Oregon Cycling is a free magazine available in coffee shops and bookstores all over the Northwest. They’ve got a host of solid contributors and it’s a quality publication. However up until now, their website left a bit to be desired.
Cast your vote to keep bikes in the budget
Clear your calendars for December 13th in order to speak up for bikes. If we don’t show up to this public forum on Tuesday night, funding for bike programs cut be at risk.
According to the BTA’s Jessica Roberts:
“This forum will directly influence which PDOT programs and services get cut. There will be live electronic voting on transportation funding priorities. It’s essential that bicyclists be well-represented, or we run the risk of bicycling programs being cut.”
Here are the event details:
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
5:30 – 7:00pm
World Trade Center
Plaza Conference Room
121 S.W. Salmon Street, Portland
Doors open at 5:00pm
RSVP to maureen.yandle@pdxtrans.org
KBOO Bike Show podcast!
Chris Smith of the Portland Transport blog got the ball rolling and has just posted the first ever podcast of the KBOO Bike Show! Yesterday’s show (which featured talk about BikeCraft and new bike laws) is already online for your streaming enjoyment.
Listen to the show (MP3)
Big thanks to Chris for making this happen and of course thanks to Ayleen Crotty and Sara Stout for doing such a great show.
Google and TriMet launch “Transit”
News4Neighbors reports that the Google and TriMet collaboration that I reported on back in October has officially launched. “Google Transit” is in beta and you can read more about it straight from the horses mouth on the Google Blog.
No sign of bike-specific route planning…but then again, we’ve got a local grassroots effort well underway. And loyal readers know Google has worked with Metro on a bike-mapping project in tandem with Google Earth.
“Super Legal Bicycle Ride” happens tonight
This just in from local biker Elly Blue:
“The Super Legal Bicycle Ride will be a rolling demonstration of cyclists riding safely, courteously, and in compliance with all Oregon laws. We aim to show that current state laws hinder traffic flow when they require cyclists and motorists to behave identically. We will educate the public about the benefits of acknowledging differences in size, speed, and safety between cars and bicycles.”
Huge crowds at BikeCraft and Social
(photos by Dave Sharp)” />
Wow. What a night. A great turnout from bike lovers of all stripes! Thanks so much to everyone who braved the wintry chill to join us at the BikeCraft Faire and Shift Social last night. It felt amazing to have so many different parts of the cycling community come under one roof. Here is the photo gallery…and below is a rapid-fire list of thoughts and thanks.
- I talked for about 3 hours straight with nothing to drink when all of the sudden my throat broke and I was reduced to a whisper for about 10 minutes.
- The Sprockette calendars sold briskly and they raised $400 bucks!
- Amy and James DeRosso’s bike-inspired stoneware sold out and was one of the hottest items of the night.
- Due to profuse talking and hand-shaking in front of my little welcome table, I didn’t really get a chance to browse all the great stuff.
My ride with Alan Koch
Alan Koch is riding every single road in Portland.
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)
Rear view mirrors for bikes are not cool…
…unless they’re made by local biker and musician, Ben Salzberg. He makes these ingenious rear-view mirrors from spokes and beer bottle caps. Usually he just makes them for friends, but because he’s such a nice guy he’s agreed to make a bunch and bring them to tomorrow’s BikeCraft Faire. They’re the perfect gift for the stylish yet safe biker on your list.
New bike shop in North Portland!
What do you do when it’s 10:30PM and you get word that a cool new bike shop has opened up just 3 blocks from your house? You grab your camera, get on your bike and check it out! So here they are, first photos of Revolver Bicycle Living, a new bike shop on N. Interstate and N. Portland Blvds…just 3 friggin’ blocks from the BikePortland.org undergound lair.
Cycle Truck makes hauling easier
Noticed this flyer the other day at Citybikes. It’s a cool little invention called the Cycle Truck. Some local guy (I’ve emailed and haven’t heard back) is taking old cruisers and mountain bikes and outfitting them with a custom front rack set-up.
Basically, he mounts the basket to the downtube – not your handlebars – thus allowing your bars (and wheel) to move independently of the rack. He also swaps the front wheel for a smaller one. Both of these things allow you to more easily carry heavier loads. It’s really a cool idea.
Check out how Tom (Shift webmaster) used his at the recent bike move.
Just another bit of local cycling ingenuity!
Late, great additions to BikeCraft
Just when you thought the list of bike crafters could not get any better…
After some recent publicity a few more artists have emerged and have now been added to the roster. I know, I know, you must be thinking, “can there really be more artists making bike-themed stuff!?” and the answer is…yes!
First, I’m very excited to announce that Matt Cartwright of Cartwright Design will bring his amazing bike sculpture and furniture (see photo). You might not have heard about Matt (unless you’re a loyal reader), but he’s responsible for many well-known bike sculpture installations around Portland including the “bike people” on the roof of River City Bicycles. One of my favorites is this beautiful end table made from an old Schwinn Varsity frame.
Anti-bike sentiment is not allowed in this cab
Make sure you check out the Willamette Week’s “Night Cabbie” column this week.
Apparently the author is a former bike messenger and this week’s column tells of how she deals with an anti-bike passenger. As the cab slows down to give a downtown cyclist some room, the passenger squawks, “Goddamn bicyclists shouldn’t be on the road,” probably expecting to find support from the cabbie. However, what he gets is the exact opposite.
Check out the rest of the article on WWeek.com.