Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Juggling store is "serious" about unicycles

[This Torker Unistar will set you back $85-105.] Reader Ben S. wrote me yesterday to tell me about Serious Juggling. Besides all manner of juggling paraphernalia, the Northeast Portland store (and online shop) has a big selection of unicycles. Ben says they’ve sold unicycles for 10 years now and that they can special order anything … Read more


Portland’s bike boulevard bonanza

[All signs point to more bike boulevards] In case anyone gets the wrong impression after my post about Berkeley’s bicycle boulevard efforts, I thought an update on Portland’s progress was in order. Here are a few things I’ve come across just in the past week or so. SE Foster Bypass Bicycle Boulevard With strong leadership … Read more


Bikes in the community: My talk with John Canda

[John Canda, head of the Mayor’s Office on Youth Crime Prevention] On Wednesday I met with John Canda to hear his perspectives on how bikes might play a larger role in community policing. John is the Mayor’s youth crime prevention czar. Prior to that, he led the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods, one of six coalitions … Read more


Act locally; thoughts on North Portland

Since I proposed a neighborhood meeting last week (in response to community reaction to an attack on cyclists in North Portland), I’ve been thinking about the issues, reading comments, seeking advice, and trying to determine the best way forward. Some issues on the table — race, gentrification, youth violence — are vast and complex and … Read more


Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Revealing results to SmartTrips survey

[Survey boundary map.] PDOT’s Transportation Options Division has just released an interesting comparison of survey results based on their SmartTrips program. SmartTrips — formerly known as the “Hub” project — is the name given to their annual marketing program that promotes biking, walking, and public transit in a selected geographic area. In 2006 the target … Read more


Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Bike Light Parade lights up the night

[The See and Be Seenparade lit up NE Portland] Last night in Northeast Portland, PDOT officially launched their new See and Be Seen campaign. City Commissioner Sam Adams, visibility visionary (and Get Lit founder) Jeff Bernards, PDOT staffers, and about 60 cyclists braved the chilly temps to take part in the festivities. Everyone was in … Read more


Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Catch the Clownhouse and carfree activism at Last Thursday

Tonight is the big Last Thursday celebration on Alberta Street in Northeast Portland. If you head out there, here are two special happenings you don’t want to miss. First, those kooky clowns at the famous Clownhouse on NE 25th and Alberta Streets are holding their first ever talent show. Dubbed “Shmanarchist Idol,” beginning at around … Read more