BikePortland

A new way to think of the Bike Plan: It’s all business

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Many local bike folks (myself included) have been trying to think of ways to talk about the 2030 Bike Plan that clearly explain why it’s so important, without getting into all the wonky details. On that note, I came up with an analogy today (just before going on camera with a local TV station) that I want to share.

Think of the Bike Plan as a business plan. Everyone knows what those are right (if not, check Wikipedia).

So here’s the analogy: PBOT has this amazing product (a bike network) that they know will revolutionize Portland — but without a plan, they’re just like every other entrepreneur with a big, crazy dream. Before they can even approach investors, start hiring employees, expand the product line, reach out to new customers, and so on — they must have a plan.

What a lovely group.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Rejoice in tons of great bike stuff to do this weekend! The 7th annual Mini Bike Winter starts tonight and goes through Sunday. If you’ve never checked it out before, this would be an excellent year to do so.

Check out the listings below:

Thursday, February 11th

8:30 pm: Mini Bike Winter (MBW) – Opening Gala
“We will be sharing with you a panel of exciting speakers, a collection of bicycle films, and the ever popular DIY stencil station.” This is the kickoff event for Mini Bike Winter!

Screen grab from new Streetfilm
showing Seattle’s track treatment.

Streetfilms’ latest video comes from our neighbors to the north in Seattle. The film takes a closer look at how the Seattle DOT is helping people who ride bicycles avoid a common problem — falling on streetcar and rail tracks.

The film features John Mauro from Seattle’s non-profit bike group Cascade (he narrates the short video below). Here’s a quote from the film that stood out to me (watch the vid below the jump):

“The Seattle DOT has taken a pedal-by-pedal approach to getting people across the cross by taking sharrows and marking every couple feet of the cyclist’s path.”

Download BAC letter (PDF)

The City of Portland’s Bicycle Advisory Committee — a 13 member group that advises the City on “bicycle-related matters” — has released their letter in response to Commissioner Dan Saltzman’s Bike Plan funding proposal.

The BAC initially intended to draft a letter in support of Saltzman’s idea (after he pitched it to them in person at their monthly meeting on Tuesday), but now they have put some conditions on that support.

“… While we support the objectives of the Portland Bicycle Plan for 2030 that goes before the City Council today, adopting such a plan is far from enough.”
— Opinion from Portland Tribune

With the 2030 Bike Plan up for adoption at City Council this afternoon, there is a fresh crop of stories about it in the local media. Below are links and thoughts to how it’s being covered.

The Oregonian’s Joseph Rose must be breathing a sigh of relief this morning because the Portland Business Journal has successfully wrestled away his trophy for most misleading coverage of the plan so far. Their weekly “Business Pulse” survey asks: “Should the city of Portland spend $600M to build bike lanes?”

“We’re certainly looking at it and we’re looking at some other options too.”
— Catherine Ciarlo, Transportation Policy Advisor for Mayor Adams

As City Council gets set to pass the Portland Bicycle Plan for 2030 tomorrow, there will be a buzz in the air about whether or not Commissioner Saltzman’s bike plan funding proposal will pass along with it.

Saltzman’s proposal, which he pitched in person to the City’s Bicycle Advisory Committee on Tuesday night, seeks to raise money for projects in the bike plan by tapping into revenue that comes to PBOT from the City’s Utility License Fee.

The PSU Cycling Team.
(Photo: PSU Cycling

2010 is set to be another banner year for the Portland State University Cycling Club.

In 2008, team member Anita Dilles represented PSU at the Collegiate Track Nationals and in 2009, Amelia Bjesse-Puffin made two appearances on the podium. These successes on the track, along with their involvement off the race course, has earned them “Collegiate Cycling Club of the Month” honors this month from USA Cycling.

New study implies that bikeway conditions
play a key role in injury rates.
(Photo © J. Maus)

A new paper to be published later this year by a team of doctors and nurses from Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU) has found that roadway conditions and “the commuting environment” play an important factor in the incidence rate of injuries sustained while riding.

The paper, Bike commuter injury prevention: it’s time to focus on the environment, is the result of a study launched back in September 2007. It tracked 962 people who ride their bikes to work and it monitored them through monthly surveys.

This week’s “Ask BikePortland” comes from Daniel Knutson. Mr. Knutson, 52, wrote in to express his frustrations at getting a ticket from a Portland Police Officer a few months ago for doing a “track stand” at a stop light.

On September 19th, Knutson says was riding home from work on East Burnside when he came to the intersection of 82nd. Like he always does, he balanced on his bike instead of putting his foot down. When the light changed, he rolled through the intersection and was pulled over by Officer Royce Curtiss.

Job Title
Staff mechanic
This position has been filled.

Company/Organization
Joe Bike

Job Description
Unique, thriving SE bike shop with an international reputation for innovation is looking for a seasoned mechanic with high integrity who enjoys working with people as well as machines. Special interests should include utility and “transportation” bikes, complete custom builds, internal gearing, steel, and possible involvement with our design/prototype/framebuilding team. All of our mechanics handle sales too when necessary. Part time at first with a possibility for full time in the fairly near future. This is a newly created position.

Joe Bike is not an ordinary bike shop–we’re building our own road–so please research us first at joe-bike.com.

How to Apply
Stop by with a resume and ask for Tess, Morgan, or Joe. For more information see joe-bike.com.

Saltzman: Amendment would “jumpstart” bike plan funding — UPDATED

Portland City Commissioner Dan Saltzman made a rare appearance at the City’s Bicycle Advisory Committee meeting tonight in order to present his idea to raise up to $1 million per year to help pay for projects in the 2030 bicycle plan.

When the plan comes up for adoption by City Council this Thursday, Saltzman said he’ll propose an amendment to use revenue from the City’s Utility License Fee to pay for bike projects. The Utility License Fee is paid to the City by companies and agencies (like PGE, Comcast, Northwest Natural, and so on) that use the City’s public right of way to perform a variety of services — from telecommunications to natural gas and sewer line maintenance.

Screenshot from City’s
new iPhone app.

The City of Portland has released a new iPhone app that allows citizens (who own iPhones) to document and submit reports on a number of issues. Dubbed the “Citizen Reporter,” the new app is available free in the iTunes App Store.

In a press release issued today, the Mayor’s office said the app is a new way, “… to report and request service calls to City assets and publicly maintained infrastructure, including parks, traffic signs, parking, potholes, street lights, sewer catch basins and graffiti.”

A new way to think of the Bike Plan: It’s all business

Your Big Bike Weekend Guide

Thursday, February 11th

How they roll (across the tracks) in Seattle

City’s Bike Advisory Committee steps back from Saltzman proposal

A Bike Plan media coverage roundup

Saltzman’s bike plan amendment: Thoughts and reactions

Portland State cycling team set for another stellar year

OHSU study looks at how “environmental factors” impact bike safety

Ask BikePortland: Do I have to put my foot down at stop signs/red lights?

Job: Staff mechanic (Joe Bike) – FILLED

Saltzman: Amendment would “jumpstart” bike plan funding — UPDATED

A look at the City’s new “Citizen Reporter” iPhone app

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