BikePortland

Merkley, colleagues introduce Livable Communities Act

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Senator Jeff Merkley at his office in
D.C. during the National Bike Summit.
(Photo © J. Maus)

U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) is one of five Democrats in the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee that have introduced a new bill that looks to integrate housing, transportation, and environmental policies.

Dubbed the Livable Communities Act, a statement about the legislation says that it is intended to “Help towns and regions across the country plan and implement development projects that integrate their community’s needs for transportation, housing, land use, and economic development.”

Deminski and Doyle

A radio station in Detroit Michigan aired very dangerous and inflammatory remarks against people who ride bikes during a morning talk show yesterday (listen/download mp3 here). The situation reminds me of when a similar incident occurred on a local Portland station back in July 2006.

“How many people have seen a bicyclist and you would just love to lob something at their heads…”
— WCSX radio show host

In Detroit, on the Deminski and Doyle morning show on WCSX, Jeff Deminski and Bill Doyle shared their feelings about sharing the road with bike riders. The nearly eight minute segment was shockingly anti-bike. The segment aired as a response to a recent article in USA Today outlining how more and more states across the country have passed laws to protect people who are riding bikes.

Year: 08
Brand: trek
Model: 7100
Color:gold/green
Size:15
Serial: wtu136c0026c
Stolen in portland, OR 97212
Stolen:2009-08-5
Stolen From: basement of cottages
Neighborhood: irvington
Owner: jenn bryant
OwnerEmail: joseph_caru@yahoo.com
Reward: $50
Description: leather seat and handle grips. bell.
Police record with: city of portland
Police reference#: 09069886
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

From folder to ultimate grocery getter: An extraordinary bike conversion

From this…

to this.
(Photos: David Mahan/Fixed Gear Gallery)

A few weeks ago, a reader emailed a link to one of the most amazing bike conversion projects I have ever come across. David Mahan from Ojai, California converted an old folding bike to a front loading cargo bike with extra-special grocery-getter functionality.

Bike on WES.
(Photo: TriMet)

TriMet announced today that they have removed four seats in each of their WES Commuter Rail cars in order to make more room for bicycles. When WES opened back in January, the cars only had two designated hooks for bicycles, leading to immediate concerns from multi-modal commuters.

The issue has been on TriMet’s radar since mid-February when TriMet’s executive director of operations Steve Banta brought up the issue at a board meeting. The issue Banta raised is how to deal with the Federal Railroad Administration regulations that the WES must meet. Unlike MAX, FRA regulations say that any object that can fly and hit someone must be secured (whereas on MAX, it is OK to just sit with your bike, on WES it must be secured with a strap or hook).

Riders on the bridge.
(Photo © J. Maus)

As we reported back in April, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is planning to close the historic Oregon City/West Linn Arch Bridge for two years during a major rehabilitation project.

The problem with the project is that there has not yet emerged a solution for how to detour non-motorized traffic. Cars and trucks can zip around the project and use I-205 to the north, but bicycles and pedestrians are not allowed on that stretch of highway. The closest crossings for bikes and pedestrians would be the Sellwood Bridge (six miles north) or the Canby Ferry (nine miles south) — making neither of them viable options.

BTA home page

The Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) has launched an online survey to capture how Oregonians (whether they bike or not) feel about bike advocacy and the BTA in general.

BTA Advocacy Manager Michelle Poyourow says they want to hear what everyone — members or non-members — thinks about bike advocacy in Oregon and Southwest Washington. According to Poyourow, they’re specifically asking “non-bicyclists” and people who don’t consider themselves part of the “bike community” to take the survey. To sweeten the deal, they’ll give a $150 bike shop gift card to a randomly selected survey taker.

Year: 2008
Brand: Gary Fisher
Model: Wingra
Color:Black
Size:17.5 inch
Serial: WTU141C3550D
Photo: http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/5007/p4260005.jpg
Stolen in Portland, OR 97203
Stolen:2009-08-5
Stolen From: In front of the St. Johns Theater while we watched Harry Potter.
Neighborhood: St. Johns
Owner: Andrea Glane
OwnerEmail: changingx@yahoo.com
Reward: 50
Description: It has a white cats eye light on the handle pars, front and back black fenders (plastic I believe), and an extra long rear wheel quick realease skewer for adding our dog attachement.
Police record with: Portland Police
Police reference#: 0969643
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

After budget scare, Twilight Criterium ready to roll Friday night

Since 2002, the Twilight Criterium has brought professional bike racing to downtown Portland. The event attracts some of America’s fastest riders and thousands of spectators to witness their talents. But this year, when a title sponsor pulled out, it almost didn’t happen.

Health Net had invested over $35,000 annually as the event’s title sponsor since 2005 (that same year, a rider named Tyler Farrar — who had an excellent showing at the Tour de France — took the win). Without Health Net helping foot the bill for the expensive permits, equipment, insurance, prize money, officials, and other costs, organizers said they were on the brink of canceling this year’s event.

Stolen in , OR
Stolen:2009-04-6
Stolen From: McMeniman’s Cornelius Pass Roadhouse parking lot
Neighborhood: Hillsboro
Owner: Kevin Van Dyke
OwnerEmail: kevin97116@yahoo.com
Reward: $50
Description: bag of bike accessories and jerseys stolen along with laptop and other non bike stuff. Especially want my Race Across Oregon jersey back. 4 STP 1 Day Rider t-shirts as well as shorts, raingear, etc also taken
Police record with: Hillsboro Police
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

white/green kona lisa ds 2007

Year: 2007
Brand: kona
Model: lisa ds
Color:white/green
Size:small
Stolen in pdx, OR 97217
Stolen:2009-08-6
Stolen From: 2237 n saratoga
Neighborhood: arbor lodge
Owner: eddie french
OwnerEmail: eddie.french@comcast.net
Description: has only been road a few times looks brand new
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

blk specialized s-works cyclocross 2005

Year: 2005
Brand: specialized
Model: s-works cyclocross
Color:blk
Size:58
Serial: ?
Stolen in Portland, OR 97217
Stolen:2009-08-6
Stolen From: 2273 n saratoga 97217
Neighborhood: arbor lodge
Owner: Eddie French
OwnerEmail: eddie.french@comcast.net
Description: Black anodized frame with decal on top tube wearing off, singal front chainring with a 40t Q-ring, carbon control tech cranks. 503 975 4411
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Merkley, colleagues introduce Livable Communities Act

Memories of Jammin’ 95.5: Detroit radio show goes on anti-bike rant

gold/green trek 7100 08

From folder to ultimate grocery getter: An extraordinary bike conversion

TriMet removes seats on WES to make more room for bikes

ODOT hopes tour will net ideas for Oregon City Bridge closure

How do you feel about biking and the BTA? Let them know in survey

Black Gary Fisher Wingra 2008

After budget scare, Twilight Criterium ready to roll Friday night

white/green kona lisa ds 2007

blk specialized s-works cyclocross 2005

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