The Treehugger blog uncovers news about innovative and sustainable products and eco-friendly transportation. I thought you’d appreciate their recent post on carrying large loads by bike.
And while you’re at it, check out these awesome photos and movies of bike moves here in Portland:
Snapped a few photos of the new bicycle boulevard pavement markings I mentioned a few days ago. These are the first of “700 or so” that the city will install in the next few weeks. These markings will guide cyclists onto low-traffic through streets and will be yet another sign to motorists that they aren’t the only ones on the road.
These photos are from NE 37th and Holman. View all the photos here.
In January 2006 the City of Portland will begin installation of 4 “bike oases” structures on Hawthorne Blvd (see photo). The oases are being designed by Rick Browning of Browning Shono Architects and will likely be placed at SE Elliott, SE 36th, Ave, SE 38th Ave, and SE 48th Aves on Hawthorne Blvd.
According to the manager of the project:
“Each Bike Oasis will have space for ten bikes. In the information panel, PDOT plans to install bike maps and information on the side facing the bike racks, and walking maps and information on the side facing the sidewalk. “
These exciting new bicycle facilities are part of the Hawthorne Boulevard Project which seeks “to create a public environment and transportation system that supports Hawthorne’s role as a vital neighborhood main street”.
Portland’s pedal-friendly profile continues to to grow outside of Oregon. Just days after an AP story hit nationwide, a recent article in the Christian Science Monitor focuses on our new lane markings called “sharrows.” Roger Geller and Mia Burk – local bike advocacy stalwarts – were quoted in the story. Here are a few excerpts:
Caught between the need for a continuous bike lane and the demands of drivers, Portland transportation engineers finally came up with a solution. Next month, the city will fill the gaps in the network with new shared-lane pavement markings, called “sharrows.” Stencils of a bicycle with two chevron markings above it will be painted, two per block, in areas too narrow for a bike lane. The idea is to keep cyclists away from parked cars while promoting awareness of their right to use the road.
The principle behind sharrows is simple: They reinforce existing rules of the road. In most states, cyclists are required to stay as far to the right as possible, except under unsafe conditions. One of these conditions is when the travel lane is too narrow for side-by-side passage of an automobile and a bicycle.
“The most dangerous place for a cyclist to be in a narrow travel lane is far to the right, because you are in a ‘door zone’ and motorists think they have enough room to stay in their travel lane and pass you”
I’m all for sharrows and other pavement markings…but I also know that my safety ultimately comes down to vigilance and defensive riding. On that note, don’t forget to attend the bike safety workshops coming to a neighborhood near you.
Cyclocross season is right around the corner. If you’re new to the sport, or just want to sharpen your skills, you should check out the Cyclocross Skills Clinics every Wednesday in September at the Alpenrose Dairy velodrome.
The clinics will cover essential cross skills like dismounting your bike and crossing barriers. The clinics will be led by our very own, local and world-class cyclocross racers, Erik Tonkin and Rhonda Mazza.
Here are the details:
Today’s Willamette Week features a poignant cover story by Angela Valdez. Angela, who writes for the WW, was struck by a motorist on NE 15th and Prescott several weeks ago and suffered a broken back and other serious injuries.
Their is also some good bike safety food for thought in their Letters to the Editor this week.
If you live in Portland and you’ve got an eye for bikes, you probably already know of Matt Cartwright’s work. Matt makes sculptures and builds furniture out of bike parts. Some of his well-known pieces include the “bike people” atop River City Bicycles, the memorial for Matthew Scheckel at SE 37th and Taylor, and the bike panel fence in front of Big City Produce on N. Albina and Sumner.
I met him at the recent Mississippi Street Fair and found out he also does landscape consulting. Hmmm….wonder if he could make something for my yard out of all the old clunkers and parts in my basement!
[Photo credit: Matt Cartwright]
I had my fair share of bike fun on Sunday.
It started with a fantastic ride out to Kelley Point Park (tip of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers). Kelley Point is a great destination because there is either bike lane or bike path the entire way. Not to mention it’s got great beaches, huge, grassy meadows, and lots of good picnic spots. Highlights of the ride were picking blackberries on the beach and coming across a brush fire on the bike path near the water treatment plant (just north of Columbia Blvd).
See more of my Kelley Point ride photos.
I then switched gears from family jaunt to mini-bike mayhem on my first ever Zoobomb. Like everyone else, I’ve been reading and hearing about this for months now and I finally got a chance to give it a try. I dusted off a 16″ wheeled bike I’m saving for Eleni and MAX’d down to Rocco’s Pizza to check out the scene. I saw some of the usual suspects including Rev Phil, Dingo the Clown and Yuffie (a guy in a Border Collie costume).
Even though I cut out before the serious partying and festivities began, I managed to partake in the night’s first bomb. I raced down the hill against some serious mini-bike talent, in total darkness, and with sharp, wet turns thrown in for good measure. I came very close to wiping out when I locked my coaster brake around a gnarly, wet turn at 30 or so mph…but somehow managed to stay upright. I was disappointed to lose about 4 places in that turn, but for my first run ever, I was glad to make it down in a respectable time.
The MAX ride back up the hill was an event in itself, as we all packed into the train like sardines. Thanks to the very cool MAX driver for putting up with us!
See more of my Zoobomb photos.
A little side story is that when I got down to PGE Park hoping to catch the MAX back to NoPo I missed the last one by just a few minutes! There was no way I could ride a 16″ bike 5 miles through the city and back up the hill to my house! Luckily I met a nice kid from North Carolina who took pity on me and paid for a taxi to drop me off at home.
The kindness of a stranger capped a great day of bike fun. I slept well (considering I’ve got an 11 day old baby at home!).
First we told you about the new “sharrows” coming soon to select Portland streets…now I’ve just got word from the city that “700 or so” additional pavement markings will be installed on bicycle boulevards starting next week. Bicycle boulevards are designated, low-traffic bike routes without bike lanes, such as SE Ankeny, SE Salmon, NE Tillamook and others.
Here’s the scoop from city of Portland Bicycle Coordinator, Roger Geller:
“The circles will be white with a cut-out bike that will show the pavement. They’ll be 1-foot in diameter. Where we wish to show a change in direction we’ll include the arrow to point people the way to go. We’ll be installing about 700 or so of these on existing bike boulevards, every 600-800 feet in each direction of travel (so they’ll actually appear every 300 feet or so). We hope to begin installing them in the next week or so.”
Tonight’s Critical Mass ride was a blast. I took Eleni in the trailer and we had a great time. Warm breeze, a great route (over the Ross Island Bridge!), some well-chosen music (thank you boom-box bike guy) and a fun group of people all contributed to the good vibe.
I hate to mention the cops, but I think it’s ridiculous that they even show up anymore. I actually feel embarrassed for them because they had nothing to do…and you know what happens when cops get bored…they find something to do.
Bottom line is that having the cops at Critical Mass is a big waste of taxpayer money and a waste of law enforcement resources that could be put to more necessary tasks. Cops are also a deterrant to more families and other cyclists who would join the ride if it weren’t for their intimidating presence. Eleni was the only kid on the ride (she’s 2 and 1/2)…and I know there are a ton of families that would show up if there were no cops.
So Mayor Potter, Commissioner Sam, is there any way you can call off the dogs for next month’s ride? It’s sort of ironic that we’re hoping to be the first Platinum level bicycle friendly city, yet we can’t even go on bike ride without the boys in blue watching over us.
By the way, feel free to peruse all my photos below. Don’t miss the Xylo-bike, the mini-bikes, the boom-box bike, the assorted personalities and other fun craziness. See you out there next month!
In case anyone missed it, the Zoobomb crew is featured in the current issue of the Willamette Week. Choice quotes include:
“We’re not political. We don’t want to subvert your dominant paradigm…we just want to have a good time.”
“We’re kind of keeping bike culture on the popular radar,” adds “Solid Gold,” a three-year member. “And reminding people that bikes are the most fun invention on Earth.”
Thanks Zoobombers…I dream of the day when riding small bikes down hills is the dominant paradigm.
On that note, with Zoobomb getting so mainstream these days, I wonder when Sam Adams will show up to one?
Just a reminder that a bunch of people will be riding around downtown tonight between 6 and 7:00. If you want to join in on all the fun, just show up on a bike and ride. There will be a large group forming around the North Park Blocks (off Burnside) at around 5:45 if you’re interested in riding with others.
Families, bells, costumes, and general merriment are strongly encouraged.