Let’s talk about bike boxes


On a ride into downtown this morning I came across a common sight: People on bikes waiting for a red light in a single-file line at an intersection that has a bike box. The bulk of the bike box — a large green space at the front of the intersection intended to make auto users to stop further back — was empty.

This has always puzzled me for several reasons. Whenever I come upon a bike box at a red light I’ve always thought it best to fill the box. That’s why it’s there right? So, in an effort to spread the word, I posted a photo and message about it to Twitter.

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Council session reveals City’s commitment to I-5 congestion pricing

I-5 north of Weidler overpass.
(Photo: J. Maus/BikePortland)

“I’m fully cognizant of the fact that [congestion pricing] may not happen before this project and I certainly don’t want to see this project fall by the wayside because of that.”
— Dan Saltzman, City Commissioner

As the Oregon Department of Transportation tries their best to move forward with a project to widen Interstate 5 through the Rose Quarter, there remains broad support from experts, activists, insiders — and even politicians — that charging a toll to drive on the freeway is the most sensible way to respond to congestion concerns.

But until last week it had been all talk and posturing. That was before City Commissioner Dan Saltzman (who oversees the Portland Bureau of Transportation) drafted an amendment to an action item on the project in the Central City 2035 Plan. At their October 18th work session on the plan, Portland City Council agreed with Saltzman on an idea we first reported on back in September: That ODOT must implement congestion pricing on I-5.

But the devil is in the details. When would the tolls start? Would they be legal? How committed is the City of Portland to congestion pricing on I-5? Are they willing to risk the entire project if it doesn’t happen?

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Product Review: Cool weather, USA made kit from Ornot

Socks, Bib shorts and jersey colourways sync up for a put together look.
(Photos: James Buckroyd)

Pretty psyched for a change of season, I ordered up some new gear.

I needed some new colder weather kit and wanted to try something different, so I grabbed a few things from Ornot, a smaller San Fransisco company that has been around for about four years. Ornot’s brand stuck in my mind from the play on words in their clever marketing campaign: “You can be a rolling billboard, Ornot.” The whole point being that their kit has no logos, no sponsors, no massive branding. In the cycling world we’ve all been subjected to logos everywhere on cycling kit — some tastefully done, some not. Browsing through the website you see an array of products all with minimal branding and really nice patterns and designs.

I ordered up some winter bib shorts, a winter jersey and socks for the full matchy-match look.

Here are my impressions…

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Job: Bike Tour Guide – Trek Travel

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title *
Bike Tour Guide

Company/Organization *
Trek Travel

Job Description *
Do you want to bike around the world while getting paid? GREAT! We can’t wait to hear from you!

TREK TRAVEL is in search of vibrant and service driven individuals who are passionate about people, cycling, and travel to lead cycling vacations worldwide. We are especially interested in candidates with strong bike mechanic skills, travel experience and fluent in another language.

How to Apply *
If you are interested in finding out what it takes to be a TREK TRAVEL GUIDE, learn more at https://trektravel.com/employment/be-a-guide/ Application deadline December 31 2017 for the upcoming season. Completed applications are reviewed and processed in the order they are received.

Four-month closure of Stub Stewart trails starts November 1st – UPDATE

Vernonia Stub Singletrack Century-17.jpg

We’ll miss you. But it’s for the best.
(Photos: J. Maus/BikePortland)

UPDATE: This project has been delayed and the trails are still open until further notice. Please see the Oregon State Parks website for latest updates.

You have about one more week to enjoy the awesome off-road biking trails at Stub Stewart State Park before they close for the winter.

Word from our friends at the Northwest Trail Alliance is that a logging project is set to begin in November and continue to the end of February. In addition, Oregon State Parks says that the paved Banks-Vernonia path will be closed between Buxton and Tophill for the month of January. The BV will be closed Monday through Friday from January 8th through the end of that month due to helicopter operations.

The purpose of the Stub Stewart closures is a logging and forest management project. NWTA trail builder Joe Rykowski says crews will use helicopters to thin the forest — a project aimed at improving the overall health of the forest that will have the added benefit of making biking better. Helicopters will be used (instead of trucks and tractors) in order to limit erosion and other environmental impacts to the trail system. This also allow crews to lift each tree out of the forest without it ever touching the ground. About 560 acres will be logged and about 25 to 40 percent of trees will be removed depending on the area.

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Niner Bikes founder, now a Portlander, hopes to crowdfund children’s book

Cover of Domahidy’s book.

Go to any bike race or adventure ride these days and you’re almost sure to see “Niner” on the downtube of at least one of the bikes. Niner Bikes, as their name suggests, is respected in the bike industry as a pioneer of the 29-inch wheel size, having launched their first model in 2004.

Steve Domahidy co-founded Niner and was head of its R & D department until 2011. He recently moved to Portland where he’s put his design and engineering prowess behind a new brand (Viral Bikes) and a new project that’s a departure from anything he’s worked on in his 30-year career in the bike industry: a children’s book.

Domahidy is currently in the final stretch of a Kickstarter campaign for A Bike For You, a book he wrote in tandem with illustrator Rob Snow. The book is a fun tale that uses animals to explore many different types of bikes and styles of riding. Here’s an excerpt:

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Cyclocross roundup: Epic flooding at Crossword, photos from Heron Lakes, and more

Cyclocross Crusade - Heron Lakes PIR-30.jpg

That smile, that strawberry helmet, those sweatpants: This kid is pure Portland cyclocross spirit.
(Photos: J. Maus/BikePortland)

We’re right in the thick of this year’s cyclcross season. And from what I’ve seen and heard it’s been a good one.

First things first though. Have you seen the River City Bicycles recap video of the Cyclocross Crusade race at Alpenrose a few weekends ago? It’s hilarious and it’s not what you’re expecting (scroll down to watch).

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Job: Cycle, Deliver + Cater Food in Downtown Portland – Portland Pedal Power

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title *
Cycle, Deliver + Cater Food in Downtown Portland

Company/Organization *
Portland Pedal Power

Job Description *
Do you want to get paid to:
ride a longtail bicycle through downtown Portland?
deliver & serve delicious food from awesome local restaurants?
provide high quality service to cool local companies?
work with a team of good, kind people?
How about all those things?

We do good work: At Portland Pedal Power, we are small business with a lot of integrity. We work with businesses across Portland to deliver and cater the tastiest food made at local Portland restaurants and food carts. We pick up and deliver by bicycle and, impressively, it usually takes our riders less time to get food from door to door than any car delivery service. In short, our unique model combines sustainable, bicycle-based delivery with unmatched customer and food service.

In preparation for the business growth we anticipate, we want to recruit positive people who have the kind of integrity as individuals that we strive to have as a company.

Availability: Employee must be available on regular pre-determined day and time, weekdays. Our morning shift is between 6:30-9:30am and our lunch shift is between 10:30am-2:00pm.

Duties – As a PPP Brand Ambassador/Rider, you will:
Pick up and deliver prepared meals from restaurants to corporate offices via a Portland Pedal Power fleet bicycle
Professionally cater meals at corporate offices
Engage in marketing activities are consistent with our values and brand. This includes (but is not limited to): promotional item distribution, impromptu interactions with the public concerning PPP services, representing company at events, passing potential customer contact information to PPP sales team
Handle delivery related receipt and money transactions.
Protect organization’s value by keeping information confidential.
Update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities provided by the company and externally; reading relevant material; maintaining personal and company networks

Required Qualifications – We want to to bring these skills:
Food service and/or catering experience
Strong bicycle rider with experience operating in urban setting, focused on safety
Friendly and outgoing personality.
Computer and communication device usage and proficiency
Lift up to 60 pounds
Background check and drug test required

Preferred Experience:
Catering background.
OLCC permit
Strong bicycle rider (cargo bike experience) with experience operating in urban setting.

Needed Tools: Smart phone with data, email and text capabilities

We believe a diverse, inclusive team makes us a stronger and better company. We’re committed to hiring people of all races, ethnicities, ages, sex, genders, sexual orientation or gender identities, marital status, and religions. Women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, and members of other minority or marginalized groups are encouraged to apply.

This is a position in Portland, Oregon. Pay is hourly + tips which equates to a $17.50-$20.00 hourly compensation.

How to Apply *
To apply, please send us your resume and 2-3 sentences in the body of your email describing why you think you’d be the perfect fit to susan@portlandpedalpower.com.

A new bike path into Mt. Tabor Park is coming into focus

Latest design drawing for changes to Mt. Tabor Yard (I added pink at location of new bike path).

Mt. Tabor Park is a gem of southeast Portland. But if you live south of the park you’re all but shutout from easy access. Now the parks bureau is zeroing in on a design for a new public access point from SE Division Street at 64th that will include a bike path.

Finally the South Tabor neighborhood will have convenient access to its namesake park.

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Bicycling stars in Portland’s Amazon HQ2 pitch

Cover of Portland’s pitch to Amazon.

There can no longer be any doubt that bicycling is a major part of our region’s “value proposition” to businesses.

A reference to bicycling occurs on seven of the 23 pages that a local business group has sent to Amazon as our region’s pitch for the company’s second headquarters location. Among those references is a starring role on the cover of the pitch which shows a man bicycling down the corkscrew ramp from the Morrison Bridge to the Eastbank Esplanade with the Portland skyline in the background.

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