If you think bicycle commuters deserve the same tax benefits from employers that already exist for drivers and transit users now is the time to make your voice heard. I just got this urgent call to action from Jessica Roberts at the BTA.
Vancouver/Williams traffic safety meeting tonight
The Portland Development Commission needs to hear from you about what traffic safety projects you care about on the Vancouver/Williams corridor.
The meeting is tonight from 6-8PM. I know this is way late notice, but this is an important opportunity to weigh in on traffic safety issues. If I could make it, I would tell them about how Adaptive Path Construction put this fence and dumpster dangerously into the bike lane.
Hopefully some of you can attend. Here are all the details
Is it time to change stop sign laws?
[Photo by
quite peculiar.]
quite peculiar.]
For many years, the prevailing mantra from bicycle advocates has been, “Same roads, same rights, same rules.” Beyond a catchy slogan, the thought is that this puts bicycles on a level playing field with motorists in the court of law and public opinion. This seems to make sense.
However, the problem with this thinking is that bicycles and motorized vehicles are vastly different, both in physical makeup and more importantly, in their potential to cause harm when an illegal maneuver results in a collision. It also seems unfair that given this difference in potential to cause harm, bicycles are levied the exact same fines as motor vehicles.
Under current law, a grandma rolling through a stop sign on her three-speed receives the same $242 ticket as the guy in the big SUV.
Volunteer: Bike Repair Clinics
The Community Exchange Cycle Touring Club needs volunteers for the Free Community Bike Repair Clinics on Saturdays.
Two of our regular volunteer mechanics, Scott Potter and Evan Burgad, are now working at Fat Tire Farm and Gateway Bicycles respectively on Saturdays. We want to give them a big thank you for helping in the clinics tiredlessly since Feburary. If you drop in at those shops, don’t forget to say Hi to these two great bike mechanics and community builders!
Volunteer: Reach the Beach
[NOTE to readers: This post is coming to you via my new “Volunteer” category. I am experimenting with this as a way to increase visibility for volunteer opportunities. Like the Stolen Bike Listings, these posts will not show up on the front page of the site, they will only show up in the RSS feed, email notifications and in the “Recent Posts” lists in my sidebar. Thanks and let me know if you have any feedback.]
Reach the Beach is a 2,000 rider strong benefit bicycle ride for the
American Lung Association of Oregon (ALAO). You don’t need to be on a
bike to make a huge difference in the ALAO’s work to promote lung
health and clean air. Over 300 volunteers are needed to make this
event a success on May 20th. SIGN UP TODAY!
Police sting cyclists in response to complaint
Yesterday morning the Portland Police Bureau Traffic Division set up a sting at SE 23rd and Salmon streets. Several cyclists were given $242 dollar fines (the same amount for motor vehicles) for rolling through the four-way stop.
This enforcement “mission” was motivated by a phone call to 823-SAFE (the City’s traffic safety hotline) several weeks ago by a woman who lives near that intersection. According to Traffic Division Lieutenant Mark Kruger, she complained that bicyclists were running the stop sign at speed without even slowing down and when she tried to confront them about it they became “caustic” (argumentative and sarcastic). Here’s more from Lieutenant Kruger:
Pedalpalooza poster unveiled
Local artist, cyclist, historian, and general renaissance man Shawn Granton has just unveiled the much anticipated Pedalpalooza poster. The official poster will be done up right by Stumptown Printers but isn’t ready just yet.
In the meantime, Shawn sent me a hi-res version that I strongly recommend you print it out, stick in your cubicle and dream of the bike fun that awaits you from June 8-24th.
Behold (click to make bigger):
Stolen: Blue Trek 9400
[Posted by “Alan”]
My 2004 Trek 9400 with wide back fenders and narrow slick tires was stolen from the parking lot above 24 hr fitness at SW 5th and Clay on May 10th 2006. I bought it from Coventry Bicycles at SE 20th and Hawthorne last summer. It has a water cage, pump and a rear MT-1 rack. Rock shock front fork. Contact me by email if you have info. And thanks for all the fish! serial # ww1787494
Ride of Silence planned for Portland
On May 17th at 7:00PM, thousands of cyclists around the world will gather and ride in silent solidarity to remember cyclists that have been killed. The Ride of Silence started in Dallas, Texas in 2003 and will happen in 225 cities in the U.S (including five in Oregon).
Amazingly though, until today there was no ride planned for Portland. Good thing local cyclist John McCaffery came along. In the last few days he has organized a route, obtained a permit, and has just announced the details.
Concerns arise over OHSU’s treatment of bike commuters
[Unsecure bikes.]
A group of bike advocates have been working with Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU) for over a year to improve conditions for bike commuters at the hilltop campus. However, despite clear evidence of the problem they have been “systematically rebuffed” by management and the former head of their Bike Commuters Group calls OHSU’s actions and policies regarding bike commuters “irresponsible.”
Shimano selects Portland for new group launch
[Shimano’s new “Coasting” group.
Photo: BRAIN]
Photo: BRAIN]
[Via Bicycle Retailer and Industry News]
Shimano is investing millions of dollars into a new component group called “Coasting” that will target new cyclists. They plan to roll out the new group to only 15 cities the first year starting in March of 2007. According to a story in Bicycle Retailer and Industry News, Shimano will focus the initial marketing of the new group in “bike-friendly cities with safe places to ride.”
Bikey L.A. band will ride to Portland show
[Coming to Portland]
The “eclectic folk-pop” duo The Ditty Bops just announced their cross country tour. But instead of a tour bus, these ladies will go by bike and according to the official press release they plan to make a stop in Portland.
No confirmed date or venue, but I think someone should contact their manager and get the Sprockettes and Show Me The Pink to open up for them.
Hear an interview and listen to some Ditty Bop clips from this NPR story back in July.