Here are the most notable stories we came across last week:

Silver bullet: You’ve probably heard that electeds and policymakers from Oregon and Washington are eager to replace the I-5 bridge; but did you know there are early-stage talks to build a bullet train between Portland and Vancouver, BC?

Transit subsidy: Seattle is the latest west coast city to pass a local mandate requiring certain companies to allow employees to use pre-tax wages to pay for transit. Why they heck doesn’t Portland do this?!
[Read more…]

PBOT’s speed camera on Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway was installed in 2016.
(Photo: PBOT)

One line in a recent Beaverton Police Department press release caught my eye: “Between 07/01/2015 and 07/01/2016 over 94,000 drivers were traveling 11 mph or more, above the speed limit.”

I’m well aware that most people drive faster than they should. But 94,000? That’s a lot of speeders! (And don’t even get me started about the standard practice of only citing for 11 mph or over the posted speed.)

Thankfully there’s a silver lining. The release also announced that BPD would start issuing citations to some of those people this coming Tuesday, October 16th (warnings have been mailed since September 15th). The way they’ll manage this sudden influx of enforcement activity is by using photo radar cameras thanks to a law passed in 2017 that allows them to cite speeders using cameras that have until now only nabbed red light runners.

Portland will take advantage of the same law, but it will likely be at least several months before our cameras are ready. Here’s why:
[Read more…]

A packed room for the OMBC Summit held last weekend in Bend.
(Photos: Gabriel Amadeus.

Oregon is home to some of the best off-road cycling anywhere. From mountains to deserts, the coast, and rivers — the diversity of terrain is matched only by the amount of the hard-working groups that tend the trails and make sure the best places to ride stay open and accessible.[Read more…]

Looking for a new place to spread you cycling wings? We’ve got three fresh job opportunities for you to consider.

Learn more about each one via the links below…

–> Mechanic – Community Cycling Center

–> PSU Bike Hub Mechanic – Portland State University

–> Experienced Bike Mechanics – Bike Gallery (Westmoreland)
[Read more…]

View looking west on SE Division at crossings of 138th and 139th.

Portland Police have arrested two drivers and are looking for a third in relation to a collision that left another person trying to cross SE Division Street dead last night.

So far the investigation has revealed that an adult female was killed while crossing at SE 138th just after 10:00 pm.
[Read more…]

Nothing like the sight of a PBOT maintenance worker installing protection on a bike lane in the morning!
(Photos: Jonathan Maus/BikePortland)

Something great is happening as I type this: A day after the City of Portland took some heat from Bicycling Magazine about not providing enough protected cycling space, I noticed Bureau of Transportation crews installing some in my neighborhood this morning.
[Read more…]

Get out there and enjoy our fall splendor.
(Photo: Jonathan Maus/BikePortland)

The weekend is near and we hope you have a chance to escape and enjoy the pleasures of a bicycle ride. If so, here are some suggestions of things to do… [Read more…]

PBOT visualization of new markings coming to NW Nicolai.

You’ve heard of rails-to-trails, how about rails-to-cycle-track?

That’s what in store for a defunct railroad bed on a 0.6 mile section of NW Nicolai Street that’s been paved over in the northwest industrial area. The Portland Bureau of Transportation plans to add some markings and a few other finishing touches to make this a two-way bikeway between Highway 30 and NW Wardway. It’s one of 18 projects that will be built will receive funding in the coming year thanks to $2,085,000 set aside for small-scale projects identified through programs in the city’s Transportation System Plan (TSP).
[Read more…]

Job Title

Experience Bike Mechanics needed

Company / Organization

Bike Gallery – Westmoreland store

Job Description

The Bike Gallery is now hiring for experienced bike mechanics and bike builders. We have both FT & PT positions available.

Service technicians must be highly skilled in the maintenance and repair of a wide variety of bicycle makes, models, and component parts. It is also an expectation that service technicians will keep current with new technology and changes in equipment design. Must have 2 years experience & UBI certification.

Other Qualifications:
– strong customer service skills
– ability to work as a part of a team
– positive attitude and willingness to work hard

Permanent full-time employees are offered a full benefit package that includes medical/dental/vision insurance & 401(k) with a match as well as Aflac and Flex spending accounts.

How to Apply

Send Resume to Sterlinghill@bikegallery.com

(From Bicycling.com)

It’s a frequent topic of conversation in local advocacy circles that Portland has lost some of its swagger when it comes to being a leader for cycling in America.

Today, Bicycling Magazine released its biennial rankings of America’s best cities for cycling and Portland came out in 5th place — our worst position ever.
[Read more…]