BikePortland

Vancouver (WA) Council member says people who bike don’t pay for roads

This article is made possible through the support of Biking.com, an online retailer that offers a full line of Shimano components.

Jeanne Stewart.

A road project being debated in Vancouver, Washington has spurred an unfortunate comment from a member of that city’s City Council.

At issue is the MacArthur Blvd Safety Project, which would have put MacArthur Blvd on a “road diet,” reducing the existing four standard vehicle lanes to two and replacing them with on-street parking, a wider median and wider bike lanes. Last month, the City decided to not move forward with those plans. Instead, they plan to remove existing bike lane symbols and add sharrows instead.

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Event Name: Bike to Blazers
Event Date: Sunday, April 3. 4:00pm-6:00pm
Event Description: All roads lead to the Rose Quarter for this year’s Bike to Blazers event. The team wants every fan to pedal to the 6pm tip-off vs. Dallas Mavericks to demonstrate how easy and fun it is to get around by bike. BikePortland invites you to join us at 4pm at the Salmon Street Fountain (Salmon and Naito Parkway) for a bike parade to the arena where the Blazers will host a variety of sustainability oriented events and information packed guests like: Friends of Trees, Portland Farmers Market, Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative, Energy Trust and the Portland Water Bureau. We will all meet up on the South Commons where there will be plenty of bike parking, Blazers dancers, interactive games, microbrew tasting and 95.5 will be broadcasting live.

You are invited whether you attend the game or not. Group rides will be departing for the arena from various locations around the city. Why not lead one yourself? If you’d like to choose a starting time/ location and announce it here, just drop us a note.

What to bring: Bring the family, a bike lock, lights for the ride home and the extra money you saved by leaving the car at home.
If you need a bike for the evening, check in with Portland Bicycle Tours.

Game Tickets: Purchase tickets here

More info: Lisa Swan (503) 963-3966 ~ lisa.swan(at)trailblazers(dot)com

Portland tops in new research report on nine major cycling cities

Broadway approach to Williams bike signal-2

Riding on NE Broadway in Portland.
(Photos © J. Maus)

A new research report, Bicycling Trends and Policies in Large North American Cities prepared for the U.S. Department of Transportation, has found that Portland leads the pack in bike-friendliness among nine bike-centric cities in the U.S. and Canada.

The report, which takes a comprehensive look at all facets of cycling in Chicago, Minneapolis, Montréal, New York, Portland, San Francisco, Toronto, and Vancouver, was done by noted researchers John Pucher and Ralph Buehler.

Sharing the report with us via email last night, Pucher commented that, “As you will see, Portland comes out very, very well: THE BEST of all North American cities, by far.”

Job Title: Bicycle Mechanic
Company/Organization: Lakeside Bicycles
Job Description: Spring is here, gas prices are high!

Lakeside Bicycles, located in Lake Oswego, Oregon is looking for a fun-loving, energetic mechanic for the upcoming season.

Applicants should have at least 2 years of shop experience. Familiarity with Campagnolo components is a plus.

How to Apply: Drop off your resume at the store or send it to: roberto(at)lakeside-bikes(dot)com

State Police searching for suspect in Molalla hit and run

The scene on Highway 211 following a hit and run yesterday.
(Photo: Oregon State Police)

The Oregon State Police continue their investigation this morning into a hit and run crash that occurred yesterday about 3:30 pm.

According to the OSP, 67-year old Thomas Mossman was riding his bike westbound on Highway 211 (just west of Palmer Road, map) when he was struck by a motor vehicle. The OSP say Mossman was reportedly riding to a friend’s house that was on the south side of the highway about 50 yards from the crash scene. He was flown to OHSU and remains in intensive care with critical injuries.

Brand: Kona
Model: Dew Plus
Color:Black
Serial: SA80903750
Stolen in Portland, OR 97232
Stolen:2011-03-22
Stolen From: North Mississippi Ave between Beech and Failing
Owner: Montana Maurice
OwnerEmail: montanamerida@hotmail.com
Description: some wear and tear on the seat. there is a trailer hitch attached to the seat post, as well as mounts for a front and back light. black bell, red heart sticker on back fender, black reflective stickers on both fenders and a square on frame. scrapes on frame and on gear shifters. had a wonky/wobbling front wheel when it was stolen.
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 11-22789
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

dark grey Trek WSD 7.2 2010

Year: 2010
Brand: Trek
Model: WSD 7.2
Color:dark grey
Size:17″
Serial: WTU020C042GE
Stolen in 97212, OR
Stolen:2011-03-20
Stolen From: Backyard of our house- 2143 NE 12th Avenue between Tilamook and Thompson.
Neighborhood: NE Portland
Owner: Jennifer Johnston
OwnerEmail: jennifer.johnston@kp.org
Reward: $50.00
Description: Dark silver/grey Trek 7.2 with black accessories (bumper, bike rack, H2O holder). Distinguishing marks: rear light mount was slightly rusting and slightly bent. Paint was slightly chipped on top front bar of frame (mid between seat and bars)where I (usually : ( ) attached my u-bar lock.
Police record with: Portland
Police reference#: T11002014
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Redline Urbis, single speed, size large 2011

Year: 2011
Brand: Redline
Model: Urbis, single speed, size large
Stolen in NE Portland, OR 97212
Stolen:2011-03-21
Stolen From: Apartment driveway, NE 16th, just north of handcock, east side of street
Neighborhood: North East Portland
Owner: Coralee Bowey
OwnerEmail: csbowey@hotmail.com
Reward: $100.00
Description: Brand new Redline, Urbis, single speed, large, lt gray w/black rims and tires, black grips, white and black seat, disc brake in front.
Police record with: Temp #T11002006
Police reference#: just filed, don’t have yet
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Roundup of LaHood’s visit to Portland

LaHood (R) listens as Congressman Earl Blumenauer
discusses the SW Moody project. Mayor Adams
is in the background.
(Photo © J. Maus)

The US Department of Transportation Secretary is on a whirlwind trip through Portland to show his support for road safety, bicycling, and streetcars. LaHood is joined by several high-level DOT staffers and Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff. I was hoping to meet up with him for a bike ride this morning, but LaHood is apparently suffering from a cold and the ride has been canceled.

Yesterday, LaHood visited the manufacturing headquarters of United Streetcar along with Congressman Peter DeFazio and Earl Blumenauer. As he did in his 2009 visit, LaHood had nothing but good things to say about Portland’s commitment to streetcars and the bonus points we get for making the streetcars right here in Oregon. Writing on his blog this morning, LaHood shared shared his love for Portland:

Drink Smoke, Flanders
– More images below –

Professional photographer Chris Milliman’s new photobook, Drink Smoke, Flanders, is now available. Milliman’s photo clients include Portland based companies Keen Footwear, Rapha Apparel, and others. His photos have also appeared in National Geographic and VeloNews. His new book was designed by Matt Stein of Weights & Pulleys, a creative design and branding firm based in Portland that also owns Beloved Cycles.

Myles Haselhorst from the Ampersand Vintage gallery and bookshop on NE Alberta Street says aside from the Portland connection, Drink Smoke, Flanders is “a fabulous book.” “It’s not often that a sense of artistry is brought to cycling imagery, but Milliman is really good at it.” Here’s more about the book from the Amsperand website:

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has released a list of finalists that are in the running to receive $16 million in federal Transportation Enhancement funding. TE grants are made through the FHWA and are awarded every two years to projects that “strengthen the cultural, aesthetic, or environmental value of our transportation system.”

Portland has two projects still in the running for these funds; the Clinton to the River project and a project that would improve biking and walking conditions to schools in East Portland. Below are summaries of both projects:

“Car sharing families drive demonstrably less than car-owning families, less driving means less congestion and less pollution.”
— Sen. Jackie Dingfelder

House Bill 3149, which would make it easier for Oregonians to share their cars with others, passed the House today by a vote of 47-10. The bill would allow a car owner to rent out their car to friends or neighbors through a car-sharing service without fear of increased insurance rates or loss of policy.

The bill’s chief sponsors are Representative Ben Cannon (D-Portland) and Senator Jackie Dingfelder (D-Portland). In a prepared statement following today’s vote, Rep. Cannon said,

“Vehicles sit idle 92% of the time. Peer-to-peer car sharing is a free-market concept that allows car owners to recoup costs of car ownership, while those without cars are able to rent a vehicle in their own neighborhood.”

Vancouver (WA) Council member says people who bike don’t pay for roads

Event: Bike to Blazers (4/3/11)

Portland tops in new research report on nine major cycling cities

Job: Bicycle Mechanic (Lakeside Bicycles)

State Police searching for suspect in Molalla hit and run

Black Kona Dew Plus

dark grey Trek WSD 7.2 2010

Redline Urbis, single speed, size large 2011

Roundup of LaHood’s visit to Portland

New cyclocross book, ‘Drink Smoke, Flanders’ has Portland connections

Two Portland projects in the running for over $3 million in TE funding

Salem Watch: Car-sharing bill passes House (and other updates)

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