🚨 Please note that BikePortland slows down during this time of year as I have family in town and just need a break! Please don't expect typical volume of news stories and content. I'll be back in regular form after the new year. Thanks. - Jonathan 🙏
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
From R to L: Officers Phil Blanchard, Robert Pickett, Robert Quick, Police Chief Sizer.(Photos © Jonathan Maus) At a ceremony this morning in downtown Portland, four members of the Southeast Precinct Bike Patrol Unit were among those recognized at the Chief’s Forum Awards — which intend to “reflect on the value of community policing partnerships”.
(Photos © Jonathan Maus) The other day I met someone who claimed to have gotten more tickets while on their bicycle than anyone else in town. While I don’t think that’s anything to be proud of, I did think it was an interesting story and I was curious to know more. I asked the person, … Read more
SE Bike Patrol officers Pickett and Quick on Hawthorne Blvd.(Photo © Jonathan Maus) Four Portland bike patrol officers will receive recognition for their community policing efforts at the Police Bureau’s annual awards ceremony next week. Officers Phil Blanchard, Robert Quick, Anthony Zanetti and Robert Pickett will be recognized by Chief Rosie Sizer with a “Community … Read more
Karl Rohde(Photo © Jonathan Maus) Karl Rohde, the BTA’s head of public affairs and governmental relations, reports on the BTA blog that he had a “productive meeting” with Captain Vince Jarmer of the Portland Police Bureau Traffic Division yesterday. They met to discuss the many enforcement-related issues that the BTA (and many in the community) … Read more
The “Enforcement” slide from a presentation by PDOT at last night’s bike safety forum.View entire presentation here Last night in the Portland Building, Commissioner Adams and his Bike Safety Committee heard public testimony on bike safety issues and gave a presentation titled “Bike Safety in Portland” (view presentation). From all reports (I was not able … Read more
Press conference Friday, 12:30 at City Hall. Rally Saturday, 12 noon at Salmon Street Fountain. More info here. In the wake of a tragic October that revealed chinks in Portland’s bike-friendly armor, community members have come together and planned a press conference and rally under the banner of “We are all traffic”. On Friday there … Read more
Last Friday at City Hall, Commissioner Sam Adams hosted a meeting to discuss the enforcement issues that have caused frustration and outrage in the bike community and a public relations crisis for the Police Bureau. At the table were representatives from the Police Bureau including both Chief Sizer and Assistant Chief Lynnae Berg, along with … Read more