Universal Cycles storefront at NW 18th and Thurman.(Photos © J. Maus) Universal Cycles in northwest Portland has committed $10,000 a year for the next five years in order to help push local advocates and community leaders into creating more singletrack mountain bike trails in Forest Park. Universal general manager Mike Doolittle told me this morning … Read more
Tim O’Donnell’s widow, Mary O’Donnell, had these buttons made for the hearing. Last Friday, just two days after he relieved former BTA lobbyist Karl Rohde from his duties, executive director Scott Bricker was down in Salem filling his former role as the organization’s chief lobbyist. Bricker presented the BTA’s position on their proposed Vehicular Homicide … Read more
View of the crowd from atop the Morrison Bridge.-Slideshow below-(Photos © J. Maus) A large and energetic crowd showed up for the CRC Opposition and Alternatives Rally held in Waterfront Park today. They were energized by a long list of speakers ranging from Portland City Councilor Amanda Fritz to Republican Washington State Senator Don Benton. … Read more
Karl Rohde at the National Bike Summit back in March. (Photos © J. Maus) Karl Rohde is no longer on the staff of the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA). Rohde was the BTA’s Government Relations and Public Affairs Director. Late this afternoon I received several phone calls and emails about the news after Rohde sent out … Read more
Current routes to the rally Planning to attend Sunday’s Build Less Bridge CRC Opposition and Alternatives Rally? A new online map can help you meet up with other folks riding from your part of town, or organize a feeder ride of your own. The event is on Sunday, April 5th at noon in Waterfront Park … Read more
Commissioner Nick Fish wants to open up the dialogue on off-road biking.(Photo © J. Maus) Last month, rookie City Commissioner Nick Fish made his opinion of off-road biking clear. He told BikePortland that he was not satisfied with the current status quo of riding in the city and that he would work quickly to learn … Read more
PUMP will host an off-road advocacy presentation tonight in Northwest Portland.(Photo © J. Maus) As Portland moves in on creating more off-road, urban riding areas, interest in skills parks and pump tracks is growing. However, unlike in the transportation cycling realm — where Portland is often looked upon as a leader — when it comes … Read more
An anti-12 lane CRC sign(Photo © J. Maus) An editorial in this morning’s Oregonian criticizes Bicycle Transportation Alliance leaders for their recently stated opposition of the plan to build a new, 12-lane highway bridge over the Columbia River, and for encouraging their members to attend a rally in opposition to the plan. Claiming that the … Read more
The grassroots group that is forming to oppose plans for a new 12-lane Columbia River Crossing (CRC) bridge project on I-5 has released the second in their series of mock sales pitches. In the first episode, host (and local author) Joe Kurmaskie tackles the bridge’s cost (“…only one million easy payments of $4,000 each!”) and … Read more
Routh married her bike at the 2006 Multnomah County Bike Fair(Photo © J. Maus) The Willamette Pedestrian Coalition has chosen Stephanie Routh as their new Director. The WPC is a Portland-based non-profit that is, “dedicated to promoting walking and making the conditions for walking safe and attractive.” Here’s the official statement: Stephanie is highly regarded … Read more
How can the city say no to a face like this?-Slideshow below-(Photos © J. Maus) Last Friday, about 100 people — most of them families with kids in tow — rode to City Hall as part of a special edition of the BTA’s monthly Kidical Mass ride. The goal was to raise awareness about the … Read more
Below is the full text of the BTA’s press release in opposition to the CRC project: BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION ALLIANCE FORMALIZES OPPOSITION TO COLUMBIA RIVER CROSSING Monday, March 22, 2009 – The Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) announced today our opposition to the massive freeway expansion, known as the Columbia River Crossing, that is being planned between … Read more