[From the Associated Press] The Vatican has seen the light.(Photo: Corydora on Flickr) Citing the world’s 1.2 million annual traffic deaths, the Vatican has issued a document titled, “Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of the Road,” that addresses the “consequence of trangressions and negligence” behind the wheel and offers solutions via a ‘Drivers 10 Commandments’. … Read more
John Spurgeon(Photo: John Spurgeon) Imagine racing a bike for over 3,000 miles and up 100,000 feet of climbing in just under 12 days. Sounds grueling right? Now imagine doing that on a singlespeed. Hillsboro resident John Spurgeon is competing in the Race Across America (RAAM) with one goal and one gear. He left Oceanside, California … Read more
[Updated 6/19/07, 7:47am] BTA lobbyist Scott Bricker just gave me a report from Salem. The Vulnerable Roadway User bill (H.B. 3314) got it’s vote on the Senate floor this morning and it passed easily by a margin 25-4. Mary O’Donnell, wife of the late Timothy O’Donnell who was killed earlier this month while riding his … Read more
Organizers of the first ever Oregon Handmade Bicycle Show have nailed down 18 exhibitors and they’ve got a new date and venue. The Oregon Bicycle Constructors Association — a new industry group formed by local builder Andy Newlands — originally planned for the Multnomah Athletic Club, the show will now be held on November 11 … Read more
Adams at Jefferson High last night.(He’s not sunburned, it’s just a bad photo.)(File photo) Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams is gearing up to launch a new transportation funding initiative. Last night at the Bicycle Master Plan open house in North Portland, he stopped by to drop a hint. As attendees filled out comment forms and … Read more
Nationally syndicated radio talk show host Lars Larson can usually be counted on for ranting against bicyclists, but now it seems he’s taking a cue from the Oregonian and showing his support for the Vulnerable Roadway Users bill. Case in point. I was forwarded an email from someone who claimed to have heard him speaking … Read more
One of several scenic lookouts.View full gallery(File photo) Last week I got an up-close look at one of the country’s most scenic bikeways. My guide was Jeanette Kloos, President of the Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway, a new group that is working to restore and reconnect the highway to its previous glory. Originially … Read more
There’s been a surprising turn of events in the fixed-gear brake saga. Last week I reported that the effort to clarify the bicycle brake requirement so that fixed-gear bicycles don’t need to have an additional brake was on its way to becoming Oregon law. The bill (S.B. 729) has passed the Senate and the House … Read more
James Koski (L) and Don Bain, founders of Cascade Huts, LLC.(Photo: Cascade Huts) Three years ago, Intel employee Don Bain and his friend James Koski (Chief of Staff for Congressman Earl Blumenauer) took a ride from Durango to Moab on Colorado’s fabled hut-to-hut mountain bike route. They had such a good time, they wanted to … Read more
Tim O’Donnell (1941-2007)(Photo: Portland Velo) Tim O’Donnell will live on in the memories of his friends, family, and of the bike community for many years. A memorial service has been scheduled to pay respects and to come together as a community. Here are the details (taken from the Portland Velo newsletter): A celebration of Tim’s … Read more
(File photo) U-lock maker Kryptonite has released their list of the Top 10 Cities for Bike Theft. Portland comes in at a tie for 9th place with San Diego, CA and Washington, DC. Here is the complete list:
[Updated 6/14/07, 7:51pm][Updated 6/15/07, 1:15pm] A bill that seemed to come out of nowhere (I didn’t know about it until I read the Statesman Journal this morning) and that started out having nothing to do with bicycle safety, has passed the House, and is set to become Oregon’s first safe passing legislation that specifically protects … Read more