BikePortland

Shop owner responds to allegations of selling stolen bikes, parts

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Robby Fenstermaker, owner of
The Recyclery.
(Photo © J. Maus)

A flyer that has been posted far and wide on the streets of Portland contains allegations that the owner of local used bike shop chain, The Recyclery, “knowingly purchases” and then sells stolen goods.

The flyer contains serious accusations and names The Recyclery’s owner Robby Fenstermaker as being responsible for the alleged “fencing operation.” Fenstermaker says he’s aware of the flyers and maintains the allegations are likely the result of sour grapes due to the success of his business.

New crossing treatment coming in the next few weeks to the intersection of N. Rosa Parks Way and Concord.
(Graphic: PBOT)

oregon manifest constructor's design challenge

An entry in the 2009 Constructor’s
Design Challenge.
(Photo © Elly Blue)

Organizers of the Oregon Manifest have announced they’re moving to a biennial format and scaling back the event to focus on the Constructor’s Design Challenge. The event, which began as a handmade bike show over one weekend in 2008 and grew into a six-week series of events last year, will take place again in 2011.

Year: 2008
Brand: GMC
Model: Denali
Color:Blue
Size:57cm
Serial: not avail
Photo: http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/109/gmcdenaliroadbike2.jpg
Stolen in Eugene, OR 97403
Stolen:2010-02-27
Stolen From: Eugene, Or near U of Oregon campus
Neighborhood: 18th & Hilyard
Owner: Brad Miller
OwnerEmail: bradmiller16@gmail.com
Reward: Yes
Description: It has been converted from multi-speed to single speed but still has a triple sprocket up front and single sprocket in back
Police record with: Eugene PD
Police reference#: 10-3394
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Blumenauer legislation would create $2 billion active transportation fund

More money for more of this.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Congressman Earl Blumenauer has introduced new legislation that will create a $2 billion competitive grant program for communities to promote eco-friendly transportation options. The bill, which we first reported on back in December, is now known officially as the Active Community Transportation Act of 2010.

In a statement about the ACT Act, Blumenauer said,

“Too often we take for granted the value of being able to bike and walk to work. It’s unfortunate that many communities don’t have the infrastructure in place to make active and healthy forms of transportation more accessible. The ACT transportation grants will make it easier for people to get out of their vehicles and onto sidewalks or bikes, boosting both heart rates and community vitality.”

Not everyone knows how.
(Photo © J. Maus)

This week’s question comes from a reader who asked to remain anonymous. Why? Read the question to find out:

“I just moved here, and I feel the urge to bike around the city. One problem – I never learned how to when I was younger. Now I’m uncoordinated on the bike and looking for some help to start riding in the area. I want to learn now, but it’s really difficult as an adult. Any ideas?”

This is a great/interesting question on many levels. But first, let me be the first to say that you shouldn’t be ashamed! Biking is not second-nature to everyone, especially if you didn’t pick it up as a kid.

Ride, learn, and mingle at the
upcoming Trail Fest.
(Photos © J. Maus)

The Northwest Trail Alliance has announced the first annual Portland Trail Fest. The event, which organizers says will become their annual signature event, will be a four day “celebration of trails, knobby tires, and the planet.”

Beginning on Earth Day (4/22), the Trail Fest will start with a party at the headquarters of Chris King Precision Components in Portland’s Northwest Industrial Area (rumor has it this event will be held on their roof which overlooks Forest Park). The party will be emceed by Joe “Metal Cowboy” Kurmaskie and the Director of the International Mountain Bicycling Association, Mike Van Abel will make a keynote speech on “the current state of affairs and the future of mountain biking across the globe and in our backyard.”

Year: 2009
Brand: Traitor
Model: PBR Fixie
Color:White
Size:53 cm
Photo: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2008/09/beer-meets-bike/
Stolen in Portland, OR 97211
Stolen:2010-03-01
Stolen From: Home at 7th and Alberta, NE Portland.
Owner: Toni Howell
OwnerEmail: tonihow22@gmail.com
Reward: yes
Description: White bike with Pabst Blue Ribbon decals.
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

‘Rapid Flash Beacons’ coming to fatal crosswalk on SE Foster

A Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacon at work.
(Photo taken from video by beacon manufacturer)

A new type of crossing treatment is set for installation on SE Foster near 80th — the same location where two people were fatally wounded back in November.

PBOT sources confirm that crews will install a Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacon in the coming weeks where Jennifer Leonard and her friend Jessica Finlay were hit on November 1st, 2009. Leonard was killed instantly and Finlay died in January from injuries sustained in the collision.

Tyler Brady

The Portland Police are ramping up efforts to find a missing 22-year old man who was last seen riding his bicycle in Southeast Portland.

According to the Police, Tyler Brady worked in North Portland (near the Jubitz Truck Stop east of Portland Meadows) and regularly rode his bike to work from his home on the 1300 block of SE Division Street. Brady did not show up to work and has not been in contact with friends or family for over a week, behavior his friends call “highly unusual.”

At the recent Transportation Safety Summit, the City of Portland Bureau of Transportation unveiled a new “High Crash Corridors” map. The map includes all crashes reported through the Department of Motor Vehicles between 1999 and 2008.

There were several things that struck me when I looked at this map (detail and link to full PDF version below the jump):

Scene of fatal at Willamette and Haven-9

At their Member Forum last week, the Bicycle Transportation Alliance shared a list of nine proposals they’re evaluating for the 2011 legislative session.

Here’s their draft list of topics currently under consideration:

Vehicular Homicide
Local control over speed limits
Insurance coverage for cyclists
Bicyclists’ right to ride in the travel lane
Crash reporting standards
Continuation of travel lanes through intersections
Enforcing the Vulnerable User Law
Improving citizen citation process
Driver education

Shop owner responds to allegations of selling stolen bikes, parts

Update on the North Concord Avenue bike boulevard

Oregon Manifest scales back, moves to biennial format

Blue GMC Denali 2008

Blumenauer legislation would create $2 billion active transportation fund

Ask BikePortland: Where can I learn how to ride a bike?

Inaugural Portland Trail Fest will celebrate trails, off-road riding

White Traitor PBR Fixie 2009

‘Rapid Flash Beacons’ coming to fatal crosswalk on SE Foster

Missing man last seen riding his bike in Southeast Portland

Where crashes happen in Portland

The BTA’s legislative wish list – UPDATED

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