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Fixed-gear Brake Saga

Special Coverage of the Fixed-gear Brake Saga

Portland courts and law enforcement officials are in a state of confusion about whether or not fixed-gear bicycles should be required to have a separate hand brake.

Judges have come down on both sides of the issue but some Portland police officers continue to issue citations.

A change in the law was sought by local bike lawyer Mark Ginsberg and southern Oregon Senator Jason Atkinson in 2007. Senate Bill 729 would have clarified the existing bicycle brake equipment requirement so that fixed-gear bicycles would not have needed an additional brake (as long as they meet the performance standard).

Unfortunately, the fixed-gear language was stripped from the bill by one pivotal lawmaker (Senator Ginny Burdick) at the 11th hour and the issue persists.

Learn more by reading the stories below…


Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

KATU takes on fixie ticketing issue

271 Comments

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Burdick axes fixed-gear language from brake bill

116 Comments

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Fixed gear bill hits unexpected snag

32 Comments

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Fixed gear bill passes last test

10 Comments

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Fixed-gear bill passes House committee

8 Comments

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Fixie bill passes Senate by wide margin

29 Comments

Report from Salem: Fixed-gear bill moves forward

30 Comments

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Fixed gear bill gets public hearing

28 Comments

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Fixie ticket deja-vu in Germany

42 Comments

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Washington DC fixes their fixed gear law

17 Comments

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Update from bike day in court

44 Comments

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Despite ruling, Officer continues to ticket fixed gear riders

140 Comments

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