Guest Article: Oil, coal, and thoughts on a fossil-fuel conscious life

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Sarah Gilbert
(Photo: Amy McMullen)

[This article was written by Portland resident Sarah Gilbert, a professional writer who blogs at AOL’s Daily Finance, CafeMama.com, and many other places. She’s also known as the woman who got a local food chain to open up their drive-thrus to bicycles. When not writing, Gilbert is tending to her three young boys, whom she pedals around on her Xtracycle-equipped Electra Townie with a “One Less Minivan” sticker on it.]

“I no longer feel I must defend my choice to go by bike instead of car; instead, I feel I must hold it high, a banner of hope and, perhaps, victory over these heart-clogging disasters.”

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The Monday News Roundup

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

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

– As the news about the oil gusher on the floor of the Gulf of Mexico continues to get worse, some are suggesting ways to prevent future disasters like this.

– And that isn’t even the only bad news this week in the genre of fossil fuel-related disasters.

– Just before the spill, Obama toured southern states discussing his hopes for the US to become the world’s leader in producing and using biofuels like ethanol.

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Teal Miyata Seven 21 1989

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Year: 1989
Brand: Miyata
Model: Seven 21
Color:Teal
Stolen in Portalnd, OR 97202
Stolen:2010-05-2
Stolen From: Our yard near SE 21st and Division
Neighborhood: Seven Corners/ SE Portland
Owner: Robert Hubatch
OwnerEmail: rhubatch@gmail.com
Description: There was also a nearly new two child burley stolen along with the bike.
Police reference#: 10-035425

black urban express

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Brand: urban express
Color:black
Stolen in portland, OR 97214
Stolen:2010-04-30
Stolen From: Parked in front of river city bikes
Neighborhood: southeast
Owner: scott duncombe
OwnerEmail: srduncombe@gmail.com
Reward: 150
Description: Bus Project sticker on the upper crossbar. Back and front Bike Planet lights. Back wheel won’t match the front wheel, back wheel will be Sunrims, tire brand panara pasela tourguard kevlar.
Police record with: T0002493
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Work party will help repair illegal Forest Park trail

Illegal trail in Forest Park-18

Parks staffer Dan Moeller on
the illegal trail back in February.
(Photo © J. Maus)

A work party scheduled for tomorrow will work to decommission a rogue bike trail that was discovered in Forest Park back in February.

The event has been jointly organized by Portland Parks & Recreation and the Northwest Trail Alliance. Volunteers will restore the natural habitat around the trail in hopes of minimizing future damage due to erosion or the introduction of invasive species. On the trail itself, crews will cover up the surface with brush, take down jumps and stream crossings, and remove a cribbing wall that had been constructed.

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Safety concerns result in changes to new curves on Couch

Update on Burnside-Couch project-7

Sweeping curves on NE Couch are
causing a lot of safety concerns.
(Photo © J. Maus)

The new segment of NE Couch Street that leads onto the Burnside Bridge from NE MLK Blvd. raised red flags as soon as it opened. Sweeping curves make it difficult for people on bikes to avoid riding on slippery bike lane striping and people operating cars and buses encroach dangerously into the bike lane.

Many people who ride on the street feel the curves are not safe for bike traffic and they worry that the constrained space will lead to serious crashes and collisions. When we asked for feedback on the East Burnside Couch Couplet Project (which this new street is a part of) many people said the curves on NE Couch were a major concern. Below are just some of the reader feedback we received:

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Dark Blue Giant Sedona W 2008

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Year: 2008
Brand: Giant
Model: Sedona W
Color:Dark Blue
Size:S
Serial: C38D3921
Stolen in Hillsboro, OR 97124
Stolen:2010-04-27
Stolen From: Outside our apartment, was locked up with 2 U locks and a thick cable.
Neighborhood: Jackson School Village Apartments
Owner: Chris Anderson
OwnerEmail: chris.g.anderson@gmail.com
Description: Black bottle mount, front fender.
Police record with: Hillsboro
Police reference#: 10803630
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Light Blue Giant Boulder SE 2008

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2008
Brand: Giant
Model: Boulder SE
Color:Light Blue
Size:XL
Serial: C38G1409
Stolen in Hillsboro, OR 97124
Stolen:2010-04-27
Stolen From: Stolen from our apartment complex (Jackson School Village), was locked with 2 U locks and a thick cable. Frame may still have a U lock on it.
Neighborhood: Jackson School Village Apartments
Owner: Chris Anderson
OwnerEmail: chris.g.anderson@gmail.com
Description: Mens gel seat, black bottle mount, front and rear fenders, Bell bike computer
Police record with: Hillsboro
Police reference#: 10803630
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

blue Trek 1999

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 1999
Brand: Trek
Color:blue
Size:14-16 inch?
Stolen in Portland, OR 97212
Stolen:2010-04-30
Stolen From: garage, 17th and Hancock
Neighborhood: NE
Owner: Andrea McCarter
OwnerEmail: ajmccarter@yahoo.com
Reward: $50
Description: blue/silver women’s combination mountain/street bike
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Your Big Bike Weekend Guide

Grab some friends and head
north into Vancouver for the
Ride Around Clark County on Saturday.
(Photo: VBC)

Here you go folks. Some great things to do on a bike this weekend. We’ve got a themed ride, a century, mountain bike trail work parties, a time trial and a whole lot more.

Friday (4/30)

8:30 pm: Cycle Shrine Art Installation Ride
Portlander Becky Morton is opening up a new store called BIKEASAURUS (1337 SE MLK) next month. This ride is a “christening of the space to make it bike friendly.” Becky’s shop will sell bike accessories and locally-made crafts and she plans to put the Cycle Shrine in the window so folks can see it from the street. Meet at Naito Fountain under the Burnside Bridge and come wearing a dinosaur costume or the color green. Free spoke cards, cookies and punch, vegan dinosaur eggs, and more!

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Latest Headlines

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Sunday Parkways returns to North Portland this summer

From the Archives

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