Trolley Trail groundbreaking ceremony set for Tuesday

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As we shared a month ago, Clackamas County is set to break ground on an exciting new six mile bike/walk trail from downtown Milwaukie to the City of Gladstone. The press release below has details on the groundbreaking ceremony slated for Tuesday, March 22nd:

North Clackamas Parks and Recreation District sets Trolley Trail groundbreaking ceremony for March 22
 
North Clackamas Parks and Recreation District, Clackamas County and other partners are working to build the future Trolley Trail. The groundbreaking will be Tuesday, March 22, at Stringfield Family Park, 3614 SE Naef Road, the trail’s main trailhead.

The Trolley Trail is about six miles of bike and pedestrian trail that connects neighborhoods from downtown Milwaukie to the City of Gladstone and beyond. The trail, beginning construction now, will follow the historic streetcar right of way that ran in the area from 1893 until 1968.

Elting Northwest of Gladstone was selected as the general contractor. Construction is expected to be completed by late fall.

The trail will be constructed to the approved final design and the only changes anticipated are those that may come about once construction begins and the conditions on the ground.    

The project is currently anticipated to take about nine months to build. It is expected that the contractor will build the trail in segments. The exact sequencing is not available yet but will be shared when details are known. NCPRD will be working to provide timely construction updates to the community and interested parties as possible during the course of the project.

Construction is a dynamic process and by its nature disruptive. There may be trail closures and street detours during the course of the work.   

Local company in running for $200 million NYC bike-share contract

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City of Portland bike sharing demonstration-22

Alta Bicycle Share would operate
a system like this on the streets of
New York City.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Crain’s Insider, a New York-based business news publication, says two companies remain in the running for a $200 million contract to run a bike-share program in New York City. According to Crain’s, B-cycle and Portland-based Alta Bicycle Share are competing for the lucrative contract.

Alta Bicycle Share is a spinoff of Alta Planning + Design, a company that helps cities around the world plan and implement biking and walking facilities. In September of last year, Alta Bicycle Share launched Capital Bikeshare in Washington DC. That system is one of the largest in the U.S. with over 100 kiosks offering members 1,100 bikes accessible through a key-card system.

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‘Trains down the middle’ video creator has Portland roots

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Rap-tivism at its best.
(Still from video by Joel Batterman)
– Watch the video below –

As an advocate, what do you do when you feel passionate about a project and want to convince others to share your perspective? If you’re former Portland resident and now Detroit-based transportation activist Joel Batterman, you get out some Legos and planning documents, write a rap song, set it all to music and make a hilariously wonky and informative video.

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Bill asks State of Oregon to consider acquisition of Forest Park

Forest Park-7

Much-loved Forest Park: better off in the
hands of the State?
(Photo © J. Maus)

State Representative Mitch Greenlick (D-Portland) is sponsoring a bill (HB 2250) that would require the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission to enter into talks with the City of Portland about the possible state acquisition of Forest Park.

Here’s the entire text of the (very brief) bill:

“The State Parks and Recreation Commission shall make reasonable efforts to arrive at an agreement with Portland Parks and Recreation to acquire Forest Park.”

Greenlick lives adjacent to the park (it’s also in his district) and during a public hearing on HB 2250 held last month, said the park’s long-term health and stability is, “Extraordinarily important to me.”

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Event: Showers Pass Photo Contest (4/15/11)

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Event Name: Showers Pass Photo Contest
Event Start Date: 15 March, 2011
Entry Deadline: 15 April, 2011
Web Site: http://showerspass.wordpress.com/2011/03/14/showers-pass-photo-contest-2/
Event Description: It’s time to break out your cameras, get on your bikes, and enjoy some spring riding – Showers Pass style. We are looking for a few great photos of our loyal customers in their favorite Showers Pass gear. Winners will receive :

  • A coupon for 60% off on one Showers Pass item to use within a year (up to $156 value)
  • photo credit in our catalog
  • your very own Tri Vest
  • 5 copies of the Showers Pass catalog with your photo (released in September 2011)
  • All photo submissions will be rewarded with a 20% off coupon good for one year.
    To enter: Email your photos to info(at)showerspass(dot)com with your full name, location of photo, phone number with photo contest as the subject line by April 15th to qualify. Winners will be selected and prizes will be distributed by April 22nd.

    Fatality spurs action from ODOT on SW Barbur

    Scene of fatal crash on SW Barbur Blvd-4

    Signs are currently the only thing
    warning people that humans might be present
    on this section of Barbur.
    (Photo © J. Maus)

    Southwest Portland transportation advocates have been pressing the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to improve the dangerous crossing of SW Barbur Blvd near the Rasmussen Apartments for many years. Now, after the death of 26-year old Angela Burke in December, ODOT appears poised to finally make it happen.

    ODOT will present their proposals at a SWTrails meeting to be held at the Multnomah Arts Center at 7:00 pm tonight. Here are more details as reported by The Oregonian a few days ago:

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    Event: Capital Bikeshare Lessons Learned (4/8/11)

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    Event Name: Capital Bikeshare Lessons Learned
    Event Start Date: 8 April 2011
    Start Time: 3:00:00 PM
    Event Description: We’re pleased to announce that Gabe Klein, former Director of the Washington DC Dept. of Transportation, will be in town Friday April 8th, along with Alison Cohen, President of Alta Bicycle Share, Inc., which operates Capital Bike Share in DC.

    Alison and Gabe will share lessons learned from Capital Bike Share, including the process of funding, launching, and operating the largest bikesharing system in the nation, from the perspective of the city and the operator.

    When: Friday April 8th 3-4 pm

    Location: ITS Lab (Room 315), Engineering Building at PSU – 1930 SW 4th Ave., Portland

    Please spread the word!

    Chrome Mercier Kilo TT Stripper Pro 2010

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    Year: 2010
    Brand: Mercier
    Model: Kilo TT Stripper Pro
    Color:Chrome
    Size:53cm
    Stolen in Portland, OR 97206
    Stolen:2011-03-15
    Stolen From: the enclosed backyard at my house…SE 42nd and Rhone
    Neighborhood: Southeast, Creston-Kenilworth
    Owner: Will Huessy
    OwnerEmail: w.huessy@gmail.com
    Description: Fixed gear track bike, all chrome frame. Black tape, seat, and brakes. plastic clips, brushed silver rims and chrome hubs. NB:pea sized dent on the right side of the down tube, approx. 4 inches from the down tube. This bike is noticeable, I have not seen another men’s all chrome track bike in the southeast in a while (not trying to be cool, just stating facts…)
    Police record with: Portland PD
    Police reference#: T11001818
    This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

    purple sherpa explorer 1990’s

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    Year: 1990’s
    Brand: sherpa
    Model: explorer
    Color:purple
    Size:16″?
    Photo: http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/7123/pic1103.jpg
    Stolen in Vancouver, WA 98663
    Stolen:2011-03-16
    Stolen From: a residence at nw lincoln ave & 45th street.
    Neighborhood: lincoln/northwest
    Owner: matthew vilhauer
    OwnerEmail: matthewvilhauer@yahoo.com
    Description: an older purlple sherpa explorer mtn bike with bluish annodized handlebar, curved add on bar ends, single clip on type rear fender and a scuff on the right side of the seat. the fork has rust and paint loss on the drivetrain side. it has the twist style shifters, cantilever brakes and shimano components.
    Police record with: vancouver pd
    This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

    Event: Safe Routes to School Kick-Off (4/2/11)

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    Event Name: Safe Routes to School Spring Kick-Off
    Event Start Date: 2 April 2011
    Start Time: 10:00:00 AM
    Web Site: http://www.portlandonline.com/transportation/index.cfm
    Event Description: FREE, family-friendly event to celebrate health, safety and physical activity. Hands-on workshops for adults. Activities and games for kids. Helmet fitting and giveaway, bike repair, healthy lunch, community bike ride, and more!

    Time: 10:00am-2:00pm

    Location: Beach School (1710 N Humboldt St, near N Interstate and Alberta)

    Cost: FREE

    Everyone invited. Childcare and Spanish translation provided.

    RSVP: SafeRoutes(at)PortlandOregon(dot)gov or 503-823-4998.

    Two Portland bike companies help raise money for Japan

    With the future of people stricken by the disaster in Japan on the minds of many Portlanders, two local bike companies are doing their part to help the relief effort.

    London-based Rapha, whose North American headquarters are in North Portland, is helping quake victims by doing the thing they do best — hosting a ride. Rapha Rides for Tohoku is a fundraising campaign they’ve launched with partners throughout Japan and the United States. So far, there are 15 rides slated to happen this weekend. The Portland ride will leave from Albina Press (4637 N Albina Ave) at 9:00 am on Saturday. You can see the full list of rides here.

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