PUMP (Portland United Mountain Pedalers) is our local mountain bike advocacy group. They work to maintain trails and make sure the interests of mountain bikes are represented in often thorny land access issues. PUMP was also instrumental in putting together this great (and free) map of Forest Park (PDF). Now they’re gaining momentum for a … Read more
Tomorrow, the BTA will release a statement that outlines their response to the recent rash of bike/car collisions in the Portland metro area. I have received advanced permission to publish this press release to the bike community here on BikePortland.org. The release of their “Five Part Plan” follows their recent Op-ed that ran in the … Read more
The Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) has written an op-ed in response to last Friday’s Portland Tribune headline story on bike safety. The headline that ran on the front page was, “Walk, ride at your peril”. The BTA thinks this alarmist headline “irresponsible journalism” because both walking and riding remain relatively very safe activities. They go … Read more
Seems like cyclists can’t catch a break lately. Turns out Tri-Met caught several MAX riders beating up a cyclist back in June. The police have just released the video to the public to help them identify the perpetrators. KATU has more info and photos on their website. There’s a nice reward being offered if you … Read more
Just got off the phone with Melissa Sanchez of the Oregonian. She’s working on an article and is looking for someone who has done every single Bridge Pedal event. If you have done this or know someone who has, get in touch with Melissa ASAP via email or call (503) 221-8199.
Last night a cyclist was struck and killed near Delta Park in North Portland . The vehicle did not stop and is currently at large. The cyclist’s identity has not been released. As you may know, this is not the first cyclist killed by a car this summer. There is an unfortunate yet undeniable trend … Read more
…all four of them. Well, I heard ODOT has just finished painting the lanes on the St. Johns Bridge. I was out that way recently and decided to take a closer look. It doesn’t look good for recreational cyclists. There is little to no shoulder and the sidewalk isn’t exactly roomy (not to mention it’s … Read more
[I received this information from an inside source in the Oregon bike advocacy scene, I will post a link to the full press release when it is available online.] This just in from the office of Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore): ‘Conserve By Bike’ Provision Included in Energy Bill $6.2 Million Pilot Program Designed to Spur … Read more
In an effort to retain access for mountain bikes in the backcountry, the Oregon Mountain Bike Alliance (ORMBA) and the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) have teamed up on an innovative plan that suggests new ways to look at “wilderness” designations in Mt. Hood National Forest. At issue here is how the Feds define “wilderness”. … Read more
This year’s Grand Floral Parade will be led by 1,000 kids on bikes. Does it get any better than that? The Community Cycling Center is coordinating the event (can you imagine how much work this must take?!). The kids will be riding the same bikes given to them at last year’s Holiday Bike Drive (also … Read more
Last week I posted some bad news regarding how the new St. Johns Bridge isn’t looking too good on the bike-friendly scale. But at the same meeting I learned about the bridge I also heard Portland bike-czar Roger Geller present his plans to make some exciting bike accessibility improvements to Marine Drive. Playing with some … Read more
While attending Tuesday’s meeting of the Portland Bicycle Advisory Committee I learned that ODOT has decided to give the St. Johns Bridge 2 lanes in each direction instead of a bike-friendly alternative suggested by traffic-flow consultants and local bicycle planners. With 2 lanes in each direction, there is not adequate room for bicycles. At issue … Read more