Last week I worked a table at the Interstate Farmers Market. I passed out free bike maps and stickers, talked to folks about bikes, and answered random bike questions. As an ice-breaker I asked people to try and stump me with a question about bikes in Portland. I got quite a range of responses including;
Sorry, just kidding. But just for fun’s sake, I’d like to share these doctored photos sent in by City of Vancouver transportation planner and bicycle advocacy renaissance man Todd Boulanger (click to enlarge):
[We need more than a sign.] As part of an ongoing protest against how cyclists got shafted on the St. Johns Bridge last year, a group of “ciclonudistas” is rallying the troops for their second annual naked protest ride (here’s a report from last year). A little background: Last year, the Oregon Department of Transportation … Read more
[Top tube detail.] Last night I pedaled out to St. Johns to visit Portland’s oldest bike shop and catch a glimpse of the 2006 ArtBike. I really like this program (organized by Portland Open Studios) because it combines art and bikes while encouraging people to ride. While at the party I ran into Dean Cannard … Read more
[2006 ArtBike artist and detail.] Tomorrow (7/13) Portland Open Studios and Weir’s Cyclery are having a special party to roll out the 2006 ArtBike. The ArtBike is part of a unique cycling and art event created four years ago by Portland Open Studios’ organizer and artist Bonnie Meltzer and Weir’s Cyclery. Portland Open Studios is … Read more
I just got home from vacation (been gone since Saturday) and on my way into town I noticed fresh paint on an old building at the corner of Killingsworth and Vancouver. Upon further inspection I noticed this sign in the window, “Coming Soon: Cycling Center” Turns out the owner is Ben Bartlett, a 50 year-old … Read more
[Hardly “better” access.] Noticed an article in the Oregonian yesterday about the upcoming 75th anniversary of the St. Johns Bridge in North Portland. Given the controversial recent history of this bridge, one paragraph jumped out at me: “In 2005, the Oregon Department of Transportation spent nearly $43 million to complete a major overhaul of the … Read more
[Bike lanes coming soon!] As part of their Interstate 5/Delta Park widening project, ODOT allocated $1 million for “community enhancement projects.” Savvy activists Shamus Lynsky and Shayna Rehberg, working closely with Roger Geller and the Portland Bicycle Advisory Committee, applied for some of this funding and I’ve just gotten the word from ODOT that their … Read more
[BikeWorks’ Kim Fey] North Portland BikeWorks is a non-profit, collectively run bike shop and learning center on Mississippi Street. Far from just selling and working on bikes, they provide information, resources and programs to the community and they are particularly known for their Women and Trans Bike Repair Nights, a free workshop that happens every … Read more
[Now includes bike tools!] Over the weekend, the girls and I started to build a chicken coop in the backyard. This gave us reason to finally visit the North Portland Tool Library which we’ve heard so much about. This community service works just like a regular library except they check out power tools instead of … Read more
[This report was written by BikePortland.org correspondent and “Transportation Diplomat,” Aaron Tarfman.] [St. Johns BridgePhoto: Aaron Tarfman] Today we headed out for a berry picking ride to Sauvie Island. While some folks would take heed of the 80% chance of rain and decline a trip on Hwy 30, we didn’t let a few dark clouds … Read more
On Saturday I went out to Portland International Raceway to check out the annual Human Powered Challenge. I ended up catching a bit of the Electric Vehicle races and recumbent sprints. Unfortunately rain dampened spirits just a bit…but not enough to keep the diehard HPVers from competing.