4/25: Hello readers and friends. I'm still recovering from a surgery I had on 4/11, so I'm unable to attend events and do typical coverage. See this post for the latest update. I'll work as I can and I'm improving every day! Thanks for all your support 🙏. - Jonathan Maus, BikePortland Publisher and Editor
It’s a frequent topic of conversation in local advocacy circles that Portland has lost some of its swagger when it comes to being a leader for cycling in America.
Today, Bicycling Magazine released its biennial rankings of America’s best cities for cycling and Portland came out in 5th place — our worst position ever.
UPDATE, 11/8: Council date has been changed to Thursday, November 15th at 2:00 pm.
October 31st*. That’s when the Portland Bureau of Transportation plans to present their Central City in Motion project to Mayor Ted Wheeler and the rest of city council.
PSU Bike Hub Mechanic
Portland State University
The purpose of the Bike Hub Mechanic position is to facilitate operations for the service area at the Portland State University (PSU) Bike Hub. This position conducts pay-for-service repairs on bicycles, assists with training and supervision of the Bike Hub student staff, particularly in regard to mechanical skill and instruction and assumes responsibility for service, sales and customer relations.
Additionally, this position teaches and assists with classes and repair instruction in a group setting. The position also assists with ordering and receipt of equipment and repair supplies needed to operate the service section of the Bike Hub. This position also serves as a backup for all student positions associated with sales/cashiering and mechanic instruction for Bike Hub members.
Portland State University is Oregon’s most affordable public research university, located in the heart of one of America’s most dynamic cities. Our mission to “let knowledge serve the city” reflects our dedication to turning ideas into action — in Portland and around the world. The city is our campus, giving students unmatched access to career connections, a vibrant cultural scene and hands-on learning experiences with hundreds of community partners.
More than 27,000 students from all backgrounds bring diverse perspectives to our classrooms and campus life, from the tree-lined Park Blocks to the bustling Urban Plaza and state-of-the-art science labs. We are proud of our world-class faculty, groundbreaking research and international reputation for excellence in sustainability, community engagement and innovation.
Transportation and Parking Services provides transportation options and associated services to students, faculty, staff, and guests of the university. We emphasize service and assistance while maintaining safe, convenient and sustainable commute options for the PSU community.
Minimum Qualifications from Classification
One year of experience as a maintenance or general laborer.
Additional Minimum Qualifications for this Position
– Experience performing stores and inventory work
– Training or experience providing knowledge of inventory control systems, and transportation agencies and shipping methods
– 1 year of experience as a bicycle mechanic
– 1 year of experience in a supervisory or lead role
Preferred Qualifications
– Excellent customer service skills
– Excellent oral and written communication
– Cash handling and reconciliation experience
– Computer experience including Microsoft Office Suite and point of sale software
– Completion of bicycle mechanic certification/training program
– Experience as an instructor or trainer
Key Cultural Competencies
Creates an environment that acknowledges, encourages and celebrates differences.
Functions and communicates effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities and cultural backgrounds.
Seeks opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement.
Adheres to all PSU policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.
Environmental Stewardship
Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.
Total Compensation Range & Benefits Statement
The starting salary rate for this position will be between $15.04 and $17.75 per hour (plus a monthly 10% recruitment and retention bonus), dependent upon qualifications and experience, with an excellent benefits package including 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon Public Universities.
Apply online at https://jobs.hrc.pdx.edu/postings/27954
For many Portlanders who care about our country, last week’s new cycle was very stressful.
What better way to escape for a few hours than attempt to ride a bicycle on mud as slick as ice? That’s what many people did yesterday at the second race in the Cyclocross Crusade series held at Alpenrose Velodrome in the hills of southwest Portland.
It’s been a while since I focused on capturing images of a cyclocross race, and I picked an epic one. After a dry opening day on Saturday, rain returned on Sunday and soaked the top layer of dirt on the technical, hilly course. As late morning rain fell, it became difficult to even walk on some in some areas (I slammed on my butt several times just getting these images).
Here are the most noteworthy stories we’ve come across in the past seven days…
Do our part: A major new climate report paints a dire picture and reminds us that everyone in the transportation universe needs to stop placating auto abusers and start aggressively transforming our system into one that is cleaner and more efficient.
The Dutch example: Saying that, “using a phone is just as dangerous on a bike as it is in a car,” the infrastructure minister for The Netherlands is pushing for a cell phone ban for bicycle riders.
Sexism at the races: A veteran race announcer was fired after women voiced concern over sexist remarks made over the loudspeaker at a major cyclocross race.
Love riding the trails at the Sandy Ridge Trail System; but don’t love the hour or so drive it takes to get there?
Or maybe you’ve wanted to ride there but don’t have a car and/or are philosophically opposed to driving to ride?
You’re in luck, because the great Fat Tire Farm bike shop in northwest Portland has launched a new shuttle service. And to make it even better, they’ve got a fleet of awesome rental bikes you can use on the trails.
Here are the details:
After what transpired in Washington DC this week I’m feeling a horrible mix of emotions: Sadness, disgust, frustration, paralysis, hatred, and anger.
It’s been a tough year for Portland’s bike industry.
In May, local cargo bike maker Metrofiets called it quits. Then in July, bike shop and community gathering spot Velo Cult announced it would no longer have a retail location. And on Tuesday of this week we reported that UK-based Islabikes decided to close the local office and warehouse that housed their North American headquarters. And yesterday we shared the messy road that led to the end of Renovo Hardwood Bicycles.
I don’t enjoy reporting these type of stories, but I do think the community deserves to know a reasonable amount of detail about them. Given Islabikes’ popularity and large role in our community (as a sponsor and partner of many local events), I felt like their official statement wasn’t enough. Earlier this week, I reached out to Islabikes General Manager Tim Goodall and asked him to share more about why they’ve decided to leave.
Goodall cited Brexit (the UK’s decision to leave the European Union) and a pesky US federal government regulation as two of the main reasons.
The ride for Renovo Hardwood Bicycles is over.
The website is gone. No one responds to emails. The building at SE 8th and Ash that has housed its factory since 2008 is for lease. And there’s a lien notice posted to the front door.
According to the notice, Kenneth Wheeler of Renovo Designs LLC owes $34,864.53 in rent that hasn’t been paid since May.
This is a sad ending to a company that was once one of the bike industry’s shining stars.
Wheeler launched Renovo at the 2008 North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS) in Portland. With experience and success making hardwood lighting fixtures and airplanes, Wheeler figured out how to make bicycle frames with a CNC machine. When I first visited his shop in February 2008 he proudly watched his CNC machine at work and said it would be done with the frame in five minutes. Not only were the frames beautiful and relatively easy to produce (or so it seemed), Wheeler said they tested stronger than high-grade aluminum.
He was clearly on to something.
The weekend is near. We hope you’ll have the time and ability to indulge your love of cycling. The fall colors are peeking out and we’ve got some season-appropriate suggestions in this week’s guide.
Here are our selections…
Making good on a promise made over a decade ago, the City of Portland has finally started planning a new bikeway on NW Flanders between Waterfront Park and 24th. And at a meeting late last month, Portlanders got their first chance to see it.
The origin of the project goes back to the 2005 Burnside/Couch Transportation and Urban Design Plan. As the legend goes, bike advocates cut a deal with the Bureau of Transportation: Couch was originally designated as the major east-west bikeway through this part of town; but PBOT wanted it to be the couplet with Burnside, so the agreement was to switch the bikeway a few blocks north to Flanders.
The plan was adopted. The couplet was never completed and the Flanders bikeway was all but forgotten.