The City plans for streetcar: What’s at stake for bikes?
Buses, cars, big-rigs, trucks, light rail, bikes, pedestrians — Portland’s roads are in high demand, and it’s about to get even more crowded.
Opinion
Bikes don’t merit a mention in Governor’s ‘State of the State’
Governor Ted Kulongoski addressed Oregon residents with his ‘State of the State’ speech on Friday. (Photo © J. Maus) In it, he talked about how transportation is one of his top five policy priorities. He mentions the importance of funding roads and bridges, seaports, airports, and railroads. All good places to invest for sure. But … Read more
Spending on bikes: We get what we pay for
A comparison of bikeway spending and resulting bike use shows that Portland is way behind in opening up its pocketbook to pedaling. Along with the rising profile of bike boxes, bike boulevards, bike trails, and bikes in general in Portland will come an increased scrutiny on how that infrastructure is paid for. Skeptics (or just … Read more
Guest article: Officer Robert Pickett on humility
Robert Pickett.(Photo © J. Maus) Robert Pickett is a member of the Portland Bicycle Advisory Committee, an Alice Award nominee, a regular commenter and contributor to the Forums here on BikePortland.org, and he’s also a Portland Police Officer. Formerly a member of the Southeast Bike Patrol Unit, he now coordinates that unit along with being … Read more
Elly Blue: Street fee is for the public good
[This article was written by contributor Elly Blue. You can read more from Ms. Blue here.] “…gas stations, convenience stores, and oil suppliers…benefit more than most from having a road system in good repair.”–Elly Blue When it comes to road maintenance, what’s good for bicyclists is good for everyone. In fact, the proposed street fee … Read more
Dozono Chimes in on “Safe Streets”
Mr. Dozono(Photo: ShoForMayor.com) Oregonian politics blogger Jeff Mapes asked mayoral hopeful Sho Dozono what he thinks of the “Safe, Sound, and Green Streets” funding plan crafted by City Commissioner (and Dozono’s political rival) Sam Adams. His answer seems to cement speculation about Dozono’s ties with the various lobbyists and special interests that oppose the fee-based … Read more
A bike-friendly presidential candidate? Not yet.
Elly Blue Note: This article was written by BikePortland.org columnist Elly Blue. Elly is a dedicated activist who is busy in the local transportation scene. She spearheaded the “We are ALL Traffic” rally and press conference back in November and she is currently the point person for the upcoming International Towards Carfree Cities Conference coming … Read more
Saying goodbye to the ‘Old Dutch’
(Photos © Jonathan Maus) Thanks to good folks at Seattle Bike Supply, for the past several months I’ve been the lucky caretaker of a Batavus “Old Dutch”. I hoped the Portland sales rep who loaned it to me would have forgotten about it, but unfortunately, last Friday it was time to give it back.
A bike box renaissance in America?
Freshly installed bike lanes and bike boxes in New York City.(Photo by Clarence Eckerson) For years, several U.S. cities have dabbled in an intersection treatment that is ubiquitous in many European cities: the bike box. Unfortunately, most of these boxes, including the one in Southeast Portland, have been more of a forgotten experiment than a … Read more
Bikes and the new race for mayor
Sho Dozono(Photo: ShoForMayor.com) By now, you’ve probably heard that City Commissioner Sam Adams’ previously smooth road to the mayor’s office has taken a major turn. Sho Dozono, a well-known and successful businessman, former head of the Portland Business Alliance, and community leader, officially filed his candidacy yesterday. Many say he poses the first real threat … Read more
Rally for transportation equality (updated)
[Updated: 11/9, 8:32am, 2:38pm – See update below about date/time change.] [This article is by BikePortland.org columnist Elly Blue] “The event will be a peaceful, legal, and highly visible statement that we all belong equally in our roads and public spaces and that we are all committed to working together…”–Elly Blue In response to last … Read more
Tonight at 11:00: “Bikes vs. Cars”
Last week, the Oregonian published a multimedia web page full of bike-related information, a Google Map, stats and videos. When I pointed out the page, I shared my disappointment at the choice of, “Bike versus car” as the title of the story. I find this term — which seems to be the phrase-of-choice whenever a … Read more