[A truck full of Dutch cargobikes bound for Portland!] Todd “Cleverchimp” Fahrner and Dean “Bakfiets” Mullin have just returned from a top secret European foray where they did some business networking and researched the inside dope on city and cargo bikes. They’re gaining steam for their Clever Cycles business and they’re anxiously awaiting their first … Read more
[Regular bike lanesdon’t always cut it.] As bicycle advocacy and ridership in America matures, new solutions and ideas for integrating bicycles onto our roadways must be seriously considered. For decades, we have been happy with conventional bike lanes, but as we get serious about reaching double-digit mode-splits, perhaps it’s time to go beyond a stripe … Read more
[Emily Gardner is theBTA’s new Policy Advocate.] The BTA has hired several new staffers in the last few months, but the one you’ll probably be hearing most about is their new Policy Advocate, Emily Gardner. Emily comes to this position after former Metro Area Advocate (notice the different title, more on that later) Jessica Roberts … Read more
[npGreenway’s trail vision. Download the PDF(329KB).] npGreenway is a group of advocates working to build a trail that connects Cathedral Park in St. Johns to the terminus of the Eastbank Esplanade at the Steel Bridge. I was at their very first meeting back in November of 2005 and I have been watching their progress ever … Read more
[Proposed route of Sullivan’s Gulch Trail. The project led the way with positive public support in Metro’s MTIP planning process.] Just noticed that Metro has released the results of the 45-day public comment period on projects hoping to get funding through a big pot of dollars known as MTIP. The BTA’s Policy Director Scott Bricker … Read more
[Have a seat Tim Becker, it’s all yours!] Tim Becker of Northeast Portland…come on down…You’re the winner of a brand new Electra Amsterdam! Tim joins our previous two winners, John Duffy of Vermont and Wesley Robinson of Hillsboro. A huge thanks to everyone who entered. Even if you didn’t win, remember that we’re all winners … Read more
A reader recently sent me a a German news story about police and fixed-gear bicycles. Judging by the photos accompanying the story (below), he suspected (hoped) it was about how some German cops were riding fixed-gear bicycles on their bike patrols. This would be in direct contrast to Portland cops who issue citations to cyclists … Read more
[The Chariot Wars are coming.] Portland’s mini-bike enthusiasts (a.k.a. the Zoobombers) are busy planning their biggest and baddest ever Mini Bike Winter. The event, a “bike-centric series of events celebrating human powered culture,” will take place February 17-19th. I attended a recent planning meeting to get the lowdown and now I understand what one Zoobomber … Read more
[33rd Ave. Bridge lookingNorth towards Marine Drive.]Photo: PDOT Easy access to the Marine Drive bike path has been restored with the completion of the refurbished 33rd Avenue bridge over NE Lombard Street. This means cyclists no longer have to take the tricky detour that I wrote about when the bridge was demolished back in March.
[League Director Andy Clarke (R)rides with BTA Director EvanManvel in Vancouver, WA last year.] League of American Bicyclists Executive Director Andy Clarke will attend the upcoming Oregon Bicycle Tourism Summit planned for April 13-14th in Sisters, Oregon. Summit organizer Jerry Norquist — who confirmed Clarke’s attendance — said Clarke will share insights and inspirations from … Read more
[Ali Al-Salman at the 2006Pedalpalooza Kickoff Parade]Photo: Dat The Portland bike community has lost a special character. Ali Al-Salman — who shared his love of bicycles and music with many — passed away at 7:30 AM on New Year’s Day while visiting family in Los Angeles. Although I didn’t get to know him well, I … Read more
[Sheila Lyons (center), with Michael Ronkin at an OPBAC meeting.] ODOT has picked Sheila Lyons to manage their bicycle and pedestrian program. Lyons takes over for Michael Ronkin who held this important post for 22 years before officially retiring back in October. Lyons previously worked alongside Ronkin as ODOT’s bicycle and pedestrian facilities specialist and … Read more