🚨 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 🙏

Portland firm releases free legal guidebook for electric bicycles

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Electric scooters are hogging headlines right now; but e-bikes are Portland’s quiet transportation revolution. In the past few years the number of people riding with pedal-assisted motors has skyrocketed and local shops have seen a big increase in sales.

While e-bikes have carved out a safe space in Portland’s street culture, they — like their unmotorized brethren — still exist in somewhat of a legal Twilight Zone. Are they bicycles or “motorized vehicles”? Can they be ridden on sidewalks? Those are just some of the questions people often have about them.

A new legal guidebook by the law firm of Thomas, Coon, Newton & Frost aims to answer those questions.

Oregon E-Bike Rights: A Legal Guide for Electric Bike Riders was written by Ray Thomas, Cynthia Newton, Jim Coon, and Chris Thomas. You might recognize that first name as the lawyer behind Pedal Power: A Legal Guide for Oregon Bicyclists, which is now in its 10th printing and is widely considered Oregon’s bike law bible. Thomas and Newton are also BikePortland contributors (and the firm is a major supporter of bike advocacy in Portland, including a sponsor of our work).

TCNF’s 49-page guide is a comprehensive look at laws that govern the use of electric bikes in Oregon. In addition to a rundown of the relevant Oregon Revised Statutes, the guide also covers insurance policy questions, advocacy efforts to change existing e-bike laws and create better ones, and offers a resource guide if you want to probe further.

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Final comment period open now for $42 billion Regional Transportation Plan

Today’s dots are tomorrow’s streets. (Click to enlarge)

“While this plan isn’t the best we can do, it reflects the best we can do right now.”
— from Metro’s RTP Formal Comment Period Briefing Book

When it comes to major infrastructure projects, if it’s not in Metro’s Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), it’s not going to be built. And as our region faces growing population pressure, a mobility revolution, and the impacts of climate change, it’s imperative that the projects listed in this plan reflect our highest values and priorities.

For the past three years Metro and their partners have been working to update the RTP and we’re now just five months away from formal adoption. But before that happens, councilors and policymakers need to hear what you think. An official public comment period is now open and runs through August 13th.

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Family biking profile: Elizabeth Decker has rediscovered the fun

Elizabeth and Zaiden on their Yuba Boda Boda midtail cargo bike.
(Photos: Madi Carlson)

Our Family Biking column is sponsored by Clever Cycles.

➤ Read past entries here.

Thanks for all your comments on last week’s post. This week we’ve got another reader profile to share…

Elizabeth Decker is relatively new to family biking and she does it with an infectious glee that’s not uncommon. Because, as many of you already know, biking with a kid in tow really is one of the funnest things a mom can do.

Tell us a little about yourself and your family.

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Job: Warehouse Worker – Castelli USA

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title

Warehouse Worker

Company / Organization

Castelli USA

Job Description

Castelli USA is seeking a full-time Warehouse Worker for our warehouse in NE Portland. The position performs various warehouse functions (picking, packing, shipping, receiving, etc.). Applicants should be highly motivated with an attention to detail and a team player.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Picking orders correctly, quickly and efficiently
• Packing and shipping orders using UPS Small Package plus some freight
• Receiving inbound products and putting away on shelves
• Keeping warehouse neat and clean
• Helping with physical inventory counts
• Process returns from customers
• Other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS
• Must be detail oriented and organized
• Must have a positive attitude and be highly motivated
• Must be punctual and maintain a good attendance record
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
• High School Diploma
• 1-2 years Warehouse experience
• Basic PC skills, Word, Excel, Outlook, UPS Worldship
Our offices are in the Hollywood/Laurelhurst district of NE Portland and close to MAX and bike routes. We offer competitive salary, health care, 401k, profit sharing, PTO, and a generous product allowance.

How to Apply

Send your resume and cover letter to Mike Sheppard, Director of Operations at msheppard@castelli-us.com

Job: Active Transportation Coordinator – Portland Community College

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Job Title

Active Transportation Coordinator

Company / Organization

Portland Community College

Job Description

Portland Community College is hiring an Active Transportation Coordinator.

The Active Transportation Coordinator will develop a bike rental program for two PCC campuses and provide alternate transportation information to commuters, direct students, staff, and visitors toward affordable, reliable, healthy, and sustainable transportation through transit, bicycling, walking, etc. and maintain program files and records.

Must be comfortable speaking with all types of people and have a fun, friendly, outgoing personality.

This position pays $16 per hour and is planned as a 30-40 hour per week position.

How to Apply

If interested, please email mark.gorman@pcc.edu for a job description and an application.

Job: Transportation Ambassador – Portland Community College

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title

Transportation Ambassador

Company / Organization

Portland Community College

Job Description

Portland Community College is hiring a half-time Transportation Ambassador to encourage students, faculty and staff to walk, bike, carpool, and use transit more often.

The Transportation Ambassador will conduct outreach and administrative tasks, invite the PCC community to participate in the program, respond to questions about transportation to, from, and within their neighborhoods, assemble and deliver information packet orders, and identify other opportunities for outreach and partnership.

Must be comfortable speaking with all types of people and have a fun, friendly, outgoing personality.

This position pays $14 per hour.

How to Apply

If interested, please email mark.gorman@pcc.edu for a job description and an application.

Job: Customer Service Representative – Castelli USA

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title

Customer Service Representative

Company / Organization

Castelli USA

Job Description

Customer Service Representative

Job Description *
Castelli USA is seeking a Customer Service Representative. The position performs various customer service and sales functions, supporting our US retailers and consumers. If you’re highly motivated, have excellent attention to detail, and are a flexible team player, we encourage you to apply.

RESPONSIBILITIES
• Communicate with retailers, sales reps, team accounts and consumers via phone and email
• Process returns and warranties from customers
• Complete tasks and projects within scope of responsibility to support sales, customer service manager, and team sales
• Data entry and administrative duties supporting US accounts

QUALIFICATIONS
• Excellent communication skills and ability to build professional business relationships
• Must be detail oriented, organized and able to appropriately manage time in order to meet business needs
• Positive attitude and highly motivated
• Familiarity with global cycling culture

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
High School Diploma
1-2 years customer service experience
Basic PC skills, Word, Excel, Outlook

How to Apply

Email cover letter and resume to sales@castelli-us.com

Guest post: My Ride to Defeat ALS

A sampling of the route.
(Photos by Maria Schur)

Maria Schur, a.k.a. “Bicycle Kitty” is a Portland-based bike lover and ride leader. You might have sampled her handiwork if you did the Pedalpalooza Kickoff Ride. In this post she shares her experience as a volunteer at the Ride to Defeat ALS earlier this month.

I’m not sure whether to feel terrible for Lou Gehrig because he died young from ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), or because his name has become almost synonymous with this debilitating and often fatal disease instead of for his illustrious career as a talented professional baseball player.

I didn’t know much about ALS before joining the Ride to Defeat ALS last Saturday. 75 miles gave me a lot of time to think about the privilege of good health, and the struggle of the folks diagnosed with ALS and their families. ALS is a motor neurone disease, weakening the victim’s muscles until eventually they’re unable to breathe. It’s always fatal and a diagnosis usually means the patient will die within five years.

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How’s the e-scooter launch going?

PBOT’s cute graphic about the scooter launch looks like it belongs in a preschool class.

(In case you haven’t noticed, BikePortland has been in vacation mode since last Friday and will continue to be until middle of next week. That means I’ve been out-of-the-loop on the e-scooter launch (and other things) and I’m up late posting while everyone else is asleep.)

How’s the e-scooter launch going so far Portland?

All I’ve heard so far is that someone at PBOT made a very poor decision about a Twitter post and that the Willamette Week is looking to cover how annoying and dangerous they expect the scooters to be. Oh, and it looks like our friends at TriMet are big fans.

I’ve been a believer in these things since the beginning, so I’m eager to see how it’s all shaking out once I get home next week.

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Weekend Event Guide: Velo Cult’s farewell, moonrise, slow pokes, and more

Saturday is the farewell party.
(Photo: Jonathan Maus)
The Weekend Event Guide is sponsored by Abus Bike Locks. Thanks Abus!

If you’ve been meaning to swing by Velo Cult, this Saturday will be your last chance to soak up its legendary atmosphere. Let’s give Sky and Anthony a proper sendoff!

And if VC hanging isn’t your thing, we’ve got a few other rides to tempt you with.

Friday, July 27th

Sunset Moonrise Ride – 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm at P’s & Q’s Market (NE)
The Urban Adventure League wants to show you the fun of that special time when the full moon rises the same time the sun sets. Expect an easy five-mile ride to a good viewing spot. More info here.

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Job: Consumer Service Representative – Yakima Products, Inc.

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Job Title

Consumer Service Representative

Company / Organization

Yakima Products, Inc.

Job Description

General Description:

This is an entry level position responsible for assisting consumers via phone and email with their requests for service and product information for the Yakima Products family of racks, including Yakima, Whispbar, and Prorack racks. The position supports Yakima Products end users by following through on their requests for technical product information, product / vehicle fit information, and warranty support and evaluation. Responsibilities include processing a high number of phone calls, emails and sales orders with the quality and positive attitude that our customers have come to expect in our over 35 years in the rack business. Further, this position will execute and support projects with teammates to deliver against initiatives in Yakima’s strategic and annual plans which will contribute to achieving and sustaining the Yakima Strategic Business Plan and Initiatives, global competitive advantage, and profitable market growth strategy.

Scope and Responsibilities:

Provides troubleshooting and analysis to resolve consumer problems in a timely, efficient, cost effective, professional manner, and within established guidelines
Processes sales orders, including follow-up and documentation, in an accurate and timely manner
Provides timely technical product support to consumers by phone and email
Increases sales through suggestive selling to consumers

Specific Duties:

Promptly and professionally answers a high volume of incoming calls
Applies knowledge of company policies, procedures, products and services to troubleshoot, analyze, and resolve consumers’ problems in a timely, efficient, professional manner, and within established guidelines
Accurately and timely processes sales orders
Answers consumer emails in a timely, accurate, and professional manner
Conducts records search, problem/complaint investigation, policy interpretation, and adjustment or correction, referring complex customer inquiries to the appropriate individuals
Recommends products and services appropriate to consumer needs
Provides technical product information to consumers
Refers non-routine or major problems to other individuals, departments or higher authorities as appropriate
Completes all assigned tasks in a timely and accurate manner
Conducts general office work and consumer account administration in an accurate and timely manner
Participates in clinics and staff meetings at the direction of the Department Manager
Provides backup coverage across customer service as required
Provides timely and accurate consumer feedback to appropriate sales and customer service staff
Carries out in an effective manner other duties, responsibilities, and projects as may be assigned

Qualifications:
AA degree from an accredited college, or equivalent experience preferred
One (1) year customer service experience in outdoor retail sales, and experience selling Yakima racks preferred
Intermediate level with PC’s: Microsoft Office Suite; Outlook
Ability to effectively develop work systems to manage workload, work independently and efficiently, have a keen ability to prioritize, and ability to identify and address needs in advance
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal/external customers and consumers
Professional level communicator ~ both oral and written correspondence
Data base experience preferred
Mechanical aptitude
Able to visualize and understand geometric and spatial relationships

Physical Requirements:

Able to sit and work at a computer keyboard for extended periods of time
Able to perform activities such as stooping, kneeling, bending at the waist and reaching on a daily basis
Able to perform general office administrative duties: copying, filing, and using a telephone
Able to lift and carry objects up to 75 pounds occasionally
Corrected 20/30 vision
Must be able to safely operate a motor vehicle and sit for extended periods of time
Must be able to travel via commercial carrier
Overtime as required

How to Apply

Visit our career page to complete our application and attach your resume:
https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=5ef73e79-b94a-4a60-808b-28ccd8f487ae&jobId=224691&source=IN