Snow still blocks many bikeways, one week after storm
(Photo: Jonathan Maus/BikePortland)
(Photo: Robert B)
(Photo: Robert B)
(Photo: Jonathan Maus/BikePortland)
The major snow and ice storm that moved into Portland Friday is still having negative impacts on bicycling conditions throughout the city. While conditions for drivers have improved greatly in the past few days and some bikeways are clear — large amounts of snow, ice, gravel and debris continue to block access to most bikeways and walkways.
‘Spatial justice’ advocate will speak in Portland about how to create inclusive public spaces
(Photo courtesy Portland Parks Foundation)
An event next month hosted by the Portland Parks Foundation will delve into a very relevant topic for transportation advocates: the intersection of public space and social justice. On March 17th they’ll host an event titled, Re-inventing Portland: Public Space, Creativity, and Social and Spatial Justice. The speaker is urbanist, racial justice activist and Harvard University School of Design graduate Liz Ogbu.
On the surface, the value of this event might not seem obvious to some BikePortland readers. But look deeper.
When the pandemic first hit last March, many of us push PBOT to create safer, low-car spaces on public streets. Given the boom in demand and overflowing sidewalks, mixed with the need for safe socially distanced physical activity, it seemed like a no-brainer. But the commissioner-in-charge of PBOT at the time and some advocates felt like it shouldn’t be rushed into because “open streets” aren’t necessarily open to all.
Interview: PBOT Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty on the Hawthorne decision, traffic enforcement, and more
I spoke to Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty on the phone last Friday. We covered a lot of ground. The interview below has been slightly edited for clarity and brevity.
Earmarks are coming back and Oregon is positioned to get them says Rep. Blumenauer
Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer dropped into a meeting of the Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation (JPACT) Thursday morning to share an overview of what to expect from the Biden Administration.
Apple Maps cycling directions now available for Portland
If you use Apple devices and rely on a bicycle to get around Portland, we’ve got some good news. Apple Maps has just expanded its cycling directions feature to our wonderful city.
PBOT Pedestrian Advisory Committee member steps down, cites city’s lack of progress
A member of the Portland Bureau of Transportation Pedestrian Advisory Committee (PAC) has decided to resign from the committee for what she says is the agency’s, “inability to respond swiftly and proactively to the crises we are facing, the lack of creative thinking and solutions, and reasons why we need to see more action from the agency.”
Evelyn Amara Ferreira, a walking and sustainability advocate who’s also CEO and founder Earthen Exchange, has served three years of her four-year term on the PAC. In a letter sent Tuesday to other members of the committee (read it below), Amara Ferreira said, “This wasn’t an easy decision to make, but I’m finding it difficult to be an active participant on the committee and bring my full and generally optimistic self to the table.”
The move comes one week after members of the PBOT Bicycle Advisory Committee excoriated the agency for its handling of a recent project where BAC members did not feel respectfully engaged in the decision-making process.
Regional disaster response effort will include ‘Bike Emergency Transportation Routes’
Portland-based ‘Broken & Coastal’ magazine releases 6th issue
When traffic violence hits home
Oregon Walks ED Ashton Simpson on Hawthorne, ‘aggressive’ bike culture, and more
Ashton Simpson took over as leader of the nonprofit Oregon Walks back in January. Before that, the Russell neighborhood resident and active volunteer for transportation issues ran for statewide office.
I reached out to him last week to get his perspective on the debate around the Hawthorne Boulevard paving project. Our chat went longer than expected.
Below is a slightly edited version of our conversation:
Any thoughts on the Hawthorne decision?
“I wasn’t involved in it at all. Outside of what was released yesterday [Tuesday, February 9th], I didn’t even know that project was happening. I’m still trying to get wrap my head around the organization and all the things that go along with it. But I did talk to someone on our Plans and Projects Committee and her and I both agree that what they proposed now is better than what is out there today. Granted, it was a big loss for a bike lane on that road, especially for those who live in that community. I wish that could have been added on. But at the same time, we had limited space requirements and they’re trying to fit a lot of stuff in there.
Our wild winter weekend
(Photos: Jonathan Maus/BikePortland)