(Graphic of shadow over Esplanade with wider I-5 by Cupola Media)
“We will no longer be considering signing a letter of concurrence.” — Brett Horner, Portland Parks & Recreation
The Portland Parks & Recreation Bureau won’t play ball with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) when it comes to a key issue surrounding the I-5 Rose Quarter project.
Biking advocates in McMinnville have launched an effort to bring a pump track to town. They’re also working with the Bureau of Land Management to establish a new mountain bike trail network east of Carlton off the popular Nestucca River Road.
All they need is a hand from donors to help make it a reality.
“With the increase in cars on the roads and lack of safe areas to ride bikes in our community it has come to our attention that the youth in our area need a safe place to exercise and gain skills and confidence on their bikes,” Willamette Valley Cyclists Board Member Ron Baker recently shared.
Ramp is now closed to public use. Note the PBOT bikeway signage at the top, which demonstrates how this was a well-used bike route. (Photos: Stephen Gardiner)
A property owner’s effort to curb crime has resulted in the loss of an access point to the Marine Drive bike path.
“If we offend a few folks along the way, I guess that’s the cost of activism.” — Eva Frazier, Clever Cycles
Sarah Iannarone is a serious challenger to incumbent Mayor Ted Wheeler. After coming out of nowhere to nab 12% of the vote in her first try at the mayor’s office in 2016, her campaign has stepped way up this time around. One of the places she enjoys considerable support is among Portland’s legion of transportation reformers, where many know her not just as a politician, but as a fellow activist who often walks, rides, and rallies alongside them.
That might explain why one of Portland’s most well-known and established bike shops, Clever Cycles, has decided to host a house party for her. On March 3rd, Clever Cycles is inviting interested folks to join them at the shop for snacks, drinks and a discussion of Iannarone’s many plans.
I asked shop co-owner Eva Frazier to share why she supports Iannarone and why she’d risk getting directly involved in politics. Here’s what she said:
“I was having a conversation with another woman in the Portland bike scene. She said that we have this platform as business owners and would be wasteful to not leverage that to make Portland a better place. Portland has seen a lot of change, but also a lot of stagnation on fronts that we care about. We’re looking to the future politicians of Portland to make policy that brings us forward into a brighter future. I voted for Sarah four years ago, and I guess Portland wasn’t quite ready for her then. We need some serious change to make Portland into the city we all want to live in. Electing a mayor that walks the walk will get us there a little faster. One of the appealing aspects of owning a small business is not having to toe the corporate line. If we offend a few folks along the way, I guess that’s the cost of activism. If we don’t offend anyone, then we’re probably not doing our job.”
If you’re interested in learning more about Iannarone’s platform, consider showing up on next Tuesday. Here are the event details on Facebook. Frazier points out that the shop is family-friendly and there’s a play area for children away form the partying and politicking.
What’s the latest sign that gravel riding has taken over the cycling world?
How about a new, five-day event organizers describe as, “An immersive VIP gravel training experience” where the price of admission can cost up to $2,100.
The new Bend Unpaved event (May 7-11) is headlined by Bend-based professional cyclist Carl Decker. He’s inviting up to 15 people to join him and his friends Matt Lieto and Barry Wicks for an all-inclusive training camp where they share their vast knowledge and favorite central Oregon rides.
We are pleased to announce an exciting opportunity to join a rapidly growing organization that is responsible for mountain bike trail access and development in large parts of Oregon and Washington, and for over 20,000 hours of volunteerism annually. Founded in 1988 in Portland Oregon, the Northwest Trail Alliance (NWTA) is the largest mountain bike organization in Oregon and one of the largest in the US (see nw-trail.org and facebook.com/nwtrail).
We are looking for a socially and digitally engaged individual to actively promote and coordinate NWTA’s activities. The successful Operations Coordinator (OC) candidate will predominantly fulfill two roles. The Digital Media Curation role will entail posting news and events via NWTA’s digital media (e.g.: website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Eventbrite and CRM mailings). The Event Coordination role will involve planning, coordination, and on-site logistics of the organization’s various trail maintenance and social events. The OC will be the main conduit for NWTA’s communications with its 2,500 members through all forms of media, and the communications liaison between event participants and event planners. Good writing and communications skills are essential.
Send cover letters and resumes to hiring@nw-trail.org.
Candidate reviews will begin March 9th and position will remain open until filled. Please include examples of writing and experience promoting via social media. Links to websites, blogs, and online media are encouraged.
I usually publish this on Fridays, but I missed it last week and we’ve had several new listings come in so I wanted to make sure they got some attention while they’re still hot and fresh.
A confident rider these days. (Photos by Becky Jo)
Humans are so weird. We pop out all clean and looking like fresh, blank slates, but really, there’s a lot already going on in there. I love when humans are surprising, and that’s probably the best thing about being a parent. Just watching them become whatever seed was already planted inside.
Let’s take the youngest here. She’s that kid that while you teach her things, you might think, “This isn’t ever going to take.” Then one day she decides that she’s got it completely down. One day she decided she was potty trained, and she was. That was that. Same with swimming, reading, and now biking. It took me four years and one day to teach her to ride a bike. Alternatively, it was four years of me confused and trying to re-word and explain the same concepts over and over — then a single day of her deciding she was a bike rider.
Oregon E-Bikes is seeking a bike-savvy team member for the 2020 summer season and likely beyond. We focus almost exclusively on electric bikes, and this team member will play an integral part in our customers’ experience on a day-to-day basis. Our sister store, Big Winds, has been in downtown Hood River for 35 years and is a fixture in the windsurfing, kiteboarding and stand up paddleboarding community. During the summer season, there is never a dull moment!
This is a great opportunity to live in beautiful Hood River and be a part of a team that is fun-loving, hard working and passionate about e-bikes. Prior experience with e-bikes is a bonus, but not a must. Prior bike mechanic experience is strongly preferred.
Ideal traits include:
-Bike mechanic knowledge
-Outgoing, fun loving, and empathetic personality
-Love of biking
-Retail sales experience
-Ability to work in a fast paced sales environment for up to nine hours a day
Compensation: DOE
How to Apply
Email an intro to jodie@oregon-ebikes.com. We look forward to connecting!
“We want to give voters with a strong interest in transportation an opportunity to learn more about the top candidates and reach their own conclusions.” — Jillian Detweiler, The Street Trust
Portland’s political season is shaping up to be one of the most consequential and competitive in history. Two events coming next month will help you figure out who’s worth voting for.
With four of five seats up for grabs (including mayor), there are at least 40 candidates vying for seats on Portland City Council alone.