Mandatory helmet laws say the little guy should wear one.(Photos © J. Maus) After reading about the helmet survey launched by the Bicycle Transportation Alliance last week, I wanted to share a cautionary tale about helmet laws. I live in Vancouver, Washington where we’ve been living with a mandatory, all-ages helmet law since 2008. If … Read more
Famed filmmaker Casey Neistat’s latest video creatively tackles the issue of riding in bike lanes in NYC (and getting ticketed for it). It’s so well done that the video has exploded on the web. Watch it below…
Where the bike lane ends. Remember the disappearing bike lane case? I’m happy to report that it reached a positive conclusion — at least in the civil case of Carmen Piekarski. First, let’s go back to December 2009… Piekarski was riding her bike eastbound on SE Hawthorne approaching SE 10th Ave. While in the intersection, … Read more
E-bikes are popping up all over Portland these days.(Illustration: Mark Young/Portland Storyboard) Whether you like them or not, electric bikes have arrived and it looks like they’re here to stay. E-bikes can now be found in almost every local bike shop, major manufacturers are adding e-assist to a growing number of urban and cargo bikes, … Read more
“What are a cyclist’s options when another cyclist causes damage or injury?” — Nick V. [Ask BikePortland is a regular feature. See past questions and learn the answers via our esteemed commenters here.] This week’s Ask BikePortland comes from reader Nick V. Nick wants to know how to handle the aftermath of a bike-on-bike collision:
Ken Southerland(Photos © J. Maus) Ken Southerland, the man who got a $143 ticket back in February for carrying someone on the rear rack of his bicycle, earned a victory when the case went to traffic court this morning. Southerland pleaded no contest to the charges and Portland Police Officer David Scott agreed to have … Read more
Ray Thomas(File photo from a news conference in 2008 © J. Maus) “We have a mutant status on the roadway.” That’s one way lawyer Ray Thomas tried to describe the often confusing and misunderstood legal standing of people who walk and bike on the streets of Oregon. His comment came during a special edition of … Read more
Fun, yes; but legal?(Photos @ J. Maus) Back in February, Portlander Ken Southerland got a ticket for attempting to give a friend a ride on the back rack of his bicycle. In the summer of 2007, I saw two Portland Police officers issue a ticket to a man on Alberta Street for the same offense. … Read more
“We’ve had positive responses from members of the press so far, which reinforces our hunch that a legal clinic for members of the press would be welcome as a resource.” – Stephanie Routh, Willamette Pedestrian Coalition On Tuesday (4/27), local non-profits the Willamette Pedestrian Coalition (WPC) and the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) will host a … Read more
Cell phones and bikes — like riding blind!(Photo © J. Maus) Since Oregon enacted their new cell phone law on January 1st, many people have asked me if it applies to people riding bicycles. My previous opinion was that it doesn’t, but a closer look at the law now has me less certain — and … Read more
(Photo © J. Maus) [Note: Based on the large number of helpful responses to a reader’s request for help back in December, I thought I’d make this a more regular feature. I’ll try to do an “Ask BikePortland” post at least once a month. If you have a burning bike question — whether it has … Read more
Notice of Exclusion written to Matt Cleinman for trespassing in Waterfront Park. – Larger version (90kb jpg) – At 4:30 am this morning, a Portland Police officer issued a Portland man a notice of exclusion and warning for trespassing because he was riding his bicycle through Waterfront Park while the park was closed. Matt Cleinman, … Read more