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6/20: Hello readers and friends. I am having my second (of two) total knee replacement surgeries today so I'll be out of commission for a bit while I recover. Please be patient while I get back to full health. I hope to be back to posting as soon as I can. I look forward to getting back out there. 🙏. - Jonathan Maus, BikePortland Publisher and Editor
Today’s Oregonian has the story of a major new downtown development that will include, “a regional bike facility grander than anything Portland has ever seen.” It’s a very exciting proposition. Not only would this 3,000 square foot “bike hub” be the centerpiece of Portland’s commitment to sustainable transportation, but something like this could inspire other … Read more
[Shared lane marking, a.k.a. “sharrow”.](Photo by Todd Boulanger) These roadway markings in Northwest Portland are known as shared lane markings, or sharrows. They were installed back in September as an experimental project, and they’re still awaiting official sanction. Because the markings are still new to many road users, the City of Portland has developed a … Read more
[Photo by quite peculiar.] For many years, the prevailing mantra from bicycle advocates has been, “Same roads, same rights, same rules.” Beyond a catchy slogan, the thought is that this puts bicycles on a level playing field with motorists in the court of law and public opinion. This seems to make sense. However, the problem … Read more
Yesterday morning the Portland Police Bureau Traffic Division set up a sting at SE 23rd and Salmon streets. Several cyclists were given $242 dollar fines (the same amount for motor vehicles) for rolling through the four-way stop. This enforcement “mission” was motivated by a phone call to 823-SAFE (the City’s traffic safety hotline) several weeks … Read more
[Unsecure bikes.] A group of bike advocates have been working with Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU) for over a year to improve conditions for bike commuters at the hilltop campus. However, despite clear evidence of the problem they have been “systematically rebuffed” by management and the former head of their Bike Commuters Group calls OHSU’s … Read more
[via PedalPushers] The Bikes Belong Coalition just announced that the Portland-based Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) will receive a $5,000 grant to assist in their bike boulevard campaign. According to the official announcement, the money will go to: “…help promote and develop their campaign for Bicycle Boulevards in Portland. These low-traffic roadways will serve as a … Read more
[See this comment for an update.] Yesterday I received a phone call from Shawn Karambelas, owner of SK Northwest (I had left a message for him last week). This is the company currently in escrow on a lot just south of OMSI on the Willamette River, smack dab in the middle of a potential trail … Read more
[New bike lane on Vancouver!Photo: BTA] Some very exciting news announced by Jessica Roberts of the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA). A major new bike lane has been striped on Vancouver Ave., from Russell Street down to Broadway. This completes a “missing link” in the bike network that is part of the BTA’s larger goal of … Read more
Wanted to point out today’s Oregonian article on the new bikeway network signs. For most of you, these signs are old news. What’s cool about the article (besides the nice photo) is that I believe it’s the first time a comment on BikePortland.org has been quoted in the Oregonian. Here’s the last paragraph of the … Read more
[For reference, here are the previous posts on this issue: Springwater development may nix trail improvement Springwater development update] This morning I spoke with Wayne Kingsley, the owner on record of the land being purchased by SK Northwest. Wayne is a well-known local businessman and president of American Waterways, Inc. owner and operator of the … Read more
[The lot in question. Click to enlarge.] SK Northwest‘s plans to develop on the Willamette River, and their opposition to an existing trail easement (see this comment) a potential trail that would connect a popular portion of the Springwater Corridor Trail, has been met with serious concern from the community. Last week’s post has generated … Read more
[Photo by Heather Andrews] Intrepid cyclists VJ Beauchamp and Heather Andrews have uncovered a little-known “underground bike parking bunker” below the Oregon Convention Center. They found it while looking for parking during last weekend’s Wordstock Festival. Here’s more from Heather: