Project update: N. Rosa Parks Bikeway set for completion this month

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward
N. Rosa Parks Way at I-5-2

Bikeway coming soon (we hope).
(Photo © J. Maus)

A bikeway project BikePortland has followed since April 2008 could be completed by the end of this month. The Portland Bureau of Transportaiton (PBOT) says they now expect the N Rosa Parks Way bikeway to be completed by the end of August.

The project was on a list of five languishing projects that I detailed back in August 2010 and it has been delayed numerous times for a variety of reasons (one complication is that the project crosses I-5 freeway onramps and an overpass, so ODOT must review and sign-off on the City’s plans). Work on the project started in earnest back in June, but has been delayed once again.

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10th annual Twilight Criterium zooms into town Friday

Twilight Criterium-25

Friday night is the 10th anniversary of the Twilight Criterium, Portland’s only major downtown bike race, and organizers are pulling out all the stops.

Over the years, the event has morphed from just a bike race into a huge party and mini-festival. Ayleen Crotty with Good Sport Promotions says they’ve made several additions to the event this year that will take things up yet another notch.

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Matte black Trek 4300 2009

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Year: 2009
Brand: Trek
Model: 4300
Color:Matte black
Serial: WTU15400896D
Stolen in Port, OR
Stolen:2011-08-6
Stolen From: Fred Meyer 148th & Division @ 1:30 pm
Owner: Mark Lacy
OwnerEmail: mlx@comcast.net
Description: Front shocks disc brakes front and back. Head and tail lights
Police record with: Port. P D
Police reference#: 11-067293
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

IBM and Portland team up on data to build a ‘smarter’ city

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward
Bridge Pedal 2010-12

Can data make us a smarter city.
(Photo © J. Maus)

The City of Portland announced a collaboration with IBM today to “better understand the dynamic behavior of cities.”

The initiative is part of IBM’s Smarter Cities project that looks to use computer modeling and data analysis to inform city planning and policies. Or, as IBM Chairman Samuel J. Palmisano puts it, “Thanks to supercomputers, we can turn mountains of data into insight.”

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Bike theft down in Portland; but brazen thieves still at work

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward
bike theft sticker-1.jpg

Seen in the Lloyd District: “A
thief is able to cut your cable.”
It’s not just a catchy tag line,
it’s real (see below).
(Photo © J. Maus)

I’ve got some good news and bad news about bike theft in Portland. First, the good news…

So far in 2011, BikePortland has received about 17% fewer stolen bike listings compared to this time last year. From January 1 to August 9th 2010, there were 397 stolen bikes listed. During that same stretch this year, just 331 listings have come in.

In July 2010, there were 90 stolen bike listings. This past July there were just 62.

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White Trek 0404002111 1991

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 1991
Brand: Trek
Model: 0404002111
Color:White
Size:21
Serial: 653651
Stolen in PORTLAND, OR 97212
Stolen:2011-08-01
Stolen From: The bike was stolen from our basement, not sure when though. On NE Ivy street.
Neighborhood: Boise Elliot
Owner: Kristina Hauri
OwnerEmail: scribble.k@gmail.com
Description: Black taped handle bars, possibly a back light attachment. The Trek lettering is Red.
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

FU/WH/GR Bianchi Grizzly 1991

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 1991
Brand: Bianchi
Model: Grizzly
Color:FU/WH/GR
Size:21.5
Stolen in Portland, OR 97217
Stolen:2011-08-6
Stolen From: 4200 N. Albina Ave. stolen from back yard.
Neighborhood: Boise/ Elliot
Owner: Terrence Forbyn
OwnerEmail: tforb@hotmail.com
Description: Full fenders, Nashbar bike rack(rear), Schwlbe 1.25 Marathon tires. White threadless front fork w/ gray diamond paint over front lug holes. Suntour components
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Helmets required? Who’s it for? More info on Portland’s bike sharing plans

SmartBike DC-1

Learn PBOT’s take on rental station
density, the helmet question, whether
or not infrastructure improvements
will come with bike sharing,
and more.
(Photos © J. Maus)

As I reported last week, a plan to bring bike sharing to Portland is alive and well. But, what exactly does the plan entail? How will Portland’s system compare with the 15 other bike share programs already in place throughout North America? Will helmets be required? Will it be expensive to use?

During research for that article, I came across some supporting documentation for a federal grant to fund the Portland Bike Share project (full PDF here). Among that documentation was a “Component analysis of bike share systems.” It provides an in-depth look at how various components of the Portland Bike Share project will look.

Below, I’ve pasted each component followed by “Portland’s approach” and then the City’s rationale for the decision…

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Catch the Sprockettes, Cyclecide in North Portland tonight

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Sunday Parkways NW 2011-63-63

See the Sprockettes and a special
guest tonight.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Just got details on a great free event tonight in North Portland.

From 6-8:00 pm on the corner of N. Albina and Sumner (5128 N. Albina, near Cherry Sprout market), the Sprockettes and Cyclecide will perform. Cyclecide is a San Francisco based band and performance group known for their “Heavy Pedal Bike Rodeo” and companion punk rock band “Los Banos.”

The two groups are fresh off the huge Dead Baby Downhill weekend up in Seattle and they’re making a special stop in Portland tonight. Here’s the blurb from the Facebook page:

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green masi special fixed drop 2007

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2007
Brand: masi
Model: special fixed drop
Color:green
Size:53cm
Stolen in Portland, OR 97206
Stolen:2011-08-08
Stolen From: laundry mat
Neighborhood: se
Owner: jordan dersch
OwnerEmail: grace_from_thorns@Yahoo.com
Reward: a great cooked meal if given back to me
Description: went into the laundry mat at 80th and powell while i was putting my clothes in i turned around to check on my bike and it was gone.
Police reference#: 11-154242
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

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