10.3 percent of parents in a recent City survey said their kids bike to school.(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland) The City of Portland has just compiled the numbers from their fall 2012 Safe Routes to School parent survey. The results show an encouraging upward trend of biking and walking rates. In fact, 10.3 percent of the … Read more
Justin Gast, illuminated by his bike light, in front of his home in Kenton.(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland) Welcome to the latest installment in our Ride Along series. I have an exciting announcement: MetroMile is now the presenting sponsor of this column. Thanks guys! Now onto your regularly scheduled programming… Last week I joined 36-year-old Justin … Read more
New analysis of traffic collision data released today by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows a decrease in overall fatalities from 2010 to 2011. However, in the “pedalcyclist” category (the strange word the feds use to describe people that are biking) there was an 8.7 percent increase. The new … Read more
We came across many noteworthy and important stories last week that deserve your attention. Here we go… — David Alpert of the excellent Greater Greater Washington blog argues in the Washington Post that, instead of focusing on fault when tragedies occur, we should instead look at road design. “Our roads shouldn’t exact such a high … Read more
The donation will help make more of this possible.(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland) Portland-based Universal Cycles has donated $15,000 to the Northwest Trail Alliance to help in their ongoing mission to build more mountain bike trails in the Portland metro area. The donation will go towards the local matching funds required for a a $55,248 grant … Read more
Hey there, whatcha’ doin? I’ve been sent images of a suspected bike thief in action; but neither myself or the person who sent them to me can figure out what exactly the guy is up to. I figured I’d share the images and see if your collective wisdom could help. The images (see them below) … Read more
12 feet for bikes on a state highway.(Photo: Michigan DOT) The Michigan Department of Transportation has done something pretty extraordinary for a state DOT. They’ve recently installed a 12-foot wide buffered bike lane on a one mile stretch of Northwestern Highway (Hwy 10). The new bikeway includes a five-foot bike travel lane and a seven-foot … Read more
On FosterUnited.org Citizen activist, transportation planner, and southeast Portland resident Nick Falbo has upped the ante in the grassroots effort to add a high-quality bikeway to SE Foster Road. As we reported last month, the City of Portland and residents are currently working on an update to the Foster Road Streetscape Plan and a new … Read more
Roger Mallette.(Photo: His Facebook profile) Roger Mallette died Sunday from unknown causes after a fall in his Portland office over the weekend. Mallette, 48, was the founder of Retro Image Apparel/Micro Beer Jerseys, a company known for its expansive line of bike jerseys featuring licensed artwork including Star Trek, Dr. Seuss, The New Yorker magazine, … Read more
Rollin’ through the Ice Age.(Photo: Metro) The Tonquin Trail — a 22 mile system of paths that will someday connect the cities of Sherwood, Tualatin and Wilsonville — is now officially named the Ice Age Tonquin Trail. The project has also just completed a master plan that is set to be forwarded onto city, regional, … Read more
PBOT staffer Peter Koonce (L) and Metro Councilor-elect Bob Stacey at Wonk Night.(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland) Last night a solid crowd (about 37 people) showed up for our Wonk Night here on the 4th floor of the Title & Trust Building in downtown Portland. We met in the spacious lobby of Lancaster Engineering (which happens … Read more
A sound system, plenty of storage space,high-powered lights… Who needs a truck?!(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland) It occurred to me today that, when it comes to accessories and their presence on the road, bikes are slowly but surely becoming more and more like cars. Consider this: Not only are more and more cities dedicated increased roadway … Read more