[Download appeal] [UPDATE: Download appeal JPEG, 94K.] SK Northwest, the company that wants to develop a parcel on the Willamette River and not allow public trail access through their property, has appealed the recent denial of their development permit. According to Kate Green of the City of Portland Bureau of Development Services, a public hearing … Read more
A recent stolen bike listing describes a brazen thief clipping bike locks in broad daylight on NE Broadway Blvd: “My bike was stolen a few hours ago outside Costello’s Travel Cafe on NE Broadway between 22nd and 23rd. It was 7:00pm, bright out, and busy on the street. A woman who was parking right beside … Read more
[Mayor Royce Pollard and Andy Clarke.] Last night, BTA Director Evan Manvel and I biked up to Vancouver to see League of American Bicyclists Head Honcho (and arbiter of coveted Platinum rankings) Andy Clarke award the Vancouver City Council a “Bronze” Bicycle Friendly Community Award.
The Oregon Department of Transportation released their 2005 crash statistics today and the numbers don’t look good for cyclists. In 2005 there were 802 total crashes involving bikes, including 11 fatalities and 779 injuries. That’s 100 more crashes and 100 more injuries than in 2004.
In response to the tragic death of local cyclist Eric Kautzky, State Representative Jerry Krummel (seen at right) plans to push for “Eric’ Law” in the 2007 legislative session. According to Krummel: “I plan to push legislation at the state level to encourage other counties to offer these memorial signs. We are also looking at … Read more
[You gotta love her committment.] Yesterday I finally got around to checking out the Zoobomb crew. I’d just finished grooving with Mobile Mystery Dance Party and headed up the hill to Washington Park to see what they were up to. I wasn’t on a mini-bike like last time, but it was fun just being up … Read more
There’s an exciting program being developed in Portland that, if approved and funded, would allow bicyclists to attend a legal and safety class in order to avoid a conviction or to have their traffic fine lowered. This proposed class would only be available to first-time offenders of certain traffic violations.
The first ever Portland Bike Summit was an unequivocal success. At one point, while Congressman Earl Blumenauer addressed the 400 strong crowd, I stood with the mastermind of the day’s event, Linda Ginenthal. She was beaming like a mother watching her child star in the school play and she said, “This is so amazing, I … Read more
The Oregonian continues to expand its cycling coverage. Today, a mountain bike racer from a weekend event at Mt. Hood graces the front page and the paper has more bike coverage planned for each day this week. Here’s the list of their upcoming coverage:
Tigard school teacher Eric Kautzky was killed in June of 2005 by a teenager who fell asleep at the wheel (more on Kautzky here). Evan Manvel of the BTA just forwarded me this news release from Salem from the office of State Representative Jerry Krummel (R-Wilsonville). It’s an announcement of a special ceremony this Sunday … Read more
[via Portland Transport] After some speculation that the old Sauvie Island Bridge might become a new bike/ped only bridge over the 405 freeway at Flanders Street, city transportation insider Chris Smith tell us that, “The Commissioner’s office indicates that community response was not sufficient to justify the extra cost of moving the bridge.” We needed … Read more
[Photo courtesy of Bike Gallery.] Several people have emailed me lately wanting to know more about the free bike repair being offered on some local bridges and on the Eastbank Esplanade during their morning commute. Turns out the folks behind this are The Bike Gallery’s Barb Grover and service manager Brett Flemming. They call it … Read more