I recently stumbled upon Steven Reed Johnson’s excellent history of Portland’s bicycle “movement”. In that paper, he details the formation of the Portland’s first official group of bicycle activists: “In November 1971, the City of Portland created the first citizen committee to examine bicycle programs in the city, the Bicycle Path Task Force (led by … Read more
The issue of enforcement against bicycles is contributing to an increasingly acrimonious relationship between the Police Bureau and some members of the bike community. In addition to the well-publicized and unresolved fixed-gear bicycle issue, allegations of selective enforcement are still being made, especially by downtown messengers who feel they’re being unfairly targeted for both fixed-gears … Read more
By Elly Blue Bicycle boulevards — which are adored by both PDOT and the BTA — are a major buzzword among bicycle transportation gurus nationwide.
[Doubtful] With each passing day, the likelihood of Messe Friedrichshafen (the company behind Eurobike) following through with their announcement to bring a major bicycle trade show to Portland grows slimmer. With only ten months left until their alleged show, they still have not confirmed dates, approached exhibitors, or even given it a name. Even as … Read more
[Editor’s note: Please read this follow-up comment made by the author.] By Elly Blue Like any emerging issue, bicycling occupies an uncertain and even an unknown territory. In the courtroom yesterday it was clear that the judge, the DA, and most of the police officers present have not been on a bicycle in their adult … Read more
The following notes on yesterday’s court proceedings are from local transportation activist and regular Shift volunteer, Carl Larson (photo). “These trials really drove the larger point of all of this home to me. These officers hide behind the shield of “safety,” but in many cases, their real goal is to protect the interests of motor … Read more
By Elly Blue The Midnight Mystery Ride was 150 riders strong last month and is well into its second year. Bike Buddy programs are taking off. Last June, there were so many rides during the two and a half weeks of Pedalpalooza that the calendar had to double in size. We have a wealth of … Read more
[Enrique Penalosa]Photo: Clarence Eckerson Last Saturday, I sat in the Bagdad Theater and heard over and over again how fantastic Portland is. The films and the speakers at a Film Celebration of Portland Transportation heaped praise upon Portland’s progressive bicycle and transportation achievements. And then along came a Clarence Eckerson film with an interview of … Read more
[Filmmaker Dan Kaufmanof CrankMyChain TV] This morning I huddled among a big crowd in the wind and rain as Portland officially dedicated the Three Bridges on the Springwater Corridor Trail (photos and a report coming later). The event, which started in Sellwood, was an opportunity to interview some of Portland’s key transportation visionaries and leaders. … Read more
[Elly Blue] “Ride predictably!” is a common mantra from both motorists and bike safety advocates. There’s a perception among non-cyclists that our behavior is at best terrifyingly confusing and at worst suicidal and malicious. Cyclists themselves even complain about near-misses with other bikers, particularly at intersections with stop signs.
Nearly every time someone complains about how bicyclists are unsafe, uncourteous, dangerous, and suicidal riders, they nearly always mention messengers. Or “those downtown messengers” as the cop put it who wrote me a ticket for rolling through a four-way stop intersection on a sleepy bike boulevard.
Last week I ran into Natalie Ramsland of Sweetpea Bicycles at a backyard party. We both bike a lot for transportation or work, and were talking about how we choose our clothes based on their bike-worthiness. Natalie said she chooses all her jeans by testing whether or not she can fit her U-lock in the … Read more