🚨 Please note: BikePortland is currently on hiatus and only publishing guest articles. Learn more here. Thank you. - Jonathan 🙏

Time running out on BTA’s effort to pass Idaho Stop Law

My day in Salem

Bricker on the steps
of the Capitol in 2007.
(Photo © J. Maus)

The Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) is working feverishly to garner more support for the Idaho Stop Law (HB 2690) with legislators in Salem.

According to BTA Executive Director and lobbyist Scott Bricker, the Chair of the House Transportation Committee has given him a significant hurdle — line up 31 “yes” votes from House members (the number it would need to pass) or the bill will die in committee.

Committee Chair Terry Beyer (D-Springfield) holds the future of the bill in her hands because she is the only one who can schedule the all-important work session the bill needs in order to be voted on by the committee and then forwarded to the full House. The deadline for her to schedule that work session is tomorrow.

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U O bike loan program founder wins Civic Engagement award

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Bike Loan Program staff: Dave Villalobos,
Briana Orr, and Price Armstrong.
(Photos courtesy U O)

Briana Orr, the University of Oregon student who founded the school’s bike loan program, will be honored with an Oregon Civic Engagement Award on Thursday, April 23, at The Cleaners at The Ace Hotel in Portland.

We profiled Orr’s program back in October. In a Q & A with Orr published in the Daily Emerald newspaper, Orr said her recognition is a sign of “shifting values in our culture” and that “I don’t think that 10 years ago even that a bicycling advocate would be on the list.”

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Electeds line up to support Gateway Green concept

Emily Hicks (L) from Commissioner
Fish’s office, Mayor Adams’ Chief
of Staff Tom Miller, and Steve Bryant
from Oregon Solutions.
(Photos © J. Maus)

Over 120 people packed into the Gateway Elks Lodge last night to learn about the Gateway Green project — and many of them were elected officials or high-level agency or city staffers.

The open house event was a bit short on substance (especially for anyone who’s been following our coverage here on BikePortland), but the big news of the night was how many notables lined up to throw their support behind the project.

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Low-Car Diet Clinic

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What: Low-Car Diet Clinic. Sponsored by Joe Bike. Learn how to haul kids, cargo, kayaks, and other stuff by bike safely and securely.

Where: Sunnyside Environmental School & Park. 3421 SE Salmon St

When: Saturday May, 2 – 11am-12noon.

Breaking: Man hit by police car while riding downtown

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At about 6:15 a.m. this morning, Portlander John Mayer was riding up on the intersection of SW 10th and Jefferson when he noticed a Portland Police Bureau patrol car parked in the bike lane.

When Mayer pulled around the patrol car, he says the officer driving the car pulled out into the lane and ran into him, “without signaling or looking”. The impact knocked Mayer down, but he did not sustain any serious injuries. Mayer posted a message to the Shift email list a few minutes ago seeking advice on how to handle the situation.

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Yoga for Cyclists

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What: Yoga for Cyclists at Portland Yoga Arts
When: Every Sunday in April and May – 5-6:30 pm
Where: 4400 NE Glisan, Portland, OR
Cost: $16 drop-in, $140/10 week series (prorated for mid-term sign up)
More Info: robin(at)portlandyogaarts(dot)com or call: 503-544-3750

Notorious stop signs on SE Caruthers finally removed

Stop signs removed-101

View of new sign on SE
Caruthers at Water, looking west.
(Photos © J. Maus)

City of Portland crews have removed two stop signs on SE Caruthers Street at the intersection with SE Water. Initially installed in 2002, the stop signs have been a thorn in the side of many people who ride through the intersection and a source of frustration and complaints by others who say no one obeyed them.

Back in November, when the Bureau of Transportation announced they would remove the signs, City Traffic Engineer Rob Burchfield said the stop signs had been the source of numerous complaints. Some people complained about poor compliance with the signs from both people on bikes and in cars, and others complained that the signs seemed unnecessary.

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Free bike check & adjustment

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What: Free bike check & adjustment.

Bring your bike to Hinson Church on SE 20th and Salmon this Saturday for a free bike check. Two professional mechanics from the Community Cycling Center will join skilled volunteers from Hinson to provide bike checks and minor adjustment (brakes, shifting, steering, flats) for anyone who brings in a bike. They will supply housing, cables, brake pads, grease and other parts as needed. Bike donations also accepted.

When: Saturday, April 18, 10 am – 2 pm

Where: Hinson Memorial Baptist Church, SE 20th and Salmon.

Pedal Potluck Picnic

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What: Pedal Potluck Picnic

When: First Tuesday in May to September, 6:30pm-8:30pm

Where: 3031 SE Hawthorne – Hawthorne District Hostel

The PPP returns for its FIFTH season! A casual bicycle ride traversing approx. 3-5 miles (5-8km) with a different route each time. The end destination is a mystery park or ark-like setting. The term “park” will be used liberally here, so expect the unexpected! At the endpoint we’ll enjoy a picnic dinner. Eating will be potluck style, so please bring food and drink to share (preferably vegetarian/vegan).
Please also try to bring your own silverware, plate, and cup. We will also stop at a grocery store along the way. If it looks like it’ll rain we’ll end up at a COVERED destination.

Pretty Dress Ride

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What: Pretty Dress Bike Ride

When: Sunday, May 3, 2:00-4:30pm

Where: SE Ladds Circle (in the Center), Near 1996 SE Ladd Ave

Oh it’s Spring and oh it’s so fun to bike in a pretty dress. Join us on this annual ride. All welcome, but you must come wearing a pretty dress! We’ll be riding to a picnic spot. Wear your bloomers, bring a picnic blanket and bring something yummy to share plus your own utensils too. If it is nasty weather we will hang out in Palios at Ladd’s Circle for dessert.

Guest article: Spring cleaning tips from a pro wrench

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Tori Bortman
(Photos © J. Maus)

Editor’s Note: This article was written by guest author Tori Bortman. Tori is very active in the local bike scene. She’s a co-host of the KBOO Bike Show, a promoter of bike polo and women-only alleycats, and she’s the proprietor of her own bike mechanic training business, Gracie’s Wrench (which we reported about two years ago and was featured in The Oregonian this past Sunday).

Today she shares a few tips about how to coax your battered bike (and psyche) out of the winter doldrums and into the sunshine ahead!

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PBOT Bicycle Brown Bag – Be a Bicycle (Commuter) Champion!

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What: PBOT Bicycle Brown Bag – Be a Bicycle Commuter Champion

When: Thursday, April 16 12:00-1:00pm

Where: PSU – Smith Memorial Union Room 296. 1825 SW Broadway (at Montgomery)

Encouraging Riding at Portland State University
Learn some fun and easy ways to get your friends and colleagues to take bike commuting for a test ride – and to stick with it!

Presented in cooperation with PSU’s Transportation Options Department

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