Solving the Sauvie Island problem

sauvie island road

[Peaceful Island road]

Sauvie Island is a cycling paradise that sits just a few miles North of downtown Portland. Back in my training days I discovered that including out-and-backs, there are close to 80 miles of flat, scenic roads to ride on. Perfect riding conditions, except for one thing…hostile treatment from motorists. Road rage, taunts, projectiles from car windows, and other dangerous situations are far too common.

This is a problem that is going to keep getting worse until something is done about it, and I don’t think we should wait until someone is hurt or killed before focusing our attention on a solution.

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Bike/ped institute proposed for PSU

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An effort to establish the West Coast’s first bicycle and pedestrian research institute is gaining steam. The proposed Bicycle and Pedestrian Institute would be housed at Portland State University’s Center for Transportation Studies.

According to the proposal, the goal of the institute would be to:

“enhance policies, programs and projects that promote pedestrian and bicycle travel through research, education and outreach”

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Photos show Sellwood Bridge hazards

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sellwoodbridge3

[Accident waiting to
happen. Photo Cindie Olson]

In the coming months, you’ll be hearing a lot about the Sellwood Bridge. This bridge, which is slated for renovation or reconstruction is a major arterial that connects SE Portland to the downtown core, yet it is very dangerous and inadequate for non-motorized users.

As you can see in this photo when bikes and pedestrians share the sidewalk, it creates a very unsafe situation. The only available path is even too narrow for a bike trailer to squeeze by (see photos below).

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Don’t miss the Bike to Blazers Night Ride

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biketoblazerssmall.jpgAnnouncing the first-ever Bike to Blazers Night Ride! On Saturday, April 15th join your friends, family and neighbors for a night ride to the Rose Garden to watch the Portland Trailblazers battle the Golden State Warriors. Here’s the lowdown:

  • $5 from each ticket ($15) goes directly to the “Get Lit” program which helps keep cyclists safe and visible. Regular price for these tickets is $17 (without the donation).
  • Join us for pre-game food and drinks at the Lucky Lab Brewpub.
  • Cruise the streets on easy group ride to the Rose Garden.
  • Get the royal treatment with exclusive indoor parking at the arena.
  • Stop by the Bike Community Table inside the arena to get bike maps, stickers, t-shirts and other bikey goodies.
  • Bask in the company of other bikers while we sit together in our own section.
  • Get a free Zach Randolph bobblehead.
  • Purchase tickets online at Blazers.com.

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Aerial photo route map of Westside commute

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Recently in the forums the discussion turned to Westside commute routes. A user named “nborders” mentioned his daily commute up and over the Sylvan hill and down into Portland.

When someone asked him for more info, he posted a detailed description and even made a series of route maps using aerial photos of the area with hand-written notes and tips.

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Bike messengers comment on bus mall plans

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No one knows our downtown streets better than bike messengers. So you think they’d have a loud voice in any plans to drastically alter that landscape. After all, they’re are a group of road users whose lives (and livelihood) depend on safe and accessible streets because they sometimes have just a few minutes to deliver a package from one end of town to another.  The impending construction of a new bus mall in the heart of downtown will have a huge effect on their daily lives.

Yet despite this, their voice and input has been completely absent from the public planning process.

I think messengers have a unique and important perspective to share so I asked a few of them for their thoughts on this situation:

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Stove no problem for bike movers

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Debbie's Bike Move

There was another bike move on the streets of Portland today. Debbie needed to move about four miles across town so instead of renting a truck, she put out the call to the Shift to Bikes email list. 17 people, 16 bikes and 12 trailers answered the call.

This wasn’t my first bike move, but it seemed like more trailers than usual showed up. Tom – a true cargo-bike aficionado – unveiled his bomber new trailer and broke it in with a full-sized stove! Already loaded with the stove I walked by and set a dresser on it. Tom said, “go ahead, it fits!” I was joking, he wasn’t.

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Stolen: Cannondale road

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[Posted by “rose.corrigan”]

Black/silver Cannondale road frame modded for city riding (R300, black to silver fade, straight bars, thumb shifters, women’s specific saddle, bear trap pedals) and white Bell Sweep helmet stolen from bike rack outside 24hr Fitness @ 12th & Johnson on 3/9. Email: rose.corrigan@gmail.com or call: 503.922.1813.

Free u-locks to bike theft victims

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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.

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Locals report on bike adventures abroad

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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.

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Latest Headlines

Botanical garden on Willamette River would come with new section of NP Greenway path

Steel Bridge path closure cuts off key bike route (again)

ODOT investigating changes to Highway 43 after death of bicyclist

TrainSnap app gives timely warnings of blocked crossings and delays

From the Archives

Portland’s invisible machine: Behind the scenes at the World Naked Bike Ride