The great news we reported last month is now official: The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) announced yesterday that they’ve received $2.96 million from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) for two projects that will vastly improve biking and walking conditions in North and East Portland. The Portland projects are two out of 27 that … Read more
Just got word of what looks like a very promising new book; “Wheels of Change: How Women Rode The Bicycle To Freedom”. See the blurb from the publisher below… “Wheels of Change: How Women Rode The Bicycle To Freedom(with a few flat tires along the way) by Sue Macy takes a lively look at women’s … Read more
Saving money.(Photo © J. Maus) A new report* estimates that our regional trail network saves us about $115 million per year in averted health care costs. The report (PDF) was done for Metro and focused on their interconnected system of trails, parks and greenways known as the Intertwine. The Intertwine (background story) consists of 1,250 … Read more
[Publisher’s note: Please join me in welcoming our new News Intern Patrick Croasdaile. We’re excited that he has joined our team. This is his first article for BikePortland.] A grant will help the Community Cycling Center continue and expand their work in communities like Hacienda.(Photos: CCC) The northeast Portland based non profit Community Cycling Center … Read more
House Bill 2824 is up for a public hearing in front of the House Judiciary Committee in Salem today. The bill would create a new crime for “trafficking in bicycles with a destroyed or altered serial number.” Maximum punishment for a violation of the law would come with a $1,250 fine, 30 days in jail, … Read more
New analysis of the crash that claimed the life of 47-year old Beaverton resident Bret Lewis last Saturday reveals that — contrary to what was reported initially by the Beaverton Police Department and subsequently covered by several local media outlets (including this one) — it’s very possible that Lewis was crossing Tualatin Valley (TV) Highway … Read more
TriMet architect Bob Hastings presented the idea last night.(Photos © J. Maus) As part of the public art planned along their Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail project, TriMet is considering something quite interesting for the new Willamette River Bridge — a “sonic bike path.” TriMet architect Bob Hastings and Public Art Program Manager Mary Priester presented the … Read more
A chance to meet Chairman Mica. Next Monday (2/21) the United States House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will make a stop just north of Portland in Vancouver, Washington as part of a national tour of field hearings. The goal of the meeting is to get feedback and a local perspective on how to approach the … Read more
Under the new law, ODOT would come up with standards to make sure this guy stays safe.(Photo © J. Maus) A new bill set for introduction in the Oregon legislature would establish minimum construction standards for bicycle trailers sold in Oregon. The bill is currently in draft form (PDF here) and is expected to be … Read more
Matt Garrett, Director of ODOT.(Photo © J. Maus) Last month, we wondered whether Governor Kitzhaber would make a personnel change at the most powerful position inside the Oregon Department of Transportation. This week the Governor announced a slew of changes atop various agencies — but ODOT wasn’t one of them. Read the email below that … Read more
Earlier this month, TriMet — in a last-ditch effort to fill the local funding gap in their $1.5 billion Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail project — put in a request for a 10-year, $19 million funding commitment from the State of Oregon. Artist rendering of Portland-Milwaukie light rail line. The request raised serious concerns with transportation officials … Read more
“Given the circumstances, it seems like issuing a citation would probably not stand up in court. Any person could go in and say, ‘It’s dark, rainy, there’s this little red light in the road’. I think any judge would toss that citation out’.”— Det. Sgt. Jim Shumway, Beaverton Police Department The community is trying to … Read more