BikePortland

Becky Jo’s Carfree Life: WTF Apple? (and other route questions)

Let’s stop for a second.

During this adventure, I’m going to be reconciling a lot of my previous car-driving lifestyle with my current carfree lifestyle. I’m excited to have a new world to learn about, and while I’m not technologically or mechanically inept, this is a whole new world of application. Also, yes, some of you will really want to send me to LMGTFY. Normally I would too – but there’s so much out there, and a lot of it is completely contradictory. There’s some serious analysis paralysis happening in my melon. I realize I’m in over my head, and if I’m coming up with these questions, there’s likely a hundred more out here too scared to ask, not to mention among yourselves it can’t hurt to info-share. I’m just the one with a keyboard and zero shame. OK. Let’s get going…

I try to not think about work while on vacation, but I couldn’t help think of Better Naito and Waterfront Park while I was in La Paz, Mexico with family over winter break. The reason? A dreamy piece of public space known as the Malecón.

Our story based on a report about public sentiment and perception of transportation and the Portland Bureau of Transportation led to some interesting reader feedback. One part of the report several readers related to was the feeling expressed by focus group members that the city’s bikeway designs are not always consistent or intuitive.

Reader “chris” shared a thought that was nominated as Comment of the Week by several readers. Here it is (note that he begins by quoting parts of the report):

Screen Shot 2020-01-16 at 3.20.18 PM — The task at hand.

Now that Metro’s 2020 Transportation Funding Task Force has decided which projects to fund, they need to figure out how to pay for them.

Screen Shot 2020-01-16 at 12.17.28 PM — Smiling improves the weather.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

The weekend is just around the corner. And while it might not feel like biking season, our calendar proves otherwise.

Here’s our list of fabulous things to do this weekend…

A poll commissioned by the Portland Bureau of Transportation found that a large majority of Portlanders don’t think widening roads is the answer to congestion and that the agency needs simpler messaging and a clearer vision.

An initiative by The Street Trust to tackle the gender gap in cycling wants to become more inclusive.

When Velotech announced the closure of their 10,000 square foot Western Bikeworks retail store in the Pearl District in September, gears were already turning to expand the company’s showroom at their warehouse location near the Portland Airport.

Tucked into an industrial park just north of Columbia Boulevard at 87th, the warehouse had always had a walk-up counter to represent their three brands – BikeTiresDirect.com, Western Bikeworks, and TriSports.com. For years there wasn’t much of a display and the space served primarily as Velotech’s offices, product warehouse, and bike assembly facility.

On Saturday (1/18) that will officially change as a new retail showroom is unveiled after significant renovations.

Policymaking can often feel far-removed from our everyday lives. Then there are times when we can connect current policy debates with matters of life-and-death with a short, straight line. This is one of those times.

Screen Shot 2020-01-13 at 3.32.20 PM — The author and his friend Justin Sawyer represented the Candlelighters on the Crater Lake rim during Cycle Oregon 2019.

Written by Tony Jordan. BikePortland is always open to sharing your guest articles. Please get in touch if you’d like to contribute!

On January 29th, Cycle Oregon will announce its 2020 routes at the annual Kickoff Party. According to their website we can expect some surprises such as, “short and long options, gravel options, multiple layover days, bonus activities, and more opportunities to really become part of the communities.” The new options and extra rest and recovery time should make the ride accessible to more people, but plenty of riders will spend some time following the announcements wringing their hands over the costs, training time, and logistics of committing to a wonderful-but-challenging week of epic rides.

I’m here to tell you that there’s a way to ride Cycle Oregon with a built-in group of new friends, a schedule of training rides, extensive additional in-camp support, and maybe even some financial assistance; all while supporting another worthy charitable organization. It’s kind of like a Cycle Oregon cheat code and it’s called Ride for a Child.

Becky Jo’s Carfree Life: WTF Apple? (and other route questions)

The Monday Roundup: Cities without cars, The Paris Way, headwind cycling, and more

The Malecón in La Paz, Mexico is the public space Portlanders dream about

Comment of the Week: The problem with inconsistent, “chaotic” street design

Thief picks handcuffs, steals bike owned by Portland Police Bike Theft Task Force leader

Metro task force ponders how to raise billions for bond measure

Weekend Event Guide: Clothing swap, warehouse sale, King Kong Classic, and more

Report reveals attitudes about transportation from inside and outside PBOT

Street Trust renames ‘Women Bike’ program to be more inclusive

Western Bikeworks’ parent company to unveil new retail showroom at warehouse location

This morning’s death on TV Highway underscores need for reform, investment

This year, ride Cycle Oregon with a purpose: Ride for a child

Latest Headlines

Advocate for nondrivers, Anna Zivarts, will speak in Portland Wednesday

Police team up with park rangers to patrol paths

Tow truck driver hops onto I-5 bike path to skirt traffic

Peer into future of I-5 freeway covers at community work session

From the Archives

More biking = better driving. So why isn’t this said more often?