BikePortland

Grey Trek?

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Brand: Trek?
Color:Grey
Size:Full size
Stolen in Portland, OR 97209
Stolen:2012-08-12
Stolen From: Front porch 21st ave and Johnson Street
Neighborhood: Alphabet District
Owner: Ildiko Toth
OwnerEmail: ildiko@ildikototh.com
Reward: $50
Description: no bottle holder, rear fender (cheap one that didn’t go over the whole rear wheel. mountain bike, light frame, front shocks, kind of old, but well-kept, front handle bars had black gorilla tape on it wrapped pretty thick. There was also a rear red light, which could be taken off pretty easily
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 12-154924
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

Editorial: Portland’s parking problem

(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

The issue of new apartments being built in close-in neighborhoods without (or with very little) auto parking has been making headlines in Portland recently. I’m glad to see this story getting the attention it deserves. Portland has a parking problem and the first step to fixing it is awareness that it exists.

In short, developers throughout the central and north eastside have taken advantage of Portland city code that encourages the construction of apartment complexes without any obligation to include auto parking. The thinking was/is that if an apartment building is in a transit/biking/walking-friendly area, the lack of parking wouldn’t be a problem and it would actually encourage more people to go carfree (or low-car). Developers — eager to be seen as “eco-friendly” and save lots of money by not including expensive auto parking — jumped on the opportunity.

Many sustainable transportation advocates probably see that as a good thing, as limiting car use is a necessity for a city to function at its highest potential. That is indeed true; but the problem is we’re just not there yet.

All smooth (just watch out for the sand).
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)

It took just four days after a man was seriously injured from a fall for the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) to smooth out some nasty lumps in the road on N. Vancouver Ave.

According to tips from readers, crews were out at the scene last night. This morning I stopped by and found the section of road just before N. Broadway as smooth as can be. (Unfortunately, they left a bunch of sand behind.) Below is another image I took this morning and a before/after shot:

Screen grab from PBOT website.

The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) has launched a pilot program that will allow business owners to convert on-street parking spots into seating areas. The program, dubbed “Street Seats”, is PBOT’s spin on the idea of converting parking spots to mini-parks a.k.a. parklets. Parklets roared to popularity when they were first introduced by the City of San Francisco in February 2010. By August of that same year, a grassroots efforts bloomed to bring them to Portland, but the City never gave them the official stamp of approval until now.

PBOT has not made an official announcement (I heard about it via the Portland Transport blog and its publisher Chris Smith found about it via a Tweet from Sustainability at Work), but they have published a page on their website about it.

PBOT bills the program as “A pilot program to bring more outdoor seating to Portland streets.” Here’s more on their thinking behind Street Seats:

Year: 2011
Brand: Specialized
Model: Stumpjumper Comp
Color:black/brown
Size:Large
Serial:WSBC601035060F
Photo: http://www.dickdunn.com/Bike/RichardDunnBike.jpg
Stolen in Portland, OR 97211
Stolen:2012-08-14
Stolen From: It was locked to my car bike rack parked in front of my house.
Neighborhood: Bridgeton
Owner: Richard Dunn
OwnerEmail: rdunn@commercialartstudios.com
Description: the photo pic is a few months old. bike now has older crank brothers eggbeater pedals. mount for camera on handlebars. New Mavic front wheel. The water bottle cage and tire reflectors were removed by me prior to theft
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 12-154925
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

52 Cannondale R800 2002-2004

Year: 2002-2004
Brand: Cannondale
Model: R800
Color:52
Photo: http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/803/dscn0597s.jpg/
Stolen in Portland, OR 97201
Stolen:2012-08-10
Stolen From: SW Portland, near Johns Landing
Neighborhood: Johns Landing
Owner: Seth Hanks
OwnerEmail: Seth.C.Hanks@gmail.com
Reward: $50
Description: It’s a very light aluminum frame Cannondale roadbike. Paint is black matte(not shiny) with Silver Cannondale writing. Carbon fork. Spinergy Wheels with pink fast clips. Mix of Shimano 105 components and Ultegra components. It also had a red seat, and handlebars that are a bit more curvy than regular road bike handlebars, from a vintage bike.
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

Getting to know Otto Miller Road – UPDATED

It was nice to finally meet Otto Miller.
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)

On Saturday I finally explored Otto Miller Road. I say finally, because I’ve heard about it for years; but I just haven’t gotten out to do it. Now that I’m finally riding a bit more and have some legs under me, I figured it was time to find this legendary road and give it a try. And I’m glad I did.

Before I share any more, I should thank Rapha — the awesome bike apparel/lifestyle company based in the UK with its North American headquarters right here in Portland. The first time I heard about Otto Miller was (I think) on a tag inside one of their jerseys. I figured it was some legendary European rider. It wasn’t until a few months later I realized it was actually a road. And they simply loved riding on it.

About 20 miles north of Portland on Highway 30, just as you enter Scappoose, you come to Dutch Canyon Road. Take that about 5 miles west and you’ll find Otto Miller Road. It’s a gravel road that climbs southward for about 3 miles, with a few extra miles of rollers before you make your way back up to the southern tip of NW Skyline.

Year: 2008
Brand: Kona
Model: Coiler Deluxe
Color:Blue/White
Size:18in
Photo: http://www.konabikeworld.com/bikes/2k8/images/625/2K8_COILAIRDELUXE.jpg
Stolen in Portland, OR 97205
Stolen:2012-08-12
Stolen From: The bicycle was stolen from the bike racks of the May Appartments located at 1410 SW Taylor st. 97205
Neighborhood: Goose Hollow
Owner: Bryce Ramseyer
OwnerEmail: ramseyermbryce@ymail.com
Reward: yes
Description: The bicycle is a lightly used 2008 Kona coiler deluxe. The Front tire and seat were removed to prevent theft. So the bicycle may have an odd front tire and seat or the absence of.
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 12-154913
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Job: Bicycle Sales Supervisor – First City Cycles

Job Title
Bicycle Sales Supervisor

Company/Organization
First City Cycles

Job Description
First City Cycles—a trendy new bicycle dealership in historic Oregon City—is looking to hire an experienced bicycle sales person for a full-time supervisory position. Applicants MUST have retail bike shop experience and a proven track record of bicycle sales— management experience and knowledge of Specialized bicycles a plus.

You will be responsible for: a) supervising 2-3 part-time employees, b) working directly with customers, c) keeping the sales floor clean, organized, and running smoothly, d) overseeing merchandising and displays, and e) assisting the Store Manager with ordering and inventory responsibilities.

The ideal applicant will be responsible, positive, and detail oriented. Also, must be an active cyclist willing to participate in local rides and community events.

Compensation will range from $12-$16 per hour, but will vary with experience. Commission arrangements may also be considered. This is a long-term position, so a minimum one-year commitment is expected.

How to Apply
Please email a cover letter and resume ASAP to rick@fccycles.net. If your credentials are a good fit, you will be contacted by email or phone to schedule an interview. Thank you.

Job: Bicycle Service Supervisor – First City Cycles

Job Title
Bicycle Service Supervisor

Company/Organization
First City Cycles

Job Description
First City Cycles — a trendy new bicycle dealership in historic Oregon City — is looking to hire an experienced service person for a full-time supervisor position. Applicants MUST have retail bike shop experience and a proven track record of bicycle repair and service-writing — some management experience and knowledge of Specialized bicycles a plus.

You will be responsible for: a) supervising 2-3 part-time employees, b) working directly with customers, c) keeping the shop area clean, organized, and running smoothly, d) overseeing work orders and shop inventory, and e) assisting the Store Manager with ordering and inventory responsibilities.

The ideal applicant will be responsible, positive, and detail oriented. Also, must be an active cyclist willing to participate in local rides and community events.

Compensation will range from $12-$16 per hour, but may vary with experience. This is a long-term position, so a minimum one-year commitment is expected.

How to Apply
Please email a cover letter and resume ASAP to rick@fccycles.net. If your credentials are a good fit, you will be contacted by email or phone to schedule an interview. Thank you.

Trio of bike recoveries shows people power can thwart thieves

Portlander Jake Gillum poses triumphantly after his
successful police sting in Seattle.
(Photo: Jake Gillum)

It’s been a good few days for bike lovers and a bad few days for bike thieves. In the past week I’ve come across three local bike recovery stories that deserve your attention. Each one of them shows the power of social networks and a community knows how — and cares enough — to use them.

The first is a wild saga six years in the making. As reported last week, Justin Labo, who had his bike stolen from a storage unit in San Francisco, found his bike on Craigslist in Portland. Unfortunately, after trying to contact the seller, the bike was sold and vanished again. A massive social media campaign was launched by Justin’s friends and lo and behold, the bike was found on Saturday. The remarkable story of how it all happened has been documented by Jenny Oh Hatfield.

“So what have we learned from this?” she wrote on her blog, “I think most importantly, the biggest takeaway is to never give up; you never know when you may find your stolen bicycle. It may take 4 days or 6 years, but keep the faith.”

Year: 2009
Brand: Raleigh
Color:Brown
Size:54cm
Stolen in Portland, OR 97210
Stolen:2012-08-6
Stolen From: Forestry Court Apartments, 2737 NW Upshur Drive. In the Basement in bike rack.
Neighborhood: Northwest, near forest park
Owner: Nick Triolo
OwnerEmail: nicktriolo@gmail.com
Reward: $50
Description: Single speed. Brooks saddle. Brown frame, white wheels (they were worn, will likely be stripped), blue rims.
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 12-70399
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

Grey Trek?

Editorial: Portland’s parking problem

After serious injury fall, PBOT smooths out bumps on N. Vancouver

PBOT launches ‘Street Seats’ program

black/brown Specialized Stumpjumper Comp 2011

52 Cannondale R800 2002-2004

Getting to know Otto Miller Road – UPDATED

Blue/White Kona Coiler Deluxe 2008

Job: Bicycle Sales Supervisor – First City Cycles

Job: Bicycle Service Supervisor – First City Cycles

Trio of bike recoveries shows people power can thwart thieves

Brown Raleigh 2009

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