BikePortland

Metro wins $2 million from FTA to study transit corridor on Barbur Blvd

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

There’s plenty of room on Barbur
for a transit corridor.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has announced that Metro has won a $2 million grant to do an analysis of the “Southwest Corridor” project. The corridor would run from downtown Portland south via Barbur Blvd (99W) to Sherwood. This could bring major changes to Barbur Blvd and help tame the motor vehicle traffic on that street that has led to two high profile fatalities this year.

Below is a short blurb on the project:

[Via KGW-TV]

Tom Coburn

Oklahoma’s Republican Senator Tom Coburn has published a list of 100 federally funded projects that he deems, “the most wasteful government spending of 2010.” On that list is a $900,000 stimulus grant recently received by the City of Portland Bureau of Transportation to pay for bikeway markings and signage.

Sen. Coburn seems to think that we already had enough signs on our bikeways and the new ones simply aren’t necessary. Here’s the mention of the signs in Coburn’s “Wastebook” (those are my photos, used without permission):

Year: 2006
Brand: Kona
Model: dew deluxe
Color:blue
Size:53
Serial: F510K4919
Stolen in Portland, OR 97213
Stolen:2010-12-17
Stolen From: back yard of my house.
Neighborhood: beaumont village
Owner: Bradford Bouchard
OwnerEmail: bradfordbouchard@hotmail.com
Reward: $200
Description: A blue Kona dew deluxe yr. 2006 with a red line carbon fiber front fork and disc brakes was stolen from my back yard. The
serial # for the bike was F510K4919. The bike had 2 front mounted night rider lights, one with a battery pack. It has front and
rear fenders a rear rack and a suspension seat post. It has a sticker that says bike n hike above the bottom bracket. The mirror has a large crack in it.
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 10-156223
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

From Denver, a story of GPS justice

A friend (thanks Matt!) shared a story with me today that I felt some of you would appreciate. It’s about justice being served thanks to a GPS unit…

A few weeks ago, professional cyclist Ryan Sabga got hit by a car while on a training ride in Denver. Sabga was legally crossing the street when a woman sped into the intersection without looking in front of her. Sabga came away relatively unscathed and the woman stayed at the scene until police arrived. Both parties gave their version of the story, and Sabga realized the woman was not telling the truth about how it happened.

They work for cars, but for bikes?
(Photo © J. Maus)

The House Committee on Transportation has put forward a legislative concept (soon to become an official bill) that would direct the Oregon Department of Transportation to conduct a study on the feasibility of bicycling licensing.

The idea currently exists as Legislative Concept 1581 (LC 1581). According to the LC draft language (PDF here), if passed, the ODOT would conduct a study on, “the feasibility of issuing bicycle licenses to owners of bicycles.”

People lit candles and gathered at a gravel turnout on SW Barbur Blvd to remember Angela Burke and to raise awareness of safety concerns.
–Full Gallery–
(Photos © J. Maus)

Year: 2010
Brand: Milwaukee
Model: Bruiser
Color:Purple
Size:Small
Photo: http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs241.ash1/16844_1288693572267_1078039213_891175_3635272_n.jpg
Stolen in Portland, OR 97217
Stolen:2010-12-20
Stolen From: North Killingsworth and Interstate
Neighborhood: North Portland
Owner: Steven Son
OwnerEmail: fbsson@gmail.com
Description: Purple Small Milwaukee Bruiser
BMX Junior Handle Bars
Demolition Stealth Stem
Cane Creek Headset
Demolition Cranks
Treelite Sprocket
Back Purple B43
Front 26″ Black MTX33 with a Peg
Purple Snafu Seatpost
Turbo Saddle
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

Lawmakers look to Oregon Lottery revenue for transportation projects

Going into the 2011 Oregon Legislative Session, two things are crystal clear: 1) We need more investment in transportation infrastructure, and 2) we don’t have any new revenue to pay for it. Looking to solve this problem, legislators seem to be getting creative.

Last Friday, I shared a bill being put forward by House Representative Jules Bailey (D-Portland). Bailey is supporting a bill that would amend the Oregon Constitution to make it legal to spend gas tax and motor vehicle fees and license revenue on transportation projects that are outside of the highway right-of-way.

Year: 1997
Brand: KHS
Model: Urban X
Color:dull grey
Size:XLarge
Serial: U70362126
Photo: http://www.khsbicycles.com/06_urban_x_11.htm
Stolen in Porland, OR 97218
Stolen:2010-12-17
Stolen From: HOME! NE 64 / Killingsworth
Neighborhood: Cully
Owner: Annette Pronk
OwnerEmail: awpronk@gmail.com
Reward: Good Karma
Description: It has fenders, back rack, krpto lock on frame.
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: T10008644
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Oregon City Bridge closure looms: Shuttles in place for bikers, walkers

As seen from the Oregon City side.

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is set to close the Oregon City-West Linn Arch Bridge for two years starting next month. The project will renovate the 90-year old bridge but it will also cut off a key (especially for non-motorized traffic) Willamette River crossing.

ODOT has a detour in place for motor vehicles that will take them about one mile north to the I-205 Abernethy bridge. Since non-motorized traffic is illegal on I-205 (it’s a freeway) the closest, bike accessible crossings are the Sellwood Bridge eight miles north or the Canby Ferry, which is about nine miles south.

If you’re running around looking for a nice little gift for the bike lover on your list, below are a few things to keep in mind. To make this a bit more fun, how about you chime in with what’s on your wish list in the comments?

I’ve kept my suggestions to things that are inexpensive and available in Portland (it’s the 20th already!).

B-Shares from B-Line PDX – $20
I’m so proud of our local, pedal-powered delivery company B-Line PDX. They’ve really nailed their business model and they’ve gotten a lot of positive attention that’s very much deserved. One of the coolest things they do is a new program called B-Shares. Available for purchase online, B-Shares is a crowd-funded program that gets surplus food to people who need it most; and it’s all done with human power. Enough said.

On Friday, the US Department of Transportation proposed a new safety regulation that would ban hand-held cell phone use for commercial truck and bus drivers.

If the rule goes into effect (after a 60-day comment period), drivers in violation could be fined up to $2,750 and repeat offenders could lose their commercial driver’s license. Companies that allow drivers to use cell phones while driving could face a maximum fine of $11,000.

Metro wins $2 million from FTA to study transit corridor on Barbur Blvd

Portland’s bikeway signage “wasteful” says GOP Senator

blue Kona dew deluxe 2006

From Denver, a story of GPS justice

Legislative committee wants ODOT to study bike licensing

Vigil brings light to tragic stretch of Barbur Blvd

Purple Milwaukee Bruiser 2010

Lawmakers look to Oregon Lottery revenue for transportation projects

dull grey KHS Urban X 1997

Oregon City Bridge closure looms: Shuttles in place for bikers, walkers

Last Minute Gift Ideas and Open Thread: What’s on your list?

US DOT moves to ban cell phones for commercial truck, bus drivers

Latest Headlines

‘Better Sheridan’ project brings safer street to South Waterfront

Your guide to finding the ‘Wildwood’ crows by bike

My journey to that ‘Hard Rock glow’

Off-Road Cycling Master Plan: A decade later, what has changed?

From the Archives

The 10 busiest bicycling spots in Portland