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Multnomah County seeks new members for bike/ped committee

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This just in from Multnomah County. We could really use some active and enthusiastic voices on this committee! Please consider applying…

Members sought for county bicycle and pedestrian committee
Monday, 6/11/12 – 2:19 pm

Multnomah County is seeking members to serve on its Bicycle and Pedestrian Citizen Advisory Committee who live, work or recreate in east Multnomah County or in unincorporated areas. The committee advises the county on bicycle and pedestrian issues related to the county’s road system, which includes:

  • Major roads in the cities of Fairview, Troutdale, and Wood Village
  • Roads and bridges in unincorporated areas of Multnomah County including the west hills, Sauvie Island, the Columbia River Gorge, and areas east and west of the Sandy River
  • Five Willamette River bridges in the City of Portland (Broadway, Burnside, Hawthorne, Morrison, and Sellwood)

Individuals who are interested in transportation issues affecting pedestrians and bicyclists are encouraged to apply. The committee advises the county’s Transportation and Land Use Division on matters involving walking, biking, and access to transit, including project review and recommending priorities.

The committee meets on the second Wednesday of the month from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Multnomah Building, 501 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd. in Portland. Members are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners and serve a two-year term.

To apply, individuals need to complete an interest form, available online at www.multco.us/bikeped. To request a form or more information, contact Kate McQuillan at 503-988-5050, Extension 29397 or katherine.mcquillan [at] multco.us.

Should Zoobombers fear proposed skateboard ban? – UPDATED

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Zoobomb

Riding down SW Fairview Ave.
(Photo © J. Maus)

A debate has been stirring for almost a year between Arlington Heights Neighborhood residents and people that ride skateboards down the steep hills of SW Fairview Ave.

As reported today by The Portland Mercury, City Commissioner Randy Leonard will propose a ban on skateboarding on certain streets in the west hills. According Leonard’s policy advisor Stuart Oishi, the ordinance is currently being prepared by the City Attorney’s office and will up for a vote at City Council on June 27th.

As news of this ordinance has spread through the community, many people who bike down Fairview for fun as part of Zoobomb are afraid that this could lead to a ban and/or crackdown on downhill bicycling as well.

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The Columbian gets it wrong on biking and safe streets

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“As for Vancouver, we’ll happily stand in the middle and attempt to provide a friendly environment for vehicles both motorized and pedal-powered. Sometimes being No. 1 isn’t all that great.”
— Editorial in The Columbian newspaper

The Columbian newspaper devoted an “In Our View” editorial to bike issues on Sunday. The title, We like bikes but aren’t crazy: Seeing what it takes to be Bike City U.S.A., we’re fully satisfied with local efforts, is what first caught my eye.

Then I read the piece and was disappointed that the largest news outlet in Clark County would take such an inaccurate and dismissive stance on the very important issue of road safety.

The editorial attempts to draw a distinction between the transportation investment priorities at the City of Vancouver versus the City of Portland. In doing so, the paper repeats a false claim (first made by The Oregonian, then repeated during the mayoral campaign by former candidate Eileen Brady) that Portland’s transportation bureau (PBOT) isn’t doing “any major street repaving until at least 2017.” The idea is to contrast this (meant to be shocking) statement with the fact that PBOT is spending $900,000 (gasp!) to create a safe roadway environment on over 13 miles of neighborhood streets.

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The Monday Roundup

Colorado governor signs a bill
that closes a hit-and-run
loophole as bike advocates
look on.
(Photo: Bicycle Colorado)

Here’s the news and other cool stuff that caught our eyes this past week…

– Ray LaHood is excited for the Green Lane Project (which Portland is a part of), saying the “DOT and the Federal Highway Administration like traffic-separated lanes because they increase safety.”

– There will be 2,000 fewer buses on Ottawa, Canada streets each day after the city shifts much of its bus traffic to light rail which will open up of space on city streets for the “bike lanes of the future.”

– 18 year-old Nap Cantwell, son of Elysian Brewing’s owner and the deputy curator for the Seattle Art Museum, passed away after he was involved in a collision with a motor vehicle while riding his bicycle in Seattle.

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Grey Diamondback Transporter 2007

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Year: 2007
Brand: Diamondback
Model: Transporter
Color:Grey
Size:S (16″)
Stolen in Beaverton, OR
Stolen:2012-06-11
Stolen From: Near Beaverton Central Max station. I was in 24-Hour Fitness from 5am-7am. The bike was stolen during that time period.
Neighborhood: Beaverton
Owner: Toby Ashmore
OwnerEmail: bad_ol_gage@hotmail.com
Description: Grey 2007 Diamondback Transporter. Small, with sticker (just says “S”) still on the frame. Avenir Metro panniers. Zefal half toe clips.
Police record with: Called Beaverton PD. Will file report
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

orange/red Cannondale Super V 700 1997

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Year: 1997
Brand: Cannondale
Model: Super V 700
Color:orange/red
Size:large 20″
Serial: 1BB10302D7270 2234127XCA5WL
Photo: no photo
Stolen in Lake oswego, OR 97034
Stolen:2012-06-5
Stolen From: garage
Neighborhood: first addition – lake oswego
Owner: suzanne regan
OwnerEmail: suzregan@aol.com
Reward: $200
Description: in good condition
Police record with: lake oswego pd
Police reference#: 12-661927
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

White/purple/pink Schwinn Trailway 2012

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Year: 2012
Brand: Schwinn
Model: Trailway
Color:White/purple/pink
Size:28
Stolen in Portland, OR 96216
Stolen:2012-06-09
Stolen From: It was stole from the mall 205 target
Owner: Chaya Peters
OwnerEmail: chaya_peters@yahoo.com
Description: It is a schwinn trailway 28" women’s bike. Has a different seat than standard that says schwinn on it. It is primarily white with purple and pink accents.
Police record with: Portland pd
Police reference#: 12-153568
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

dark green giant seek 2 2011

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Year: 2011
Brand: giant
Model: seek 2
Color:dark green
Size:large
Serial: gn1e6048
Photo: http://www.giant-bicycles.com/_generated/_generated_us/bikes/models/images/550/2011/Seek_2_blast_army_green_72dpiWIDE.jpg
Stolen in Gresham, OR 97230
Stolen:2012-06-7
Stolen From: 181st and Halsey 7 Eleven bike rack behind the store
Neighborhood: north gresham
Owner: adam bates
OwnerEmail: neohawk86@yahoo.com
Reward: 50.00
Description: dark green frame with silver upper bar
chrome disk breaks
black crank and sprocket
black seat and seat post
black handle bars
quick release black wheels and black tiers
Police record with: gresham pd
Police reference#: 12-706388
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

black/silver Trek 7200 2005

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Year: 2005
Brand: Trek
Model: 7200
Color:black/silver
Size:20″
Photo: http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&biw=1536&bih=755&tbm=isch&tbnid=uKcgiKkCJ7QXmM:&imgrefurl=http://bikes.productwiki.com/trek-7200/&docid=ogjZ1hOfrqvH6M&imgurl=http://www.productwiki.com/upload/images/trek_7200_wsd.jpg&w=540&h=365&ei=OZLST8-qC8jm2gXmqpS3Dw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=361&vpy=432&dur=713&hovh=184&hovw=273&tx=165&ty=129&sig=109894977903860642644&page=1&tbnh=122&tbnw=180&start=0&ndsp=28&ved=1t:429,r:15,s:0,i:120
Stolen in Portland, OR 97212
Stolen:2012-06-7
Stolen From: Shaver and Regents NE
Neighborhood: Alameda
Owner: Dave Smith
OwnerEmail: dhsmith_email@yahoo.com
Reward: $50
Description: Rack on rear, front and rear fenders, orange/black Seattle Sport waterproof bags, light on front and rear,
Police record with: Portland PD
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Weekend Guide and Open Thread

Tonight!

Sure it might be hailing, raining and thunder-storming, but it’s still the weekend! And oh what a weekend it will be.

Besides the 40 or so (yes 40!) events on the Pedalpalooza calendar (my girls are signed up for Sprockettes Camp!), there’s a lot of other stuff going on.

Tonight Bike n Hike is hosting a big benefit party for the renovations being done out at the Alpenrose Velodrome. Head over to 400 SE Grand starting at 7pm for a big raffle, lots of Hopworks beer, Goldsprints, and plenty of awesome people.

After that party, why not keep the fun going and do the Midnight Mystery Ride? It leaves from St. Johns and it’s sure to be memorable.

Tomorrow (Saturday), Portland’s indoor mountain bike park The Lumberyard is having their launch party. Go and help Will, Holly, Michael and the entire crew celebrate their exciting new business.

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