BikePortland

Oregonian slams BTA’s new stance on CRC

An anti-12 lane CRC sign
(Photo © J. Maus)

An editorial in this morning’s Oregonian criticizes Bicycle Transportation Alliance leaders for their recently stated opposition of the plan to build a new, 12-lane highway bridge over the Columbia River, and for encouraging their members to attend a rally in opposition to the plan.

Claiming that the BTA seeks “to destroy the bridge,” the editorial board advises the organization to “broaden its reach” instead of compromising the “fragile coalition” of interests working on the project.

And, oh by the way, it’s a terrible move for cyclists, too. The governors of Oregon and Washington have promised that the new I-5 bridge will be the most environmentally friendly bridge ever built, providing vastly improved access for cyclists and walkers, in addition to light rail and tolling to control congestion.

This year, the street
will be officially carfree
for opening night crowds
(Photos © J. Maus)

Filmed by Bike, Portland’s legendary bike film festival now in its seventh year, is gearing up to be bigger and better than ever, taking over the entire street with a beer garden and plenty of room for the expected record crowds to show off their crazy bikes and wild costumes during the huge Friday “opening night throwdown.”

To help get you in the mood, you can now watch a a handful of shorts from the upcoming lineup on the Filmed by Bike website.

Yes that’s duct tape,
with a reflective star.
(Photos © J. Maus)

Tomas Quinones can be seen frequently on Shift bike fun rides, Cycle Wild camping trips, and other bike cultural events.

He recently began making, and selling, simple handlebar bags made out of duct tape. In Quinones’ words:

I started making them for my own use back in January after I grew tired of my large Ortlieb handlebar bag preventing me from using a light on my handlebars. I just wanted something small and simple for snacks, batteries, and camera so that a light can be used effectively without any type of special mounting. Most other bags I had seen were too large or more complex than needed.

Our little beach on Anna Maria Island.

Howdy folks. Hope all is well in Portland.

My girls and I are enjoying a bit of sun and fun on Anna Maria Island on the Gulf Coast of Florida (just south of Sarasota). It’s been way too long since I left the day-to-day rigors of making BikePortland happen and just enjoyed some time away. As a matter of fact, in the last three years of so of me doing the site full-time, I’ve never taken a real break (except during Christmas, when no one really reads the site anyways).

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

The grassroots group that is forming to oppose plans for a new 12-lane Columbia River Crossing (CRC) bridge project on I-5 has released the second in their series of mock sales pitches.

In the first episode, host (and local author) Joe Kurmaskie tackles the bridge’s cost (“…only one million easy payments of $4,000 each!”) and its potential impact on transportation spending and priorities in coming decades.

The second episode, titled “Bridge Cures Cancer,” focuses on the public health costs of highway projects.

Jason Charles Bush
(Photo: Portland Police)

We recently reported on a high-end bike theft from a Pearl District condo.

This theft occurred during a period in which there seem to have been an unusual number of break-ins to bike storage areas in the Pearl.

Police now have a suspect in the thefts. According to KGW, 28 year old Jason Charles Bush has been arrested on burglary charges. Bush is a suspect in three of the eleven reported thefts as well as another break-in.

A bike from Portland-based Vanilla
Bicycles graces the cover of
Custom Bicycles;
A passionate pursuit.

With the publication later this spring of, Custom Bicycles: A passionate pursuit, the handmade bicycle renaissance in America seems to have taken another big step forward. And, as you might have expected, Portland’s reputation for bike building did not go unnoticed.

We received an advance copy of the book here at BikePortland headquarters earlier this week. With its 240 pages and 300 glossy color photos, the $60 book is definitely coffee-table ready. The book is published by Australia-based Images Publishing Group and features 5-8 page profiles of 39 builders (see photos below).

Routh married her bike at the
2006 Multnomah County
Bike Fair
(Photo © J. Maus)

The Willamette Pedestrian Coalition has chosen Stephanie Routh as their new Director. The WPC is a Portland-based non-profit that is, “dedicated to promoting walking and making the conditions for walking safe and attractive.”

Here’s the official statement:

Stephanie is highly regarded for her non-profit organizational development skills, her passion for promoting sustainability and interest in celebrating community diversity. The Portland native helped found local non-profit Umbrella organization and continues in her part-time role at Green Empowerment as Resource Development Coordinator.

Read more

With new racks, finally some good news for PNCA

Today, crews from the City of Portland Bureau of Transportation installed 27 new staple racks at the corner of NW 13th and NW Johnson in the Pearl District. The new racks — located adjacent to the Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA) — were drilled into place in the former location of three automobile parking spaces. When students return to class next week, there will be space for 54 bikes in this new parking area (not to mention many other racks nearby).

The project is being paid for out of PBOT’s bike parking fund, and it is one of four “bike corrals” Mayor Adams has promised to roll out in his first 100 days in office.

Oregonian columnist
Steve Duin.

Oregonian columnist Steve Duin has published pointed criticisms directed at the Portland Police Bureau’s handling of the Freedom Child bike light case in his column today.

Freedom Child is the 57-year old St. Johns woman who was involved with an altercation with two Police officers back in 2003. Child claims she was walking her bike down the sidewalk when Officers Jeffrey Dorn and Jason Harris reportedly pulled up alongside her in an unmarked car and began questioning her. Those questions ultimately led to Child being followed and then, according to Duin, “dragged…out of her home” and then arrested.

Portland Mall crews remove a bike
rack on NW 5th Ave. last Friday.
(Photo: Michael O’Leary)

Staffers at the Bicycle Transportation Alliance offices on NW 5th Avenue were surprised when they noticed work crews removing the bike racks outside their offices on Friday morning of last week.

When I rode by later that evening, all that was left of three staple racks were holes in the bricks (see photo below). With a lack of bike parking capacity already an issue on the new Portland Mall, why would existing racks be removed?

The answer has to do with design standards — the same standards that I reported on back in January.

Cross section of new cycle track coming to North Park Blocks.
(Graphic: NeighborhoodNotes.com)

Oregonian slams BTA’s new stance on CRC

Sneak preview of Filmed by Bike movies

Another homegrown bike craft: Duct tape handlebar bags

Letter from the editor: Greetings from Florida

“Bridge Cures Cancer,” announces CRC opposition group

Suspect arrested in Pearl bike thefts

Local builders in global company in new “Custom Bicycles” book

Pedestrian advocacy group names new leader

With new racks, finally some good news for PNCA

Portland Police get criticism for handling of bike light case

Crews remove bike racks from new transit mall

Cycle track coming to North Park Blocks

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