PBOT plans bikeway through Ed Benedict park
Detail of PBOT plans for a new bikeway through Ed Benedict Park in Southeast Portland.
Front Page
How do you feel about a bike excise tax?
A bike tax has more supporters than you might think.(Photo © J. Maus) 2010 will be a year of major discussions about how to finance America’s transportation system. As the use of bicycles is taken more seriously and more money is spent on bike-centric facilities, calls for a revenue stream taken directly from people who … Read more
Equality for bikes, now part of the National conversation
DOT Sec. Ray LaHood’s comments at the National Bike Summit continue to reverberate.(Photo © J. Maus) My, what a difference a few years makes. It was less than three years ago when then US Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters proclaimed that “bike paths” were not a part of transportation infrastructure. Fast forward to early this … Read more
Hood River engineers unveil their “human utility vehicle” – UPDATED
The Hauler is solar, electric and leg-powered.– Full gallery – (Photos © J. Maus) Introducing the Hauler — a solar, sweat and electric powered vehicle its designers hope will bridge the gap between bicycle and car and bring a new level of utility and affordable mobility to millions in the process. The Hauler is a … Read more
The Going gets easier at MLK
MLK at Going looks a lot different now.-More photos below-(Photos © J. Maus) The City of Portland Bureau of Transportation is moving forward on their Going Street Bicycle Boulevard project. One of the centerpieces of the estimated $250,000 project is the crossing of MLK Jr. Blvd. For the uninitiated, MLK is a major north-south arterial … Read more
The Monday Roundup
Here’s the news that caught our eye this week: – Yes, the newly minted health bill has a transportation angle. – Think bike parking corrals are cool? The ribbon was just cut on San Francisco’s first public “parklet” in a former street parking spot. – An Oregon farmer is arguing that it would be better … Read more
Next up, transportation reform?
Obama during a visit to Portland in 2008.(Photo: Ethan Jewett/Stickeen) Congress passed an historic piece of health care legislation last night. Will the vote lead to a strengthened Obama Administration that’s able to take on other big issues? Will the passage of health care melt some of the glacial gridlock in Washington? Having just been … Read more
Speaking of bikes on the radio…
Given our experience with a shock jock condoning violence against people on bikes, I (like everyone else) have been following with interest the Lance Armstrong/Tony Kornheiser flap. I might chime in with more thoughts about that next week, but for now, I thought I’d share what’s happening on the radio here in Portland.
Hey ladies, this survey’s for you!
Survey hopes to figure out what makes women more likely to ride.(Photo © J. Maus) Women are widely regarded in bike wonk circles as an indicator species of a city’s level of bike-friendliness. If women are riding, the thinking goes, then biking conditions must be good. But why is this? What specific factors motivate women … Read more
Springwater repaving starts next month: Closures, detours to follow
The Springwater.(Photo © J. Maus) The $1.8 million, federal stimulus-funded repaving of the Springwater Corridor Trail is set to begin next month. Portland Parks & Recreation, who manages the trail, issued a statement about the project yesterday and shared details of the imminent closures and detours that will come with it. The project will lay … Read more
Bike riding doctor Mel Kohn to lead Oregon Health Authority
Dr. Kohn, speaking in support of Safe Routes to School during a visit by the U.S. Surgeon General in April 2008.(Photos © J. Maus) Dr. Mel Kohn has been named the new head of the Oregon Public Health Division, which is set to become part of the new Oregon Health Authority. Kohn had been serving … Read more
Budget office: Cut horse cops, but don’t transfer them to bike patrol
Mounted Patrol Unit in action downtown.(Photos © J. Maus) Back in January, we reported that in order to save $585,000, the Portland Police bureau was considering a transfer of their horse-mounted units to bike patrol. The idea is to shut down the Mounted Patrol Unit (MPU) and redeploy four formerly horse-mounted officers to work bike … Read more