Bee blamed in Vancouver fatality
On Friday night in Vancouver, Washington, a teenager struck and killed a cyclist with his car. The driver claims he was distracted when a bee entered his vehicle. Here’s an excerpt from the KOMO-TV news report:
Editorial
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Bike recreation on a roll in Oregon
The many faces of State Parks Commission nominee Jay Graves.File photos The BTA reports that Governor Kulongoski has nominated Bike Gallery owner Jay Graves to the Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission. This is good news for bicyclists throughout the state and just the latest sign of the growing acceptance and influence of bicycles on Oregon’s … Read more
One year later at the Salmon Street stop sign
SE Salmon and 23rd.File photo: 5/11/07 Exactly one year ago today, the Portland Police Bureau Traffic Division carried out a stop sign enforcement action (a.k.a sting) at SE 23rd and Salmon. Many cyclists received tickets and the incident touched off a heated debate (that rages on today). This debate includes issues like; the use of … Read more
Has Potter been a bike-friendly Mayor?
Potter at a Walk and Bike to School event last year.File photo: 10/4/06 When Portland Mayor Tom Potter decided to cut funding for the Bicycle Master Plan, his office received over 300 calls and emails, the third highest response of any issue during his tenure Potter recently told KGW-TV that the community’s reaction was “dissappointing,” … Read more
Concerns, questions raised by Mayor’s decision
Portland’s current Bicycle Master Plan was last updated in 1995. It has served us well, but according to city planners and expert consultants, it is woefully inadequate and it no longer serves its purpose. Since it was completed, the number of bicyclists in Portland has skyrocketed and we have become a national model for livability. … Read more
Updated: Last Thursday fracas raises carfree question
(*Editor’s note, 4/29): My initial report got some facts wrong. I have tried to clean things up and I’ve added in more details. I regret the errors. A car-less moment on Alberta.File photo: 7/27/06 I wasn’t there, but I just read the news on the Oregonian Blog that things got a little out of hand … Read more
Did the Mayor make an innocent mistake?
To Portland’s bike insiders, savvy advocates, BTA members, and regular readers of this site, the Bicycle Master Plan Update process is nothing new. We’ve been getting excited about it for months. There have been brown bag discussions, monthly rides, steering committee meetings, a lot of coverage on this site, and so on. But the same … Read more
Trying to understand the Mayor’s decision
I’m still trying to get my head around today’s news that Mayor Potter’s latest budget proposal does not include funding for the Bicycle Master Plan Update process.
Thoughts on Portland’s bike movement; past, present, and future
“The fact is, Portland has largely built its bicycling infrastructure on non-controversial, inexpensive projects that squeeze bike facilities into current right-of-ways without inconveniencing drivers.”–Scott Cohen, PSU adjunct professor and member of the Multnomah County Bike/Ped Citizen’s Advisory Committee The other day I came across an interesting post on Scott Cohen’s Transportation History blog, and it … Read more
A postcard from Amsterdam
Lanette in Amsterdam. BikePortland reader Lanette Noble is in Amsterdam on a work trip. In between meetings (she’s a product manager for Nike) Lanette has been riding a bike around the city. She just sent me an email with some thoughts and a few photos of her experiences.
Flap over enforcement must lead to solutions
A scene from yesterday’s enforcement mission in Ladds Circle. Neighbors complained about bicyclists and the Police Bureau responded with motorcycle officers.Photo: Aaron Tarfman The recent enforcement mission in Ladds Circle has created a fervor of action and discussion. Twenty-four hours after the incident and comments are still coming in. Here’s a quick recap of what … Read more
Where do we stand on enforcement practices?
At the Tour de Fat Parade.File photo: 8/27/06 I have covered bicycle-related law enforcement issues extensively on this site. My coverage has mirrored changes in my personal understanding and experience of the complex relationship between police officers and bicyclists in Portland.