Veer premiere tonight; tell us what you think
(Photo © J. Maus)
Veer, the full-length documentary that offers a glimpse into Portland’s bike culture, will premiere tonight (7:30 pm) at the Hollywood Theater. The show is sold out (but I hear a few tickets will be made available at the door) and it’s sure to be an exciting evening.
If you haven’t heard about the film, check out my review or watch the trailer at VeerTheMovie.com.
So far, I’ve watched it with the filmmakers and the cast and crew and both times I’ve gotten a bit teary-eyed in parts. I love it, but being so close to the stories and the people in the film (not to mention I’ve been documenting this stuff for years now) my perspective is a bit strange. I’m very curious how the movie will come across to the general public (especially folks that aren’t “in the bike community”).
If you’re one of the lucky ticket holders, would you be kind enough to share your thoughts on the film in the comments below?
Beaverton-based company offers peace of mind to cyclists
PedalSecure is a new, nationwide company based in Beaverton (just a few miles west of Portland) that offers comprehensive roadside assistance specifically for bicycle riders.
For as little as $9.95 per month, PedalSecure offers “peace of mind” that you will be taken care of during your ride; whether you lose your U-lock key, need a free ride home, or need a roadside flat fix. They’ll even take you to a shop and pay for your repairs (subject to a list of services and a $150.00 dollar limit of course).
Business booms for SoupCycle
(Photos courtesy Jed Lazar)
Who would have thought that in this down economy, a local business that delivers soup by bicycle would flourish?
That seems to be the case with SoupCycle. Launched back in August, the Southeast-Portland based company started by Jed Lazar now boasts 100 weekly soupscribers. Lazar is so busy he recently took out a job listing on BikePortland (for a “Bicycle Delivery Souper Hero” — get it?).
I checked in with Lazar a few days ago and he told me that, “Things are going well and the business is keeping us busy”. He also added that 100 deliveries is “nearly insane for me to deliver myself.” He makes the deliveries all over Southeast Portland (a place he calls Souplandistan) from SE Powell to I-84 and from I-405 in Northwest Portland to SE 39th.
Bike share in Portland Part Three: Lessons from Stockholm
(Photo © J. Maus)
Welcome to Part Three of our six-part, guest article series on bike sharing in Portland.
The series is written by Tom Miller, chief of staff for Portland City Commissioner and Mayor-elect Sam Adams. Yesterday, Tom shared his initial impressions on bike sharing systems from a recent trip to Scandinavia.
In today’s article, Tom shares what he learned when a delegation of Portlanders (including Mayor-elect Adams) tried to navigate through Clear Channel’s bike share system in Stockholm, Sweden.
Could proposed “leaf tax” sweep away a bike safety hazard?
(Photo: Elly Blue)
Every fall in Portland, mounds of leaves pile up on neighborhood streets, creating slippery conditions on road shoulders and sidewalks.
Yesterday the Oregonian featured a story about a new “leaf tax” being considered by Mayor-elect Sam Adams that would create “leaf districts” in areas of the city with many street trees.
Adams’ idea made me wonder if this new tax would improve biking conditions.
Job of the Week
This week, we’ve got a job opportunity you’re not likely to come across in many other cities. Yes, SoupCycle is hiring a “Bike Delivery Souper Hero” (watch the Front Page for more on SoupCycle).
Check out the link below for more information:
- Bike Delivery Souper Hero – Soup Cycle
New CCC project will focus on underserved communities
with kids, will seek to broaden
their impact into underserved
parts of the city.
(Photo © J. Maus)
The Community Cycling Center plans to launch a new project in 2009 that will seek to broaden the scope of their mission into ethnically diverse and low-income communities in North and Northeast Portland.
According to the CCC’s Director of Community and Programs Alison Hill Graves, the new project will start in early spring of next year and will seek to build “cultural competence” by partnering with other community organizations who view bicycles as “a viable option for their community.”
Portland’s first cycle track proposed for Cully
Bike share in Portland Part Two: Off to Scandinavia
(Photo © J. Maus)
Welcome to Part Two of our six-part, guest article series on bike-sharing in Portland.
The series is written by Tom Miller, chief of staff for Portland City Commissioner and Mayor-elect Sam Adams.
Yesterday, Tom gave us some background on Portland’s efforts to launch a bike share program.
Today’s article is short but sweet. Tom shares initial impressions of bike share programs in Copenhagen, Helsinki, and Stockholm from a trip last June. Tomorrow, Tom will share extensive details on what it’s like to use Clear Channel’s bike share system in Stockholm.