Last Sunday was Dumpster Dave’s Bike Swap Meet at Free Geek in Southeast Portland. The sun was hot and the so were the deals. There were all sorts of crazy bikes and interesting people on display.
I set up a table and joined the fray alongside Joe Biel of Microcosm Publishing. I saw lots of old friends including Sacha and Ben from Vanilla Bicycles. Sacha has an amazing limited edition poster that I hope to share with you soon.
A few days ago I received an email from Rachel MacKnight, the Media Relations person for Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU). She got in touch because of a post made last week that brought their bike parking facilities into question. She also included more information about how the new tram will handle bicycles.
According to MacKnight, bicyclists are encouraged to use the tram and it was actually designed with cyclists in mind. She adds:
In light of last week’s post about the new downtown development that will include a 3,000 square foot “bike hub”, I have obtained a drawing of the proposed ground floor layout.
These plans give you a more detailed look at how the developer will situate the bike facility.
I’ll definitely keep track of this exciting project so stay tuned for more developments.
[Thanks to Jesse Beason for the image.]
Last week, there was a lot of discussion about a stop sign enforcment mission by the Traffic Division of the Portland Police Bureau (PPB). In response to a citizen complaint, they sent several officers out to SE 23rd and Salmon Streets to nab law-breaking cyclists.
Until now, the one group we hadn’t heard from was the Traffic Division. I am pleased to have gotten permission from Lieutenant Mark Kruger to publish his thoughts from an email correspondence we had last Friday.
Portland’s very own Springwater Corridor Trail is the subject of a beautiful cover photo and feature story in the Summer issue of Rails to Trails Magazine. The magazine is available to members of the Rails to Trails Conservancy.
They called the Springwater, “a stunning and well-planned urban connector” that “embodies the spirit of Portland.”
[Thanks to Paul S. for the tip!]
As I reported back in March, a group of community activists and artists are working on a new “Share the Road” mural that will soon adorn the side of Hawthorne Auto Clinic (4307 SE Hawthorne) in Southeast Portland.
[Posted by “BoultonBike”]
On Friday May 12 my custom built road bike was stolen while chained to a bike rack at the corner of NW 13th and Kearney.
The bike has a Boulton Frame maroon in color. Boulton frames are extreemly rare so I am hoping this makes the bike easy to spot. Shimano Ultegra components and Cane Creek wheels with red tires (unsure brand).
This is the first time I had a bike stolen so any other info needed or tips is greatly appreciated. Any and all information can be sent to chrisj0619@mac.com or by cell at 503-680-1512.
Thanks to everyone that reads this and the people behind this site!
Today’s Oregonian has the story of a major new downtown development that will include, “a regional bike facility grander than anything Portland has ever seen.”
It’s a very exciting proposition. Not only would this 3,000 square foot “bike hub” be the centerpiece of Portland’s commitment to sustainable transportation, but something like this could inspire other developers to consider similar facilities. This hub would likely include a ton of bike parking, showers, and some retail space (similar to a BikeStation)
However one problem with this proposal remains. Last Wednesday, I saw the drawings of the proposed building with Jessica Roberts of the BTA and Sam Adams staffer Jesse Beason. The issue is with how cyclists coming off the Hawthorne Bridge would safely access the entrance of the facility, which is planned for the western side of the building, on SW 2nd Ave.
Portland’s bike-loving beer guru and Oregonian reporter John Foyston (seen here at the Puppet Parade Bike Move), mentioned a new brewpub in his “Brew News” column today. Here’s the bikey bit from his column:
I recently found out that each month, during the First Thursdays celebration, Commissioner Sams Adams‘ office has a celebration around a different theme. They’ve chosen July as bike month and they want to showcase the Portland bike scene.
Beyond just Sam’s office, the goal is to get other Commissioners on board, reserve the atrium and patio, and turn City Hall into Bike love nirvana.
These roadway markings in Northwest Portland are known as shared lane markings, or sharrows. They were installed back in September as an experimental project, and they’re still awaiting official sanction.
Because the markings are still new to many road users, the City of Portland has developed a list of frequently asked questions. They’re not available anywhere online yet, so I’ve gotten permission to publish them here:
Laughing Horse Books is a collectively run bookstore in Southeast Portland that was co-founded by Tim Calvert, who also co-founded the Citybikes Cooperative bike shop. As you might have read on IndyMedia, Laughing Horse has been forced to move due to a rent increase.
Turns out they want to do the move by bike! Here are the details.
It will take a major effort to make this happen and it would be a great way for the bike community to show support for this important neighborhood resource. If you aren’t familiar with bike moves, check out this recap and photos from last month.