Have you joined Metro’s “Opt In” opinion panel yet?

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In case you haven’t heard, Metro has launched a new way to gauge public opinion. It’s called Opt In and they liken it to an “online opinion panel.” Once enough people have signed up, they’ll use the citizen panel to gauge feedback on important issues facing the region: things like how to set transportation investment priorities.

Since its launch in January, about 2,000 people have signed up. Metro is making a big push to reach 10,000 by the end of this year because that’s the number they need for the responses to be statistically significant.

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Bike parking gets even better on North Mississippi and Williams

Covered bike parking on N Mississippi-2

All cozy and dry… I think I’ll stop for a meal.
(Photos © J. Maus)

Portland’s bike parking offerings continue to improve in both quality and quantity. Recently I’ve noticed two developments in North Portland worth your attention: a new on-street bike corral on N. Williams Avenue and a nice covering of a corral on N. Mississippi.

This new on-street corral on Williams is located just south of N. Fargo out in front of Waypost Cafe, a community gathering spot that has been in need of more bike parking for a long time. (Just a block north of this corral is another one situated on a curb extension). This is the fifth on-street bike corral on Williams — more than any other street in Portland (I stand corrected. Alberta has seven!).

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54″ Novara Randonnee 2003

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Year: 2003
Brand: Novara
Model: Randonnee
Color:54″
Size:Dark Green
Stolen in Portland, OR 97215
Stolen:2011-03-2
Stolen From: Stolen from my front porch. Thief opened the porch gate and took the bike sometime in the night.
Neighborhood: Sunnyside
Owner: Chris Rivard
OwnerEmail: clearwired@gmail.com
Reward: negotiable.
Description: Green Novara Randonee, Mavic Open Pro Wheels, Sora cranks, shimano canti brakes, Sora STI, Triple
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Salem Watch: Eugene Senator will amend bike trailer bill

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Sen. Floyd Prozanski.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Senator Floyd Prozanski (D-Eugene) says he will amend SB 846, a bill he introduced last month that would have required all new bicycle trailers sold in Oregon to meet a minimum set of safety standards.

In an email to Eugene-area bike advocates, Prozanksi wrote:

“I just learned from ODOT the cost for implementing SB 846. Due to our budget shortfall, I will be amending the bill to just require retailers (including on-line sales) to place a sticker on passenger trailers stating whether or not the trailer meets or surpasses the ATSM standards.”

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To improve bus safety, TriMet begins testing turn warning system

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Portland City Tour ride -16

External speakers will warn people
that bus is turning.
(Photo © J. Maus)

TriMet has begun testing an audible warning system that will notify people when a bus is turning. Here’s how TriMet explains it in a statement released last night:

“Ten buses have been equipped with the external audible warning system. When the operator turns the steering wheel to enter a turn, an external announcement is triggered, announcing “Pedestrians, bus is turning.” The announcement will be made in both English and Spanish.”

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Why I love Portland’s new Public Art iPhone App

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In his ongoing commitment to technology and the arts, Portland Mayor Sam Adams announced a new iPhone app today. The app, Public Art PDX, was developed in a collaboration between Adams’ office, the City of Portland, the Regional Arts and Culture Council and local app developer Matt Blair.

Why do I love this app and why am I mentioning it on BikePortland?

Simple. This app makes it easy to explore our city’s many interesting and fun works of public art, and what better way to do that than on a bicycle or on foot?! I can already imagine people leading group rides and walks using this app as their guide.

Oh, and after you download the app, be sure to check the listing for my favorite piece of public art in the city — The People’s Bike Library of Portland (a.k.a. the Zoobomb Pyle sculpture) on the corner of W. Burnside and 13th.

You can download the app in the iTunes store. Have fun!

Event: Vancouver Bike Club gear swap (3/9/11)

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Event Name: Vancouver Bike Club – bike gear & apparel swap
Event Start Date: 9 March 2011
Start Time: 7:00:00 PM
Web Site: http://vbc-usa.com/site/cal-rides.php?id=804
Event Description: Bring stuff to trade or sell! Or just bring your checkbook or cash to buy stuff. STUFF! Bike anything, including apparel.

In Vancouver at Bortolami’s Aero Room – building behind Pizzeria,

9901 NE 7th Ave, 2nd floor, Vancouver, WA.

Free snacks.

Contact Email: bicyclekitty(at)gmail(dot)com

Active landslide closes Springwater Trail connector near Sellwood

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View of the landslide.
(Photos: Dan Kaufman)

A mutli-use path that connects SE Milwaukie Avenue to the Springwater Trail north of Sellwood is closed indefinitely due a massive landslide.

Early this morning, we received an email from a reader saying that the landslide is completely blocking the trail. “Downed trees, much debris and heavy flooding (more than usual for this section). Most of the hillside came down and there is still a danger from rolling rocks and a precarious tree… this is going to be a big cleanup job.”

We notified Portland Parks and Recreation about the issue and spokesperson Beth Sorensen says they have determined that the slide it still active and they have closed the trail completely for the public’s safety until further notice.

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Neighborhood speed limit bill passes House committee 5-3

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Rep. Lindsay (R-Hillsboro) voted no
on a bill that would reduce speed
limits on residential streets.

HB 3150 passed out of committee yesterday, but not without some drama. The bill, which would give cities the authority to reduce speed limits on certain “neighborhood greenway” streets to 20 mph, survived the House Transportation and Economic Development Committee by a vote of 5 to 3 yesterday.

The eight member committee is split evenly between Republicans and Democrats and the three representatives that voted against the bill were Republicans (committee co-chair, Cliff Bentz (R-Ontario) voted yes). According to freshman Rep. Shawn Lindsay (R-Hillsboro), the reason for their no votes had to do with a procedural issue centered around the terminology used in the bill.

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Job: Customer Service Representative, Returns Processing (Team Estrogen)

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Job Title: Customer Service Representative, Returns Processing

Company/Organization: Team Estrogen

Job Description:
Team Estrogen is an online retailer of women’s cycling, triathlon and fitness apparel. We are dedicated to meeting the needs of every woman who wants to ride her bike in comfort and style. We are a small, but growing company seeking employees that share our passion for fitness, and our enthusiasm for providing excellent customer service and an unmatched selection of technical apparel for women.

Primary Duties include:
1) Processing customer returns, to include:
a. Opening and checking in all inbound packages
b. Cleaning and refolding apparel as necessary, and returning items to warehouse stock
c. Interfacing with the accounting system (ACCPAC) to record transactions
d. Communicating with customers over the phone and in writing via our customer contact manager to resolve questions or concerns
e. Accurately processing credit card refunds or store credits

2) Answering inbound telephone calls, to include:
a. Assisting customers who have questions or need advice on selecting apparel
b. Placing phone orders for customers who prefer not to order online
c. Answering questions regarding warranty issues and providing return authorizations as necessary
d. Assisting with lost packages or errors in shipment

3) Other Duties as assigned, which may include:
a. Assisting the order processing dept with outbound orders on high volume days
b. Checking in inventory received from vendors, as needed in the receiving dept
c. Lending a hand where needed, when needed, for special projects or to balance general work flow

The ideal candidate:
* Is enthusiastic about athletics and has some familiarity with, or is interested in learning about, technical, sports-specific apparel. Cyclists, runners, swimmers and triathletes are especially encouraged to apply.

* Has a clear speaking voice and is comfortable speaking on the phone.

* Is comfortable in a fast-paced, busy environment and can handle multiple tasks efficiently & effectively.

* Has some flexibility during peak seasons (late-spring/mid-summer, Christmas shopping season). Neither evenings nor weekends are required, but occasional overtime may be necessary to complete tasks in a timely manner. One Saturday per year, typically in October, is required for warehouse inventory count.

* Has proficiency in Word/Excel/Outlook and is comfortable learning new/unfamiliar computer tasks

* Thrives in a small company environment, where we each wear many hats, often at the same time

Benefits for Full-time Hourly Employees:
* 2 weeks vacation annually. Vacation begins accruing at 6 months of employment.

* 5-6 (depends on calendar) paid holidays per year.

* 5 paid sick days per year. Eligible after 3 months. Does not accrue.

* Health Insurance (Kaiser)100% paid by employer for the employee. Family coverage is also available at employee’s sole expense. Eligible after 3 full calendar months.

* SIMPLE IRA retirement plan. (Like a small-company 401k). Employee may contribute up to $10,000 per year as a payroll deduction. Team Estrogen matches employee’s contribution up to 3% of employee’s payroll. Employee is fully vested immediately.

* Team Estrogen encourages bike commuting. We have secure indoor bike parking and two showers. Hours are Monday – Friday 8 – 5

How to apply:
All inquires must be directed to Appleone Employment Services
Primary contact is Cindy Mocabee (503) 279 – 8893

white Felt Sector Junior 08

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Year: 08
Brand: Felt
Model: Sector Junior
Color:white
Size:kids junior
Photo: http://my.imageshack.us/v_images.php
Stolen in Portland, OR 97206
Stolen:2011-02-25
Stolen From: Creative Science School
1243 SE 92nd Ave. near Stark St.
Neighborhood: Lents
Owner: brian gillard
OwnerEmail: briangillard503@gmail.com
Reward: $200
Description: Felt Sector junior, white, low profile slick tires on black rims, Redline rear wheel mounting hardware, black front forks w/Veloce Cyclery stickers, reflective stickers on back of seat and wheel mounts, fist design on seatpad, red pedals, freewheel w/handbrake.
Police record with: Portland
Police reference#: 11151064
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike