Hubris and icy streets: a cautionary tale
I’m not particularly worried about traveling in cold and icy weather. But that didn’t stop me from completely wiping out on black ice while biking the other day.
Note: I'm currently on a family trip and not working normal hours. Email and message responses will be delayed and story and posting volumes here and on our social media accounts will not be at their usual levels until I return to Portland September 4th. Thanks for your patience and understanding. - Jonathan Maus, BikePortland Publisher and Editor
I’m not particularly worried about traveling in cold and icy weather. But that didn’t stop me from completely wiping out on black ice while biking the other day.
The fact that there isn’t more urgency around the issue is not surprising, since people have accepted every single other negative trade-off that comes with our car-centric system.
The time to demand better bike infrastructure is now.
Biking should not be difficult. It shouldn’t be an arduous task based in a sense of moral superiority and a victim complex.
The idea that the comfort of middle class and wealthy people is the most important issue facing our society is the idea that got us into this crisis in the first place.
A car besmirched this hallowed ground.
The maintenance backlog excuse should not be the end of the conversation — it should be the start of a new one.
I need to point out why this way of speaking isn’t helping anyone – and what cyclists actually want instead.
Anyone who wants to see safer streets, more bike lanes, and a government more responsive to the campaigns of active transportation advocates should vote to adopt a new charter for Portland’s city government.
Have you ever considered the idea that we are ordained with certain privileges when we drive cars and trucks that we simply don’t get when we choose to ride bikes? This idea of “driving privilege” has bounced around my head for years and I often think about it as I ride around town. Any time … Read more
Another senseless death of a vulnerable road user on an urban highway controlled by the State of Oregon has led to more pleas from advocates to make changes. And just now, the Portland city commissioner in charge of the transportation, Jo Ann Hardesty, added her voice to the chorus. “Enough is enough,” Hardesty said in … Read more
This guest opinion is by Paxton Rothwell. “NE 7th fails to be either a vehicle through route or a bike-friendly neighborhood street. And yet it remains popular as both.” Traffic issues on NE 7th Avenue are once again in the spotlight. As BikePortland reported, the neighborhood meeting held September 14th did more to ignite additional … Read more
Comment of the Week: Gratitude for N/NE Broadway project