In my line of work, it’s easy to get excited about how bicycling is taking off in Portland. From congested bike lanes to brisk sales (and expansions) at local bike shops and daily media coverage, I hear and see constant signs of this city’s velo vitality from many perspectives. Cases in point: While reading a … Read more
Portland Critical Mass, August 2005.(File photo) While bouncing around some bike links the other day, I came across a story published yesterday in the L.A.Times about the age old question over the intentions and impacts of Critical Mass. That debate is nothing new, but at the end of the article the writer mentioned a ride … Read more
The narrow sidewalk.(Photo: Cindie Olson) Perhaps influenced by recent events in Minnesota, there’s a post in the Portland Bike Forums that proposes a new solution to the ailing Sellwood Bridge. Forum member (and regular commenter) Attornatus_Oregonensis (a.k.a. A_O) is a Sellwood resident and he thinks the aging and deteriorating bridge should be decommissioned and kept … Read more
Crowds gathered one last time at the Alberta St. Clown House on NE 25th Ave.(File photo) This month’s Last Thursday on Alberta was notable for several reasons: the clowns, the cops, and the crowds. First and foremost, it was the last month in a long run of action at the Alberta Street Clown House (they’re … Read more
I just read Jennifer Anderson’s article in the Portland Tribune today about the ongoing survey work of noted PSU bike researcher Jennifer Dill. What I found surprising about the article wasn’t the survey results, but the comments by Mel Zucker, director of the non-profit Oregon Transportation Institute. Anderson quoted him to present the anti-bike viewpoint … Read more
[By Elly Blue] What does the word accident mean? A mistake, but not just any mistake — not an action, but an outcome both unintended and unavoidable, something no reasonable person could have predicted or prepared for. The word is commonly used to describe bad things happening to good people from natural causes — the … Read more
The City of Portland will lead a bike ride to celebrate the grand opening of the recently completed Naito Parkway Reconstruction Project.
On Friday night in Vancouver, Washington, a teenager struck and killed a cyclist with his car. The driver claims he was distracted when a bee entered his vehicle. Here’s an excerpt from the KOMO-TV news report:
The many faces of State Parks Commission nominee Jay Graves.File photos The BTA reports that Governor Kulongoski has nominated Bike Gallery owner Jay Graves to the Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission. This is good news for bicyclists throughout the state and just the latest sign of the growing acceptance and influence of bicycles on Oregon’s … Read more
SE Salmon and 23rd.File photo: 5/11/07 Exactly one year ago today, the Portland Police Bureau Traffic Division carried out a stop sign enforcement action (a.k.a sting) at SE 23rd and Salmon. Many cyclists received tickets and the incident touched off a heated debate (that rages on today). This debate includes issues like; the use of … Read more
Potter at a Walk and Bike to School event last year.File photo: 10/4/06 When Portland Mayor Tom Potter decided to cut funding for the Bicycle Master Plan, his office received over 300 calls and emails, the third highest response of any issue during his tenure Potter recently told KGW-TV that the community’s reaction was “dissappointing,” … Read more
Portland’s current Bicycle Master Plan was last updated in 1995. It has served us well, but according to city planners and expert consultants, it is woefully inadequate and it no longer serves its purpose. Since it was completed, the number of bicyclists in Portland has skyrocketed and we have become a national model for livability. … Read more
Comment of the Week: Legs of steel and the e-bike