Several cyclists out on the streets in the last few days have relayed their concerns to me about what they perceive as increased police enforcement of fixed-gear riders. Given the recent court decision and heightened awareness of this issue, I asked Traffic Division Lieutenant Mark Kruger for an official stance on how the Portland Police … Read more
My recent story on a traffic court decision that upheld a ticket to a local messenger for not having a “separate braking device” on her fixed-gear bicycle has quickly spread around the web and seems to have struck a nerve in cyclists everywhere. This morning the article was linked to from BoingBoing.net, one of the … Read more
[Ayla Holland (L) and Mark Ginsberg (R)] Yesterday at the Multnomah County Courthouse the law came down against fixed gear bicycles. On June 1, 2006 Portland bike messenger Ayla Holland was given a ticket for allegedly violating Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 815.280(2)(a) which states, A bicycle must be equipped with a brake that enables the … Read more
[P.K. on a bike ride.]Photo: Chris RyanWillamette Week We’re at a crossroads with the Jammin 95.5 situation and the community is choosing to venture down separate paths. The choices are to either negotiate for a settlement and try to work with the station in good faith or to continue to protest by any means necessary … Read more
[Rev Phil sports his helmet cam.] *Don’t miss Kickass Bike Film night tonight at Clinton Street Theater!* If you haven’t been in the presence of the inimitable Reverend Phil Sano than you haven’t really experienced Portland bike culture. Rev Phil is a self-described bike culturist who’s in the middle of many of Portland’s bikey subcultures. … Read more
My recent post about a new initiative by bike lawyer Ray Thomas raised questions from readers due a lack of details. I apologize for that and to remedy the situation I got back in touch with Thomas and he explained more about the project:
I just love it that when someone opposes a recreational path in Portland it’s considered front page news. This morning the Oregonian splashed the SK Northwest story on their front page. This coverage will add fuel what is becoming a growing fire. Let’s just hope we can figure this mess out. Regardless of what happens … Read more
Portland bike lawyer Ray Thomas, a tireless defender of cyclist’s rights, is at it again. His latest initiative is a grassroots project to bring accountability to the court system from the consumers of the system, those who appear in traffic court with bicycle related cases. According to Thomas, the impetus of this initiative comes from … Read more
The SK Northwest case is getting messier by the week. There has just been a second appeal (links to PDF) filed against the Bureau of Development Services (BDS) decision to not allow their permit. SK Northwest is seeking to build their business on a key section of the Springwater Corridor Trail and not grant the … Read more
[Download appeal] [UPDATE: Download appeal JPEG, 94K.] SK Northwest, the company that wants to develop a parcel on the Willamette River and not allow public trail access through their property, has appealed the recent denial of their development permit. According to Kate Green of the City of Portland Bureau of Development Services, a public hearing … Read more
In response to the tragic death of local cyclist Eric Kautzky, State Representative Jerry Krummel (seen at right) plans to push for “Eric’ Law” in the 2007 legislative session. According to Krummel: “I plan to push legislation at the state level to encourage other counties to offer these memorial signs. We are also looking at … Read more
There’s an exciting program being developed in Portland that, if approved and funded, would allow bicyclists to attend a legal and safety class in order to avoid a conviction or to have their traffic fine lowered. This proposed class would only be available to first-time offenders of certain traffic violations.