The safety of Portland protestors is under threat due to aggressive car drivers

A car driver drove toward a large group of marchers on SE Powell near Cleveland High School on June 13th.
(Still image taken from PPB video)

I was afraid of this.

For years we’ve been warning about the threat of vehicular violence by people using cars. Now it’s on the rise amid the daily marches against police violence and racism that have been going on in Portland for three weeks straight.

There have been several documented cases of Black Lives Matter protests being disturbed by car drivers intent on causing harm. Below are six seven of them.

— On May 29th someone driving a Volkswagen sedan drove into a man riding a skateboard near NE Grand and Shaver. The incident was caught on camera by The Oregonian photographer Dave Killen.

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Oregon Bicycle Racing Association wants to increase participation of Black riders

(Photo: Jonathan Maus/BikePortland)

The Oregon Bicycle Racing Association, our state’s official sanctioning body for competitive cycling, knows it isn’t doing enough to support participation of Black, Indigenous and people of color. And they’ve taken a first step to do something about it.

In a statement shared with the group’s 4,500 members yesterday, OBRA Board of Director members Stacy Westbrook and Christy Hawkins wrote, “The events over the last few weeks have shone a spotlight on the systemic racism prevalent in our communities. OBRA recognizes that the cycling industry, and the sport of cycling, has contributed to this.”

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Transit feedback session planned for Metro’s transportation bond measure

Climate change activism group Sunrise PDX is hosting an info session tomorrow (6/17) on Metro’s Get Moving 2020 transportation funding bond measure.

It’s been easy to forget with the pandemic and protests dominating the news since March, but Metro still hopes to put this measure on the ballot in November. If all goes according to plan it will raise $3.1 billion for infrastructure projects, including $975 million for the new SW Corridor MAX light rail line.

“Now more than ever the intersectionality of environmental justice, racial justice and transportation justice is a major key in how our city proceeds with its priorities,” reads a description of the event. “Feedback about the anti-oppression and community engagement portions of this bond will be an especially important part of how we move forward.”

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Sheriff’s Office says Portland man found dead after riding bike east of Bend

(Photo: Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office)

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office says a Portland man was found dead Saturday on a dirt trail north of Highway 20 about 28 miles east of Bend. According to their statement, 36-year-old John Eric Sims was believed to have been riding a mountain bike prior to his death.

Here’s more from DCSO:

“On 6/14/20 at 12:32 p.m., deputies from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a deceased male, who had been located by ATV riders. This location was approximately one mile north of Hwy 20 near milepost 28. Deputies arrived on scene and began conducting a death investigation. Detectives and a Deputy Medical Examiner from the Deschutes County Medical Examiner’s Office arrived on scene to assist in the investigation. The male was later identified as John Eric Sims, age 36, of Portland, Oregon.

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Job: Mechanic – Cynergy E-Bikes

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title

Mechanic

Company / Organization

Cynergy E-Bikes

Job Description

Cynergy E-Bikes is seeking a bike mechanic for our growing electric bike specialty shop. While some experience with e-bikes will be helpful, good general experience as a professional bike mechanic is most important. Strong general troubleshooting abilities and a desire to learn the electrical aspects are critical as well.

We foster a true team and “family” orientation in which everyone contributes towards providing a better experience for both customers and employees.

Responsibilities:
* Perform all types of standard bicycle repairs.
* Run diagnostics, troubleshooting and repair of electric problems (we will train)
* Assemble and inspect e-bikes and perform adjustments.
* Install components and accessories – fenders, racks, integrated lighting, tires, etc.
* Enter service orders
* Keep the department well-organized.
* Assist on the sales floor.
* Be part of the team for improving productivity and the customer experience.
* An occasional delivery of an e-bike to a customer.

Desired Qualifications:
* 2+ years of professional bike mechanic experience.
* Experience servicing e-bikes a plus.
* Excitement towards e-bikes.
* Genuine care for customers.
* General computer skills. Lightspeed POS a plus.
* A team orientation required.
* Driver’s license a plus.

30-40 hours per week. Must be able to work Saturdays once COVID-19 restrictions are eased and may be asked to work some Sundays

We offer a competitive wage and generous bonuses based on the overall performance of the team. Health insurance benefits. Paid time off.

Location: Southeast Portland, OR

How to Apply

Forward resume or an explanation of your qualifications to rich@cynergyebikes.com

Heads up: Paving project impacts bike traffic on Terwilliger

Terwilliger at Capitol Highway as of this morning.
(Photo: Jonathan Maus/BikePortland)

A key cycling route in south/southwest Portland is getting repaved and the work zone detour is causing headaches for some riders.

The Portland Bureau of Transportation is grinding the pavement and laying down a smoother surface on Terwilliger between Capital Highway and SW Bancroft. PBOT says the project will last through June 24th.

Reader Andrew N. emailed us a few days ago after he came upon the work zone. “I’m a cardiologist on the hill and commute up this most days. They are forcing bicyclists to detour to Barbur all the way around with the cars. It’s dangerous and requires crossing several lanes of traffic and battling all the cars and now all the diverted cars up from the north side.”

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From the Archives

With six kids and no car, this mom does it all by bike