🚨 Please note that BikePortland slows down during this time of year as I have family in town and just need a break! Please don't expect typical volume of news stories and content. I'll be back in regular form after the new year. Thanks. - Jonathan 🙏

Adventures in Activism: Time management tips from two busy Portlanders

Catie Gould.

This post is by our activism co-editor Catie Gould, a very busy local transportation activist who has a full-time job on the side.

——

Does the New Year have you hoping to get more done?

Certainly the times demand a lot of us. How on earth can we manage everything — working, doing the laundry, spending time with loved ones — all while finding time to reform our transportation system and combat climate change in a way that doesn’t burn us out?

Often overwhelmed myself, I sought out the advice from two of my Portland heroes. I hope their stories help you stay effective and inspired!

Read more

TRB Dispatch: Portland’s transit equity research and poster sessions

Just one of the “startlingly democratic” poster sessions.
(Photo: Aaron Brown/BikePortland)

Welcome to the latest dispatch from our Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting Special Correspondent Aaron Brown, who was in D.C. covering the event thanks to sponsorship from the Transportation Research and Education Center at Portland State University (TREC at PSU). See past coverage here. (Note: Views expressed by the author are his own and do not reflect those of TREC at PSU.)

Transit equity

Aaron Golub’s presentation was one of my personal highlights of the conference. I attended a seminar in which Dr. Golub, a Professor of Urban Studies and Planning and the Director of the Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning at Portland State University, shared findings from his ongoing research about the equity implications of TriMet’s shift towards electronic fares. His presentation, “An Equity Assessment of Smart Mobility Systems in Portland, Oregon”, was featured in a session titled, “Taking Off the Rose-Colored Glasses: Equitable Access to 21st-Century Mobility Options”.

Read more

Matt Garrett has resigned from ODOT

Matt Garrett in 2012.
(Photo: Jonathan Maus/BikePortland)

Huge news from the State of Oregon today: ODOT Director Matt Garrett has resigned.

This is potentially – depending on his replacement – a massive development that could lead to a different culture in the automobile-centric agency.

Garrett was an embattled agency head who had been the subject of severe criticisms from electeds, advocates, and transportation reform leaders.

I’m out of town at the moment and unable to fully analyze and report on this. So for now, here’s the statement from ODOT:

Read more

Job: Retail Sales – CyclepathPDX

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title

Retail Sales

Company / Organization

CyclepathPDX

Job Description

Cyclepath PDX of Portland is currently seeking a full time, year-round family member for our bike shop. Candidates will have a great opportunity to work with some of the best brands in the industry in an award-winning shop.

Candidates must be:
• Personable
• Sales oriented
• Detail oriented
• Able to manage time effectively
• Organized
• Able to lift 50lbs
• Passionate about bikes!

Familiarity with bicycles, bike parts and accessories and athletic and lifestyle clothing, are a plus, as well as a strong interest in the outdoors. Excellence with customers and coworkers in a teamwork environment are a high priority. Candidates must have clear communication skills and work well independently as well as in a dynamic team setting.

Full time, year-round employment with benefits is available to the right candidate, who would be someone with sales experience and product knowledge and is looking to grow with the shop and stay with us as we continue to grow. We are willing to train and cultivate the right person with the wealth of knowledge we have gained over the last 20+ years.

Desired sales knowledge to be successful in our shop:
• Familiar with modern mountain bikes
• Familiar with modern road bikes
• Knowledge of modern suspension designs
• Experience with Shimano Di2 drivetrains & accessories
• Familiar with Fox fork and shock technology

Job Type: Sales, full time, year-round

Experience:
• Bicycle and bicycle accessory knowledge: 1 year (Preferred)
• Outdoor retail: 1 year (Preferred)

We will do our best to acknowledge receipt and will get back to everyone in a timely manner, but we’re busy!

How to Apply

Email updated cover letter and resume to Mitch@Cyclepathpdx.com

Job: Bike Builder – River City Bicycles

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title

Bike Builder

Company / Organization

River City Bicycles

Job Description

River City Bicycles is looking for full and part time bike assemblers. Bike builder applicants should have a minimum of 2 years of bike build experience and familiarity with a range of bikes and current build standards including:
– Properly torqued fasteners
– Bearing adjustments
– Wheel truing
– Hydraulic disc brake set up and bleed
– Knowledge of dropper posts, mountain bike set up and e-bikes is a plus

We are looking for bike enthusiasts with a positive attitude to build all types of bikes including e-bikes. The ideal candidate needs to show up on time and work hard in a high paced team environment. River City Bicycles is committed to excellent customer service and a positive work environment. Candidates need to work well with others and may be called on to fulfill tasks beyond bike assembly.

How to Apply

Please send a cover letter and resume to service@rivercitybicycles.com

Job: Customer Experience Specialist Full Time – Velotech

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title

Customer Experience Specialist Full Time

Company / Organization

Velotech

Job Description

This position is responsible for responding to customer phone calls, emails, and for working directly with customers in our store. Customer Experience Specialists provide product information, advice and order assistance. Qualified Customer Experience Specialists also review orders and price match requests and assist with site content, including product reviews, photos and descriptions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
Answer product questions & assist with the order process
Analyze customer questions, troubleshoot, and provide clear answers in an efficient and professional manner
Develop trust and loyalty with consumers and build value in our brands
Navigate a sophisticated order processing system
Generate performance reports and recommend improvements
Coordinate with Returns to assist customers with returns and exchanges
Assist walk-in customers with product questions and purchases
Retrieve products from the warehouse to assist walk-in customers

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES:
Navigate a sophisticated order processing system
Work with Marketing to assist with customer-facing content, including site maintenance, product images and descriptions
Increase sales by genuinely helping customers learn about additional/alternative product options

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS:
Basic computer skills
Strong knowledge of cycling
Previous customer service experience is a plus, as is sales, service and mechanical experience in the cycling industry

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:
Excellent communication and organizational skills
Solid knowledge of cycling products
Ability to work in a high volume, fast-paced environment
Ability to work independently or with others to manage multiple task with minimal supervision.

How to Apply

Please apply by clicking on application link below:

https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=27565&clientkey=4C6D7027145254251F7D24DAA9BDF3F7

State of Oregon finalizes funding list for Safe Routes to School projects

(Image: ODOT)

The State of Oregon has finalized its first batch of Safe Routes to School projects funded through the $5.3 billion transportation package passed by legislators in 2017.

Region 1 (which covers all of Portland) will receive $3.39 million for four projects that will make it easier and safer for kids to walk and bike to class. ODOT awarded nearly $16 million for 24 projects statewide. Demand for these funds far outstripped supply as the agency received a total of 112 project applications requesting a total of $85 million.

Read more