Here are the bills we’re tracking this legislative session

Capitol building in Salem.
(Photo: Jonathan Maus/BikePortland)

(NOTE: We are updating this list throughout the session. Please refresh to see latest version.)

We’re about one month into Oregon’s 80th legislative session. And while no blockbuster bike-related bills have emerged yet, there are still a number of things we’re keeping our eyes on.

Here’s our list and a few notes about all the bills we’re tracking this session…

Senate Bills

SB 7 – Lower BAC Level – Overview
Senate President Peter Courtney wants to lower the legal level of alcohol a person can have in their blood while operating a vehicle. Currently at .08 percent, this bill would make it .05 percent. I interviewed Senator Courtney about this bill back in December. Status: Referred to Judiciary Committee.

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The Monday Roundup: Cycling’s solace, dooring breakthrough, climate panic, and more

This week’s Monday Roundup is sponsored by Ride Like A Girl, now offering a special “Ready to Ride” coaching program to help you get ready for your big spring/summer rides!

Yes I know it’s Tuesday. But yesterday was a holiday, remember?!

Here are the most noteworthy things we came across in the past seven days…

Ride as an act of resistance: An immigrant from Africa shares how cycling has provided solace from the culture shock of living in 80-percent white Denver and an America as divided and vitriolic toward outsiders as its ever been.

Trump’s accidental parking tax: Portland’s very own Michael Andersen got a whopper of a scoop when he uncovered a piece of the new tax code that might (inadvertently?) punish corporations that subsidize auto parking as a commute benefit.

Stronger aluminum bikes? A new aluminum welding process is on its way to bike frames and the result could lead to very light, strong, and affordable bikes.

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Guest Opinion: A year of bad headlines for freeway expansion

— Written by Shawn Fleek (OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon), Mary Peveto (Neighbors for Clean Air), and Anaïs Tuepker (350PDX).

In 2017, the nascent No More Freeways coalition published an editorial in The Oregonian asking elected officials for an honest reassessment of the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT)’s plans to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to expand the Rose Quarter Freeway in North Portland.

Since then, headlines over the last eighteen months have only confirmed that this is a gravely misguided project.

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Job: Bike Mechanic – Cynergy E-Bikes

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title

Bike Mechanic

Company / Organization

Cynergy E-Bikes

Job Description

We are a growing electric bike specialty shop looking for a customer-oriented bike mechanic to service and build electric bikes. While some experience with e-bikes will be helpful in this position, a general knowledge of bicycle maintenance, strong mechanical skills, troubleshooting abilities and a desire to learn are far more important. We will train you on the “e” aspects.

Responsibilities:
* Perform all types of standard bicycle repairs.
* Assemble e-bikes and perform adjustments.
* Install components and accessories – fenders, racks, integrated lighting, saddles and tires, etc.
* Diagnose & repair electrical problems.
* Keep the department well-organized.
* Assist on the sales floor.
* Be part of the team for evaluating new bike models, new accessories, for improving productivity of the service area, for building store traffic and generating sales.
* An occasional delivery of an e-bike to a customer.

Desired Qualifications:
* At least 1+ years of professional bike mechanic experience in a bike shop.
* Some experience servicing e-bikes a plus, but not required.
* Strong interpersonal skills a plus.
* A team orientation towards improving the overall performance and productivity of a growing business.
* Driver’s license.

30-40 hours per week. Must be able to work Saturdays and may be asked to work some Sundays in peak season.

Location: Southeast Portland, OR

We offer a very competitive wage and generous bonuses based on the overall performance of the team. Health insurance benefits are also available.

How to Apply

Send your resume and/or a description of your qualifications and interests to rich@cynergyebikes.com.

Job: Seasonal Mechanic – Kenton Cycle Repair

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title

Bicycle Mechanic

Company / Organization

Kenton Cycle Repair

Job Description

Kenton Cycle Repair is the oldest bike shop in the Kenton neighborhood.

We specialize in providing obscenely friendly service, quality products and repairs, and unsolicited, but useful advice.

We repair all types of bicycles, sell new and used parts, and are a Raleigh Bike dealer. We’re looking for someone to join our team for the season.

2019 Current Openings:

Bicycle Mechanic
Qualifications:
Excellent Customer Service competency
5 years of professional shop experience preferred
Willingness to learn new and old technologies & repair procedures
Willingness to accept guidance and feedback related to job duties
Proficiency in being nice to all customers regardless of bicycle knowledge

Preferred skills:
Desire to be a part of a small but growing shop in the Kenton neighborhood
Creative, innovative, and interested in expanding knowledge
Strong interpersonal skills
Familiarity with disc brake service
Flexible schedule
Proficiency in Spanish language
Interact positively with customers who are new to bicycling

Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Contribute to a warm and welcoming atmosphere for workers and customers
Intake, assess, repair, and check over bicycles
Assist in all daily shop operations
Strong attention to detail and follow thru

Hours: Up to 25 hours mid March – May. 32-40 per week May – September. Potential for long term employment.
Must be available on weekends

Benefits:
Competitive wages based on experience
Generous employee rates on purchases
Potential for longer term employment
Amazingly wonderful, entertaining, and humble coworkers
Ability to learn different areas of a bike shop rather than stick to one role

Kenton Cycle Repair strives to have an environment in which any employee can work in a safe and accepting environment, free from prejudice and/or discrimination of a person’s race, color, ancestry, place of origin, political beliefs, religion, marital status, family status, physical disability including HIV and AIDS, mental disability, sex, gender, sexual orientation, or age, or otherwise. Individuals who identify as people of color, women, trans, and/or non-binary are strongly encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Resume and cover letter accepted in person or via email.

Bikers on a budget get a break at the Community Cycling Center

The Community Cycling Center’s shop on NE Alberta — now more inviting for more budgets.
(Photos: The CCC)

In Portland, the lower your income, the more likely you are to use a bicycle to get to work. That’s also true on the national level, as Harvard’s Anne Lusk so adeptly pointed out in an article posted by CityLab this week.

Most discussions around this topic center on the need for infrastructure equity and access to safe streets for all. But what about access to the gear and products that can make the act of pedaling a bike more feasible and comfortable?

Portland’s Community Cycling Center (celebrating their 25th anniversary this year!) is dedicated to making cycling accessible to everyone. I recently learned they have Low Income Commuter Discount program at their bike shop on Alberta Street and asked Executive Director Kasandra Griffin to share more about it.

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Man suffers serious injuries in collision with skateboarder on Springwater Corridor path

View from Oaks Bottom path where it meets with the Springwater. Photo is from 2015 right after wands and striping were installed. Nguyen was coming from the left on the other side of this tunnel.

We regret to inform you about another situation where someone suffered serious injuries at a location with a known history for posing hazards to bicycle riders.

On January 29th just before noon, Hien Nguyen was biking northbound on the Springwater Corridor path. As he rolled downhill toward the intersection where another path intersects with the Springwater (about 1.8 miles south of the path entrance at SE Ivon Street, below the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge trailhead parking lot), Nguyen says a woman on a skateboard “appeared out of nowhere directly toward my path.” Nguyen didn’t hit the woman, but he ran over her skateboard, flew over the handlebars and landed head first on the pavement.

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New Steel Bridge Skatepark would create plaza destination in Old Town

View of proposed plaza looking north from Everett Street.
(Images: DAO Architecture)

There’s a renewed effort to build an urban plaza and skatepark at the west end of the Steel Bridge. The location — a vacant lot bordered by NW Naito Parkway, 1st Avenue, and Everett — is at the intersection of several key existing and future bike routes including the upcoming Flanders Neighborhood Greenway.

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Latest Headlines

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From the Archives

The good, the bad, and the ugly on the Oregon Coast Bike Route