Meet Smokey Box; advocate, bike tourer, piano player
Mr. Smokey Box.(Photos: J. Maus/BikePortland) The other day while riding down on the Esplanade near the Salmon Street parking lot, I noticed a man walking a peculiar bicycle and trailer set-up.
People
Council candidate announces his “Bicycle Policy for Portland”
Chris Smith and his Biria.(Photo © Jonathan Maus) City Council hopeful and transportation activist Chris “Citizen” Smith plans to greet morning bike commuters on the Hawthorne Bridge tomorrow morning. In a campaign event reminiscent of Shift’s famous Breakfast in the Bridges, he’ll pass out coffee, pastries, and a bit of two-wheeled political persuasion in the … Read more
Family cycling: The next Big Thing?
Busy bike racks at Trillium School in North Portland.(Photos © Jonathan Maus) Two recent experiences have left me thinking that more and more Portland families are ditching the family car and replacing it with the family bike. Yesterday morning, when I pulled up to the bike parking area in front of my daughter’s preschool, it … Read more
Bikes, art, and inspiration in my office
Detail of Tiago’s painting.(Full slideshow below) A few weeks ago, I received an amazing gift. A friend of mine, Tiago DeJerk, completed an over life-sized stencil painting on one of the walls in my office. If you’re a regular reader, you might remember Tiago. I’ve written about his paintings (he was Tiago Denczuk then), I … Read more
BTA selects Bricker for top job
Scott Bricker at the 2007 Alice Awards.(Photos © Jonathan Maus) After a career with the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) that has spanned nearly a decade, Scott Bricker has been named their new executive director. Bricker has served in an interim capacity since July when former executive director Evan Manvel stepped down. His selection comes after … Read more
Greenspace advocate gets deserved recognition
Mike Houck(Photo © Jonathan Maus) The Editorial Board of the Oregonian devoted a column to Mike Houck today. Houck is a dedicated advocate who founded the Urban Greenspaces Institute and who works to preserve natural areas in our city. From restoring the Columbia Slough to saving Oaks Bottom, Houck is a force to be reckoned … Read more
An interview with Commissioner Sam Adams
Sam Adams(All photos © Jonathan Maus) Unless you live in a cave, you know that tonight in Southeast Portland, City Commissioner Sam Adams will announce his candidacy for mayor (5:30 at Roots Brewing in SE Portland). But that’s not why I met up with him for an interview on Tuesday. Surprisingly, even though we’ve seen … Read more
An interview with City Council hopeful Chris Smith
Chris Smith at his campaign launch yesterday.(Photos © Jonathan Maus) As I reported earlier this week, transportation and neighborhood activist Chris Smith has officially announced his candidacy for Portland City Council. In case you hadn’t noticed, I plan to cover the upcoming political maneuvering as closely as possible. Not only do I think city politics … Read more
Familiar faces take home national bike/ped awards
Former ODOT bike guyMichael Ronkin won the Lifetime Achievement Award.(Photo: Jonathan Maus) Local transportation experts made their mark at a recent awards event hosted by the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals. The APBP is a non-profit founded in 1995 that, “promotes excellence in the emerging professional discipline of pedestrian and bicycle transportation.” The event … Read more
Oberstar and DeFazio rock Cycle Oregon
DeFazio and Oberstar seemed more like running-mates than Congressional colleagues.(Photos: Jonathan Maus) Last night’s ride report was cut short and I didn’t get a chance to share more thoughts and photos of Congressman Oberstar and Representative DeFazio from last night. The two members of Congress joined Cycle Oregon for a grueling climb yesterday and then … Read more
Updated: Motorhome-biker shares his story
Brian(Photos by Jonathan Maus) Like most of you who read the story about how the famous motorhome-bike was destroyed Wednesday night, I instantly assumed it was the work of vandals. But as the day wore on, evidence mounted that the bike’s creator, Brian, might have done it himself: a commenter who has spent time with … Read more
Beloved motorhome bike “torn to shambles” in NE Portland
Brian and his motorhome-bike before vandals destroyed it (see below).(Photo: Bob Crispin) Last November, I shared photos and the story of an amazing character making his home on the streets of Portland. His name is Brian and he lives in a bicycle that he expertly engineered into a human-powered bicycle Winnebago. According to reports, he … Read more