🚨 Please note: BikePortland is currently on hiatus and only publishing guest articles. Learn more here. Thank you. - Jonathan 🙏

Auditor’s survey: Bike safety improves, bike use at 7 percent citywide

A ride with the family-9

Portland residents judged bike safety
and many other livability issues
in the survey.
(Photo © J. Maus)

The City of Portland Auditor’s Office has released results of their 20th annual Community Survey. The survey was sent to 9,800 randomly selected households this past summer, and 3,663 valid surveys were returned.

The survey asks a range of questions about general community and livability. The purpose is to inform City Hall and city staffers about how people perceive their neighborhoods so the city can look to improve those perceptions through programs or policies. Of particular interest to us is how people rate the quality of roads and the safety of bicycling in their neighborhoods. This year, there were two new questions on the survey directly related to transportation mode.

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SRAM renews commitment with “Advocacy Advance Partnership”

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National Bike Summit 2010 Day 1-31

SRAM CEO Stand Day at the
2010 National Bike Summit.
(Photo © J. Maus)

If you think the federal bike funding picture looks bleak after last night’s elections, here’s some news that should lift your spirits. This morning, component maker SRAM — along with the League of American Bicyclists and the Alliance for Biking & Walking — announced a three-year renewal of a campaign to double federal funding for active transportation projects by 2013.

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black Trek 370 Sport 1995

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 1995
Brand: Trek
Model: 370 Sport
Color:black
Size:48 cm
Serial: GRS72098
Stolen in Portland, OR 97202
Stolen:2010-11-3
Stolen From: Reed College bike rake
Neighborhood: SE Portland (Eastmoreland)
Owner: Pia Bergman
OwnerEmail: pbrgmn@gmail.com
Description: 48 cm black trek 370 sport. dirty while handle bar tape. drop handle bars. frame is a bit scuffed.
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

National bike leaders weigh in on tumultuous elections

National Bike Summit 2010 - Lobby Day-22

Where are we headed?
(Photos © J. Maus)

Given what happened last night, things are likely to fundamentally change for how bicycle advocates nationwide frame their arguments from here on out. But just what exactly does this all mean for bicycling? I asked leaders from several major bike advocacy groups what they thought and I think you’ll be scared, surprised, and inspired by what they said. From taking a cue from the Tea Party, to a frank assessment of what could be a bumpy bikeway ahead, read their reactions below…

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Weekend Event Guide

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Best of the Worst film event is on Saturday.

Looking for an excuse to get some more leaves stuck in the fenders?  This weekend offers a little bit of everything, all over town.  Enjoy your week and ride safely.

Friday, November 5th

5:00pm-7:00pm: Be Safe and Be Seen
Come enjoy free tune-ups, a group ride, a reflective fashion show and more at Trimet’s “Be Safe and Be Seen” event at Pioneer Square downtown. Bike experts from the Bicycle Transportation Alliance and the Bike Gallery will be on hand to answer riding safety questions and help get your bike in shape for fall and winter riding.

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Who is new House Transportation Committee Chair John Mica?

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National Bike Summit - Day two-56

Rep. John Mica at a BikePAC fundraiser
during the 2009 National Bike Summit.
(Photo © J. Maus)

With Democrats no longer controlling the House, Representative John Mica (R-FL) will most likely replace Jim Oberstar as Chair of the all-important Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. But just who is John Mica? I look forward to reporting on and learning more about him in the coming months, but for now, we’ve got two clues.

First, a statement he just released via the official House website says in part,

“… Among my top legislative priorities will be passing a long-term federal highways and transit reauthorization, a long-overdue Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization, a new water resources measure, and a long-term Coast Guard reauthorization.

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Light Blue Cannondale R500 2002

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2002
Brand: Cannondale
Model: R500
Color:Light Blue
Size:58ish
Photo: http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k210/troyboy4life/Picture4.png
Stolen in Portland, OR 97206
Stolen:2010-11-2
Stolen From: 64th and Center
Neighborhood: Foster/Powell
Owner: Troy Anderson
OwnerEmail: tanderson220@gmail.com
Reward: Free Pedicab rides, take you out for lunch and some cash.
Description: The sides of the brakes/shifters are scratched up. The Left pedal toe strap is damaged but functional. There are two label stickers on the front of the top tube on each side that say “CHAKALUKA” in black label. The chain and rear cassette are brand new and very clean. It has a seat post rack with a rear seat post fender coming off the rack. There is a tear on the
front of the seat with foam and plastic showing. It has a rear red light from bike planet and the front light is taped on the right side of the handlebars and a Bike computer/speedometer on the left side of the handlebars. It also has a mini bike pump clipped to the bottom tube. The handlebar end caps are not matching, the one on the left side is wood.
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 10-155314
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

Safe Routes National Partnership reacts to Oberstar defeat

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National Bike Summit 07

Safe Routes National Partnership Director Deb Hubsmith
and Jim Oberstar in happier times.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Reacting to last night’s election results, the following statement to supporters and letter to Jim Oberstar will be sent out shortly from the Safe Routes to School National Partnership…

November 3, 2010

Dear Safe Routes to School supporter,

As you have probably heard, Congressman James L. Oberstar (D-MN) lost his House seat in a close electoral race.

Rep. Oberstar initiated the federal Safe Routes to School pilot projects in the year 2000, and then authored the original Safe Routes to School legislation that created the national program in all 50 states. As Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, he had proposed strengthening Safe Routes to School in next surface transportation bill.

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“A rough night for TriMet riders”: Reactions to transit bond failure

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random shots need to edit

TriMet will have to look elsewhere
to fund new buses and other upgrades.
(Photo © J. Maus)

TriMet’s ballot measure did not pass last night. The measure sought to raise funds to replace aging buses, improve 300 bus stops, upgrade their LIFT fleet (which services elderly and others unable to use standard buses), and free up money in their general fund. The measure passed in Multnomah County 54-46, but couldn’t survive losses in Washington and Clackamas Counties where it was rejected by 56 and 60 percent of voters respectively.

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Oberstar’s defeat: Reactions, a look back, and a note of thanks

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Rep. Jim Oberstar visits Beach Elementary School -11

Oberstar, seen here during a recent visit
to Portland, helped craft and pass
the nation’s first Safe Routes to School
legislation.
(Photos © J. Maus)

A big surprise from last night’s Democrat drubbing at the polls is that 35-year Congressman Jim Oberstar lost his race to Republican Chip Cravaack. Oberstar lost by just 4,000 votes out of 273,000 cast.

Oberstar’s loss means he will no longer be the Chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, a position he has held since 2007. Rep. John Mica will assume leadership on that committee.

“No elected official has done more for bicycling than Jim Oberstar.”
— Tim Blumenthal, President of Bikes Belong

But beyond the immediate politics, Oberstar’s loss signals the end of an era for America’s bicycle movement. Oberstar was a titan of non-motorized transportation. The President of the League of American Bicyclists, Andy Clarke, said this morning that, “we lost a star player in yesterday’s elections.”

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sil/blk giant xtc 29er 2 10

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Year: 10
Brand: giant
Model: xtc 29er 2
Color:sil/blk
Size:lrg.
Serial: GD08120
Photo: http://img177.imageshack.us/i/camera1u.jpg/
Stolen in Hillsboro, OR 97123
Stolen:2010-11-2
Stolen From: stolen during test ride
Neighborhood: downdown hillsboro
Owner: John Naylor
OwnerEmail: hillsboro@bikenhike.com
Reward: beer
Description: the bike is brand new, off the floor
Police record with: hillsboro p.d.
Police reference#: see Tom Hietala
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

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