BikePortland

How car parking makes new housing much more expensive

We’ve been on the car-housing beat for many years now, so when housing expert and Sightline reporter Michael Andersen says he’s never seen a more clear-cut example of how Portland can choose housing for people or housing for cars, I think it’s worth your attention.

Andersen just published a story about a policy in front of Portland City Council today that would reform “mid-density zones”. Among the details of the Bureau of Planning & Sustainability’s Better Homes By Design proposal is one that Andersen finds “almost shocking its clarity.”

I’ll let Andersen explain (emphasis mine):

Portland mayoral candidate Sarah Iannarone is no stranger to bold ideas. She spent years working at Portland State University leading educational tours for visiting leaders that focused on our city’s legacy of transformative urban planning decisions.

Now, as Iannarone campaigns to unseat Mayor Ted Wheeler, she’s unveiled a “Climate Justice” policy plan that would be transformative in its own right. Iannarone’s “Green New Deal” plan (PDF) comes out just two weeks after a City of Portland report found that carbon emissions from the transportation sector are “increasing dramatically.”

(Conceptual renderings of NE Tillamook and 21st from City of Portland)

The City of Portland says they’re all set to start building a set of safety updates at a tricky, off-set intersection on the Tillamook Neighborhood Greenway.

Comments about transportation safety made on Twitter last week by Portlander Tiana Tozer have raised eyebrows. While her Twitter account is not an official ODOT communications channel (her profile says, “Opinions are my own”), Tozer is ODOT’s Region 1 transportation safety coordinator and she sits on the Portland Bureau of Transportation Vision Zero Task Force.

Here’s what happened:

Tiana Tozer attended a City of Portland event at Ventura Park Thursday morning. Later that day she replied to a tweet of a video we posted from the event. When someone questioned the effectiveness of holding signs and asking drivers to slow down, Tozer replied: “Ho hum another entitled American sitting back watching people die, but he himself has no solution. How easy it is to criticize. God forbid you should be part of the solution. Don’t strain yourself.”

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East Glisan Street Update project — View looking east from bridge at Menlo Park school around NE 130th. Note where old striping has been ground off. The new auto parking lane is where the old outside lane used to be. That narrow strip against the curb is the new bike lane.
(Photos: J. Maus/BikePortland)

Kids are back in school, the sun isn’t quite as sunny, and there’s a fall vibe in the air.

While summer has dropped off the back of the peloton, it’s still a beautiful time to ride bikes in Portland! If you’re looking for something to do, have a look at our ride and event selections below…

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

The peak summer cycling season might be behind us, but local bike-related companies are still looking for great people.

How car parking makes new housing much more expensive

Big transportation ideas highlight Portland mayoral candidate’s ‘Green New Deal’ plan

As area grows, North Vancouver Ave gets more space for cycling

Medians, new bike crossings coming to NE Tillamook at 21st

Family Biking: Join us for the Kidical Mass Pumpkin Farm Ride

Did Oregon City police just catch Portland’s notorious Interstate Avenue nail bandit?

ODOT staffer raises eyebrows with series of tweets – UPDATED

The Monday Roundup: Bikelash insanity, bike share bust, Greg LeMond, and more

Car2gone: Rideshare company announces Portland exit

Bike lanes on East Glisan! Checking in on PBOT’s latest arterial street update

Weekend Event Guide: Alice Awards, Killer Fang Ride, photo show, and more

Jobs of the Week: Holy Spokes, Velotech, Go By Bike, Community Cycling Center

Latest Headlines

Video: Meet a nursing student who received one of Portland’s first e-bike rebates

BikeCraft makes triumphant return with festive fun for everyone

Escape into far-flung adventures at bike touring slideshow

Local gas tax will fund two new crossings on SE Division

From the Archives

Portland’s invisible machine: Behind the scenes at the World Naked Bike Ride