BikePortland

Want to win a custom bike? At Tour de Fat, all it takes is a car and a commitment

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

The Tour de Fat is coming!
(Photos © J. Maus)

The Tour de Fat is making its annual stop in Portland on Saturday. In addition to good beer, live entertainment, a rollicking downtown bike parade, and other surprises, the show will feature what has become a highlight of the event in recent years — the car-for-bike swap.

Since it was founded in Fort Collins, Colorado in 1991, New Belgium Brewing’s Tour de Fat has been based around the idea of spreading the good word about cycling (the company gives all proceeds to bike-related non-profits). This year the traveling circus of bike fun will hit 11 cities. At each stop, one lucky applicant is selected to get a custom city bike made by Black Sheep Bikes. The only condition is that they must give up their car keys and commit to going carfree for an entire year.

“The road to Portland’s future will include many, many bicycles. They will help Portland build a stronger economy. They will help Portland become a healthier place to live, work, and play. Bicycles will make the roads safer and give more Portlanders the freedom of personal mobility. They will do all this and cost the people of Portland less than the cost of one latte apiece each month.”
— From draft of Part One of the City of Portland’s Bicycle Master Plan for 2030

It’s been two and-a-half years since we first reported about the City of Portland’s efforts to update their existing Bicycle Master Plan. Since then, the effort has had many ups and downs, but now the new master plan is in the home stretch.

Tomorrow, the bike master plan is set for a briefing in front of the Portland Planning Commission and it will get a full hearing on August 25th.

Year: 2009
Brand: Trek
Model: 2.1 WSD
Color:White/Pearl
Size:54cm
Photo: http://www.trekbikes.com/women/wsd_products/bikes/road/12wsd/
Stolen in Portland, OR 97239
Stolen:2009-08-10
Stolen From: Stolen from the back of my house! 30th ave and Illinois st in the SW. by Gabriel Park
Neighborhood: SW by Multnomah village
Owner: Alisa watson
OwnerEmail: alisaboogoo@gmail.com
Description: The drop handles have white grip tape. The right-hand side tape is coming off a little bit. The Cross bar has a black skid on it, and the seat is stained a little bit blue from riding on it with jeans. The registration sticker is from Salt Lake City, Utah where I bought it from.
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

In response to rant, Detroit radio station puts bike advocate on the air

Hosts of Detroit radio station WCSX’s Deminski and Doyle show have responded to reaction after a show on August 5th where they went on an anger-filled rant about people on bicycles.

Calling the incident “Bike Gate”, a local bike advocate was welcomed onto their show today to talk about the issues brought up by the segment. You can listen to the discussion here.

A reader has also emailed us a response about the incident from the station’s owners. Here’s the response via email from John Gallagher, the market manager of Greater Media Detroit (emphasis mine):

Mike Cobb, with his arm in a sling,
during a track stand contest at the
Multnomah County Bike Fair in June.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Portlander Mike Cobb wants to represent Portland at this year’s Cycle Messenger World Championships in Tokyo and he’s looking for a bit of help to get there.

Cobb — who works for local bike-powered cargo delivery company B-line PDX — is an expert pedaler, but he’s also one of the best at not going anywhere at all. Cobb is a two-time track stand world champion and he hopes to defend his titles in Japan. (He’s also won four bronze medals — one in track stand, one in riding in backwards circles, and two in the cargo bike races).

Learn to master corners
at a cyclocross skills clinic.
(Photos © J. Maus)

This time of year in Portland, if you listen closely enough, you can almost hear the buzz of cyclocross season in the air. With just about a month before the first ‘cross race of the season, the telltale signs are all coming into view: ‘cross bikes are being sold via the OBRA email list, locals are riding to “train for cyclocross”, and plans are being hatched for yet another epic season.

Last week, organizers of the Cross Crusade released their 2009 schedule, officially setting ‘cross season planning into motion for many. The eight race series is the largest of its kind in the world and it takes place from October through mid-November. Venues are scattered throughout the Portland region and include stops in Astoria, Sherwood, Hillsboro, and Estacada.

Year: 2009
Brand: Flying Pigeon
Model: Women’s
Color:Dark green
Size:standard
Photo: http://twitpic.com/b2bbe
Stolen in 97214, OR
Stolen:2009-08-10
Stolen From: Our home at the intersection of SE 8th and SE Pine. We have a security video of the thief: a light-skinned, skinny male, wearing a baseball cap, sneakers, dark trousers and a light, un-tucked dress shirt (possibly pinstriped).
Neighborhood: Eastside industrial
Owner: Emily Johnson
OwnerEmail: emilysquest@gmail.com
Description: Dark green women’s Flying Pigeon, with leather seat and padded handlebars; also matching green embroidered panniers and a brass bell.
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

The Oregonian looks for “controversy” in TriMet bridge project

Concept of new bridge.

Last Thursday, The Oregonian’s top transportation reporter Dylan Rivera (he’s also their go-to guy for coverage of the new I-5 bridge/CRC project) took a closer look at the new TriMet multi-use transit bridge project. The story also included an audio slideshow titled, “Concept Bridge Creates Controversy” (watch it below).

In the article, Rivera delves into the capacity issues that currently exists on the Hawthorne Bridge (which is just north of where the new TriMet bridge will be) and seems to wonder whether or not the currently planned 14-foot wide path on the new bridge will be adequate (Hawthorne is 10 1/2-feet).

EU transportation plan draws fire; Cash for Clunkers rolls on; kids are losing freedom to roam; $20/gallon gas; septuagenarian smashes cars in China; blog news; cool stuff.

– Oregon land use officials have voted unanimously against adding environmental protection to the state’s list of land use goals.

– After hard lobbying by the governor (and by Mayor Sam Adams), Portland is set to receive $2.4 billion in federal funds for building and promoting electric cars, as well as winning a contract with a major overseas car company to test its new electric product, beginning in fall 2010.

– Toyota has reported a $819 million loss in the last quarter.

Brand: Mangoose
Model: Lowrider
Color:Chrome
Stolen in Los Angeles, CA 90002
Stolen:2009-08-7
Stolen From: It was stolen infront of Watts Branch Library. Located on 103 street and Compton.
Neighborhood: Watts
Owner: Hilda Hernandez
OwnerEmail: hjhernandez814@yahoo.com
Description: Its an average size lowrider bike. It is all chromed and the rimes are of 200 spokes. The tiers are black end white it has a stiker in red leters that saids “no regrets” located on the side of the back tier and the tiers had a black and white dice on eah tier. It has a red light underneath the seet. It also has light in the handle. It only has the rime break to break. On the handle bar there are numerous bends and scratches.
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Dark Blue Dyno Crestline Tandem ?

Year: ?
Brand: Dyno
Model: Crestline Tandem
Color:Dark Blue
Size:Tandem
Serial: ?
Stolen in Portland, OR 97217
Stolen:2009-08-8
Stolen From: Congress Ave @ Portland Blvd/Rosa Parks
Neighborhood: Peidmont
Owner: Claire Chasteen
OwnerEmail: clairelucille@gmail.com
Reward: yes
Description: Dark blue Dyno tandem. Crestline. Front basket. Upright bars. Grip shifters. Suspects have stolen 3 bikes from us and have been seen. 3 african-american teen males, ages 12-14, 2 on foot, 1 on a blue bike. Call 503-247-7316 or North Precinct @ 503-823-5700.
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Black Raleigh ? ?

Year: ?
Brand: Raleigh
Model: ?
Color:Black
Size:Very Tall
Serial: ?
Stolen in Portland, OR 97217
Stolen:2009-07-29
Stolen From: Congress Ave @ Portland Blvd/Rosa Parks
Neighborhood: Peidmont
Owner: Ben Belka
OwnerEmail: emilybmeier@gmail.com
Reward: Yes
Description: Untaped drop bars. No front derailleur. Black w/ Raleigh in white lettering. Very tall. Call Ben @ 1-801-528-8125 or North Precinct @ 503-823-5700.
Police record with: C. Hansen-Tuma
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Want to win a custom bike? At Tour de Fat, all it takes is a car and a commitment

Portland’s Bike Master Plan update readies for the spotlight

White/Pearl Trek 2.1 WSD 2009

In response to rant, Detroit radio station puts bike advocate on the air

Portlander hopes sponsors get him to Cycle Messenger World Championships

Cross Crusade schedule released; skills clinics start tomorrow

Dark green Flying Pigeon Women’s 2009

The Oregonian looks for “controversy” in TriMet bridge project

The Monday Roundup

Chrome Mangoose Lowrider

Dark Blue Dyno Crestline Tandem ?

Black Raleigh ? ?

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From the Archives

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