Officer Voepel keeps a watchful eye on the new bike box.(Photos © J. Maus) This morning, officers from the Portland Police Bureau’s Traffic Division began a series of targeted enforcement missions at the new bike box on SE Hawthorne Blvd. Traffic Division Lieutenant Bryan Parman and three of his officers were on hand to watch … Read more
Traffic Division Captain Larry O’Dea.(Photo © J. Maus) The City of Portland’s campaign to remake several intersections with colored bike boxes and bike lanes is made up of much more than just markings on the pavement. Along with the new markings comes a significant change to the law; at all intersections slated to receive a … Read more
Lawyer Chris Heaps was not satisfied with the Police response to a bike/car crash, so he pursued justice himself…and got it.(Photo © J. Maus) Christopher Heaps, the Portland lawyer who mounted a “citizen initiated” campaign last December to bring the driver who hit Siobhan Doyle to justice, says we can “chalk one up for the … Read more
Portland Police Bureau detectives say they’ve identified a suspect in the case of a road rage incident that took place in Northwest Portland just over two weeks ago. The victim — who claims he was nearly run down, threatened with a baseball bat and then punched in the face by a man in a Hummer … Read more
Traffic Division Captain Larry O’Dea(Photo © J. Maus) In an executive order issued on Monday (2/11), Portland Police Chief Rosie Sizer made official what I reported on one month ago — new language has been added to the list of crash investigation criteria that will have a major impact on bike-involved collisions. At last night’s … Read more
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
The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) has made its decision on whether or not to issue traffic citations in the October fatalities of Tracey Sparling and Brett Jarolimek. Rinker Cement Company truck driver Timothy Wiles has been issued a citation for violation of ORS 811.050, “Failure to yield to rider on bicycle lane,” in the October … Read more
Eric Lundgren is a local historian currently researching a book on Portland’s bike history. As part of that research, he has found an interesting article published by the Oregonian in 1897. The article (pasted below) shows that the sometimes rocky relationship between the police and “wheelmen” is nothing new. Here is the article:
A few minutes ago, I posted a story about a potentially new directive within the Police Bureau that would call for all bike-involved collisions to be investigated. Now I have confirmed with the PPB’s Public Information Officer Brian Schmautz that yes, there will be a modification of their policy, but it is a bit different … Read more
According to an experience this morning by a reader, a potentially significant and positive change has been made at the Portland Police Bureau: a new directive that says all bike-related collisions will be investigated. I share his story below (more analysis follows): ___ A little after 8:00 am this morning, Jasun Wurster was riding his … Read more
Lt. Mark Kruger will no longer work in the Traffic Division.(Photo © Jonathan Maus) Some major personnel changes have been made at the Portland Police Bureau’s Traffic Division. Speaking from her cell phone a few minutes ago, Assistant Chief of Police Lynnae Berg confirmed that Captain Vince Jarmer and Lieutenant Mark Kruger will soon be … Read more
KATU, Portland’s ABC affiliate, ran a special “On Your Side” report last night on the fixed-gear bicycle brake issue. The story was given the headline of “Are brakeless bikes safe to ride?”. Of course “brakeless” bikes are not safe. But are fixed-geared bikes technically brakeless? That depends on your definition of brake and it seems … Read more