🚨 Please note that BikePortland slows down during this time of year as I have family in town and just need a break! Please don't expect typical volume of news stories and content. I'll be back in regular form after the new year. Thanks. - Jonathan 🙏

Oregon ponders lane-splitting for motorcycles: What do you think?

A traffic sign from the U.K.
(Photo: ODOT)

The state of Oregon is looking for public feedback on an idea that could impact people who use bicycles. This Friday, the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Motorcycle Safety will meet in North Portland to discuss lane-splitting by motorcycles. Lane-sharing or lane-splitting would allow motorcycle operators to filter up through slower moving and/or stopped traffic by using unused roadway space. The practice is currently illegal in Oregon (as per ORS 814.240) and California is the only state in the U.S. where it has been legalized.

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black/large Bianchi Milano

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Brand: Bianchi
Model: Milano
Color:black/large
Stolen in Portland, OR 97209
Stolen:2010-11-2
Stolen From: 222 NW Davis St, Portland, or
Neighborhood: Old Town
Owner: Lori Fitch
OwnerEmail: lori@focm.org
Description: black, women’s step through
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

PBOT project would improve signals and reduce delay for bike traffic

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PBOT says an advance signal loop
detector installed at 21st and
Sandy has reduced delay for
bicycle traffic by 15%.
(Photo: PBOT)

The City of Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) understands that in order to make bicycling more attractive — and to reach its goal of 25% bike mode share by 2030 — riding a bike must compete better with driving a car. Put another way, bicycling must be seen by a larger number of people as being a convenient option. Beyond building bike-friendly infrastructure, there are other ways to accomplish this sense of convenience. One way to make bicycle travel more efficient is by building a system that causes fewer delays for bicycle traffic.

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Light Blue Trek 7100 2009

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Year: 2009
Brand: Trek
Model: 7100
Color:Light Blue
Size:18″
Serial: WTU010C1126D
Stolen in Portland, OR
Stolen:2010-11-15
Stolen From: Bike rack 10′ off SW Hall Street, north side, between 5th and 6th Avenues SW
Neighborhood: PSU
Owner: Julie Haun
OwnerEmail: timhouchen@comcast.net
Description: Ladies frame, upright handlebars, white fenders, medium brown saddle, right hand handlebar shifter is damaged, clip on front and rear LED strobe lights
Police record with: Portland PD
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Black Trek Hybrid

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Brand: Trek Hybrid
Color:Black
Stolen in Portland, OR
Stolen:2010-11-7
Stolen From: Lost at Lloyd Center in the evening.
Neighborhood: NE Portland
Owner: erin weisensee
OwnerEmail: wfamily86@gmail.com
Description: Bike had metal rack on the back tire.
Police record with: Portland Police
Police reference#: 10-155511

Gray Rocky Mountain Hard tail bike w city tires

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Brand: Rocky Mountain
Model: Hard tail bike w city tires
Color:Gray
Size:Large
Stolen in 97239, OR
Stolen:2010-11-14
Stolen From: Corbett ave by I-5 overpass residence front porch
Neighborhood: Johns Landing
Owner: Ellie Swanson
OwnerEmail: eswanson@lclark.edu
Reward: $150
Description: Grey hard-tail mountain bike frame with city tires, red ”rocky mountain” graphic, clip-on fenders.
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 10-15538
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

Meet Your Maker: Headbadge crafter Laura Crawford

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[Note: We announced vendor sign-ups for BikeCraft just last week, and we’ve already got over 30 amazing artisans ready to share their creations with you. This is the first in our Meet Your Maker series of BikeCraft vendors that will give you a closer look at the makers behind the products. The audio slideshow below was created by new BikePortland contributor Russ Roca.]

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A transportation advocacy smorgasbord tonight

Detail of Clinton to the River
Multi-use Path project. Learn more
at open house tonight.

This is getting out of hand. If you were not convinced that Portland was Transportation Wonk Capitol of the World, consider what’s on the schedule for tonight:

Columbia River Crossing: A More Sensible Alternative?:

A conversation with George Crandall, urban designer; Bill Scott, founder and general manager of Zipcar; and Joe Cortright, economist.

Three of the region’s top experts in design, economics and transportation offer a cheaper, more buildable alternative to the proposed 1-5 bridge over the Columbia River.

More info here.

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Tom Hughes wins close race for Metro president

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Tom Hughes, president-elect of Metro.

You might have missed it on Friday afternoon, but the extremely close race for president of Metro has officially been won by Tom Hughes.

Hughes, a former mayor of Hillsboro, won a close contest (less than 1,000 votes in over 400,000 cast) over Bob Stacey, the former director of the land-use non-profit 1000 Friends of Oregon.

Both men are Democrats, but Hughes was the more conservative candidate. While Bob Stacey was outspoken in his opposition to the Columbia River Crossing, Hughes supports the controversial project. Hughes also got into a bit of hot water earlier this month when we found out he spoke in support of a bike registration fee as a way to counter the perception that bikes don’t pay their fair share.

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Latest Headlines

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Monday Roundup: Golden gravel route, too bad for Rad, Uber is sad, and more

From the Archives

Portland’s invisible machine: Behind the scenes at the World Naked Bike Ride