Crash leads to closer look at bumps on Esplanade ramps – UPDATED

Ron Richings, one day after his crash.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Vancouver, BC resident Ron Richings has visited Portland for the past several years to take part in the annual Pedalpalooza events. On June 26th, he was leading a ride of his own — the Momentum Meander — when he learned a hard lesson about one of Portland’s most prominent bikeways.

Richings was riding north on the Eastbank Esplanade. As he descended down the ramp that leads to the floating portion of the path (under the Burnside Bridge), his bike hit one four bumps that act as transitional lips between ramp sections. The bump shook his bike, causing a bungee strap to dislodge, become entangled into his wheel and crumpling his front fork. He flew over the handlebars and landing on the concrete walkway. Richings ended up in the hospital and still has pain in his shoulder.

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Enjoying the Tour? Get ready for ‘Chasing Legends’

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Official poster.

If you’ve got Tour de France fever than mark your calendar for July 22nd when the film Chasing Legends comes to town.

Chasing Legends is the latest from filmmaker Curtis Winsor and his Gripped Films crew. The movie gives viewers an inside look at big-time professional road racing as it follows team HTC-Columbia through their 2009 Tour de France campaign.

Here’s the blurb:

“There is no greater sporting event in all of cycling than the Tour de France. Chasing Legends touches on the rich history, passion and true grit of The Tour as seen through the eyes of Team HTC Columbia along with commentary from Phil Liggett, Paul Sherwen, Eddy Merckx, and some of the sports most prolific heros. With a stunning array of HD cameras, on-bike cameras, and poignant and touching interviews, “Chasing Legends” will take viewers deeper into the pro peloton than ever on a roller coaster ride of action, story and emotion.”

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Silver Gary Fisher Utopia 2005

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2005
Brand: Gary Fisher
Model: Utopia
Color:Silver
Size:17″
Photo: http://fisherbikes.com/images/fisherbikes/bikes/2006/640×400/utopia.jpg
Stolen in Portland, OR 97209
Stolen:2010-07-9
Stolen From: 14th & Johnson, entrance to REI building
Neighborhood: Pearl
Owner: Laura Gadzala
OwnerEmail: schoeps@gmail.com
Reward: 250
Description: Silver 29er with slicks, light mounts but no lights. Lock (Orange Combo) also taken.
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 55739
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

‘Mein Fiets’: Hitler on Critical Mass and Portland’s bike scene

Watch Hitler expound on
Portland’s bike scene in
the video below.
(Still from the movie Downfall)

Portland filmmaker Joe Biel has collaborated with veteran local bike scene participant Allan Folz on Mien Fiets, a short video that attempts to explain what has happened to bike activism in Portland since the demise of Critical Mass (a ride that once rallied locals in the hundreds, now barely even exists).

Mein Fiets, a crowd favorite at Filmed by Bike where it debuted back in April, was made by using a creative translation of the oft-parodied bunker scene from the 2004 film Downfall about the last 10 days of Adolf Hitler.

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Blue Specialized Roubaix Elite 2007

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Year: 2007
Brand: Specialized
Model: Roubaix Elite
Color:Blue
Size:Carbon
Serial: WUD2409758
Stolen in 97140, OR
Stolen:2010-07-8
Stolen From: Daimler employee parking lot on Swan Island. 4747 N. Channel Avenue.
Neighborhood: North Portland
Owner: Michael Stricker
OwnerEmail: strickman@verizon.net
Reward: 250
Description: Cateye Computer, Tail Light, Mount for Cygolite, Carbon Cage.
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 10-152871
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Guest article: Challenging conditions test bike commuter ‘tolerance’

The article below was written by reader Paul Manson in response to my recent story on how construction at the E Burnside/12th/Sandy intersection is impacting the bicycling experience on SE Ankeny, a nearby bike boulevard street.

Paul is an environmental and sustainability consultant and also serves as a volunteer on the Sullivan’s Gulch Trail Committee and as an alternate citizen representative for Multnomah County on the Metro Policy Advisory Committee.

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In new video, Metro takes you across I-5 bridge

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As part of their ongoing Drive Less/Save More campaign, Metro has produced a new video to demonstrate how to cross the I-5 bridge. Here’s their blurb about it:

The bridge does pose some challenges like narrow paths, curving railings and traffic noise. The video provides riders with important knowledge of the bridge. It gives you the sensation of what you’ll experience first hand. It also shows the crossings you’ll need to navigate and where not to ride as you make your way through the Hayden Island area.

Metro staffer Kathryn Sofich, who works with Councilor Rex Burkholder and serves on the City of Portland’s Bicycle Advisory Committee, is the host. Check it out below…

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Silver Bianchi Pista 08

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 08
Brand: Bianchi
Model: Pista
Color:Silver
Size:53CM
Serial: H8ZR10583
Stolen in Portland, OR 97212
Stolen:2010-07-7
Stolen From: PSU
Neighborhood: SW
OwnerEmail: yumsweetbasil@gmail.com
Reward: Yes
Description: Stickers on bike, blue handlebars, red tires, bike seat with blue rails…
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Metro’s JPACT votes for 75/25 split in favor of active transportation

JPACT meeting-1

JPACT Chair Carlotta Collette at this
morning’s meeting.
(Photos © J. Maus)

Metro’s Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation (JPACT) met this morning to set policy parameters on how to allocate $20-24 million in federal Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Plan dollars (MTIP) — also known as Regional Flexible Funds. After some tense discussion, the committee split 7-6 in favor of a motion to target 75% of the funds for active transportation projects and 25% for freight projects (after that contentious amendment passed, the committee unanimously passed the full resolution).

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From the Archives

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