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Equity concerns take center stage as bike share funding moves forward

JPACT came together this morning to green light $16.8 million in federal grants for active transportation projects.
(Photo © J. Maus)

A Metro committee unanimously approved a $70.7 million package of federal “regional flexible funding” at a meeting of their Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation (JPACT) this morning. 14 projects (totaling $22.9 million) — including $2.0 million for the Portland Bike Sharing Project — were included in the passed resolution.

But prior to the vote, there was a heated exchange between Mayor Sam Adams and Multnomah County Commissioner Deborah Kafoury. It came after two citizens gave testimony to the committee about concerns that equity considerations and public input around the bike sharing project has been inadequate. Kafoury supported the concerns and tried to delay a vote on the project, while Adams spoke up in its defense.

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black Marin hardtail mountain bike 2005

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2005
Brand: Marin
Model: hardtail mountain bike
Color:black
Stolen in Portland, OR 97204
Stolen:2011-12-7
Stolen From: 811 SW Naito Parkway (corner of Naito and Yamhill)
Neighborhood: Downtown
Owner: Chris Collins
OwnerEmail: cmcollins27@yahoo.com
Reward: $50
Description: Black Marin mountain bike with height extender on handle bars and rear rack. Disk brakes. Non-studded tires. Good condition.
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

Blue Gray Raleigh Newer model

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Year: Newer model
Brand: Raleigh
Color:Blue Gray
Size:19″
Photo: None
Stolen in Portland, OR 97211
Stolen:2011-12-10
Stolen From: Front patio of my home, left it with front wheel locked w/small cable inside our fence and within our porch; was gone the next morning.
Owner: Paulo Perales
OwnerEmail: PCPherretZ@Hotmail.com
Reward: Anything you ask
Description: Distinctive round comfort grip bandles with red/black tape. Simple silver bell on left, light mount on right. Has two frame mounts: front for u-lock, rear for guppy case. No kickstand, new rear brakes (light gray). Rear tire is new with a dark gray face, has seven gears and is slimmer than the more hybrid front; no water bottle. Seat is a white San Marco with $20 written under it.
Police record with: Called & officer D. McCarthy 49067 took a verbal report but I will file one online shortly and update this.
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Bicycling Mag: Portland-based Sapa will no longer make bikes

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Frames at the Sapa factory.
(Photo: Sapa)

Bicycling Magazine reports that Portland-based Sapa Extrusions — the largest U.S. bike maker — has decided to “Cease contract bicycle manufacturing operations.”

According to Bicycling’s Chris Lesser, Sapa churned out 75,000 to 90,000 frames at its peak in the year 2000. You likely haven’t heard of Sapa because they made frames for other brands, many of which were secret due to confidentiality agreements.

Apparently, the bike frame business wasn’t going well for Sapa. Here’s more from Bicycling:

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15 Giant (no decals) boulder se late

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Year: late
Brand: Giant (no decals)
Model: boulder se
Color:15
Size:dark maroon/purple
Stolen in Portland, OR 97205
Stolen:2011-12-05
Stolen From: outside of Living Room Theaters, 341 SW 10th Ave
Neighborhood: downtown Portland
Owner: Tyann P
OwnerEmail: tjprentice@gmail.com
Reward: a blissful conscience
Description: Giant Boulder SE (no decals) 15” steel frame mountain bike, dark maroon/purple paint, with slim/low profile steet tires and straight black handlebars. black plastic tire fender on rear.
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: T11009057
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Responding to feedback, BTA clarifies and modifies helmet policy

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Rabbit on his tall bike-1

BTA says they’ll oppose
mandatory helmet laws “if
a bill does not advance cycling
in Oregon.”
(Photo © J. Maus)

In an email to members this morning, Bicycle Transportation Alliance Board President Stephen Gomez wrote a letter offering, “Clarity on the BTA’s helmet stance.”

The letter comes in response to a new helmet policy released by the BTA back in October. That policy, which came after tallying results from a member survey on the issue, rubbed many in the community the wrong way.

The key part of the policy some people expressed disappoint in was this: “If confronted with a proposed mandatory helmet law, the BTA will not stand in opposition to the law. Neither will we devote resources to passing such a law.” While subtle, the new policy marked a shift toward a more pro-helmet stance than they’d had in the past. The BTA had previously been opposed — both philosophically and in practice — to laws that would make helmets mandatory for adults.

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red Trek Portland 2006

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Year: 2006
Brand: Trek
Model: Portland
Color:red
Size:road bike 54 cm
Serial: WL3363709
Photo: http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/2740844781.html
Stolen in Portland, OR 97232
Stolen:2011-12-6
Stolen From: Outside of the SloBar on MLK
Neighborhood: inner SE
Owner: Tamara Peterson
OwnerEmail: tam_gage@hotmail.com
Reward: yes!
Description: Bike stolen last night outside of the SloBar in Portland. This is my main mode of transportation. I want it back! Reward given w/ no questions asked. Please call 541-740-5322. It has tons of bumper stickers on it. (Burning man stickers and others.)

Crossing my fingers that someone will help!!!!

Tam
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

PBOT unveils major reforms to address budget crisis

Map shows PBOT’s new “streets of
citywide significance”.
– Download PDF-

The Portland Bureau of Transportation has released an update on their 2012-2013 budget situation. As we suspected, a major shrinking of their budget has resulted in a restructuring of how the bureau will prioritize spending. In other big news, PBOT Director Tom Miller has unveiled a set of “organizational evolutions” that will change the face of the bureau.

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black/silver Trek 7000

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Brand: Trek
Model: 7000
Color:black/silver
Serial: WPU105C0110D
Stolen in Portland, OR 97202
Stolen:2011-12-6
Stolen From: from my laundry room! near SE Powell and SE 39th
Neighborhood: southeast portland
Owner: Sarah Weinstein
OwnerEmail: sarahrweinstein@gmail.com
Description: My bike had a U-lock on locked around the frame (it was in a locked room), an attachable light on the front, a red light screwed in on the back under the rack and front/back fenders.
Police record with: portland police
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Sidewalk in Tigard shows potential for suburban cycle tracks

Amsterdam? Nope: Tigard.

Is this a cycle track?
Not quite.
(Photos: Will Vanlue)

You may not think the city of Tigard (about 10 miles southwest of Portland) has anything in common with Amsterdam or Copenhagen.

The latter two cities are world-renowned for their bicycle facilities while Tigard is known mostly for its freeways and shopping malls.

But there is one thing Tigard has in common with Amsterdam and Copehnahgen: a paved, grade-separated path next to a sidewalk, which you might even call a “cycle track”.

If you’ve ridden your bicycle along Durham Road between SW 85th and 92nd Avenues you may have seen a double sidewalk, of sorts, in front of Tigard High School. One half is cement, the other half is asphalt.

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Hunter Green Windsor Tourist

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Brand: Windsor
Model: Tourist
Color:Hunter Green
Size:54 cm
Stolen in Seattle, WA 98103
Stolen:2011-10-24
Stolen From: Stolen from the basement bike rack (lock cut) of my apartment building
Neighborhood: Phinney Ridge
Owner: Lauren Smith
OwnerEmail: lauren.e.b.smith@gmail.com
Description: Hunter Green road bike/track frame with white writing "Tourist" and small white collegiate looking seal. Single chain ring on front, approximately 7 on rear. Cantilever brakes and full coverage front and rear fenders. The rear fender is a little loose, so the rear wheel rubs on the right side of it, causing the tire to be a bit worn down and leaving orange tire bits on the fender.
Police record with: Seattle PD
Police reference#: 2011-354080

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