BikePortland

PCC Cascade eyes multi-level parking garage on Michigan Ave

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

PCC has determined that the
corner of Michigan and Killingsworth
would be the best location for a
multi-story parking garage.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Portland Community College’s Cascade campus is considering the construction of a four-story parking garage on the northeast corner of N Michigan and Killingsworth. The project is part of district-wide expansion plans funded by a $374 million bond measure passed by voters in 2008.

While some neighborhood residents are alarmed at the potential impacts of a parking garage — especially its alignment along the bicycle boulevard planned for Michigan Ave — PCC officials say that the structure is not a done deal and they still might not have build it.

Fall colors on SE Ankeny.
(Photos © J. Maus)

With this picture perfect weather we’ve been having I decided to take the long way home yesterday in order to see some fall colors. At the recommendations of some friends, I found my way to SE Ankeny where the bright yellow leaves of golden ash trees (thanks for the identification help Esther!) lined the street.

Riding in fall when the leaves have turned is one of the secret pleasures of going by bike. Sure, you can see leaves from a car; but on a bike, you feel literally surrounded by them. I shot most of the photos in this post with a wide angle while pedaling to give you an idea of what I mean…

Dezy “the Pianobike kid” Walls pedals his 300-pound bike across SW Naito while singing and playing one of his tunes.
(Photos © J. Maus)

Year: new
Brand: schwinn
Model: mesa
Color:white and maroon
Size:mountain bike
Serial: pobm28580
Photo: no photo just got it
Stolen in Se portland, OR 97215
Stolen:2011-10-25
Stolen From: rose tabor apt
Owner: danny england
OwnerEmail: dannyjengland@hotmail.com
Description: 24 speed tires have yellow side walls
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Mysterious (yet helpful) signage appears on I-5 bridge bikeways

Someone has posted this map and a
series of stencils on the pavement to help
riders find their way onto and over
the I-5 bridge.
(Photo: Beck)

A laminated map and stencil markings have mysteriously appeared on the shared-use paths leading up to the I-5 bridge. We haven’t figured out who’s behind them, but several people say the signs are a big help.

To ride a bike over the I-5 bridge from Portland to Vancouver is an exercise in frustration. Before even getting on the deck of the bridge (which is narrow and a bit frightening to many riders), people on bikes are forced through a series of awkward crossings and sidewalk riding. And that’s only if you can figure out where you’re supposed to ride to begin with.

Year: 2008
Brand: Felt
Model: cafe
Color:champagne
Size:silver
Photo: http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2012/Cafe/Cafe-Series/Caf–7-Womens.aspx
Stolen in PORTLAND, OR 97232
Stolen:2011-10-23
Stolen From: Bike rack at 7th and NE couch
Neighborhood: Kerns?
Owner: amalie roberts
OwnerEmail: amaliear@yahoo.com
Reward: yes
Description: champagne colored Felt cafe bike with basket, back rack and a coffee cup holder.
Police record with: Portland police
Police reference#: t11007688
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

ODOT to distribute reflective arm bands to keep people safe – UPDATED

New arm bands being given away by
ODOT to help remedy uptick
in fatalities.
(Photo: ODOT)

As reported by The Oregonian this morning, the Oregon Department of Transportation has launched a traffic safety campaign. Under the ‘See and be seen’ banner, ODOT’s effort is aimed squarely at what they see as a major problem on Oregon’s roads — people who walk in the evening and at night while wearing dark clothing.

“Dark colored clothing and coats may look chic, but at night or on cloudy days, they can make pedestrians almost invisible,” reads the opening paragraph of the ODOT statement, “Every year in Oregon, the majority of pedestrian fatalities occur at night or in low-light hours. In 2010, 74 percent of the fatal pedestrian crashes occurred during low-light conditions. More than half of the pedestrians killed were wearing dark clothing and were not visible.”

To help people stay safe, ODOT’s Transportation Safety Division (a division with a $48.7 million annual budget) is giving away “reflective safety sashes and arm bands that people can wear over their clothes.” ODOT has teamed up with community groups to distribute the new safety accessories.

Year: 2006
Brand: TREK
Model: Madone 5.2
Color:58″
Size:Dark Blue
Serial: WL3361479
Photo: http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/694/theft2.jpg/
Stolen in PDX, OR 97208
Stolen:2011-10-23
Stolen From: Stolen on Sunday, October 23rd in front of Ground Control Arcade at 3:10pm.
511 NW Couch St.
Neighborhood: Old Town
Owner: Justin Hays
OwnerEmail: justin.hays@nike.com
Reward: Please Email for details
Description: The Bike stolen is a 2006 TREK Madone 5.2. SIZE 58. Serial Number WL3361479. The bike has a dark blue sparkle paint
color. New Bontrager black grip tape. Dark Blue LOOK pedals. Fizik Arione Saddle, Black. Brand new Michelin road tires with
white stripe on the outer edge.
The individual is Hispanic, 5’8″ tall, wearing a light colored baseball cap, snowboarding jacket with light body and dark
sleeves. Baggy light colored pants and white clunky skate shoes. Carrying a large back pack with tools for cutting locks.
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 11-155916
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Help make a bike movie: Cargo biking doc and Filmed by Bike project need you

Screenshot from Canning’s website.

Ever wanted to be involved with the creation of a bike film? Now’s your chance. Filmmakers Liz Canning and Travis Wittwer are both working on bike film projects and they’re both looking for your help.

Ms. Canning is making (R)evolutions Per Minute, a documentary about the explosion of cargo biking in America. What makes this project doubly cool is that it’s being crowdsourced and Canning is calling for submissions. If your clip makes it into the final cut you’ll get a “co-director” credit. But don’t send the usual “I love cargo bikes!” stuff. Canning wants compelling footage that will reach out to the unconvinced.

Want to get involved this week? Here’s how.

Tonight! October 24th

CRC EIS Public Comments due
Send to feedback@columbiarivercrossing.org by midnight on Monday. EIS Link. Speak up or assume that your elected officials think you love this five mile, 10-20 lane freeway expansion megaproject.

Workshop: Bike Safety on Highway 43
5:30 – 7:00pm
Lakewood Center for the Arts (368 S. State St., Lake Oswego)
Clackamas County is spearheading a bicycle safety improvement project on Highway 43 from Lake Oswego to Portland., At this workshop, you’ll learn about design alternatives and their potential impact and discuss about next steps for making changes in the corridor. Links: Project overview and BTA
blurb here.

After reading about the helmet survey launched by the Bicycle Transportation Alliance last week, I wanted to share a cautionary tale about helmet laws. I live in Vancouver, Washington where we’ve been living with a mandatory, all-ages helmet law since 2008.

If you’re of the persuasion that mandatory helmet laws are a good thing, keep in mind that not all mandatory helmet laws are created equal and — as Vancouver is finding out with its 2008 ordinance — subtle wording can have a profound effect on the scope of the law.

Sidestepping the seemingly non-existent impact Vancouver’s law has had on helmet use, bike ridership and injury rates, it contains a few real-world complications that highlight why it’s important to pay attention to subtle wording.

Check out more details in the press release below from PBOT:

NEWS ADVISORY
Crosswalk enforcement with Police is Wed. at W Burnside, NW 20th

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Police Bureau and Portland Bureau of Transportation announced a crosswalk enforcement event for Wednesday, October 26, to raise awareness of pedestrian safety and traffic law.

The enforcement will take place from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at a crossing of W Burnside Street NW 20th Place.

A crosswalk enforcement action includes a pedestrian decoy positioned at marked or unmarked crosswalks. Those in cars and on bicycle who fail to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk and pedestrians who jaywalk may be issued a warning or citation by the Portland Police Bureau.

Crosswalk enforcement actions are an effective way to communicate pedestrian right of way laws to all who use our streets. The transportation and police bureaus do enforcement actions in response to community requests and to educate the general public on the rules at marked and unmarked crossings. They are conducted approximately once a month.

###

PCC Cascade eyes multi-level parking garage on Michigan Ave

Fall leaves provide beautiful bicycling backdrop in Portland (Photos)

Meet Dezy Walls, the “Pianobike Kid”

white and maroon schwinn mesa new

Mysterious (yet helpful) signage appears on I-5 bridge bikeways

champagne Felt cafe 2008

ODOT to distribute reflective arm bands to keep people safe – UPDATED

58″ TREK Madone 5.2 2006

Help make a bike movie: Cargo biking doc and Filmed by Bike project need you

The Advocacy Roundup

Tonight! October 24th

When it comes to helmet laws, language matters

Crosswalk enforcement action coming to W Burnside at 20th

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