiently. Over the past two years, PEMO has:

Increased pedestrian lighting adjacent to commercial and school properties

Funded safety improvements to Couch Park

Coordinated with area service providers including William Temple House, Rose Haven, Trinity Episcopal and affordable housing, to ensure their staff and guests/clients are safe and welcome despite predatory practices of those preying on people who are vulnerable.

Despite these interventions, persistent public safety concerns remain.

Existing Public Safety Conditions
The following is a summary of persistent public safety challenges in the affected corridors, based on reports from residents, businesses, schools, and public safety partners.

Educational Impact: Two schools, Multnomah Learning Center and Cathedral School, remain adjacent to high-incident corridors. Emerson School relocated due to safety concerns.

Residential/Commercial Impact: Stadium Fred Meyer’s parking garage has seen chronic vandalism, assaults, and drug-related activity.

Business Closures: Persistent public safety concerns in the area have contributed to business and school closures or relocations, including Chipotle, Dutch Brothers, Banfield Veterinarian, Emerson School and others.

Additional Hotspots: The I-405 viaduct underpasses (Northwest 15th-16th avenues) are not illuminated and experience drug dealing, solicitation and continued anti-social activities. Residents of the Pearl District and Northwest neighborhoods consistently report feeling unsafe using this block.

A recent site walk with PEMO, Central Precinct Commander, Northwest Community Conservancy and residents reinforced ongoing concerns regarding public safety in this block. Two weeks ago, a shed at the community garden adjacent to the block on NW 16th was set on fire and destroyed. PEMO is working to get the community garden activated, funding sidewalk illumination on this block and along NW 16th in partnership with PGE and ODOT. In this area, the request to reestablish two-way traffic has also been elevated.

These conditions, sustained over multiple years despite targeted interventions, have escalated the urgency of modifying the existing traffic configuration to support more frequent patrols and improved public safety.

You can find a general picture of crime statistics for the area on PortlandMaps.

Community Conversations and Outreach
NW Subdistrict Problem Solvers meeting has been convening every two weeks since September 2023 (approximately 40 meetings to date). Vandalism, public defecation, stolen vehicles, drug dealing, drug use and public nuisances are reported at each meeting. Attendees include a mix of residents, business owners, and property managers. There are also representatives from schools, nonprofits, business associations, and other public agencies. At the request of attendees, PEMO staff have conducted 30 site visits and coordination meetings in the area since September 2023. (This number does not account for meetings and calls with community conducted by other city staff on chronic safety issues.)

Old Town/Pearl District Problem Solvers has been meeting since Spring 2022 (approximately 80 meetings to date). At the request of attendees, PEMO staff have conducted several additional site visits near the NW Subdistrict area.

Transportation Review
Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) data shows the NW 20th/Everett planters contributed to a reduction in crashes from nine in the five years of data before installation (involving conflicts between cars, pedestrians, and cyclists) to three (vehicle only) in the 4.5 years of data since installation. As heightened public safety concerns were identified, PBOT traffic engineers and the PPB Traffic Safety Division explored three options to address the needs at Northwest 20th and Everett.

Maintain existing planters and traffic controls.

Relocate planters and add an all-way stop.

Replace planters with a raised crosswalk.

Initially, PBOT recommended the first option. However, given the increased access needs and the broader awareness of the extent of the public safety-related issues, PBOT ultimately recommended the second option.

Final Project Scope: Northwest 20th & Everett

Install all-way stop at Northwest Everett and 20th Avenue, including advance “Stop Ahead” signing, stop bars, and additional signage as needed.

Remove “Right Turn Only” sign for northbound traffic on Northwest 20th Avenue.

Existing planters will be moved to the curb – one on the west side and one on the east side – to function as vision clearance for safety. This will result in the removal of one parking space on the northwest corner. “No Left Turn/ No Through Traffic” signs will be removed from planters.

Restripe Northwest 20th for two-way traffic, including sharrows in the travel lanes.

Add “Cross Traffic Does Not Stop” or similar signage at 20th and Flanders to mitigate for additional traffic crossing the Flanders Greenway at 20th Avenue.

Restoration of two-way traffic on Northwest 20th.

Final Project Scope: Northwest Johnson between 15th and 16th avenues
Two-way traffic will be restored. This location is still in design with the following changes anticipated:

Remove existing planter and “Do Not Enter” sign that prohibits westbound traffic.

Remove “No Through Traffic” sign on NE corner.

Restripe NW Johnson Street to allow two-way traffic, including sharrows in the travel lanes.

Remove parking on both sides of NW Johnson Street

Once work orders are processed and ready to deliver, PEMO will send a mailer to all neighbors in seven delivery routes that touch both blocks about changes to traffic patterns.

PBOT will monitor speeds, volumes and crash data at both locations over time to determine if additional changes are needed to support safe travel in the area.

These recommendations are presented with the goal of preserving safe bike and pedestrian access while enhancing public safety, livability, and public health.

Michael Jordan

City Administrator
Michael Jordan

Portland Solutions Director Anne Hill and Deputy City Administrator of Public Works Priya Dhanapal will attend tomorrow’s (Tuesday, 8/12) meeting of the Bicycle Advisory Committee to discuss this further.

Opinion: Why I remain concerned about diverter removal plan

With the pause in the northwest diverter removal plan, I’ve had time to catch my breath after a busy week covering the story. And with the next opportunity to learn more coming Tuesday evening at the Bicycle Advisory Committee meeting, I figured now would be a good time to share some of my outstanding questions and concerns about the situation.

Where did anti-diverter sentiment come from?

One of the major red flags from the get-go has been the rationale for removal given by Portland Solutions, the Public Environment Management Office (PEMO) and the Mayor’s Office. I know they’ve said the Portland Police Bureau doesn’t like them (it makes their patrols of what they say is a busy crime area more difficult) and that they’ve fielded other complaints from PEMO’s Problem Solver meetings.

Those seem like reasonable concerns, but the community deserves a way to verify them. Unfortunately, PEMO is an opaque organization that appears to be violation of Oregon public meeting laws. I was able to confirm today via the City of Portland that PEMO does not keep meeting agendas or meeting minutes, and does not track attendance at their Problem Solver meetings.

That’s a problem.

I hope someday that someone at the City of Portland can share more — and more verifiable — details about the origin of the concerns that led to the removal plans.

Compromise is possible

In conversations I’ve had with folks who support and oppose the removal of the diverters, I’ve heard great ideas about how to address the City’s concerns, while maintaining the integrity of the neighborhood greenway. The folks occupying the intersection aren’t just there to stop change from happening, they want to make sure the street doesn’t become less safe. If Portland Solutions and the Mayor’s Office would have executed their plan differently, they could have established more trust and found an alternative solution that would not have sparked such anger and pushback.

When you barge into a community with a top-down decision shrouded in secrecy, you can bet opposition will be strong. When people are threatened with having something taken away, their energy will go to keeping it — instead of toward a more collaborative solution.

Broadway scandal déjà vu

I would hope city leaders would learn from past mistakes, but this situation has a very similar odor to the Broadway Bike Lane Scandal of 2023.

Just like with this diverter removal plan, BikePortland found out about a secret plan to remove bike infrastructure. The decision was made in backrooms by business owners who complained about the bike lane to a former city council member. That council member (Mingus Mapps) then told his transportation bureau director to heed their concerns and make a major change to a bike lane. The community was aghast that such an important bike lane would be removed without public input; but what made it worse is that it would have made the street less safe.

In the end, former Commissioner Mapps left the bike lane in place.

From what I’ve heard, Mayor Keith Wilson still plans to remove the diverters sometime this week. It could be a defining moment of his young political career.

Silence and unanswered questions

Since Mayor Wilson oversees Portland Solutions and PEMO, I asked him for a comment about the diverter removal plan last Tuesday. On Wednesday, his staff declined to comment (which was surprising to me). Then when I shared a series of basic follow-up questions with the Mayor’s Office they chose to not answer them.

The way the Mayor’s Office chose to handle this raises red flags for me. I gave them ample time to respond and asked reasonable questions. Mayor Wilson’s staff either thinks this issue doesn’t warrant his time or they’re worried the answers might not reflect well on him. Either way, it’s disappointing.

Precedent

A very reasonable concern surrounding this episode is how it might set precedent. Imagine all the streets across the city where the PPB and Portland Solutions could get together with local business owners and neighborhood residents at a Problem Solver meeting, create a narrative of concern around some piece of infrastructure, and then have it taken out in the name of “public safety.”

What message does it send to volunteers on citizen advisory committees when neighborhood greenway diverters that took years of their advocacy to get installed can be removed by fiat?

Let’s see the memo

Right now there’s a memo about the diverter removal from city administrators that’s making its way around City Hall. I’m eager to see it. I’m sure it will try to lay out the full rationale for the need to remove the diverters. Perhaps it will finally add the clarity this plan has lacked thus far. Maybe I’ll read it and realize this was all just one big misunderstanding. Or maybe it will be full of holes.

It’s not just about what the memo says, it’s about the fact that it exists.

Portlanders deserve open communication and a reasonable level of transparency when our government wants to make changes to our streets that impact our lives. The irony is that by not giving us that, Portland Solutions and the Mayor’s Office have created the exact type of controversy they were likely trying avoid by doing all this in secret.

I’ll see you Tuesday night at the Bicycle Advisory Committee meeting.

This Wednesday: Get hyped for MADE Bike Show at Bike Happy Hour

Photos from our 2023 Bike Happy Hour Bike Show collab w MADE. (Photos: Billy Sinkford)

It’s early August in Portland, and that means it’s MADE Bike Show season. MADE brings the world’s best bicycle makers to our fair city for three days of exhibiting, rides, parties, and hanging out. This year’s show is the third annual and it happens at Zidell Yards in South Waterfront August 22nd, 23rd, and 24th.

And like we’ve done for the past two years at Bike Happy Hour, we want to celebrate MADE by inviting everyone to bring their best bike to the Rainbow Road Plaza for a good, ol’ fashioned, show-and-shine. We’ll park bikes in the street and you’ll get to tell the story about your bike to fellow bike lovers. All bikes are welcome!

I’ve also confirmed that MADE show creator Billy Sinkford will join us during open mic to share the best bits about this year’s show and we’ll give away free tickets and MADE swag. So make sure you don’t miss this week’s Bike Happy Hour and get ready to celebrate handmade bikes and some of the most beautiful bicycles in Portland.

Bike Happy Hour / MADE Bike Show
Weds 8/13, 3:0 to 6:00 pm
Gorges Beer Co., SE Ankeny Rainbow Road Plaza

— MADE Bike Show Website

Monday Roundup: Used e-bikes, speed humps, noise cameras and more

Hi friends. Welcome to the week.

And now a word from our sponsor: If you love cycling, you will not want to miss this weekend’s Portland Criterium races. Organizers have two fun-filled days planned and will bring the speed and spectacle of competitive community bike racing (and running!) to downtown Portland and the Lloyd. Check out PortlandCriterium.com for more info.

And with that, here are the most notable stories that came across my desk in the past seven days…

Parenting in America: It’s maddening that our government and judicial system have created inherently deadly road conditions and then when people try exist among them, it’s innocent parents who get jailed for letting their kids walk to the store. What a shithole country this is sometimes. (NY Times)

Used e-bikes: The author of this piece says a company called Upway wants to be known as the “Carvana of e-bikes” as it looks to tap the market for good quality, used e-bikes. (Streetsblog USA)

Playing politics with our lives: Some political candidates are so desperate and devoid of sound policy ideas that they stoop to campaigning against proven bike infrastructure in a bid to gin up anger among their base. (Boston Globe)

We need noise cameras: As someone who lives just a few hundred yards from an I-5 freeway onramp, I’d love to catch all the assholes who gun their engines onto the freeway. Loud noise is yet another negative externality of driving. (And oh look, the new company PBOT contracts with offers this technology.) (Wall St. Journal)

Shared micromobility: Shared scooter and bike rental systems across America have proven successful and their use reached an all-time high in 2024. Now, let’s double-down on our public investment in them! (NABSA)

New Zealand funding innovation: Oregon legislators might want to make a fact-finding mission to New Zealand, where they seem to have accomplished something Oregon had dreamt about for decades: Moving from a gas tax to a road user charge. (Interest NZ)

Another reason driving should be more expensive: A large number of major wildfires start near highways because of cars, yet people who drive these cars never pay for this negative consequence of their actions. But yeah, let’s keep arguing about how ‘cyclists don’t pay.’ (NY Times)

Speed hump salute: I actually have come to not like speed humps because of how they hurt my but whenever I roll over them, but I can appreciate how effective they are in slowing down drivers so I guess I’m a reluctant fan. (Bloomberg)

Thanks to everyone who sent in links this week. The Monday Roundup is a community effort, so please feel free to send us any great stories you come across.

Bike rider hit close to Bridge Pedal route, police search for driver

Suspect vehicle. (Photo: Portland Police)

The sense of safety and protection from drivers Portlanders usually associate with the annual Bridge Pedal ride was shattered this morning when a truck driver struck and injured a bicycle rider on the Morrison Bridge.

According to the police, just before 8:30 am this morning, driver of a four-door Toyota Tundra, “struck the bicyclist from behind, knocking him to the road. The driver of the pickup pulled alongside the driver, stopped briefly, then fled.”

BikePortland reader Shawne Martinez rolled by just after first responders arrived and shared the photos below…

Below is the full crash statement from the Portland Police Bureau:

“A hit-and-run driver is being sought after he struck and injured a bicyclist on the Morrison Bridge this morning. The bicyclist was believed to be on his way to the Providence Bridge Pedal event when the crash happened.

Portland Police officers from Central Precinct and the Traffic Division were in the area of the Bridge Pedal event when they were alerted to a crash involving a vehicle and a bicyclist midspan on the Morrison Bridge. They responded and found the adult male bicyclist with serious injuries. He was transported by ambulance to the hospital. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

Officers learned that the suspect driver left the scene, and several officers from both Central Precinct and the Traffic Division searched the area for the suspect vehicle, but were unsuccessful in finding him.

Preliminary investigation suggests the adult male bicyclist was westbound on the Morrison Bridge in the left (center) westbound lane. At the time, the westbound lanes were open to all traffic (eastbound was closed for the Bridge Pedal). The suspect driver struck the bicyclist from behind, knocking him to the road. The driver of the pickup pulled alongside the driver, stopped briefly, then fled.

According to his family member, the bicyclist was on his way to the Bridge Pedal, but was not participating at the time of the crash.

The suspect vehicle is pictured. It is believed to be a white Toyota Tundra pickup 4-door crewcab, with black wheels, a black (or possibly missing) left side gas cap, and no license plates. It was described as “dirty” and had objects in the truck bed. The truck had and may have damage to the front grille. The driver is described as possibly a “middle aged” white or Hispanic man, described as “taller” and bald. This image is altered to obscure the bicyclist in the interest of the privacy of the victim.

If anyone has information about this vehicle, is a witness, or has evidence related to this crash, please e-mail crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov attn: Central Precinct and reference case number 25-215805.”

Of you have more information about this collision, please contact me.

UPDATE, 4:01 pm: A reader has sent me the video below that shows the collision. Trigger Warning: Video contains footage of person getting hit by a truck driver and being thrown to the ground.

Diverter removal plan paused as City leaders huddle

Happy Saturday everyone.

Since I’ve been covering this diverter thing so closely, I figured I might as well keep holding the thread until the very end. That means I have an update on the story that I will share now instead of waiting for Monday morning.

First, for my latest thinking on the topic, don’t miss my previous story and/or the seven-minute explainer video I shared on Instagram Friday afternoon. Once you’ve done that, scroll down for the big update…

Friday night just after 8:30 pm I received an email from Deputy City Administrator of Public Works Priya Dhanapal (Public Works is the service area that includes the Portland Bureau of Transportation, so Dhanapal is essentially the boss of PBOT). Here’s the text of that email:

“There are no plans to remove the diverters this weekend. The City is coordinating logistics to determine the timing of removal and updates will be provided as they are available.”

My first reaction to this was a text to Connor Lennon, who had been occupying the diverter intersection at NW 20th and Everett since Thursday morning. I wanted to let Connor know he could go home and get some rest because there was no longer an imminent threat of diverter removal.

The City of Portland said the diverters would be removed last week. So for folks who don’t like that plan, this is a win. It shows how an informed community cannot be run over by people in power. But the fight to reach a better solution that addresses concerns the diverters have raised at the Portland Solutions office and Portland Police Bureau, is not over.

The email from Dhanapal validated a tip I received Thursday night about a pause. It makes sense to me and it’s the outcome I’ve predicted for a few days. Why? Because the political optics around this decision to remove the diverters has been bad from the start. To be clear, anyone associated with the removals as initially planned would suffer a very negative political consequence. That’s just my opinion, but it’s one formed by a tremendous amount of perspective and experience based on years of working on this issue in this community. From the moment I heard about this plan it did not smell right, and the evasiveness I’ve experienced from the City of Portland (Portland Solutions and Mayor’s office specifically) in trying to gain more clarity about it has only cemented my views.

A pause is what has always made the most sense — especially because there will be three meetings coming next week where city councilors, city administrators, and Mayor Wilson will have an opportunity to speak to each other publicly and on the record about this issue.

If I was betting on this, I’d say that on Monday we’ll receive some sort of written memo from DCA Dhanapal and/or the Mayor’s Office that lays out their argument for removing the diverters. Either that, or they’ll lay out a new plan in partnership with PBOT for a brief public outreach process to help better inform their goals and to steer the politics in a more positive direction. We’ll see what happens.

Thanks for following along with all this. I highly recommend doing some background reading if you’re not up to speed on this story. See all my posts about it here. Enjoy your weekend!

UPDATE 11:19 am: In related news, the Friends of Couch Park President Kara Colley has issued a letter to her organization saying she supports the diverters. This is notable because Portland Solutions, the Portland Police Bureau, and Mayor Wilson’s office have said that crime at Couch Park is a key part of their rationale for removing the diverters. Colley has been outspoken about crime and open drug use in the park, but she believes the diverters are a good thing for her neighborhood.

Below are excerpts from Colley’s “From the President’s Desk” note sent to members this morning:

“I think calmer, slower car traffic makes our neighborhood safer and more livable… I want to be clear that I support the Portland Police Bureau and the Central Precinct Bike Patrol… I know that there is frequent shoplifting and other crime right outside the Stadium Fred Meyer. I just don’t think that removing the diverters will reduce crime. All diverters must pass police/fire regulations before they are installed, and police can drive around the diverters when necessary.

I heard an interesting idea from a neighbor: The city could leave the diverters in place and remove one parking space and allocate that space to emergency vehicles only. I am in a “yes, and” moment here. I want the PPB to keep our neighborhood safe and I want the traffic diverters to slow down traffic on NW 20th.”

Two more Portland City Councilors oppose diverter removal

Two more Portland City Council members have shared opposition to a plan from Mayor Keith Wilson’s office to remove traffic diverters on neighborhood greenways in northwest. (UPDATE: And a third, Councilor Steve Novick, also appears to oppose the removal plan. See his comment below).

Meanwhile, Wilson is showing no sign of halting the plans.

District 2 Councilor Sameer Kanal and District 3 Councilor (and Council Vice President) Tiffany Koyama Lane have both used social media to explain their views. They join District 4 Councilor Mitch Green and District 3 Councilor Angelita Morillo in opposition to the plan.

“I briefly toured the NW 20th and Everett area yesterday, and I am confused as to the justification for removing these diverters,” Councilor Kanal wrote in a post on Bluesky this morning. “If anything, the SUV I saw drive around the planter and use the bike lane as a car lane makes me think the whole road could be closed to cars, not just one direction.” Kanal went on to encourage city administrators to attend the August 12th meeting of the City’s Bicycle Advisory Committee before making any changes on the ground.

Councilor Koyama Lane, who’s been a champion of the City’s Vision Zero traffic safety effort, shared a long and thoughtful comment on an Instagram Live recording Thursday (notably, she used her personal account, not her City of Portland account) where she questioned the City’s lack of transparency and public outreach. “Why are we removing these safety interventions without really explaining publicly what the rationale is?… I’m concerned that I wasn’t looped-in and I believe that even the [Portland Bureau of Transportation] Vision Zero team has not been included and looped-in on this. That’s pretty concerning,” Koyama Lane said. “A public process is deserved.”

Since Koyama Lane’s video didn’t make it clear if she supported or opposed the removal of the diverters, I asked her in a comment, to which she replied: “I do not want the diverters removed. In order to put my support behind this, I would need to see more information, accessible data, and engagement of community activists and groups.”

Meanwhile, Mayor Keith Wilson still plans to move forward with the removals. In a statement shared with local media yesterday, he said he’s heard enough complaints from business owners and residents to warrant the changes. Wilson bases his decision on what he describes as, “escalating drug dealing, narcotic use and sales, reports of assaults on pedestrians and cyclists, and obstacles for emergency responders in this corridor.”

Wilson says PBOT traffic engineers and the Portland Police Bureau Traffic Safety Division, “worked together to develop a plan that recommends repositioning diverters, adding intersection signage, daylighting intersections and restoring two-way vehicular traffic while preserving safe bike and pedestrian access.”

That sounds interesting, but no outside the City has seen that plan. PBOT tells BikePortland their traffic engineers were asked to design options that allow police access while still addressing traffic safety concerns. Perhaps it’s possible. I guess we’ll have to just trust the Mayor and his public safety partners.

I’ve tried to learn more and get further clarity on this story; but today I learned that a series of follow-up questions I sent to the Portland Solutions office on Wednesday morning will not be answered. After waiting nearly two days and hearing from a Portland Solutions spokesperson that they’d spent time working on responses, this morning I was told to forward my questions to the Mayor’s office. The mayor’s office has since told me, “We’ll hold off on responding to additional questions for now.”

As for when/if the removals and changes to the intersections might occur, no one has shared a specific date or time. Thursday evening I heard the plans had been paused, but I have not been able to confirm that information.

I’ve got requests out to other councilors and will update this post as I hear back.

UPDATE, 2:10 pm: D3 Councilor Steve Novick appears to also oppose the removal. In his comment shared below he says he wants to learn more at an upcoming council committee meeting this Thursday:

“I understand there are public safety arguments for removing the diverters. At the same time, we need to very cautious about reversing progress we’ve made toward safer streets and meeting our climate goals. At Thursday’s Climate, Resilience, and Land Use Committee meeting, I want to hear that we’ve fully evaluated the trade-offs. I want to know if PBOT can quantify the positive impacts these diverters have had on ridership and transit safety, and the negative impacts of removing them. This is a decision that deserves thorough analysis, public transparency, and meaningful community input.”

One dead and four hospitalized after driver loses control in northeast Portland

Around noon on Thursday, a person driving a Ford Escape SUV failed to control their car, then drove it up a curb and onto a sidewalk where two people were standing. The driver struck both people and nearly hit a child who were gathered next to a bus stop. One of them — 49-year-old DaRon Craig, whose family and friends have left candles, flowers, and written messages at a makeshift memorial — died at the scene. The other person is in the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

In a press statement at the scene Portland Police Bureau Sgt. Kevin Allen said, “The officers that responded described it as an absolutely chaotic scene where people were traumatized.” Harrowing witness accounts shared in The Oregonian say the driver was going at least 70 mph.

According to the PPB, the driver of the Ford was going northbound on Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. After driving onto the sidewalk somewhere between NE Jessup and NE Jarrett, they continued north toward the busy intersection with NE Ainsworth which has a Safeway, Starbucks and Walgreens. At Ainsworth the driver hit another person who was in their car waiting to turn left. The driver then jumped the median island just north of Ainsworth and struck two other drivers head-on before finally bringing their Ford Escape to rest.

In total, the driver who caused this mid-day rampage hit six people.

Police outlines north of Ainsworth where the rampage ended.

The PPB says they don’t believe the violent collisions were intentional. In a statement, police said the Ford Escape driver had two prosthetic legs, “but it’s unclear if that was a factor in the crashes.”

This stretch of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd straddles the King, Woodlawn, Vernon, and Piedmont neighborhoods. It’s a city-owned former state highway (99E) and has five general travel lanes and no shoulder. The speed limit is 30 mph. PBOT used to have an automated enforcement camera installed right where the driver came to rest on Thursday, but it was recently removed as part of a vendor changeover.

With many popular food and business destinations, as well as a busy bus line, these blocks are always full of people walking and rolling. There are crosswalks and median island to try and calm traffic, but with nearly the entire road space dedicated to driving and a 30 mph speed limit, conditions at this location are stressful and dangerous.

My post office is just a few blocks from here and I regularly bike on this exact sidewalk. I like biking on the sidewalk here because it’s a lot more interesting than taking side streets. I felt sick today as I stood at Craig’s memorial, stared at his family photos, and read the dozens of messages from people who knew him.

“Always being the best father figure I know. I’m going to miss you so much,” read one of them. “You weren’t just a good husband, you were a great man,” read another.

Many lives were changed in just a few minutes. And unfortunately, on a street like Martin Luther King Jr., it could happen again — at any time. The way that street is designed, there’s simply no room for error. We continue to expect Portlanders to live and thrive outside of cars while making them exist in places where they can so easily be killed.

Craig is the 20th person to be killed on Portland streets so far this year.

Weekend Event Guide: Bridge Pedal, art in the bike lane, Prince, and more

There’s nothing quite like a good crit. This shot is from the 2021 Red R Criterium which happens again on Saturday. (Photo: Jonathan Maus/BikePortland)

Hi everyone. Hope you’ve had a good week and are ready for some sunny cycling the next few days. Be sure to see BikePortland’s tips for biking in the heat when you head out.

Here are my picks for the weekend…

Saturday, August 9th

Red R Criterium – All day on Swan Island (N)
Last weekend to catch some fast and exciting crit racing where competitors zoom around a short course and compete to win laps and a big sprint at the finish. More info here.

Art in the Bike Lane Ride – 2:00 pm at Oregon Park (NE)
You know those whimsical bike lane characters you see sometimes? Join this ride and be treated to a tour of the best ones from a person who is passionate about Portland’s amazing thermoplastic street art. More info here.

World Naked Bike Ride – 5:30 pm at Colonel Summers Park (SE)
This is the more activist-oriented ride that’s now in its second year. Organizers say they’ll head back to Zenith Oil in industrial northwest for a die-in. I did this ride last year and you can read my story and watch the video to get a better feel for what to expect. More info here.

Prince Purple Rain Ride – 7:30 pm at Oregon Park (NE)
A chill, easy ride full of Prince music and people who love it. Wear your finest purple duds for added fun. More info here.

Sunday, August 10th

Bridge Pedal – All Day in the Central City
It’s time for the annual Bridge Pedal, which offers a six-bridge route (no more 10-bridge?!) where you can see the city from new vantage points on carfree streets. Bring the kiddos for the Kids Pedal! More info here.

Trusty Switchblade Kermesse – All day at Liepold Farms in Boring, Oregon
Come out and race your gravel/cross bike on a rippin’ dirt course on a farm just outside Portland. “Kermesse” is a Dutch word that is used when a bike race coincides with a town festival, so bring the whole fam’ to the farm and soak up all the summer vibes. More info here.

Cargopalooza – 9:00 am at Splendid Cycles (SE)
A social ride for cargo bike lovers. Expect a ride to Sellwood via the Springwater Corridor to explore the Goodwill bins and make sure you tell them you don’t need a bag because you can just throw all your finds into your cargo bin! More info here.

Bike Bus to the Thorns Game – 11:30 at The Athletic (N)
Join the wonderful Jenna Bikes for a group ride to the soccer match at Providence Park. Meet’s at The Athletic, who’s co-owner recently suffered terrible injuries in a collision with a driver and the business can use community support while she recovers. 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.