Willamette Week tackles major cycling issue

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Good thing we’ve got the Willy Week watching our backs (or should I say fronts?).

In an article titled, “Hey Numbnuts” they bring in an OHSU urologist to dispel an article in the NY Times about a link between erectile dysfunction (E.D.) and bike seats. For 95% of cyclists, this is a non-issue. But every time this pops up in the media, everyone talks about it…and the doctors that specialize in E.D. get a nice bump in business.

If you (or your significant other) is concerned about this issue, the Willy Week put together a quick quiz that will put your mind at ease:

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Exclusive report from Amsterdam

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[This post is from BikePortland.org international correspondent, Jessica Roberts of the BTA. She’s in Amsterdam with a delegation of Portland bike advocates. More info on their trip can be found here.]

Hello, friendly Portland cyclists! We’re here looking at bicycling programs and infrastructure, meeting with many bicycle professionals–planners, education specialists, consultants, and safety experts. Here’s a taste of some of the extraordinary things we’ve seen so far:

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Announcing the Portland BikeCraft Faire!

bikecraft_flyer

You’re cordially invited to the first ever Portland BikeCraft Faire. It’s happening from 4-10PM on Wednesday, December 7th at Urban Grind Coffee (2214 NE Oregon). I’ve brought together some amazingly talented local artists that will have handmade, bike-themed arts and crafts for sale. Check out the warm, fuzzy cycling caps from Shaun Deller, wood-cut prints and postcards from Carye Bye featuring the lovable characters found on the new BikePortland.org T-shirt and much more.

We’ll also have kids activities (Urban Grind has a great kids area), a special screening of local bike movies, a Pedalpalooza ’05 slide show, drinks, snacks and music!

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Report: Slug Velo Fall Colors Ride

Slug Velo - Fall Colors Ride
Slug Velo - Fall Colors Ride

This morning, Eleni and I packed up the trailer and joined Slug Velo for their Fall Colors ride. We met up with about 30 other folks and pedaled down the Springwater Corridor trail, past Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge, through Sellwood, down to Reed College and back to the Lucky Lab on Hawthorne.

It was a beautiful ride! Fall is just a great time of year to be on a bike. Leaves in rich hues of orange, yellow, brown and red fill the streets and offer surprises around every corner.

I’ve been meaning to check out Slug Velo for a while now and I’m glad I did. I met some nice people and it was cool to see young and old, newbie and veteran, all riding and enjoying the roads together. Thanks for the invite Beth! I’m already looking forward to next month’s ride.

[Don’t take my word for it, check out my gallery of photos and see the fun for yourself!]

New IKEA will have 75 bike racks

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IKEA has officially announced their plans to build a Portland store.

“The store will be built on nearly 19 acres at the southwestern corner of I-205 and Airport Way…75 bicycle racks and two light-rail stations will provide convenient access”


While I’m no fan of massive consumerism, I think IKEA will be a good neighbor. And, given their Swedish background, I bet they’ll be a great possible partner for bikey non-profits and programs. I also know that IKEA does cool stuff for kids like give them a free helmet on their birthday.

Welcome to Portland IKEA!

More ghost bikes emerge overnight

ghost bike PDX

Last night, five ghost bikes were placed in four locations around the city. Eight cyclists showed up in SE Portland to load their bike trailers with the white bikes, signs and tools to install them. According to reports, onlookers were very curious and everyone was supportive.

Here’s a quote from someone on the ride:

“Ghost bikes are something I had wanted to get going a long time ago…I must say it felt so good to see the bikes installed, I felt a great deal of relief actually, I had been searching for a way to make a difference and at last it was happening.”

The group behind the effort has just posted a temporary website at GhostBike.org.

Check out some photos of all the ghost bikes installed so far.

Local bike leaders off to Amsterdam

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City leaders and key bike advocates are headed to Amsterdam next week. The trip was Sam Adams’ idea and the goal will be to learn how Amsterdam’s government officials and planners have been so successful at creating thriving urban cities that encourage people to get out of their cars. Jessica Roberts of the BTA hopes the trip will be, “an inspiration, and that it will expand our sense of the possible. Portland is the perfect place to bring some of the techniques successfully used in Europe.”

Here’s a partial list of who will represent us:

  • Sam Adams, city commissioner in charge of Transportation
  • Tom Miller, Sam’s chief of staff
  • Roger Geller, City of Portland Bicycle Coordinator
  • Evan Manvel, Executive Director of the BTA
  • Jessica Roberts, BTA Metro Area Advocate
  • Scott Bricker, BTA Policy Director
  • Jeff Mapes, senior writer for the Oregonian

I think that’s a list that we can all be proud of! I’ll be working with Jessica to bring you updates and photos of the trip. Stay tuned.

530 companies take Bike Commute Challenge

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A whopping 530 companies took the BTA‘s 10th Annual Bike Commute Challenge. That’s a 22% increase from last year and according to the press release, this represents more than 1600 new bike commuters! Those are impressive numbers.

All kinds of workplaces participated in the Challenge – from congressional offices to landscaping businesses, health care companies to environmental nonprofits, and some of the state’s leading companies, including Intel and Hewlett-Packard.

Check out this quote from the BTA press release:

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Stolen: Marin MTB

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Stolen from 2nd Floor Balcony:

2005 Marin
Dark Brown 15″ Frame
Deore and XT componentry
Manitou Shocks
Black Disk Brakes

Stolen on Saturday October 8th, 2005
SE 97th and Flavel

If found, please contact: cookingrock@hotmail.com
Thanks, gang…

A milestone for BikePortland.org

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Just a brief break in the bike stuff to share a milestone with all of you:

As of last night, this site has seen 20,000 visitors since August!

Wow. It’s great to know that I’ve been able to help spread the word about the amazing bike community here in Portland. Thanks to all of you for being so darn interesting, active and bikey. Without you, this site wouldn’t exist!

…now, back to our regularly scheduled programming…

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