“Not a lifestyle, not for fitness: it’s an experience. People like the idea of riding a bike just as they like the idea of going to the park, farmer’s market, lake, picnic, outdoor music/arts, festivals or chatting with neighbors. Unfortunately most people don’t do it as often as they would like.”-from Shimano Coasting marketing materials … Read more
[Austin and NatalieRamsland of SweetpeaBicycles] Austin and Natalie Ramsland — the husband-wife duo behind Sweetpea Bicycles — will open up their framebuilding studio on Saturday night. They’ll have frames on display (in various states of completion) and Natalie (she builds the bikes) will be happy to answer questions about her craft. It’s also a great … Read more
Just a reminder that the Portland Bike Forums are a great place to ask for advice, share your experiences, or just get something off your chest. If you don’t usually wander over that way, you should check them out. There’s an active community of people sharing information and discussing all sorts of interesting things, from … Read more
[Ron Buel of Riverfront for People wants tobury the East Bank freeway.] About a month ago I had lunch with Ron Buel of Riverfront for People. He had an idea to share with the bike community and wanted to get some feedback. I quickly found out that this wasn’t just any old idea… Buel is … Read more
[A scene from lastyear’s BikeCraft event.] I’ve finally confirmed a location and date for BikeCraft II. It will happen in the atrium of City Hall in downtown Portland on Thursday, December 7th. BikeCraft is an event that showcases handmade, bicycle-related arts and crafts made in Portland. For more information check out the BikeCraft page I … Read more
[Expect more big crowdsat Hillsboro this weekend.] This Sunday the eyes of the cyclocross world will be set on Hillsboro Stadium (just a few miles west of Portland). Racers and media from all over the country will compete in the sixth race of the US Gran Prix of Cyclocross. The series has made previous stops … Read more
[It was great while it lasted.] The law requires that all cyclists have a front light and a rear reflector. A little over one year ago, the Traffic Division of the Portland Police Bureau began giving out free lights to bicyclists who were stopped for violating this law. The program was spearheaded by then Commander … Read more
“I would like to see a world-class bike racing event in Portland.”-Commissioner Adams Last night at City Hall, a sub-committee formed as part of the bicycle industry task force, met to discuss the potentials and pitfalls of creating a major bike racing event in Portland. The meeting got off to an exciting start when City … Read more
ODOT needs to hear from cyclists about how they should spend a big pot of money set aside for “Transportation Enhancements”. This money must go to projects, “that strengthen the cultural, aesthetic, or environmental value of our transportation system.”
“Oregon needs a new law making it illegal to cause serious bodily injury or death to a bicyclist due to ordinary negligence.”-Lawyer Ray Thomas Lawyer Ray Thomas is working to add language to existing driver negligence laws to make it easier to charge motorists with serious crimes when they cause major injury or death to … Read more
This Friday, downtown Portland will play host to bicycle dealers from all over the Northwest when the National Bicycle Dealers Association stops in town for one of their Super Seminars.
PDOT’s Transportation Options division is working on a new safety campaign tentatively called “See and Be Seen.” The program will encourage cyclists to use lights and increase their visibility as well as reminding motorists to take extra care around cyclists. They’re still working on final pieces of the program but I’ve gotten word that a … Read more