A 40-mile people-bahn in Germany

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

When I first became familiar with Bogota’s ciclovias — the event that inspired Portland’s Sunday Parkways — I was excited by its sheer size. Unlike in Portland, Bogota (and other cities in Latin America) closes major thoroughfares, not just small residential streets during their events. The result is an event that has transcended transportation and has become firmly ensconced as a cultural institution enjoyed by millions of people each week.

Now, it looks like Germany might be headed in the same direction. On Sunday, Germans enjoyed a carfree autobahn that stretched for 40 miles. The event was part of a cultural celebration. Here’s more from BBC News (followed by a video):

Read more

Sunday Parkways rolls through East Portland (photos and recap)

Smiles for miles at East Portland Sunday Parkways.
-Slideshow below/Gallery–
(Photos © J. Maus)

The Portland Bureau of Transportation’s Sunday Parkways event traveled to uncharted territory over the weekend with its first every foray into outer east neighborhoods. Thousands turned out to walk and bike on 4.5 miles of streets that were (mostly) closed to motor vehicle traffic. This was the third of five Parkways events PBOT is putting on this year.

Read more

The Monday Roundup

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Here’s the news that caught our eye this week:

– Bend, Oregon continues to be the choice of big-time race organizers. They’ve been chosen to host the 2011 and 2012 Marathon Mountain Bike National Championships.

– The final 150 mile gap of an off-road biking and walking path running from Washington, DC to Pittsburgh will be completed soon.

– The Wall Street Journal takes a look at cycling fashion, and as an afterthought, bicycle transportation. Meanwhile, the NY Times takes a look at cargo bikes.

Read more

Traffic alert: SE Hawthorne and Madison reconstruction

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

From the Bureau of Transportation:

TRAFFIC ADVISORY
SE Hawthorne and SE Madison reconstruction work begins Sunday night

The Portland Bureau of Transportation will be reconstructing SE Hawthorne Boulevard and SE Madison Street between SE Grand and SE 12th beginning Sunday night. The general public should expect delays in the area due to lane closures.

The street surfaces will be ground down and repaved over the next three weeks. Travelers should expect rough surfaces and use caution in the work zone. The bicycle lanes on SE Hawthorne and SE Madison will be removed during construction. Bicycles will be sharing wider outside lanes with motorized vehicles. Sidewalks will remain open.

The majority of reconstruction work will occur between 6 p.m. and 7 a.m. to minimize impact to motorists and cyclists. More information can be found at www.keepportlandmoving.org.

###

Red specialized allez 2009

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2009
Brand: specialized
Model: allez
Color:Red
Serial: WUD092020314E
Photo: http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/1849901706.html
Stolen in Portland, OR 97205
Stolen:2010-07-18
Stolen From: NW Couch and NW 10th between 3:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on July 18th. Was removed from a pole with a sign. Sign and screws left on ground.
Neighborhood: Pearl District
Owner: john patrick
OwnerEmail: john@jwpatrick.com
Reward: Yes
Description: bright red, brand new specialized allez bicycle. hardly used, flawless condition. had a human rights campaign sticker elegantly placed on the middle bar. chrome rims. very sexy bike.
Police record with: Yes
Police reference#: 10058553
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Kona Smoke 2007

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2007
Brand: Kona
Model: Smoke
Serial: I120602073
Stolen in Portland, OR 97214
Stolen:2010-07-17
Stolen From: Locked to a street pole on 727 SE Morrison St.
In front of Pigeon Toe Ceramics and Rose City Tobacco shop.
Neighborhood: Buckman
Owner: Elspeth Runyan
OwnerEmail: elspethrunyan@gmail.com
Description: Great condition, black Kona brand bike.
Cat Eye brand front and back lights, Kryptonite brand U-lock holder on frame of bike.
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Weekend Open Thread

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Butterfly Beach in Santa Barbara, CA.

What’s everyone up to this weekend?

I’ve been in California visiting family. We took a few days to venture to my old stomping grounds of Santa Barbara. The photo at right is the bike parking at Butterfly Beach, a gorgeous stretch of sand in front of the famous Biltmore Hotel.

I’d love to hear what bike adventures you’re up to. This is one of the craziest, busiest bike weekends of the year! There’s Seattle-to-Portland, Mountain Bike Oregon, Cycle Oregon Weekend, the Alpenrose Velodrome Challenge, and more.

Read more

Green/Black Specialized Ariel 2010

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2010
Brand: Specialized
Model: Ariel
Color:Green/Black
Serial: WUD096058208E
Photo: http://www.westhillshop.com/images/products/detail/ariel_green_black_10.jpg
Stolen in Portland, OR 97203
Stolen:2010-07-16
Stolen From: It was stolen off my front porch in the middle of the day. I had it locked to my handrail.
Woolsey Ave by Columbia Park between 2-3pm.
Neighborhood: Kenton/St Johns
Owner: Rachelle VanSickle
OwnerEmail: shello97203@gmail.com
Reward: If it’s returned in the same condition, I’ll give you all the money I have… $200. If not I will have to use some to fix it. Whatever is left is yours.
Description: Slight damage on the right handlebar grip from a bike wreck. It’s cracked but still in one piece.
Black bottle holder
Had the bracket for my light still on it when it was stolen, but I still have the light… it clips on and off.
The saddle is not like the one in the picture, it’s a specialized expedition plus, I believe… if it isn’t that model it looks VERY similar.
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 10058089
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

black Gary Fisher Kaitai 2007

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2007
Brand: Gary Fisher
Model: Kaitai
Color:black
Size:19 inch
Serial: wtu22450012b
Stolen in Gresham, OR 97030
Stolen:2010-07-6
Stolen From: Mt.Hood Community college
Neighborhood: Kane avenue
Owner: Anthony Cartisser
OwnerEmail: mrlimpet1@live.com
Reward: possibly, no ransom
Description: Black,rack over rear tire, blinking headlight and tail light,no reflectors on wheel spokes, and 2 reflectors on rack above rear tire,disc brakes
Police record with: Gresham
Police reference#: 10-707739
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Event: Habitat for Humanity Bike & Build (07/29/10)

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Event Name: Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East – Bike & Build
Event Start Date: 29 July 2010
Start Time: 7:00:00 PM
Web Site: http://habitatportlandmetro.org/
Event Description: On July 29, 2010, 30 passionate young cyclists will descend on Portland as the culmination of their two-month cross-country pedal journey from Virginia Beach to Cannon Beach. These college-age students are participating in Bike & Build, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that organizes cross-country cycling trips to benefit the affordable housing cause in the United States. Since its inception in 2002, Bike & Build has involved over 1,000 young adults and has donated over $2.3 million to affordable housing charities to fund projects executed by young people. Not only do Bike & Build team members ride about 70 miles per day for two months, but they take 8-10 days off along the way to build houses.

Thursday, July 29 7:00 p.m.
Green Dragon Bistro & Brew Pub
928 SE 9th Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97214

Please RSVP to sarah(at)habitatportlandmetro(dot)org or call for more information at 503.287.9529 x33.
Visit bikeandbuild.org for more information on Bike & Build, including a glimpse at the Central U.S. Route and the riders coming to Portland.
Visit http://habitatportlandmetro.org to learn more about Habitat’s programs, including the Earth Advantage features on the Lents site.

Job of the week

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Looking for a three season gig starting in September? Enjoy the Seattle area? Know your torque wrench from your nipple driver? This week’s featured job may be just for you. Check it out via the following link.

Read more

Latest Headlines

Bill moves forward despite concerns over Safe Routes and rail program funding

Sarah Iannarone steps down as leader of The Street Trust

Monday Roundup: Oil shock, counting pedestrians, and more

Bill seeks to cut $25 million from Safe Routes and bike path program to balance ODOT budget

From the Archives

With six kids and no car, this mom does it all by bike