“Can we create–even if only for a little while and in a limited area–the feeling one gets when riding in world class cycling cities?”-PDOT’s Roger Geller In case you haven’t heard the buzz, PDOT is in the midst of updating their Bicycle Master Plan (the current one is over 10 years old). The Bicycle Master … Read more
[The Rose Quarter might get better soon. (Looking North from Interstate Blvd. toward Wheeler).] As part of the East Side Big Pipe construction project, the Bureau of Environmental Services will fund $2 million worth of projects to, “neighborhoods and business districts affected by combined sewer overflow construction”. They call it their Community Benefits Opportunity Program. … Read more
[Screenshot from KOIN story.Go here to find video.] BTA Director Evan Manvel reports that their Senate Bill 299 (PDF here) got some airtime on Portland’s CBS affiliate KOIN-TV yesterday. I watched the video clip and they do a solid job covering the issue. I’d recommend watching it. They have some interesting on-the-street interviews, some words … Read more
[By Elly Blue] For a broader perspective on transportation, look closer to home. Discussions of bicycling and transportation revolve naturally around, well, transportation. But involved citizens might be better advised to focus less on mobility, and more on staying put and focusing on what’s right next door or down the street. Or, more to the … Read more
[A road in North Plains.] Yesterday, the BTA’s Senate Bill 299 — which includes a provision about requiring a minimum three-foot passing distance — got its first debate on the floor of the Judiciary Committee in Salem. A reporter from the Associated Press was there and filed a report that was picked up by the … Read more
[From today’s Oregonian. Read the article.] For the second time in a row, Oregonian columnist Renee Mitchell has devoted her column (which appears on the front page of the Metro section) to the power of the pedal. Last Wednesday she wrote about how the community came together to recover Erin Greeson’s $2,000 stolen bike. Now, … Read more
On Monday, the Senate Judiciary Committee in Salem will hold a public hearing on Bill 299 (full text here).
[All signs point to more bike boulevards] In case anyone gets the wrong impression after my post about Berkeley’s bicycle boulevard efforts, I thought an update on Portland’s progress was in order. Here are a few things I’ve come across just in the past week or so. SE Foster Bypass Bicycle Boulevard With strong leadership … Read more
[John Canda, head of the Mayor’s Office on Youth Crime Prevention] On Wednesday I met with John Canda to hear his perspectives on how bikes might play a larger role in community policing. John is the Mayor’s youth crime prevention czar. Prior to that, he led the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods, one of six coalitions … Read more
[Berkeley’s Bike Boulevards, by Clarence Eckerson (for StreetsBlog)]Length: 8 min. 12 sec. Clarence Eckerson’s latest StreetFilms piece focuses on Berkeley California’s bicycle boulevard network. It’s a great film and it shows that Berkeley is way ahead of Portland in creating slow, traffic-calmed streets that are safe and appealing for people (not just cars).
Since I proposed a neighborhood meeting last week (in response to community reaction to an attack on cyclists in North Portland), I’ve been thinking about the issues, reading comments, seeking advice, and trying to determine the best way forward. Some issues on the table — race, gentrification, youth violence — are vast and complex and … Read more
The BTA has posted their final list of “bike heroes” nominated for this year’s Alice Awards. It includes some names I think you’ll recognize (including prolific and outspoken BikePortland commenter Dabby McCrashalot), along with some you might not have heard of yet. Here are the 2007 Alice Award Nominees.