Mia Birk, Alta Bicycle Share face scrutiny over labor practices, Citibike hiccups

Behind the scenes at Capital Bikeshare-30-2

A Capital Bikeshare employee “rebalances” bikes
at a docking site near Union Station. Some past and
current employees claim they’ve been underpaid
by Portland-based Alta Bicycle Share.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

It’s been a rough few weeks for Alta Bicycle Share VP Mia Birk. The roll-out of the massive and high-profile Citibike system has by many measures been a huge success. But it has also been marred by public allegations of illegal labor practices in Washington D.C. and software glitches and poor customer service in New York City. This bad PR isn’t new for Alta as they’ve come under fire in the past for delayed launches and last year a rival company accused them of unfair conduct while competing for a bikeshare contract in Chicago.

In Washington D.C., a former employee of Alta’s Capital Bikeshare says he was underpaid and not given the health benefits he’s due under federal contract law. Alta operates the Capital Bikeshare under contract with D.C.’s Department of Transportation. Here’s an excerpt from a Washington Post story on May 6th:

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A review of cell phone apps that make Pedalpalooza even better

Bowie vs Prince Ride-35

Lily Karabaic leading last year’s Bowie vs. Prince Ride.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

Pedalpalooza is going strong in the streets of Portland right now and from what I’ve heard big crowds are turning up for many of the rides. One thing that accounts for more participation in recent years is new cell phone technology that allows folks to share their locations and routes instantly with others in their social networks. Twitter is the most widely used method of tracking down friends who are on rides; but Pedalpalooza ride leader veteran Lily Karabaic has found several other nifty tools that can make it easier to broadcast your whereabouts and/or find your friends. She recently posted an email to the Shift email list with her favorites and she’s given me permission to re-post it below…

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East Portland and cycling’s “downtown culture”

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward
SE 136th Press Conference-7

Oregon State Rep. Shemia Fagan.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

Oregon Public Broadcasting’s Think out Loud radio show hosted a conversation about “the future of bicycling” yesterday. The show was set up to discuss the recent release of reports by the City Club of Portland and the Bicycle Transportation Alliance. Leaders from both groups were in studio and the host also welcomed Oregon State Representative Shemia Fagan onto the show via telephone. Rep. Fagan — whose district stretches east from SE 122nd Ave through Clackamas County all the way to Highway 26 — was asked how she felt upon hearing about all the talk of bicycle funding and projects.

I think Fagan’s answers deserve a wider audience so I’ve shared the entire exchange below (you can also listen to the whole show here):

Think out Loud Host David Miller:

“When you hear people like Craig [Beebe, from City Club] and Rob [Sadowsky, from the BTA] talking about increasing bicycle-friendly infrastructure as a way to have pedestrians and cars and bikers all play well together, what goes through your mind?”

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Portland’s pedal-powered pub crawls are becoming big business

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Pedalounge owner John Boblett at the helm.
(Photo © Michael Andersen/BikePortland)

The sun was setting over the back parking lot of the Blitz Ladd when John Boblett flipped a switch on his custom aluminum dashboard and was immediately surrounded by soaring Columbian pop music and the hoots and hollers of 16 middle-aged professionals pedaling as fast as they could toward their first pint.

For Boblett, that’s the start of a summertime Friday on the Pedalounge. And he hasn’t even added that stripper pole yet.

As Portland’s summer heats up, the pedal-powered microbrew tour business is booming — and changing fast.

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Cream/Ivory Giant TranSend DXW 2009

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2009
Brand: Giant
Model: TranSend DXW
Color:Cream/Ivory
Size:Medium
Serial: C39C4536
Stolen in Portland, OR 97203
Stolen:2013-06-10
Stolen From: Front of garage at corner of N. Houghton and N. Westanna Ave.
Neighborhood: Portsmouth
Owner: Susan Huffman
OwnerEmail: mhuffman(at sign)aracnet.com
Reward: $50.00
Description: Women’s frame, straight handlebars, silver fenders, wood rear rack, brushed aluminum water bottle cage with red water bottle, “Bike ‘n Hike” sticker
Police record with: Portland PD tracking # T13005001
Police reference#: pending
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Cream/Ivory Giant TranSend DXW 2009

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2009
Brand: Giant
Model: TranSend DXW
Color:Cream/Ivory
Size:Medium
Serial: C39C4536
Stolen in Portland, OR 97203
Stolen:2013-06-10
Stolen From: Front of garage at corner of N. Houghton and N. Westanna Ave.
Neighborhood: Portsmouth
Owner: Susan Huffman
OwnerEmail: mhuffman(replace with at sign)aracnet.com
Reward: $50.00
Description: Women’s frame, straight handlebars, silver fenders, wood rear rack, brushed aluminum water bottle cage with red water bottle, “Bike ‘n Hike” sticker
Police record with: Portland PD tracking # T13005001
Police reference#: pending
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Royal blue Schwinn traveler

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Brand: Schwinn
Model: traveler
Color:Royal blue
Stolen in Portland, OR 97220
Stolen:2013-06-7
Stolen From: 82nd&Hassalo
Neighborhood: NE
Owner: Michael Jordan
OwnerEmail: talonamj(AT)gmail.com
Reward: yes
Description: It was a royal blue schwin, 10 speed with a metalic blue seat post holder, it also had a water bottle holder and
a cargo rack on the back
It also had a loose seat
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Royal blue Schwinn traveler

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Brand: Schwinn
Model: traveler
Color:Royal blue
Stolen in Portland, OR 97220
Stolen:2013-06-7
Stolen From: 82nd&Hassalo
Neighborhood: NE
Owner: Michael Jordan
OwnerEmail: talonamj(replace with at sign)gmail.com
Reward: yes
Description: It was a royal blue schwin, 10 speed with a metalic blue seat post holder, it also had a water bottle holder and
a cargo rack on the back
It also had a loose seat
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

White/Black Trek 1.5 C H2 2012

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2012
Brand: Trek
Model: 1.5 C H2
Color:White/Black
Size:64cm
Serial: WTU133C0475G
Stolen in Portland, OR 97201
Stolen:2013-06-9
Owner: Paden Tufts
OwnerEmail: paden.tufts( atsign )gmail.com
Description: Had a small camera case attached to seat stem.
Police record with: Portland
Police reference#: T13004986
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

White/Black Trek 1.5 C H2 2012

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2012
Brand: Trek
Model: 1.5 C H2
Color:White/Black
Size:64cm
Serial:WTU133C0475G
Stolen in Portland, OR 97201
Stolen:2013-06-09
Owner: Paden Tufts
OwnerEmail: paden.tufts@gmail.com
Description: Had a small camera case attached to seat stem.
Police record with: Portland
Police reference#: 13-153666
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Cyclepedia exhibition goes beyond the museum

There’s a lot of buzz around town for the Cyclepedia exhibition that opened Saturday at the Portland Art Museum. The Embacher collection is a marvel of design and we’re lucky to have it. And of course kicking off a major museum exhibition by hosting thousands of naked bike riders is a proven way to get people talking. But Cyclepedia isn’t just what you’ll see at the museum, the exhibition has inspired and collaborated with Portlanders to bring the spirit of the show into the community.

This morning, the University of Oregon’s Portland School of Architecture and Allied Arts announced a series of courses titled, Fabrication for Cyclists. Accorinding to UO’s Sabina Samiee, the three courses are open to currently enrolled students (and good for one course credit) as well as the general public. Check out the flyer and course titles/descriptions below:

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Silver Fuji Palisade 1.0 2009

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2009
Brand: Fuji
Model: Palisade 1.0
Color:Silver
Stolen in Portland, OR 97201
Stolen:2013-06-8
Stolen From: Springwater Corridor
Neighborhood: Sellwod area
Owner: Michelle McDermott
OwnerEmail: chelledivine(AT)gmail.com
Description: Silver cruiser with red saddle bags.
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

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From the Archives

With six kids and no car, this mom does it all by bike