BikePortland

The congestion solution? Chill out and slow down

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Approaching the Hawthorne Bridge.
(Photos © J. Maus)

Since last Thursday, readers have left nearly 500 comments on our stories about a horrific crash on the Hawthorne Bridge between two bike riders.

The discussion has revolved around who’s at fault, the design of the sidewalk/path (it’s still unclear what it is, technically), how people should behave while crossing the bridge, and so on.

My thoughts and coverage instantly focused on the design issues. I wanted to hash out all the possible, infrastructure-based solutions and I thought this crash was yet another sign that our bike/ped network was falling behind and quickly becoming inadequate. I thought this high-profile crash was the perfect illustration that bikes need more space. Now!

Detail from event flyer

The Portland-based Ironclad Cycling Team and the Oregon Food Bank have teamed up for what organizers call a “unique food drive”.

Dubbed “Underpants and Heavy Cans”, the event combines the competitive fun of an alleycat, the warm-fuzzies of helping feed folks in need, a huge list of prizes, and handmade underpants (I’ll explain that later).

Ironclad team manager Dave Aldersebaes the ride was “born from a want to help our fellow citizens, and what better way to do it than by bike?”.

A scene from last year’s Ride of Silence.
(Photo © J. Maus)

For the fourth year in a row, Portland will take part in the national Ride of Silence event. The local edition of this ride — which began in Texas in 2003 and has spread to hundreds of cities — will take place in Northeast Portland on May 20th.

The Ride of Silence is a silent, slow-paced ride to remember people that have been injured or killed on public roads while riding their bicycles. It will also take place in six other Oregon communities: Beaverton,
Bend, Corvallis, Eugene, Pendelton, and Salem.

Several readers have emailed me about this great project from Instructables. A group of students from MIT have created a system that uses a turning bike wheel to charge USB devices. It’s not quite a consumer-ready product yet, but it’s definitely got some promise.

Check it out:

How to Charge Any USB Device by Riding Your Bike – More DIY How To Projects

United Bicycle Institute will open in North Portland

UBI owner Ron Sutphin
said coming to Portland was
a “no brainer”.
(Photos © J. Maus)

United Bicycle Institute, a frame building and mechanic school based in Southern Oregon, will open a new location in North Portland this summer.

UBI is a licensed, private career school that opened its doors in 1981. They offer a variety of certifications and classes in bike repair, bike maintenance, and frame building. In 1986, it was purchased by Ron Sutphin and he has been the company’s owner and operator ever since. I spoke to Sutphin last week during a visit to Portland to finalize the deal.

bike parking during bus mall construction

The County installed these markings
in November 2005.
(Photos © J. Maus)

A recent crash between two people riding over the Hawthorne Bridge has raised concerns about the safety of the facility for non-motorized users — and it’s far from the first time these concerns have come up.

In December of 2006, we published an editorial by Elly Blue titled “Re-thinking traffic on the Hawthorne Bridge,” where she wrote, “…traffic congestion on the Hawthorne Bridge is a serious problem.”

Last summer, Vancouver BC resident Ron Richings visited Portland. Richings is an avid rider who contributes to Momentum Magazine, volunteers in the bike scene, and makes an annual visit to Portland to take part in Pedalpalooza and other events.

Safety in numbers; gas taxes; electric bikes; child safety; parking; moving house.

– The stats are in: Car culture is on the decline, according to an analysis in Esquire Magazine by Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight.com. Silver developed a regression model that shows that the past year’s decline in driving is not entirely due to unemployment and high gas prices.

– The New York Times has published a must-read profile of new transportation secretary Ray LaHood, and the Infrastructurist has responded with an excellent analysis of what this means for the future of the transportation department and of sustainable transportation.

– After a crash caused by a Boston trolley operator who was sending text messages while driving, Boston’s MTA drivers and operators will from here on out be forbidden to even have a cell phone in their possession while aboard their vehicles.

Erica Rothman as of this morning.
(Self-portrait)

24-year old North Portland resident Erica Rothman was on her way to get a tattoo on Wednesday evening when a collision with another bike rider on the westbound side of the Hawthorne Bridge sent her to the Emergency Room (read accounts from an eyewitness and from the man she collided with).

Fortunately, despite tumbling onto the bridge’s coarse metal grating, Rothman sustained only scrapes and bruises. She was discharged from the ER Wednesday night with 17 stitches on her face, two staples in her elbow, and some major road rash on her shoulder.

Friday, May 8

– If you’ve never participated in a bike move, that iconic Portland barnraising event, here’s your chance! It’s a long one but a good one, from Sellwood to Piedmont. Details on the Shift Calendar. Want to host your own bike move? Check out this handy guide.

– And the bike move destination is very near the starting point for this month’s Midnight Mystery Ride…

– Or if you’ve been thinking about joining us at the Opera, it’s not too late to get tickets. Or if you’re a student, a senior, or in the military, show up at 6:30 to see if you can snag a $10 ticket.

Saturday, May 9

– Town Hall Meeting on Two Wheels. Join State Representatives Dembrow and Dingfelder for a ride around the Cully neighborhood in Northeast Portland to see the sights and discuss the issues. Meet at 9:30am at Wilshire Park (NE 33rd and Skidmore)

“We should also remember that accidents happen, they happen driving, walking, and cycling.”
— Anonymous rider who was involved in a collision on the Hawthorne Bridge

The man who was involved in a horrific crash on the Hawthorne Bridge on Wednesday has come forward with his version of how it happened.

The eyewitness account of the collision has sparked a lot reaction from the community. The BTA has just published their perspective on the crash, saying “This is the most gruesome consequence of bike congestion and bad behavior to have come to our attention.”

Now, the man who an eyewitness referred to as “riding like an idiot” wants to set the record straight.

Todd Boulanger, a well-known transportation planner and former Alice B. Toeclips award winner (2005), has been laid off by the City of Vancouver.

Citing lower than expected budget numbers, City Transportation Manager Thayer Rorabaugh sent an email to staff on Monday that he had decided to elimate the Neighborhood Traffic Program that Boulanger oversaw.

The congestion solution? Chill out and slow down

Food collection ride will help the hungry

Ride of Silence will roll through Northeast Portland

Power up those USB devices with your pedals

United Bicycle Institute will open in North Portland

County warned about bridge issues last summer; project in the works

The Monday Roundup

Rider injured on Hawthorne Bridge shares her side of the story

Weekend Guide and Open Thread

Friday, May 8

Saturday, May 9

Hawthorne Bridge rider comes forward to correct “inaccurate depiction of events”

Vancouver budget woes prompt lay-off of transportation planner

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