4/25: Hello readers and friends. I'm still recovering from a surgery I had on 4/11, so I'm unable to attend events and do typical coverage. See this post for the latest update. I'll work as I can and I'm improving every day! Thanks for all your support 🙏. - Jonathan Maus, BikePortland Publisher and Editor

ODOT, TriMet team up for new fence on I-205 path at Gateway

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The new fence will help separate the path on the
left from the transit center on the right.

ODOT, TriMet and the Portland Police Bureau Transit Police Division have teamed up on a project that will install a new fence along the I-205 multi-use path at the Gateway Transit Center.

According to ODOT, the six-foot high, 600 feet long fence will be installed within the existing planter strip up against the backside of the curb just west of the TriMet bus stop and adjacent to the I-205 path. The primary reason for the project is to improve safety and to prevent conflicts between I-205 path users and transit users who often use the path while waiting for buses and MAX rides.

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Job: Bike Tour Guide Worldwide – Trek Travel

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Job Title
Bike Tour Guide Worldwide

Company/Organization
Trek Travel

Job Description
TREK TRAVEL, the world’s leading cycling tour company is currently looking for individuals who are passionate about people, cycling and travel to lead unforgettable bicycle vacations for us this season in North America and Europe! Our current season runs from mid-April through mid-November.

Application DEADLINE: March 1, 2013.

How to Apply
If you are interested in finding out what it takes, please read the full Job Description and “Apply Online” here:
http://www.trektravel.com/employment-guides.php

Good luck!

Oregon House passes CRC bill 45-11

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“We can see a return on our investment tomorrow that far exceeds our investment today… This can be our ‘great bridge’.”
— Rep. Tobias Read

By a vote of 45-11, the Oregon House of Representatives voted this morning in support of HB 2800. There was not much debate about the bill, and except for an extremely critical take-down of the project by northeast Portland Democrat Lew Frederick, it sailed through with glowing praise.

Only two Democrats in the entire Oregon House — Reps Lew Frederick (NE Portland) and and Carolyn Tomei (Milwaukie) — voted against the project.

The presentation of the bill in the House chamber began with co-chairs of the Joint Committee on I-5 Bridge Replacement Cliff Bentz (R-Ontario) and Tobias Read (D-Beaverton).

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Kitzhaber’s pro-CRC stance belies previous position on highway expansions

John Kitzhaber acceptance speech-5

In 1997, Governor Kitzhaber said, “It’s time
we challenged the idea that says we
can build our way out of congestion by adding
more freeway lanes.”
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

The strong support being given to the $3.4 billion Columbia River Crossing highway expansion project by Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber represents a u-turn from his previous positions. The two-time governor was once considered a progressive thinker when it came to transportation. Comments made during his first term as Governor now seem at odds with his strong support for HB 2800, the “CRC bill” that passed a vote in the Oregon House this morning.

On February 13th, during the first of two hearings on HB 2800, Kitzhaber sounded like a staffer for the CRC project. He rattled off all the talking points one by one and painted a picture for lawmakers of dire urgency if the project fails to move forward immediately.

“We must seize this opportunity to get a huge return on investment in Oregon’s future,” he said, “It’s time to build a bridge.” Kitzhaber said the project is “construction ready” (even though CRC staff themselves say it’s only at a 30% design) and that it will, “Increase mobility” and “Fix one of the worst bottlenecks of any highway system in the U.S.”

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Black Trek 2200 – RECOVERED

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This bike has been recovered.

Brand: Trek
Model: 2200
Color:Black
Size:53
Stolen in Portland, OR 97214
Stolen:2013-02-24
Stolen From: 3536 SE Clinton St.
Owner: Jennifer Plaza
OwnerEmail: frogs.princess@gmail.com
Reward: $100
Description: Bright red handle bar tape
Silver bars
LDY gel flow saddle
Black frame purple and silver lettering
Trek 2200
Shimano peddles
Silver shimano tiagra crank set
Black bike rack
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 13-151305
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

The Monday Roundup

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Let’s get right to it shall we? Here are the best news stories and other tidbits we came across last week…

– The North American Handmade Bicycle Show wrapped up yesterday from a snowed-in Denver, Colorado. It looks like builders once again pushed the boundaries of bike design to even greater heights. Check the coverage at the show’s official YouTube channel, lots of photos on Urban Velo, and some short but sweet builder profiles on the Cielo Cycles blog.

– A lot has been hypothesized about why American women ride bikes are lower rates than men. New research, dissected by Atlantic Cities, says that the main key to getting women on bikes is to simply make streets safer to ride on.

– The Columbia School of Journalism took a closer look at a women-only bike shop in Minneapolis.

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Grey Giant Cadex 980 C 198X

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Year: 198X
Brand: Giant
Model: Cadex 980 C
Color:Grey
Size:56 cm
Serial:GB101815
Stolen in Portland, OR 97218
Stolen:2013-02-22
Stolen From: Residency on NE 48th and Sumner
Neighborhood: Cully
Owner: Jillian Balderson
OwnerEmail: jillian.balderson@gmail.com
Reward: 100
Description: Giant from the late 80s or early 90s. Carbon fiber with aluminum bonding. "GIANT" and "CADEX" "980C" were printed in red with blue outlines on the tubes. Shimano parts. The bike is an 8 or 10 speed. White grip tape on extended drops (the bars curl back under the reach) so you can hold onto the reach or lean down and grab a second reach below. The cable housing and bottle cage are white.
Police record with: David Hughes
Police reference#: 13-15199
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Gray Kona Jake 2010

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Year: 2010
Brand: Kona
Model: Jake
Color:Gray
Size:60 CM
Photo: http://i.imgur.com/YmXZmyZ.jpg
Stolen in Portland, OR 97219-6011
Stolen:2013-02-22
Stolen From: Building on 31st and Division.
Neighborhood: Division.
Owner: David Hoch
OwnerEmail: dhoch14(A T)gmail.com
Description: Green handle bar tape and a brookes saddle. Lots of frame scratches. 105 rear, mavic wheels, and gator skin tires. Coded lock.
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 13-151271
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Emerald Klein Performance 1990

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Year: 1990
Brand: Klein
Model: Performance
Color:Emerald
Size:62 04 63
Stolen in SEATTLE, WA 98199
Stolen:2013-02-7
Stolen From: 4th and Madison, YMCA, Seattle
Neighborhood: Downtown seattle
Owner: joe Kerkvliet
OwnerEmail: joekerkvliet(at sign)gmail.com
Reward: 200
Description: Brooks saddle, spd pedals, sks fenders, emerald paint, original Klein decals
Police record with: Seattle PD
Police reference#: 2013 41547
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

Silver KHS Urban X-press 2012

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Year: 2012
Brand: KHS
Model: Urban X-press
Color:Silver
Size:18”
Serial: 1190102373
Stolen in Portland, OR 97214
Stolen:2013-02-22
Stolen From: I work at the Bento Box on SW 10th and Washington among the foodcart pods. I parked and locked my bike on SW Washington in front of the Oregon Symphony ticket office at 9:30 am. When I left work at 2:00 pm my bike was missing.
Neighborhood: Downtown SW
Owner: Katrina Weisbecker
OwnerEmail: kweisbecker(replace with at sign)lclark.edu
Description: This morning Feb 22nd 2013, I rode my 18” silver Urban x-press, KHS touring bike with a back rack, kickstand, fenders, lock and front light downtown to my place of work.
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: T13001727
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

yellow scwhinn trike 70’s

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Year: 70’s
Brand: scwhinn
Model: trike
Color:yellow
Size:adult
Stolen in Portland, OR 97206
Stolen:2012-10-23
Stolen From: SE 71st ave and Ogden st.
Neighborhood: Brentwood/darlington
Owner: eric henson
OwnerEmail: erichenson1965(replace with at sign)gmail.com
Reward: 50.00
Description: powder-coated yellow w/metal sparkles. Tall chrome handlebars, large black schwinn approved saddle, long crank, front forks have been grinded to accept a mtn. bike wheel. Silver lettering on frame reads “parker rose lennon jean” Rear-end is powder-coated gray.
Police record with: Yes, PPD
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

Latest Headlines

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Port wants 82nd Avenue expansion for airport traffic increase

PBOT eyes elimination of key programs and services as they await budget fate

Oregon’s House Republican Caucus only cares about car drivers

From the Archives

More biking = better driving. So why isn’t this said more often?