Thanks to everyone who has donated so far to help pay my way to DC for the National Bike Summit. I’m looking forward to joining my friends at the BTA and spreading the word about how an independent advocate can use the web to build, nurture, and connect a bike community. Jessica at the BTA is already networking on my behalf, trying to set up meetings and introduce me to other advocates. It will be a great experience for me and one that will have a big impact on my ongoing work here on BikePortland.org.
It was an amazing morning of bike love here in Portland. We had a great turnout at both Breakfast on the Bridges: Driver Donut Edition (photos), and the “I Share the Road” rally (photos). The sun even came out to lend its endorsement to the proceedings. And I’m sure it didn’t hurt that the events were plugged last night on KATU-TV (thanks Anita!) and in an article on the front page of the Oregonian this morning.
Someone just emailed me a link to Phil Stanford’s column in the Portland Tribune. They got an interview with the guy that beat up Randy. Turns out his nickname is “Gater” and he’s an ex-boxer! Here’s an excerpt:
“Gater says he was on his way to work that morning when this guy – who’d been keeping the bus from passing him for several blocks – up and stopped in the middle of the Hawthorne Bridge. … At which point, Gater, who happens to be an ex-boxer, got off the bus and told him to move it. … When he didn’t, Gater says, he threw just one punch, and not a very good one at that. … As for the police, Gater says, he’s not particularly concerned, since by his calculations the statute of limitations expired Monday.”
The City of Portland will hold a rally tomorrow morning to “recommit community support for all modes of transportation” and officially launch the “I Share the Road” campaign. According to the official statement (PDF here) from the Office of Transportation, the joint effort has brought together a diverse group including; the Mayor of Portland, and heads of the American Automobile Association, the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, TriMet, Portland Public Schools, Willamette Pedestrian Coalition, Portland Police Bureau, Elders in Action and others.
Along with the rally at Waterfront Park, the City will take the following immediate actions:
Just a quick note…one of Kryptonite‘s top tech guys is in town and I’m meeting him for dinner tonight. Do you have any questions you’d like me to ask him? I plan to touch base about the latest in bike security and hear what they’ve learned about lock design since the Bic Pen Fiasco. It should be interesting, but thought I’d see if you guys have anything in particular you’d like to know (especially the messengers out there who know a thing or two about locks).
According to Kryptonite, Portland is one of their biggest markets.
While I’m on the topic, the Oregonian covers the Sara Stout Stolen Bike Saga in the paper today. Astute readers will remember my coverage on this back in October.
RECOVERED!! See this comment for details.
[Posted by user “jasonyc”]
This is my wife’s bike that I built-up for her. She’s distraught and I WILL find it with your help. It has a black, brazed steel lug frame with white decal lettering. This unique frame is powered by a rather rare SRAM Dual Drive 3X9 drivetrain. It was pieced together with primarily Bontrager components (see included pictures). The lock was cut and the bike stolen from the racks out in front of the Ecotrust building (at NW 10th and Johnson) in the Pearl District of Portland on Jan. 24, 2006 between 5:00pm and 5:45pm.
If found or sighted (bike in whole or it’s individual components), please reach me anytime at:
Work- (971) 249-7565,
Cell- (512) 799-7433, or
e-mail- jason_y_c@hotmail.com
I will offer a nice reward if it can be returned to us intact.
A group of cyclists intends to put a TriMet twist on this Friday’s Breakfast on the Bridges. The event (which happens on the last Friday of every month) usually consists of volunteers handing out free coffee and pastries to early-morning bike commuters on the Hawthorne and Broadway Bridges. However, in light of recent events organizers have decided to fight fire with flour.
They plan to gather at the westbound Hawthorne Bridge bus stop (the one before the overpass) from 7:30-8:30 this Friday morning with bikes and signs. When a bus pulls up to the stop, the cyclists will board and hand the driver a donut with a label on it that says, “Thanks for sharing.” I can’t even imagine the look on the drivers’ faces when they realize what’s happening.
Here are more photos of Breakfast on the Bridges.
The Portland Police staged an unannounced stop sign enforcement action this morning in inner southeast Portland. Unlike previous “enforcement actions” that were highly publicized beforehand and with signage in the road, this morning’s operation was more covert and unexpected.
Check out the reaction to it on the Shift email list and a bit more, including a poll in the forums.
So how did it go? This just came in from bike lawyer Mark Ginsberg:
Critical Mass defies a neat definition. It is simultaneously revered, despised, and tolerated. Regardless of what you think about it, it’s important to remember that everyone does the ride for different reasons, and every city’s Mass has a different vibe.
Here in Portland, our ride is completely civil and law-abiding. Cyclists and cops even have regular get togethers to figure out how make the ride work better for everyone. Unfortunately, I think the intense political baggage of this ride sometimes weighs down the facts so I thought I’d share some photos from my archives that show a side of Critical Mass you’ve either never seen, or that you don’t want to admit exists.
I plan on being at the ride this Friday (5:45, NW Park and Couch). I think I’ll bring my 3 year-old daughter and show her how much fun it is to ride safely through the city with a friendly group of cyclists.
The Portland Bike Forums are officially open for business. My feedback and testing crew have been playing around with them for a few weeks now so there’s already some good information posted.
My goal is to provide a place where all Portland cyclists can connect, interact and share experiences. I also hope it becomes a place that will help us all become a bit more knowledgeable, engaged, and involved with important issues and events in the bike community.
So go check them out and please leave comments and feedback if you’ve got any.
A few months ago I got a call from one of the editors at Bicycling Magazine. We’d met at last year’s Sea Otter Classic and I of course went on and on about what’s happening in the bike scene up here. I told him about everything from wonky ridership stats to Chunkathalon, Bridge Pedal, and everything in between. I wasn’t sure what he’d do with all the info, but I guess he was duly impressed because they named Portland “Best Overall” cycling city in their March issue.
