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Monday Roundup: Disabled riders, bus stop protests, National Cycle League, and more

Welcome to the week. Here are the most notable stories our writers and readers have come across in the past seven days…

**This week’s roundup is sponsored by the Cannon Beach Fat Tire Festival, an event on May 12-14th that promises a beach bike ride, a self-guided ride, a scavenger hunt to discover hidden treasures and tasty treats, and a bonfire with fat bike games and activities.**

Move over NFL, the NCL is here: I was already very excited about the new National Cycle League, but after learning how many investors in the league are pro football players, I think it might be the most important story in cycling right now. (USA Today)

Inaccessible bus stops are a crime: When a safe streets advocate was hit by a car while bicycling and paralyzed, he became radicalized around the issue of ADA accessibility and his work to make bus stops better even got him thrown in jail. (Streetsblog USA)

Bikeways for whom? In order to make bike networks work for disabled cyclists, planners need to talk with riders and get creative. (Bike Radar)

Haters in Hollywood: For many years advocates have grumbled about how bicycle riders are represented in the movies and now a popular podcast has broken down the issue. (The War on Cars Podcast)

Dealing with deadbeat drivers: If we want to ride our system of inequities when it comes to traffic safety, we must work even harder to use technology and other forms on non-police enforcement or the outcome will just be more deaths and injuries. (Bloomberg)

Adult trike guide: Three-wheeled bikes are all the rage because of how they expand cycling to a wider audience. Learn more about them in this handy introduction. (Momentum Mag)

Kotek and street racing: Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has said “yes” to most of Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler’s request for help on street safety issues like illegal speed racing and drunk driving. (The Oregonian)

Induced demand is real: A $600 million expansion of Highway 101 in California’s Bay Area area has done nothing but add more cars and more congestion to the system. (Streetsblog SF)

Nah: Governor Kotek has thrown a wet blanket on ODOT’s wet dream of $1 billion in bond revenue to pay for Oregon’s portion of the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program project. (Oregon Capitol Chronicle)

Heavy parking: Will cities pay millions to beef up parking garages to withstand the weight of EV cars? I sure hope not. (The Drive)

Thanks to everyone who shared links this week.

Man arrested after driving stolen car at high speeds on Springwater Corridor bike path

The Portland Police Bureau says a man driving a white Kia Soul tried to elude officers and drove nearly two miles on the Springwater Corridor bike path around noon today.

According to a statement released this afternoon, the driver was observed going over 50 miles per hour on a popular part of the path between Oaks Amusement Park and the Ross Island Bridge. There was at least one report of a pedestrian being nearly hit. Luckily, we are not aware of anyone being hurt.

Here’s the full PPB statement:

On Friday, April 14, 2023 at 11:18a.m., a Central Precinct officer on patrol located a vehicle in the 7800 block of Southeast Oaks Park Way in which 2 people appeared to be passed out. The officer asked for additional officers and they set up spike strips behind the vehicle’s tires in case the driver tried to drive off. When the driver was woken up, he eluded the officer, driving over the spike strip and damaging a fence. As additional officers responded to assist, the driver proceeded onto the Springwater Trail. The vehicle was observed going in excess of 50 miles per hour on the trail and officers got at least one report that a pedestrian on the trail was nearly struck by the vehicle.

Officers were attempting to deploy intervention strategies to stop the car when the driver jumped out and ran. Officers set up a perimeter and a K9 unit responded to assist with the search for the suspect. After a short search, the K9 located the suspect down an embankment on the Willamette River’s edge. When challenged, the suspect waded into the water to try to escape. Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office River Patrol and a Portland Fire and Rescue boat were requested. The officers convinced the suspect to come back to shore, where he was arrested.

The suspect claimed that he swallowed narcotics, so he was transported by ambulance to the hospital for evaluation. After being medically cleared, Lucas R. Lujan, 23, was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle (2 counts), Felony Attempt to Elude Police by vehicle, Misdemeanor Attempt to Elude Police on foot, Reckless Driving, and Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver (property damage).

The vehicle, a white 2011 Kia Soul, was recovered (photo) and determined to be an unreported stolen vehicle. It was returned to its owner.

People driving cars on paths in Portland is a problem that the City has struggled to contain. Last August the Portland Parks and Recreation bureau erected large iron gates on the Peninsula Crossing Trail in north Portland to prevent driving. And in January 2022, Parks erected large concrete barriers on the Columbia Slough Path for the same reason.

Anyone who saw this incident on the Springwater and/or was put in danger by the driver of this car should contact the police at crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov and reference case number 23-96312.

PBOT wants input on future plans for outdoor dining program

The ‘Rainbow Road’ on SE Ankeny is one of the results of the Healthy Business Permit program. (Photo: Jonathan Maus/BikePortland)

For better or for worse, there are a lot of things from the COVID-19 pandemic that are now relics of a bygone era. One good thing from the pandemic that’s here to stay? Outdoor dining. Through the Portland Bureau of Transportation’s Healthy Businesses Permit Program, those street seating installations that emerged as a way to enable social distancing during the pandemic will now become a permanent fixture of Portland’s street life.

But it’s not just going to be as simple as putting a table on the sidewalk and calling it a day. PBOT is currently developing a set of design guidelines (PDF) for outdoor dining to figure out how they’re going to run this program going forward, and they’re asking for community input with a new survey.

All Portlanders — whether you’re a customer, neighbor or business owner who is considering sidewalk café seating — are encouraged to fill out this survey, which asks questions about the program generally, proposed design standards, accessibility and more.

One of the design changes PBOT is proposing is to prohibit structures over sidewalks. Right now, the Healthy Business Permit mandates that at least six feet of sidewalk space be available for passage, but businesses have created outdoor seating areas using tents or structures partially set up on the sidewalk (see image on the right for an example).

PBOT is also proposing that a new ADA accessibility requirement that would mandate all new street seating installations in the parking lane with a year-long permit must be accessible for people in wheelchairs, achieved by creating sidewalk-level platforms or installing a ramp to an elevated dining platform.

The draft plan also proposes the following site operations guidelines:

Maintenance plan requirement: Permit holders must plan for site maintenance and graffiti removal.

No smoking in enclosed spaces: Per the Oregon Indoor Clean Air Act, no smoking is allowed in street seating installations with a roof and side wall enclosure.

Good Neighbor Agreement requirements: A good neighbor agreement may be required to respond to complaints from neighboring businesses and residents. This may address hours of operation, noise, smoking or other issues.

Amplified noise restrictions: No amplified noise allowed within street seating installations. Request a variance from the Portland Noise Office.

No storage: No after-hours garbage and propane storage allowed within street seating installations.

We can’t imagine Portland without the outdoor dining areas that cropped up during the pandemic. The ‘Rainbow Road’ plaza on SE Ankeny is where we host our weekly Bike Happy Hour (Wednesdays, 3-6 pm) — we love all the outdoor seating in that plaza, and think more businesses should embrace the power of the outdoor cafe.

PBOT expects to bring a final proposal for their program guidelines to City Council for formal adoption in late May, and businesses would be expected to bring their sites into compliance with the final rules by the time the new permit cycle applications open in October. You can find more information about the Healthy Business Permit program here, and find the survey here.

Shakeup at Oregon Transportation Commission as two members step down before terms expire

Marcilynn Burke and Robert Van Brocklin. (Background photo: Jonathan Maus/BikePortland. Inset photos: State of Oregon)

Two members of the Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC) have decided to step down before the end of their terms. The OTC consists of five unelected members who oversee the budget and policies of the Oregon Department of Transportation.

OTC Chair Robert Van Brocklin sent a letter (PDF) to Governor Kate Brown in November stating that he was ready to step down. “I believe that the newly elected Governor should have the opportunity to choose her own leadership team,” Van Brocklin wrote. “Including by making appointments to the boards and commissions of the State.” Van Brocklin, a lawyer and former government lobbyist, joined the OTC in 2017 and was named as its leader in 2019. Van Brocklin will step down from his term at the end of June.

Van Brocklin’s last OTC meeting will be May 11th — just as debate heats up over a bill that would raise $1 billion for the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program. Van Brocklin has been at the center of difficult conversations about how Oregon pays for several freeway expansion projects ODOT is working on around the Portland region. At an OTC meeting in March 2022 he and other OTC members sounded alarms and shared skepticism about how the state would pay for the projects.

In a statement about his departure provided to BikePortland, Van Brocklin wrote:

“I am proud of what we have accomplished during my tenure as chair of the Oregon Transportation Commission. We have worked hard to make our transportation system more accessible and equitable for all Oregonians. Because of the work of the commission, Oregonians will soon experience less congestion, enjoy cleaner air and find it easier to travel by any means they choose. I am grateful for the opportunity to have served our state.”

Also leaving the OTC before the end of their term is Commissioner Marcilynn Burke. Burke was named to the OTC in November 2021 and her term goes through June 2024. ODOT’s Glenn said in a phone call this morning that the reason for leaving was the large time commitment required by OTC members. Burke is also dean of the University of Oregon Law School. Burke’s departure was announced at the OTC’s November meeting.

Burke is the third Black OTC member to leave the commission in the past three years. Maurice Henderson, a former manager at Portland Bureau of Transportation, served just four months of his term before leaving for a job at the US Department of Transportation in 2021. Former OTC member Alando Simpson served all eight years of his two terms which ended last year.

Three current OTC members: Julie Brown, Sharon Smith, Lee Beyer.

As per their charter, the OTC must have five commissioners to represent every region in the state. The absence of Burke and Van Brocklin reduce the body to just three members. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has already acted to replace the outgoing members. A source has shared a new list of nominations from the governor’s office that include two new names floated as possible new OTC members: Alicia Chapman from Portland would replace Burke, and Jeff Baker from Lake Oswego would replace Van Brocklin. I’m still working to learn more about each of those nominees.

This major reshuffling at the OTC leaves current Vice Chair Julie Brown as the most veteran member. Commissioner Brown, a former general manager of the Rogue Valley Transportation District, has served on the OTC since 2018 and her current term goes through the end of June 2024.

Commissioner Sharon Smith’s first term is set to expire this June and we haven’t heard whether or not she’ll seek a second one.

The newest member of the OTC, longtime state legislator and former Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation Lee Beyer began his first term back in January and his term expires in June 2025.

From here, Governor Kotek will nominate a new OTC chair and then the Senate will move to make final appointments. That will likely happen at the end of this legislative session.

New, improved DistrctR tool makes drawing new council districts fun (and addictive)

Author’s district map in progress, with shaded circles showing Hispanic population.

I don’t know where the hours went, but it might have had something to do with the new DistrctR tool which is awesome and addictive.

DistrctR is the computer program the Independent District Commission (IDC) is using to draw Portland’s new four-district city council map — and you can join in with your own map too! Everything has been set up so that you can draw a map and have it published on a Portland Community Gallery online. Get in early, there are only eight maps up so far. Here are three of them:

Three potential district maps from the public gallery.

Reed College Political Science Professor Paul Gronke contacted me earlier this week with news of the new version, which is now based on 2020 census data.

“The prior maps relied on 2010 Census data which was, frankly, quite out of date for Portland. In particular, the percentages of Hispanic were substantially lower, and residential patterns have changed quite a bit in the last decade,” Gronke emailed.

Plus, the new version is a whole lot slicker.

The “data layers” page lets you overlay neighborhood and school district boundaries and also precincts (in case you want your map to keep those communities whole). It’s also now based on census blocks, which allows for more granular, refined maps. Gronke tells me that his students are finding it much easier to hit the 163,126 “equal population” sweet spot that four districts requires.

Remember, your districts should:

be contiguous and compact
use existing geographic or political boundaries
not divide communities of common interest
be connected by transportation links
be of equal population

The IDC has a page of links to Key Documents some of which which are educational. Their timeline shows that they plan to have a draft district map by June.

DistrctR is the work of the MGGG Redistricting Lab at Tufts University (MGGG stands for Metric Geometry and Gerrymandering Group). MGGG is a non-partisan research organization which contributed to Portland’s Charter Reform effort by modeling Portland voting. FLO Analytics is providing technical expertise to the IDC.

Have fun!

Charter reform update: Portland’s transition to districts

Downtown Portland skyline from Bob Stacey Overcrossing in southeast. (Photo: Jonathan Maus/BikePortland)

It’s been a few months since BikePortland last checked in with our city’s progress in moving toward its new form of government, so I’ll refresh everyone’s memory with a very short review of where we left off before launching into an update of what’s happening with the transition.

Readers will remember that voters rejected Portland’s “commission” form of government last fall in favor of a system which separates legislative and executive functions.

To achieve closer, fuller representation of constituents, November’s charter reform measure stipulated that the legislative body (the city council) be elected in four geographic districts using a ranked choice voting method to select three councilors within each district, for a total of a twelve-member city council.

The measure not only detailed the new structure of government and voting, it also provided a mandatory set of instructions for transitioning to it. The transition relies on three committees of volunteers with specific tasks and deadlines: the Independent District Commission; the Salary Commission; and the Government Transition Advisory Committee.

All committees have now been seated, and some of their deadlines are not too far away. So let’s look at what they are up to.

The Independent District Commission has been up and running the longest. The 13-member group will have its fifth meeting next week. Its job is to define the boundaries of the four new city council districts — by September. There is a lot of excitement around this.

In order to not run afoul of numerous laws regulating redistricting, including the Voting Rights Act, constitutional rules on race, and equal population requirements, there are several criteria each district must meet. Districts must

be contiguous and compact
use existing geographic or political boundaries
not divide communities of common interest
be connected by transportation links
be of equal population

With those requirements in mind, this is the committee that gets to draw the maps. And you can draw along too! Keep your eye open for our related story on the new, improved DistrctR tool, coming up soon.

The Salary Commission is the smallest committee and is made up of five volunteers with human resources expertise. With guidance from Portland’s Bureau of Human Resources, this group’s task is to set the salaries of the twelve councilors, the mayor, and the auditor. This is a change from past practice in which the city council set its own salary. These new salaries will be adopted by August 1st.

This is the only committee made up of experts, and they must set competitive salaries which will attract qualified people—within the guidelines of public employment—while recognizing that many of our future leaders will be relying on that salary to live in Portland. They meet for the third time on April 27.

Their work is an ongoing task which must be periodically reevaluated. A new salary commission will be appointed by the mayor and approved by the city council every two years.

The Government Transition Advisory Committee is the last committee to get up and running, which has caused consternation among charter reform advocates. It’s the committee which advises the city on the whole transition ball-of-wax. Fifteen members were approved by the city council at the end of March, and the group will have its first meeting at the end of April. It does not yet have a web page.

Those are the public-facing, charter reform measure-required, transition committees composed of community members. Obviously, there is also a bit of work going on within the city government, but those internal workings are harder to track.

For example, the Oregonian recently reported that the interim director of the Office of Community & Civic Life, Michael Montoya, has stepped down after two years in the position. Montoya punctuated his departure with a confidential memo to Commissioner-in-charge Dan Ryan which indicated that Civic Life is still in turmoil and detailed a host of bureau problems with overseeing Portland’s neighborhood association structure—including dropped insurance coverage and also possible financial impropriety across multiple district coalitions. Montoya is being replaced by Commissioner Ryan senior aide T.J. McHugh.

Those kinds of rumblings are hard to interpret for any but the most plugged-in city observers, but it leaves the impression that a lot of house-cleaning is still to come. Stay tuned as we keep you informed about this massive shift in how our city is governed.

Youth climate activist confronts lawmaker who supports ODOT freeway megaprojects

Oregon House Representative Susan McLain (Democrat – Hillsboro) is co-chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation (JCT) and there’s growing sentiment in some circles that she should be more skeptical of the Oregon Department of Transportation and the multiple, multi-billion dollar freeway expansion projects they’re working on.

After a meeting about the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program at the State Capitol in Salem Thursday night where McLain and other JCT members heard from an invite-only set of speakers who all expressed strong enthusiasm for a project that could cost as much as $7.5 billion and would widen five miles of I-5 between Portland and Vancouver, McLain was confronted about her support of the project.

Adah Crandall is a 17-year-old youth climate organizer and activist with Sunrise PDX who’s focused much of her work on transportation. You might remember her as the leader of the Youth vs. ODOT protests in front of ODOT’s Portland headquarters that began in 2021. Since then, Crandall has continued to fight against what she sees as projects that will lead to more driving and more carbon emissions that will hasten climate change impacts.

In a sign of increased frustration over how Rep. McLain has handled this and other freeway expansion projects in her eight years on the JCT, Crandall confronted in a hallway. Here’s how the exchange unfolded:

Crandall: Hi my name is Adah and I’m 17.

McLain: How are you?

Crandall: My classmates and I skipped school today to come here and talk to you because I’m generally concerned.

McLain: I talked to a bunch of you today.

Crandall: We’re really concerned about the climate crisis…

McLain: Would you like to stand and talk?

Crandall: … we’re concerned that the Interstate Bridge project that you’re supporting is going to increase emissions. And so we’re wondering if you would be willing to support a version of that project that is cheaper and still addresses the seismic issues and secures my generations feature by not adding freeway lanes.

McLain: So this is what I can tell you I’m absolutely willing to do all of those things through an appropriate process and review and that’s what we’re doing. So I’m happy to do that. Why don’t you come and see me in my office? Sometime or…

Crandall: I’m here talking to talk to you because this is really important. I want to talk to you right now. We’re going to talk right now because I’ve been here all day trying to talk.

McLain: So have I.

Crandall: I know, but your job is to represent us and I know that you used to be a teacher and that you care a lot about young people. And right now what young people need is your leadership on a project that is not going to extend freeway lanes. Our futures are literally depending on you taking action on climate.

McLain: And that is what I’m going to do.

Crandall: But that’s not what you are doing because ODOT hasn’t even studied a version of the project that doesn’t add lanes. Why are you trusting ODOT when they’ve failed time and time again to tell the truth about emissions and…

McLain: Do you want me to have a dialogue with you or do you just want to talk?

Crandall: I want to know if you’re willing to to prioritize my future over ODOT’s freeway expansions.

McLain: I want to very much talk about your future and about this bridge, but I’ve been here for 12 hours today.

Crandall: Can you tell me that you’re willing to prioritize my generation’s feature over upholding ODOT’s status quo freeway expansions?

McLain: So far I’ve said I’m absolutely here to support and to represent your generation and the future. So I am here for you.

Crandall: I understand that representative but that’s not what we’ve seen in your actions. And you haven’t asked ODOT to study other versions of the project.

McLain: I really appreciate your passion and we want to thank you for staying here to talk to me and I think that we need to have a sit down and I’m happy to give you my phone number. Would you like my phone number?

Crandall: Representative, it shouldn’t be difficult for you as someone who is representing the people of Oregon. It shouldn’t be hard for you to tell me that my future is important than a freeway expansion! Please my generation is counting on your leadership!

At that point, House Republican Leader Vikki Breese-Iverson escorted Rep. McLain away.

CORRECTION, 1:40 pm: The initial version of this story said a McLain staffer escorted McLain away. I regret the mistake.

Advocates push ‘right size, right now’ message to lawmakers in Salem

Lobby day participants posed for a group photo in front of the Capitol. Rep. Pham is kneeling in front. (Photos: Jonathan Maus/BikePortland)

Taylor Griggs contributed reporting to this article.

Nearly 60 individual activists and advocates working with a large coalition of nonprofits descended on the State Capitol in Salem today for a transportation-focused lobbying effort meant to persuade lawmakers to take a different path on the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program (IBR).

The event was organized by the Just Crossing Alliance as part of their Right Size Right Now campaign.

24-year-old Portlander Jacob Apenes biked to Union Station this morning to catch a 7:00 am bus to Salem just so he could be a part of the effort. After stuffing his bike in the cargo bin under the bus, Apenes told me on the ride down that he’s worried about a massive new freeway being built. “If we build a bridge of this size, we will ruin my future. I’m 24 and I have a lot of time left on this earth. If we fund a bridge that is $7.5 billion, we won’t have funding for a lot of other things we need.”

For transportation advocate Steph Routh, the day was about a simple and clear goal: If this coalition can build support for a different type of project — a more modest bridge instead of five miles of new freeway and seven interchanges between Portland and Vancouver — Oregon could fund other important needs. “Sidewalks in east Portland, we could finally fund them!” she said with optimism at the start of the day as we walked to an orientation at a conference room inside Oregon Department of Transportation headquarters.

When we arrived at the first gathering of the day, a large conference room buzzed with activity. People were making introductions, refining messaging, and strategizing about how to make the most of the next few hours. Advocates were separated into six lobby teams that would fan out across the Capitol and meet with key legislators.

House Representative Khanh Pham, who played the role of legislative liaison and welcomed the group with open arms, stood at the side of the room, beaming.

“We have not had many opportunities for the public to speak out about this really important billion dollar proposal,” she shared with me during a short interview (more to come from her in a podcast episode in the works). “I’m excited that the public is here to make their voices heard.”

Rep. Pham and others I spoke to today expressed frustration that an informational hearing being held later this evening by the Joint Committee on Transportation only includes invited guests and will not have public comment. “I’m disappointed… There’s just invited testimony which there’s a panel of, quote-unquote, ‘system users,’ which includes just the trucking and automobile industry… So those are the two system users that are being represented tonight. And so it’s so important that the community, the real system users come out to be able to have their voices heard.”

The bulk of today’s event were meetings with legislators led by small teams of advocates.

In a meeting with Senate President Rob Wagner, a Democrat who represents House District 19 (Lake Oswego, Tualatin, West Linn and parts of southwest Portland), his Chief of Staff Tom Jones heard from five advocates from groups like Oregon League of Conversation Voters and Sunrise PDX. Sen. Wagner’s Chief of Staff Tom Powers was receptive to their concerns. After saying the financing is still a long way off, he added that, “It will be 10-11 years before this bridge is even in place, so there will be a lot of time to determine what it looks like.”

Then, after telling the group about where the leaders of the Joint Committee on Transportation stand on the project, he said, “They’re not where you all are yet, but that’s not a final decision.”

Rep. Susan McLain (black skirt) listens to advocates during a meeting. (Photo: Taylor Griggs/BikePortland)

One of those leaders is Co-Vice Chair House Rep. Susan McLain. McLain is a Democrat who represents House District 29, which encompasses West Hillsboro, Cornelius and Forest Grove, and she co-chairs both the Joint Transportation Committee and I-5 Interstate Bridge Committee.

McLain was one of the architects of House Bill 2017 (the most recent statewide transportation funding package) and has a big seat at the table. Given that position, many advocates we spoke to today want her to be more critical of the IBR project — and of ODOT in general.

Routh, a Portland-based transportation and sustainable planning advocate, told McLain in their meeting today that she wants future generations to be able to live in a “livable, sustainable place.”

Other members of the group expressed concerns about so much money going toward a freeway expansion when they still don’t have adequate public transportation to get around without a car. McLain listened to their concerns, but maintained that the IBR plan does not involve expanding the freeway.

“The bridge is not going to be enormous,” McLain said. She said the added width in the Locally Preferred Alternative can be attributed to road shoulders and auxiliary lanes, both of which she said would make traveling on this bridge safer.

The mention of auxiliary lanes caused a noticeable reaction in the group. One member, Portland-based Sarah Risser, spoke up.

“I just want to say that this issue is deeply, deeply personal. I was driving with my 18 year old son on a highway that had a very wide shoulder. And a reckless truck driver crossed the centerline,” Risser said. “I sat beside my son as he took his last breath. He died in a ditch of severe head trauma.”

Risser added that she thinks the most effective way to address the dual crises of road fatalities and the climate crisis is to “get as many cars off the road as possible.”

“We’re working on that with tolling and congestion pricing,” McLain replied. “We’re there together on that.”

“I can’t imagine what you’re going through,” McLain told Risser at the end of their interaction. “No, you can’t,” Risser said. “And it happens to many, many Oregonians every day.”

“We’re on the same team,” McLain replied, holding Risser’s hand. (Later, Risser told BikePortland she wasn’t sure about what McLain meant during this interaction.)

For many lawmakers today, this was the first time they’d heard about an alternate vision for this megaproject.

In a short interview under the cherry blossoms across from the Capitol, House Rep. Mark Gamba said, “And it’s not just the IBR. It’s the Rose Quarter, the I-205, the Abernethy Bridge, 217, Boone Bridge [projects]… that’s $16 billion worth of stuff that we are kind of just sleepwalking into.”

Today’s many conversations should go a long way to help awaken legislators from their slumber.

“The legislators are learning that it’s not going to be smooth sailing, that there are people that are concerned and they have needs in their community,” said Brett Morgan with 1000 Friends of Oregon. “So I think today was a really big success and I’m really happy with the number of people that showed up.”

Weekend Event Guide: East Portland Bike Fair, Ladds 500, and more

The Weekend Event Guide has been on a hiatus, but we’re back! Here are our hand-picked rides and events for you to attend this weekend.

Friday, April 14th

East Portland Bike Fair – 3:45-6:45 pm at Ventura Elementary (SE)
Join the Portland Bureau of Transportation, David Douglas School District and Community Cycling Center at Ventura Park Elementary for free activities to get yourself ready to ride at the May Sunday Parkways event in East Portland (and beyond). The bike fair is for both children and adults, and will include learn-to-ride activities, bike repair, and safety education. Participants are welcome to bring their own bikes or borrow one during the event. More info here.

Naked Hearts: PDX Grime and Bass Sunset Ride – 6:30 pm at Irving Park (NE)
This Friday night Naked Hearts ride will be a “sunset vibe ride with a soundtrack of deep cuts of grime and bass.” The ride will meet at Irving Park at 6:30 and take off by 7:15, looping back around to the park. More info here.

April Midnight Mystery Ride – leaves at midnight from Reel M Inn (SE)
Join the Midnight Mystery Ride crew on their monthly nighttime jaunt around Portland. As always, you won’t know much ahead of time (that’s why it’s a mystery!) but it’s guaranteed to be a fun adventure. More info here.

Saturday, April 15th

SW Trails Walk – 9 am-12 pm at Ida B. Wells High School (SW)
Join the Southwest Trails hikers as they traverse through some of the newer walking options in SW Portland. The 3.5 mile loop walk will begin at Ida B. Wells High School in Hillsdale and head west toward the new Red Electric Bridge and Gabriel Park, with a stop for refreshments in the Stephen’s Creek Natural Area on the way back. Bring water and snacks and good walking shoes. Kids and well-behaved pets on a leash are welcome. More info here.

Bike Ride to Universal Plaza Grand Opening – 9:30 am at Garden Home Recreation Center playground (SW)
Accompany Shawn Martinez on a ride from SW Portland to the new Universal Plaza in downtown Tigard – a “community gathering spot in the heart of downtown Tigard that celebrates our shared humanity and our one shared planet.” The seven mile ride will be along the Fanno Creek Trail and will go at an easy pace. Kids are welcome, but should be strong riders — there are some hills along the way. More info here.

Ladds 500 – 10 am at Ladd Circle Park (SE)
It’s the day many people look forward to all year to “do something stupid” (per the Ladds 500 tagline). This is an annual century relay ride (500 laps around Ladd Circle is 100 miles). Riders must form teams and switch riders at least 10 times during their laps. Solo riders need to bring another bike to switch out. If you’re not riding, you can party in the middle of Ladd Circle! More info here.

Sunday, April 16th

Gateway Green Dig Day – 9 am-1 pm at Gateway Green (NE)
Help the NW Trail Alliance complete their skills area revamp project at Gateway Green in preparation for the spring and summer riding season! Tools will be provided, but you’ll want to bring work clothes and shoes, eye protection and a hard hat or bike helmet. More info here.

Sunday Social Ride – 10 am at Lents Park (SE)
Join the Portland Bicycling Club for their weekly group ride exploring various parts of the Portland metro area. More info here.

See all upcoming events here. Promoting an event? Know about something we should boost? Please let us know and we’ll get it on the calendar.

Job: Associate Park and Trail Planner – Metro

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title

Associate Park and Trail Planner

Company / Organization

Metro

Job Description

Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today and tomorrow. We offer a highly competitive compensation and benefits program. Learn more about the benefits Metro offers.

Metro manages 18,000 acres of voter-protected land across the greater Portland region — from expansive forests to sensitive wetlands, suburban trails to historic cemeteries, beloved destinations to some of our newest nature parks. Metro also coordinates and supports the planning and implementation of a 1,000-mile network of off-street trails for biking and walking. Over the past three decades, voters have passed three bond measures to protect the landscape and three operating levies to make the most of it. This is a time of great transformation, with voter investments translating to significant investments in active transportation, land protection, landscape scale restoration efforts, new parks and trails, infrastructure and visitor improvements, and renewal and replacement projects.

The Parks and Nature planning team is looking for an individual interested in helping to shape and deliver on a vision for nature parks and regional trails. The person in this position will assist with the coordination and delivery of planning efforts. We’re looking for a talented person with a commitment to advancing racial equity and shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. An ideal candidate will approach their work in a thoughtful, inclusive, collaborative manner, will exhibit independent thought, creativity, self-awareness, and excellent public service while incorporating a social equity analysis in their work.

The Associate Park and Trail Planner will be part of the Parks and Nature planning team – a talented and supportive group of landscape architects, planners and project managers. This position will work collaboratively with Metro transportation planning staff, local agency partners and community-based organizations to plan and facilitate the development of safe and welcoming places that meet the needs of the Portland metropolitan regions’ diverse populations. You will help to organize, strategize, and deliver on park and trail site plans, trail alignment studies, active transportation projects, planning analysis as well as property and trail right-of-way acquisition opportunities. Additionally, you will work closely with colleagues at Metro and partner agencies including real estate negotiators, natural resource scientists, transportation planners, GIS developers, land managers, park operations staff, volunteer coordinators, nature education staff and community engagement professionals.

As the Associate Park and Trail Planner you will:
Support the Parks and Nature department’s short term and long-range park and trail planning initiatives.
Provide planning support for the land acquisition program, including natural area land protection and trail right-of-way acquisition across the region.
Assist with complex park planning projects across a variety of scales, i.e. supporting park strategy and system planning, traditional site planning, interpretive planning and/or planning for sign improvements
Assist with advancing the regional trails program; convening and coordinating partners to progress the regional trail system plan vision, representing the regional trails program during the regional transportation system planning efforts, and working on active transportation and regional trail projects across the region.
Facilitate discussions and decision making with staff and stakeholders across multiple disciplines and with a variety of professional or personal expertise and perspectives.
Under the supervision of a principal planner, manage smaller park and trail planning projects and consultant contracts; i.e. analysis and feasibility studies, graphics production, site visitor experience programming, GIS mapping and analysis, bicycle and pedestrian counts, visitor experience data collection and analysis, and sign plans.
Work closely with the planning manager and other Metro staff to understand local agencies’ strategic visions, goals for local park and trail systems and track current projects to facilitate collaboration and alignment between Metro and local agency partners.
Represent Parks and Nature in partner agencies’ park, active transportation and regional trail projects and studies as appropriate.
Work closely with Metro staff and others to analyze and advance racial equity, accessibility and inclusion in all park plans, projects, and programs.
Work with communications team to convene stakeholders, coordinate community engagement and strategic communications for planning projects.
Produce written technical and summary reports and graphics to document information about plans, projects, and processes, and communicate project recommendations and decisions.
Work extensively with Microsoft Office, ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online and the Adobe Creative Cloud software.

Attributes for success:
Has a desire to improve the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.
Ability to juggle multiple projects with varying timelines and navigate competing priorities.
Is culturally competent with a commitment to working with diverse communities in the planning of parks and trails.
Understands the relationship between the built environment and climate justice.
Is passionate about providing superior public service.
Is committed to collaboration in support of short and long-range plans, strategic initiatives, and programs.
Has a desire to learn and grow and support the development of others.
Is self-aware, empathetic of others, reflects on decision-making and exhibits self-accountability.

Diversity and inclusion: At Metro, we’re committed to hiring a workforce representative of the communities we serve, recognizing that a diverse workforce strengthens our organization. We invest in employees by supporting equitable and inclusive hiring practices, employee policies and training programs.

TO QUALIFY

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.

Minimum qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in science, public administration, landscape architecture, urban and regional planning, economics, or a related field; AND
Two years’ experience in public park planning, transportation planning, landscape architecture, regional planning; OR
We will consider any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.
If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply:
If I was terminated for cause during any of my employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, I understand I may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.

Like to have qualifications:
You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.

Experience convening stakeholders and managing community engagement processes.
Planning experience working with diverse landscape types and natural systems.
Knowledge of conservation biology principles and practices and the ecological impacts of recreation on wildlife and their habitats
Professional or lived experience engaging with systemically oppressed communities.
Design and construction experience.
Racial and social equity competencies exhibiting a working knowledge of and demonstrated experience in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in trail planning and development projects.

COMPENSATION AND REPRESENTATION

Based on the Oregon Pay Equity Act requirements, Metro’s internal equity review process, and the candidates’ qualifications, the appointment will typically be made between minimum pay range step 1 $73,132.80 to the equity range step 4 $84,739.20 The full-salary range for this position is step 1 $73,132.80 – step 7 $98,092.80 annually.

This position is not eligible for overtime and is represented by AFSCME 3580. It is classified as an Associate Regional Planner. Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions.

SCREENING AND EVALUATION

The application packet: The application packet consists of the following documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

A completed online application; AND
A cover letter (single-sided, single spaced, 12-point minimum font size) answering: “Why do you feel your education, skills and experiences have provided you with the ability to succeed in this parks and natural areas planning position?
The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.

Initial review of minimum qualifications
In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
Consideration of top candidates/interviews
Testing/assessments (if applicable)
Reference check
Background, driving records check for finalist candidate (if applicable)

How to Apply

Please visit for more information and to apply https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/oregonmetro/jobs/3985207/associate-park-and-trail-planner?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

SW Capitol Highway has been completely transformed

Left: The sidewalk and protected bikeway on east side of SW Capitol Highway looking north toward SW Lobelia. Right: New retaining walls. Note: This used to be a narrow, two-lane road with no shoulder. See before/afters below. (Photos: Jonathan Maus/BikePortland)

It’s been almost two years since construction began on a complete rebuild of Southwest Capitol Highway. The $27.5 million project updates a one-mile stretch of the road between Multnomah Village and Barbur Blvd/I-5 from a two-lane cross-section with no shoulder into a complete street with sidewalks, separated cycling facilities, new crossings, massive stormwater management features, and more.

Last week I took a look at this street for the first time since construction began and was astonished at what PBOT has built.

I rode this section with a local advocate back in 2015 and we clung to the edge of the road as drivers flew by. The sightlines were bad and there was nowhere safe to ride (see below). Now the remade street is nearly complete and it’s unrecognizable from what existed before. I don’t recall ever seeing a project where PBOT and partner agencies literally cut into residential lots and yards on this scale to improve a street.

Before the project was built, riding a bike was a very stressful experience.

Even with construction equipment and closures in effect (it is scheduled to be done by this June), I saw lots of people running and walking dogs. I even saw a family with a little kid riding a bike. It was so amazing to see. Locals have wanted these changes for 30 years and it has finally happened.

The project has added a sidewalk and protected bike lane on the east side of SW Capitol Highway and a multi-use path on the west side. That’s impressive enough, but what the City of Portland had to do to manage stormwater here is mind-boggling. 7,000 linear feet of stormwater pipe, over 3,000 linear feet of earthquake-resistant water main, three out of four large stormwater treatment gardens, and 13 roadside retaining walls.

It really is jaw-dropping to see in person and I have no doubt the changes will lead to transformational shifts in our relationship to this street.

Check out before/afters below, and stay tuned for details on the ribbon-cutting and official public opening expected in June.