BikePortland

Our annual don’t be a jerk in River View Cemetery post

One thing I’ve realized about doing daily local news in a fast-growing city is that even if we’ve covered something several times, many people who are new to town are still in the dark about some things.

At least I hope that’s the case with a recent incident in River View Cemetery.

So if you’re new to town, please listen up: That forested path through the cemetery that takes you safely between the Sellwood Bridge and SW Palatine Hill Road/SW Terwilliger Blvd is private property. We are extremely lucky that the Board of Directors of the nonprofit that runs the cemetery have given us (via the City of Portland) the right to pass through. They do this because there is no other direct and safe option. And because they are nice people. Suffice it to say, the River View path is a gem that’s used and adored by many — from commuters to racers and weekend warriors — and it’s a privilege to use it, not a right.

Fresh off a public hearing dominated by opposition to their I-5 Rose Quarter project, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is now hearing new concerns from the Portland Public Schools Board.

In addition, the leader of the Albina Vision project, Rukaiyah Adams, made public statements about the project at an event hosted by the Portland Parks Foundation last night. And No More Freeways PDX has filed a formal request for an extension to the current comment period for the project’s Environment Assessment on grounds that ODOT withheld crucial data and gave the community only 18 days to analyze it.

Here’s a rundown on each of those fronts…

Earlier this month a pair of bills that would give cities across Oregon more authority to set speed limits on local streets got their first hearing in front of lawmakers at the state capitol in Salem.

There was no vote taken on either Senate Bill 558 or House Bill 2702 at the Joint Transportation Commitee on March 6th; but the conversation between advocates, lobbyists, agency staff, and lawmakers was notable. Especially an exchange about “traffic violence”.

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title

Operations Assistant

Company / Organization

GO Box

Job Description

GO Box is building a movement to eliminate single use plastics – a reusable revolution. GO Box is a circular, zero waste system that empowers food vendors and their customers to choose reusable containers that eliminate the need for single use plastics.

GO Box looking for an energetic and detail-oriented Operation Assistant to deliver and collect reusable containers throughout Portland using a pedal-assist ebike and trailer. Operation Assistants play a vital role fulfilling the GO Box mission, supporting the growth of our service and educating/encouraging vendor and customer utilization of our reusable containers.

Availability: This is a part-time position (approximately 6-12 hours/week) primarily between 10 am – 5 pm. Operation Assistants will work regularly scheduled routes: we currently have routes available on Monday, Tuesday and Friday.

Responsibilities:
– Develop route using GO Box Admin System, creating list of stops for deliveries and collections
– Accurately track and report delivery and collection data using Admin System
– Represent GO Box in a professional manner and treat vendors, corporate clients, customers, potential customers and other road users with respect

Required skills and experience:
– Strong communication, organizational and time management skills a must
– Reliable, detail-oriented and self-directed
– Able to count accurately, follow directions and work independently
– Confident city cyclist who adheres to bicycle traffic laws
– Food service experience a plus
– Must have smartphone with data, email and text capabilities

We believe in building a diverse, inclusive team and the strength that brings to our company. GO Box is committed to hiring people of all races, ethnicities, ages, gender identities, sexual orientation, marital status, and religious affiliation. Women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, and members of other minority or marginalized groups are encouraged to apply.

Compensation: This is a 1099 contract position with a pay rate of $12/hour with an increase to $15/hour after successful 30 day review.

How to Apply

Send an email to info@goboxpdx.com with 1-2 paragraphs telling us why you're interested in working for GO Box, your bicycling background, relevant skills and scheduling availability.

Family Biking: A tire pumping primer

madi-pump-floorpump — Bike maintenance with kids is fun! (And takes twice as long.)
(Photos: Madi Carlson)

Shout out to all the fair-weather family bikers! Rumor has it the gorgeous weather won’t last, but it’s lovely out right now and my kids’ bikes have lots of new company at the school bike racks.

Our Family Biking column is sponsored by Clever Cycles.

➤ Read past entries here.

Have you ever excitedly greeted your dusty, neglected bike in the garage on the first nice day of the year only to find it has two flat tires? Fortunately your tires don’t need repairing — rubber is porous and as soon as you pump air back in, your bike will be ready to roll. Keeping the right amount of air in your tires is a relatively easy task, and it’s incredibly empowering to be able to keep your family’s fleet functional. Yeah, plenty of other things can go wrong with bikes, but flat tires are the most common woe. Plus, kids can help, and — if yours are like mine — they’re probably already familiar with your bike pump, having shot air into their mouths, noses, and down their pants.

Here are some basic tire-pumping tips…

Screen Shot 2019-03-19 at 7.31.46 AM — WaveCel’s “collapsible cellular membrane” showed much better results in initial lab tests than traditional foam or MIPS.

A local company has played a major role in the development of a new helmet released today by Bontrager, a bicycle part and accessory brand owned by Trek Bicycle Corporation.

Bontrager says the WaveCel technology used in their new line of helmets, “disrupts 30 years of accepted safety standards.” The company says research proves WaveCel is up to 48X more effective than common expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam at preventing concussions caused while cycling. The “collapsible cellular material” was developed by Dr. Steve Madey, an orthopedic surgeon, and Dr. Michael Bottlang, a biomechanical engineer. Madey and Bottlang work for Apex Biomedical, a company with a laboratory in Clackamas and an office in downtown Portland. Their research was performed at the Legacy Research Institute in north Portland. Madey and Bottlang worked with Trek and Bontrager’s research and design teams for four years developing the material.

With so few safe and direct alternatives, the I-205 multi-use path in east Portland is a crucial backbone in our transportation network. Unfortunately it’s been rendered nearly unusable due to an abundance of trash, personal belongings, and makeshift homes that have been built upon it.