Free u-locks to bike theft victims

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward
kryptonite u lock

[Free to an unlucky winner]

I’m happy to announce that Kryptonite has joined forces with BikePortland.org to help spread bike security to those in need. Starting next week, we’ll be giving away two u-locks every month to bike theft victims*.

To be eligible, you must first report your stolen bike to the Portland Police by calling (503) 823-4636. Then, list your bike on BikePortland.org. I will pick the winners randomly, contact them by email, and a nice new Kryptonite Evolution Standard u-lock ($55 retail value) will magically appear in the mail a few days later.

Read more

Locals report on bike adventures abroad

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward
Doug O in Taiwan

[Doug hard at work in Taiwan]

While most of us endure the snowy, wet Portland winter, several local cyclists have wisened up and set off for bike adventures abroad.

Doug Ollerenshaw is a local professional bike racer. He’s competing with his Health Net teammates in the Tour of Taiwan. You can follow along with his (mis)adventures on his personal website at DougOllerenshaw.com. Or check out the official reports of each stage on the team website.

Read more

Bikes not safe on MAX?

Hanging on the MAX

Locks needed?

We all know the bike theft problem is bad…but it turns out even bikes hanging by the hooks on a MAX train aren’t safe. This was just posted to a local email list:

“This morning I arrived at the MAX stop just as the train was arriving so instead of locking my bike at the stop and missing the train I took it on board. Both bike hang locations were full so I sat on the seat behind the bike rack and held my bike while reading. As the train pulled out of Beaverton Creek the guy across from me jumped up saying his bike, which was hanging directly behind me, had been stolen. Apparently someone left with it at the BC stop. Everyone, including the bike owner, was reading or sleeping so no one saw who stole the bike. The owner got off at the next stop and the driver called the police to meet him there.”

I ride the MAX with my bike pretty regularly…but have never thought of locking it. Maybe I should I start?

Sellwood Bridge dialogue heats up

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Chatter about the Sellwood Bridge is on the upswing. The old bridge, which is failing under its own weight, is set to either be significantly renovated or completely re-constructed. Regional bike planners, advocates, and advisory committee members are getting ready with plans, letters, photographic evidence, informal polls, whatever it takes to ensure that any new construction includes safe and adequate bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

Read more

BTA needs new office space

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward
BTA office door

The BTA has grown out of their downtown office and they’re hunting for new office space. I’m posting this to the community in case anyone has a tip that might help them find a new space. We need them working on bike issues…not worrying about finding a new office!

Here’s the word from Executive Director Evan Manvel.

“We’re looking for 1700-2000 square feet, accessible to downtown, as we have many meetings with City Hall and PDOT. We have been at our current location for five years, and have more than doubled in size since we moved here (4 people to 10).

Read more

Stumptown story goes national

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward
mountain cycle specialized logos

The March 1 issue of Bicycle Retailer and Industry News (BRAIN) includes a story on the Specialized/Stumptown saga, which first broke on this site back on January 31st. BRAIN is a well-known bike industry trade magazine that goes out to every bike shop and manufacturer in the U.S. The article is not available on-line, but I’ve scanned a copy that you can download:

This story has already made its way around the world via the Web, and the opinion of nearly everyone on the Internet is that Specialized is doing the wrong thing. However my feeling is that Specialized cares much more about how their peers in the bike industry think about them, than just lowly Internet users.

Read more

Stolen: Palo Alto fixie

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

[Posted by “Paul”]

Palo alto italian frame black kenisis carbon fork 3t bar control tec stem campy brake levers sks fenders super record seat post suntor crank ta chain ring phil wood double fixed track hubs front rim red rear black phil wood cog chris king silver headset. It has been painted silver and red fade. There was also a silver silca frame pump. Let me know Paul
digdogody@hotmail.com

Locals unveil new work at hand builders show

Vanilla trike

[Vanilla Trike! (Photo: MTBR.com)]

The North American Handmade Builders Show was held in San Jose, California from Friday to Sunday. The show’s intent is to highlight the work of small, custom bike builders. Portland had an impressive contingent on hand, showing off a tremendous flair for craftsmanship and aesthetic detail. Notably present were Joseph Ahearne of Ahearne Cycles, Tony Pereira of Pereira Cycles, and Sacha White of Vanilla Bicycles.

I really wanted to be there, but I was tied up with other things. Fortunately some photos have found their way onto the web.

Read more

New share the road mural for southeast Portland

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

There’s a new “Share the Road” mural coming to southeast Portland. Volunteers working as part of a Community Action Project with the Northwest Service Academy have earned a grant through the Community Cycling Center to paint the mural on the wall of the Hawthorne Auto Clinic at 4307 SE Hawthorne Blvd. According to project directors Sheri Earnshaw and Drew Englehorn, the “main theme will be Share the Road, with images of automobiles, bicycles, pedestrians and mass transit with riders/ drivers showing awareness of each other.”

A truly public project, there will be a series of meetings with community groups to gather ideas on the final imagery. The entire project will take about 3-4 weeks and organizers hope to be working on it during Pedalpalooza in June.

Bike stars shine at Alice Awards

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward
Alice Awards party

[A stylish Chris King]

On Saturday night the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) held its 11th annual Alice Awards at the Oregon Convention Center. The sold out event hosted 600 Oregon bike advocates, politicians (past and present), industry leaders, and business owners. The event was a fundraiser for the BTA and a chance for them to honor Oregon’s “bike heroes.”

Here’s a few highlights from my perspective:

Read more

Latest Headlines

Podcast: 16 short interviews from the MADE Bike Show

MADE Bike Show opening day photo gallery

Governor and Dems gird for special session on transportation

PBOT reveals bike bus routes for downtown Sunday Parkways

From the Archives

What five people say about living outside along the Springwater path