Women in business find support at Portland Society’s annual boot camp

We actually wear bike shoes more often than boots.
(Photos: Portland Society)

Maria Schur (a.k.a. “Bicycle Kitty“) is active in our community as a ride leader and bike industry employee. Her last post on BikePortland was about her participation in the Ride to Defeat ALS.

Cooler temperatures, golden school buses and colorful leaves can only mean one thing – it’s almost time for Portland Society’s Boot Camp! We’ve come to call it Bootless Camp, because it’s more of a relaxing retreat than a workout-a-thon.

What is the Portland Society? According to our website, we’re Badass Biking Babes. To put it more succinctly, we’re a membership organization of female-identifying cyclists in Portland, Oregon who work together to support each other through referral, education and community. Portland Society has become so much more to me than its mission statement of making Portland a better place to live and ride. What started as a networking group has become a club of bikey friends who empower and uplift each other.

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Portland launches e-scooter rider survey, announces focus groups

Part of the survey asks about existing laws and where people want to ride.
(Photo: Jonathan Maus/BikePortland)

We’re about half-way through the 120-day electric scooter pilot program and the Portland Bureau of Transportation has embarked on the public outreach phase of its assessment.

Earlier today I received an email from Bird, one of the three companies participating in the pilot. “How was your recent Bird ride in Portland?,” it asked. “The Portland Bureau of Transportation would like to hear about it! Take their survey today for a chance to win one of four $50 Visa gift cards. Your responses will help PBOT determine whether e-scooters contribute to the Portland’s mobility, equity, safety, and climate action goals.”

The email linked to a PBOT survey that asked many detailed questions including: “Why did you try e-scooters for the first time?”, “How often do you ride e-scooters?”, “How often do you use e-scooters to access a bus, MAX, or streetcar?”, “What are the top three trip types for which you use shared e-scooters?”, “If an e-scooter had not been available for your last trip, how would you have made that trip?,” “How did you get to the e-scooter that you rode?”, “Have you reduced the number of automobiles you (or your family) own because of e-scooters?,” and so on.

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City lowers speed limits on Marine Drive west of 33rd, the ‘gnarliest gap of them all’

View of Marine Drive eastbound approaching Columbia Edgewater Country Club.
(PBOT graphic)

When we shared the news of improvements coming to the NE Marine Drive last month, many of you were disappointed that nothing was being done on the section between I-5 and 33rd Avenue.

A commenter named Kristin shared that, “Though there’s a ‘bike lane’ through that section, it’s crazily overgrown and very narrow in spots, making the fast truck traffic even scarier.”

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Casting for PDW Fall Photoshoot 10-8-2018

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Portland Design Works is looking for some fresh faces for our fall photoshoot!

The shoot will take place in various neighborhoods around Portland on Monday October 8th from 10-6pm. We are seeking members of the bike community who are interested in modeling for the shoot. All ages genders and ethnicities are encouraged to apply! The entire day will not be required for all models.

This is a paid gig. Use of your personal bike is not required.

If you’re interested and would like more details please shoot us an e-mail at: marketing@ridepdw.com with the subject line: Model for PDW Fall Photoshoot

Feel free to share this post, we look forward to hearing from you!

Hit & Run on SE Milwaukie

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

My daughter was just hit by a driver who failed to stop on SE Milwaukie. They were both south-bound between Knapp and Flavel, This occurred between 5:30 and 5:45PM, Tuesday , Sept 25. She was not seriously hurt, fortunately–a little bruising and scraping– the car sped off ,a woman driving a newer black SUV. She was unable to get the license plate ,but she wanted to alert ppl to the area as it seems to be accident prone.

Wonk Night zeroes in on bike parking code update

Advocate Betsy Reese (L) and Bike Loud PDX Co-chair Emily Guise know that parking policy can be fun!
(Photos: Jonathan Maus/BikePortland)

This post is part of a contractual partnership between BikePortland and Portland Bureau of Transportation.

Last night we hosted a special Wonk Night event to bolster the City of Portland’s bicycle parking code update project.

As we shared last week, the bike parking chapter of the Zoning Code (33.266.200) was written in 1996. That means it doesn’t address today’s volume of riders, the types of bikes people ride, or best practices for the design, security, and location of bike parking. And it’s certainly not strong enough to handle projected growth — in terms of our bicycle ridership goals or the population overall.

That’s a problem.

If people don’t have an accessible and secure place to park their bikes, they’ll be less likely to ride. And for those who don’t bike yet, seeing bikes neatly lined up at high-quality parking spaces can be an inspirational nudge toward giving it a try.

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Family Biking: Time to plan for Walk and Roll to School Day

Our May 2017 Woodstock Walk and Roll to School crew, after the walkers had already set off for school.
(Photos: Madi Carlson)

If you’re like me, you love to celebrate active transportation (a.k.a. walking, bicycling, using a wheelchair, skateboarding, scootering, etc). On October 10th we’ve got the perfect opportunity to party because it’s Walk and Roll to School Day! With about two weeks until event, there’s still time to organize something at your school.

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Job: Mechanic – Community Cycling Center (FILLED)

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title

Mechanic

Company / Organization

Community Cycling Center

Job Description

Organizational Overview

We love Portland and bikes. So we put our two loves together over 20 years ago, creating a nonprofit organization on a mission to broaden access to bicycling and its benefits.

Our vision is to help build a vibrant community where people of all backgrounds use bicycles to stay healthy and connected. We believe that all Portlanders—regardless of income or background—should have the opportunity to experience the joy, freedom, and health benefits of bicycling. This is the motivation behind everything we do.

In addition to delivering dynamic programs that benefit underserved communities, we operate a full-service bike shop in NE Portland that is staffed by highly experienced mechanics from diverse cycling backgrounds. Combined, our programs and shop services help riders build their skills and confidence; empower young people to ride to school and adults to ride to work; offer educational opportunities for teens to earn school credit; and support everyone in riding for health and recreation. We also collaborate with numerous community partners to generate pathways to employment and engagement within the growing bicycle movement by training new educators, leaders, advocates and mechanics.

Our goal is to help create a healthy, sustainable Portland for all community members.

General Position Summary

Status: Hourly, full-time
Location: Portland, Oregon
Compensation: $15.00/hour
Benefits: Includes health & dental; See website for complete list

The Bicycle Mechanic is responsible for supporting the mission of the Community Cycling Center. This includes assessing, repairing, and refurbishing bicycles, assisting customers with choosing parts and accessories, as well as supporting our programs team. Under the supervision of the shop management team, the Bicycle Mechanic will work to consistently and efficiently deliver on the demands presented by our customers and programming efforts. This position will require technical proficiency, attention to detail, the ability to multitask, and to act as an ambassador for the Community Cycling Center.

Responsibilities

Assess and repair bicycles for customers; repair bicycles for retail sale and for use in our programs
Educate customers about the operation and maintenance of bicycles; assist with the purchase of bikes, parts, and accessories
Contribute to the retail environment–answer phones, restock shelves, and maintain a safe, clean, and organized work space
Work cooperatively with the rest of the team to meet the goals set forth by the shop management team
Moving and lifting bicycles up to 50 lbs. is a regular part of this job; however, reasonable accommodation can be made
Support fundraising efforts. This is an essential part of everyone’s job
Be a public supporter of the Community Cycling Center and represent the organization with positivity and consistency

Qualifications & Characteristics

Required

Ideal candidate has 5+ years of experience working in a high volume bike shop
Consistent attention to quality and detail
Ability to meet quantitative production and service goals as outlined by shop management
Effective communication
Ability to work in a collaborative environment
Commitment to and respect for equity, sustainability, and diversity

Preferred

Proficiency in Spanish
Familiarity with Lightspeed POS
Proficiency in ASL

How to Apply

Send your resume, cover letter, and (3) references to Jobs@CommunityCyclingCenter.org. Please put “Bicycle Mechanic” in the subject line. No phone calls, please.

The Community Cycling Center is an equal opportunity employer and strongly values diversity, equity and inclusion. Individuals with diverse backgrounds, abilities and experiences are encouraged to apply.

The Monday Roundup: Fast women, Vision Zero progress, Trump’s tariffs, and more

This week’s Roundup is sponsored by NW Connector, Oregon’s public transit service that can get you and your gear from Portland to the coast and far beyond.

Welcome to the week. Here are the most noteworthy items we came across in the past seven days…

Build bikes like cars: I agree with this post from Bike Shop Girl where they say in order to normalize cycling in the U.S. we first need companies to offer more normal bikes that work well for everyday errands and utility.

No cheating needed: Volkswagen, the German carmaker whose CEO was arrested after they cheated on emissions tests a few years ago has debuted a new e-cargo bike they say is the, “solution for the mobility challenges of tomorrow.”

Noble’s dream race: American Ellen Noble battled Dutch legend Marianne Vos all the way till the end and finished second at the Cyclocross World Cup season opener in Waterloo, Wisconsin yesterday.

Vision Zero varies: After a carfree street idea in London was shelved, The Guardian took a look at how Vision Zero efforts have played out in several American cities.

Urban paradise: I need to take a trip to Pondevedra, a Spanish city that has banned cars.

Women and grand tours: CyclingNews has an in-depth piece on the physiology, economics and popular opinions behind the idea of creating pro cycling events that are as hard and as long for women as they are for men.

Advertisement

More on car bans: Air pollution could be the sleeper issue that changes the politics around car use in cities. It’s obvious that 1) air pollution is terrible and 2) cars are the main reason for it and 3) people love carfree spaces. Put them all together and what do you have?! More carfree cities. Just do it.

A woman did it: Denise Mueller-Korenek smashed the cycling world speed record that had stood since 1995 when she pedaled her bike an astonishing 183.9 mph.

Anti-bike hypocrisy: A woman running for mayor in Vancouver B.C. who has been outspoken against “lawless cyclists” failed to appear for a distracted driving ticket.

Blind spot: “Climate mayors” can’t stop fawning over electric-cars, even when safer and cheaper options are right in front of them.

WTH Seattle?: The public disagreements and lack of political will in Seattle has gotten so bad the city has hired a mediator to help move a project forward.

Trump’s tariffs: A trade war with China from the man who lives in the White House has cast storm clouds over much of the U.S. bike industry.

Perspective matters: Fascinating research into why people value road safety projects differently based on whether they see themselves as a “citizen” or a “driver”.

Thanks to everyone who sent in links!

— Jonathan Maus: (503) 706-8804, @jonathan_maus on Twitter and jonathan@bikeportland.org

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