David Zabriskie (left) and Floyd Landis.
(Photos J. Maus/BikePortland)

It takes moxie for someone whose name is closely associated with a controversial drug use to make his comeback drafting off a product derived from a controversial drug.

That was my thought when I heard former professional bike racer and Tour de France winner Floyd Landis would come to Portland to launch his new product, Floyd’s of Leadville CBD Hemp Oil. CBD, short for cannabidiol, is derived from the stalk and seed of cannabis (hemp) plants. It’s non-psychotropic so it won’t get you high, it’s categorized as a dietary supplement and it’s considered a more natural alternative to ibuprofen.

I can say Landis is no stranger to drug use and not even mention his positive urine sample that stripped him of that 2006 Tour de France crown — just four days after he celebrated it on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. That’s because he broke his hip during a training ride in 2003 and turned to opioids to escape the pain. Three years later, after achieving the biggest victory of his life only to be labeled a “doper” and ultimately thrown out of the sport he loved, Landis used the drugs to escape reality. He eventually switched to marijuana, a move that might have not only saved his life, but could help him create a new one.

Now 41, Landis is ready to re-enter the public eye as CEO of a company he founded last year in marijuana-friendly Colorado with former teammate and friend David Zabriskie.

Both of them spent a few days in Portland this week to launch the product at River City Bicycles (a well-known local shop whose owner, Dave Guettler, is a marijuana advocate).
[Read more…]

Sunday Parkways Northeast is a great excuse to explore parks and soak in the Portland spirit.
(Photo: J. Maus/BikePortland)

Got plans for the weekend? If not, we’ve got you covered.

The Weekend Event Guide is sponsored by Abus Bike Locks. Thanks Abus!

From mountain biking with the family to fast road rides, and from rural Washington County to the eastern city limits, there’s something for everyone in this week’s guide.

And did I mention that it’s Sunday Parkways Northeast?! Don’t miss their special attraction: a Bi-lingual Bike Fair held in partnership with the nonnprofit Andando en Bicicletas en Cully.

Have at it…
[Read more…]

Ugh.

After learning about Oregon’s new tax on bicycles, a lawmaker from Colorado says he wants to do the same thing.

ColoradoPolitics.com has reported that “influential” Republican Ray Scott (Grand Junction) wants to introduce his own bike tax bill.

“We will be proposing something similar. They use the roads also,” Scott reportedly posted on his Facebook page after reading a story about the tax in the Washington Times.

As part of his rationale, Scott says other types of vehicles pay a tax so it’s an issue of fairness. “If we’re not going to tax bicycles, then let’s not tax boats, ATVs and every other vehicle out there that already pay all these taxes… how many rights do we give to cyclists that we don’t give to everybody else on the road? I’m asking.” When someone reminded him that bicycles don’t damage the roads, Scott replied, “Snowmobiles don’t hurt the snow, ATV’s don’t hurt the dirt, boats don’t hurt the water and they pay a tax, maybe we should eliminate those taxes.”

So here we go.
[Read more…]

Job Title *
Marketing and Outreach Manager

Company/Organization *
Westside Transportation Alliance

Job Description *
The Westside Transportation Alliance (WTA) is a non-profit organization that educates and engages people who work in Washington County on transportation options as alternatives to driving alone to and from work. Transportation is an issue that impacts everyone, and reducing the drive alone rate for commute trips can benefit individuals and businesses by reducing the number of cars on the roads, which relieves congestion, improves air quality, promotes healthy behavior, helps employers recruit and retain high-quality employees, and increases freight capacity.

Employment in Washington County is projected to grow by 50% over the next 20 years, bringing more jobs, more people, and the possibility of more congestion. As such, it is increasingly important to seek creative ways to promote transportation options. The WTA works with employers, local governments, transportation options providers, and other non-profit organizations. We promote all modes of transportation options with solutions tailored to the needs of our member organizations.

Position Description

This is a full-time (40 hours per week) position responsible for leading WTA’s marketing and outreach efforts. WTA is a small organization that serves a large geographic area and a diverse mix of members and interests. Therefore, it is very important for applicants to have an “all hands on deck” mentality, a willingness to be flexible when developing strategies to accomplish goals, and the ability to meet specific project deadlines.

An ideal candidate will be an effective communicator, creative problem solver, and will possess a customer service mindset. Ideal candidates will be self-starters who have the ability to understand priorities and complete assignments with minimal oversight. Candidates must be comfortable working independently and within a team environment.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

– Assist with the creation and promotion of strategies to engage people in transportation options for their commutes to and from work sites
– Maintain healthy relationships with member organizations through effective outreach and communication, and help develop new relationships
– Develop and implement an annual marketing & outreach plan that includes promotional, educational, and outreach strategies
– Develop creative marketing campaigns and programs, including collateral materials, presentations, and events
– Represent WTA at events to promote transportation options
– Develop and manage WTA’s website, social media presence, and e-newsletters
– Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

An ideal candidate will have a background that includes:
– A Bachelor’s degree (minimum), in marketing, communications, public administration, non-profit management, business, urban and regional planning, or other relevant degree
– Two years (minimum) of relevant work experience
– Exemplary oral and written communication skills
– Must be self-motivated with ability to work independently and take initiative
– Ability to represent the WTA professionally to member businesses and partners
– Community outreach/event planning experience, ideally in a non-profit setting
– Experience with website building platforms
– Proficiency with Word, Excel, and social media
– Ability to prioritize tasks and work on multiple projects simultaneously
– Experience or interest in non-profit work
– Familiarity with transportation options a plus
– Ability to work with diverse stakeholders in a suburban environment

This is an hourly, non-exempt position at $17-$20 per hour. Other benefits include: TriMet pass, monthly healthcare stipend, retirement contribution, paid holidays, and annual paid time off (PTO) allocation.

How to Apply *
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to Jeff Pazdalski, Executive Director, via email (preferred) to jeff@wta-tma.org or via mail to WTA, 12725 SW Millikan Way, Suite 300, Beaverton, OR 97005.

For questions, please contact Jeff Pazdalski, Executive Director at jeff@wta-tma.org or (503) 906-7961.

Interviews scheduled to begin as early as the week of July 31, 2017 and will continue until position is filled.

Job Title *
Program Manager

Company/Organization *
Westside Transportation Alliance

Job Description *
The Westside Transportation Alliance (WTA) is a non-profit organization that educates and engages people who work in Washington County on transportation options as alternatives to driving alone to and from work. Transportation is an issue that impacts everyone, and reducing the drive alone rate for commute trips can benefit individuals and businesses by reducing the number of cars on the roads, which relieves congestion, improves air quality, promotes healthy behavior, helps employers recruit and retain high-quality employees, and increases freight capacity.

Employment in Washington County is projected to grow by 50% over the next 20 years, bringing more jobs, more people, and the possibility of more congestion. As such, it is increasingly important to seek creative ways to promote transportation options. The WTA works with employers, local governments, transportation options providers, and other non-profit organizations. We promote all modes of transportation options with solutions tailored to the needs of our member organizations.

Position Description

The Program Manager is a full-time position and will support the current and expanding programs of WTA. WTA is a small organization that serves a large geographic area and a diverse mix of members and interests. Therefore, it is very important for applicants to have an “all hands on deck” mentality, a willingness to be flexible when developing strategies to accomplish goals, and the ability to meet specific project deadlines.

An ideal candidate will be an effective communicator, creative problem solver, and will possess a customer service mindset. Ideal candidates will be self-starters who have the ability to understand priorities and complete assignments with minimal oversight. Candidates must be comfortable working independently and within a team environment.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

– Help to create, deliver, and evaluate promotions and/or programs to engage people in transportation options for their commutes to and from work sites
– Build and maintain strong relationships with member organizations and help develop new members and partners
– Oversee annual series of events for member organization contacts
– Promote and support regional programs such as Bike More Challenge and Drive Less Challenge
– Assist with developing creative marketing materials to support campaigns and programs
– Assist with management of WTA’s website, social media, and e-newsletters
– Represent WTA at events to promote transportation options
– Conduct surveys of WTA members to comply with Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Employee Commute Options rule, and create recommendations and work plans based on survey results
– Represent WTA on local and regional committees and work groups related to program work
– Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

An ideal candidate will have a background that includes:
– A Bachelor’s degree (minimum), in marketing, communications, public administration, non-profit management, business, urban and regional planning, or other relevant degree
– Two years (minimum) of relevant work experience
– Exemplary oral and written communication skills
– Must be self-motivated with ability to work independently and take initiative
– Ability to represent the WTA professionally to member businesses and partners
– Community outreach/event planning experience, ideally in a non-profit setting
– Proficiency with Word, Excel, and social media
– Ability to prioritize tasks and work on multiple projects simultaneously
– Experience or interest in non-profit work
– Familiarity with transportation options a plus
– Ability to work with diverse stakeholders in a suburban environment

This is an hourly, non-exempt position at $17-$20 per hour. Other benefits include: TriMet pass, monthly healthcare stipend, retirement contribution, paid holidays, and annual paid time off (PTO) allocation.

How to Apply *
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to Jeff Pazdalski, Executive Director, via email (preferred) to jeff@wta-tma.org or via mail to WTA, 12725 SW Millikan Way, Suite 300, Beaverton, OR 97005.

For questions, please contact Jeff Pazdalski, Executive Director at jeff@wta-tma.org or (503) 906-7961.

Interviews scheduled to begin as early as the week of July 31, 2017 and will continue until position is filled.

The future of Multnomah in the Lloyd? Tell PBOT what you think.
(Images: PBOT)

As we reported last week, the Portland Bureau of Transportation is eager to make the Northeast Multnomah Street bikeway permanent.
[Read more…]

New to me, Kingsley Road above Hood River was a welcome alternative to Dee Highway.
(Photos: J. Maus/BikePortland)

One of the ways I fit cycling adventures into my life is to ride to places where I’m already planning to do something with my family. So, when we planned to meet some friends in Hood River on Sunday, I knew it was a golden opportunity.
[Read more…]

This week’s Monday Roundup is brought to you by… you! Thank you for supporting BP by being a subscriber or a donor. Learn how you can support this site here.

Welcome to Monday.

Here are the best stories we came across last week…
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It’s cool. I’m 1-year-old. No big whoop.
(Photo: J. Maus/BikePortland)

Can you believe Biketown is already one? This Wednesday is the official anniversary of the launch of of Portland’s bike share system.

To mark the occasion, the Portland Bureau of Transportation has a full week of festivities and promotions lined up (see below). We’ve also got the latest numbers to show that — while it’s not perfect and there have been bumps along the road — Biketown has been a success.
[Read more…]

Yours truly rolling in the Willamette Valley last week en route to a Cycle Oregon event.
(Photo: Lars Larson)

You guys did it again.

For the second year in a row, your votes helped earn BikePortland the title of “Best Local Blog” in the Willamette Week Best of Portland Reader’s Poll.
[Read more…]