The Monday Roundup: Biking as wonder drug, driving privilege in Charlottesville, bike tax metastasis, and more

This week’s Monday Roundup is brought to you by Chrome Industries, who recently moved their headquarters to Portland and they’ll celebrate by having a Warehouse Sale with deep discounts on last season/sample bags, apparel and footwear. Sales runs 8/18 – 8/20 at old Shleifer builder at 224 SE 2nd Ave.

Welcome to Monday. Before we start another big week, let’s not forget the most interesting stories from the past seven days…

Driving privilege and racism in America: Transportation reformers and racial justice advocates see disturbing parallels between our overly permissive car culture and the accused murderer who intentionally drove his car into a crowd of people protesting against a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville over the weekend.

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ODOT survey on spending priorities

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

ODOT is running a survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/transportationfunding where they ask, “As ODOT begins work on developing the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program for 2021-2024, we would like your opinion on how transportation funds should be spent.” Options include maintaining existing roads, expanding roads, protecting habitat, public transportation, adding sidewalks and bike lanes, and more. Go tell them what you think.

First Look: New bike signals unlock two-way protected bikeway on Naito

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There’s a new way to roll between Better Naito and the Steel Bridge.
(Photos: J. Maus/BikePortland)

Slowly but surely, the Portland Bureau of Transportation is claiming Naito Parkway as a major bike corridor — and improving access between Waterfront Park and downtown in the process.

First they took Better Naito under their wing, and now they’ve flipped the switch on new bike-only signals that create a lower-stress connection between NW Davis and the Steel Bridge. The $166,000 project was funded by the Fix Our Streets program.

We hinted at this new connection — and Naito’s larger role in PBOT’s downtown bikeway plans — back in May. I checked it all out yesterday just hours after the signal was activated.

Here’s what I observed.

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Editorial: Jeff Reardon’s public disservice ad campaign has got to go

There are no winners here Rep. Reardon. This is not a game.

A video released Tuesday by Oregon House Representative Jeff Reardon portrayed someone in a Chevy Camaro running over an innocent person using a marked crosswalk. Prior to the graphic impact, the Camaro driver recklessly burns rubber from his tires (a violation of Oregon law), stares down his victim, clenches the wheel tighter, and proceeds to run through a red light. If this scenario happened in real life, there’s a good chance the driver would serve time in prison.

The “Look First. Walk Second” public service ad campaign is irresponsible, insensitive, and dangerous. It flies in the face of current traffic safety advocacy best practices and runs counter to the principles of Vision Zero. For an elected leader who says he cares about improving road safety, Reardon’s continued support of this campaign and his unwillingness to acknowledge very serious concerns raised by the public are shocking and outrageous.

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Lincoln Diverters, Bumps at Richmond NA on Mon. Aug 14

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PBOT has plans for 2 new diverters (at 26th and at 50th) and 30(!) new speed bumps on Ladd, Harrison and Lincoln, 12th to 60th. Sheila Parrott will give a presentation and ask for a letter of support at the Richmond Neighborhood Association meeting on Mon., Aug. 14, at 7 PM, at Waverly Church, 3300 SE Woodward.

Parrot has been to the Mt. Tabor and HAND associations, with no support letters so far, AFAIK. Harrison and Lincoln have seen increased cut-through traffic since the Clinton diverters were added. At the Mt. Tabor association, some board members were opposed to the 50th diverter, since it would mean less traffic on Lincoln, but more going down 50th. Some cyclists would rather see more diverters and less speed bumps. Staff have argued that the $20,000 cost of diverters is an important factor, compared to $2000 speed bumps.

Let the city, and the RNA, know your thoughts on this, Monday night at 7:00! City plans seem to include asking for neighborhood support, before holding an advertised city-sponsored open house.

Job: Bike Friday – Service Department and Technical Support Team Member

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Job Title *
Service Department and Technical Support Team Member

Company/Organization *
Bike Friday

Job Description *
Ever dream of having a job building something environmentally benign that at the end of the day you can feel good about? We are an ambitious group of people trying to do our part to make the world a better place to live. Green Gear Cycling (Bike Friday) is an internationally recognized manufacturer of high performance folding bicycles for traveling and utilitarian/commuting use. Most of our designs are the market segment benchmark product. We employ lean manufacturing techniques (Toyota Production System) to hand fabricate the bicycles here in Eugene, OR.

The qualities we want from you is the combination of positive can do attitude, strong people skills, drive to get the job done, and most importantly, personal responsibility. A strong mechanical aptitude is needed. Other personal qualities you will need are the flexibility to adapt to a changing environment, strong communication skills, and a healthy sense of humor. Prior bicycle shop (service mechanic) experience while not required, is generally needed.

While the position we are filling for is for a bicycle mechanic to work in our service department, the team member may be cross trained to work in the production line on occasion. This differentiates this position from a traditional bicycle shop service job as you get to participate in the fabrication of bicycles. The Bike Friday Service Department handles customer phone calls, walk-in assistance, warranty repairs and elective service for Bike Friday bicycles only. This position relies on team members who are seeking a challenging, dynamic opportunities.

Qualities/ Skills required:

-Superior mechanical aptitude
-Strong bicycle mechanical / repair skills
-Positive, optimistic attitude
-Strong communication skills
-Desire to be held personally accountable
-Ambition
-Exceptional problem solving skills, both in person as well as on the phone with customers

This position will be some flexible mixture of wrenching as well as working with customers via email and over the phone. We have a very close and supportive relationship with our customers whom seek support via email and the phone. This position would be a mixture of support and wrenching.

What we offer is a challenging environment with supportive co-workers who will be interested in your success. If the position becomes permanent, benefits include profit sharing, 401K , health insurance, dental, vision, covered bike parking, shower facilities, discount on bike parts, paid holidays, shop privileges and family friendly. And, you get to build yourself a personal bike on the company’s dime.

How to Apply *
Please submit a resume. Qualified applicants will be notified to submit additional information

Job: Painter – The Vanilla Workshop

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Job Title *
Painter

Company/Organization *
The Vanilla Workshop

Job Description *
We do a lot of things here at The Vanilla Workshop. At the core of what’s going on here is the design, innovation and refinement of the bicycles we craft for our customers. We’re looking for someone that likes challenges, who communicates well, is good-natured and who feels at home in a shop environment. A mantra at our shop is that if it isn’t going to be 100%, or damn close, we’re not going to do it. As part of this, we will hire someone who is very particular about details.

The “painter” role covers everything from prep (more of an ability/willingness to do all prep when the assistant is unavailable, or needs extra help), to all aspects of spraying and all aspects of finish work.
The Painter will also share in keeping track of supplies needs, keeping the work space clean, identifying places where the process can be improved, tools that need repair/replacement.
Ultimately this paint position does the same level of technical painting that the Lead Painter does, minus some of the administrative duties, meetings and scheduling.

Primary Duties

Painting:

-Spray primer, color and clear coating.
-Graphics application.
-Basic powder coating.
-Paint repairs.
-Update inventory lists as flag numbers are reached.
-Execute Quality Control with Paint Shop Manager and Vanilla QC point person.
-Finish Work.

Prep & Finishing:

-Backup for the prep of all incoming frames.
-Backup on buffing and finishing work on frames.
-Backup prep of masking materials.
-Support training of Workshop Assistant in paint shop.

Administrative:

-Participate in weekly Master Schedule meeting with lead painter.
-Support paint production schedule and communicate status of customer bikes and projects. If delays are foreseen, communicate correction plans for addressing them.
-Maintain cleaning schedule: daily paint area & booth cleaning and once a month clean other areas.
-Accurately and fastidiously follow zones manual, process documents and training manuals.
-Make supply runs as needed.
-Always think about ways to improve process, tooling, the materials that we use, how to be more efficient with everything that we do. If you have an idea, bring it to the table!

Experience and Skills

-Knowledge of bicycle painting industry, including: liquid paint application, powder coating, graphics application, finish work, surface prep.
-Excellent communication, coordination and customer service skills.
-Proficiency of paint application skills.
-Workflow development and schedule coordination skills, along with basic supervision or personnel management abilities.

Benchmarks and Wage Ranges

The Painting Assistant is a full time position. The wage range is $15-$18 an hour, depending on experience and proficiency in duties listed above. Increases in hourly wage will be based on the increased proficiency and quality of paint production and smooth functioning of production workflows and will be considered at yearly reviews.

Benefits

The Painter role is a full time position, is eligible for health insurance at 90 days from hire, as well as PTO, as per the Vanilla PTO Policy. All employees are eligible for profit sharing based on the Profit Sharing Policy at 90 days from date of hire.

How to Apply *

If you feel that you’re a good fit, please apply by email. In the body of the email, state the length of your last two jobs and your highest level of education completed. Also attach a one-page resume and a one-page cover letter describing your life experience as it applies to this job, including three work references and any experience with bicycles or the making of things to: hiring@vanillabicycles.com

Escape the city with an easy overnight (or two) at Dodge Park

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The first 20 miles of this 30-mile route are on the Springwater Corridor. The final 10 miles includes a blissful descent into the campground at Dodge Park. Everett approves!
(Photos: J. Maus/BikePortland)

**NOTE: Due to an unfortunate decision from Portland City Council, Dodge Park is no longer open for camping as of 2019. We hope this changes someday!**

This is how easy bike camping can be: Just 30 easy miles east of downtown Portland lies a campground at the edge of the forest nestled between two rivers.

And the best part? The first 20 miles are on the carfree Eastbank Esplanade and Springwater Corridor paths. And by the time you leave this safe riding sanctuary, you’re far enough into the country where you can often see more horses and pigs than cars.

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While Rep. Reardon defends victim-blaming PSA, police in his district focus on larger threats

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Rep. Jeff Reardon.
(Photo: J.Maus/BikePortland)

Oregon House Representative Jeff Reardon thinks the public service ad campaign he created is just a humorous way to deal with a serious problem.

In a statement to BikePortland that he also posted to his Facebook page, Reardon said, “I am pleased that this public service ad has captured people’s attention. It is a tongue-in-cheek approach to the tragic reality of pedestrian injuries and fatalities.”

But as victims of traffic crashes, advocates for vulnerable road users, and experts in the communications and safety fields from all over the country and the world have pointed out to him in the past two days, the much more serious problem is that our roads are dominated by people in large motor vehicles who have no regard for the safety of others.

On Tuesday, the same day Rep. Reardon launched his campaign, police officers in his district actually did something about the problem.

The Happy Valley Police Department just released a statement about a crosswalk enforcement action they completed on August 8th. The mission specifically targeted automobile users at two high-risk intersections. Police say they were spurred into action by citizen complaints that people’s high-speed driving was putting walkers at risk.

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Organizers pull plug on Portland Electric Bike Expo due to “eclipse mania”

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A scene from the 2016 event.
(Photo: J. Maus/BikePortland)

Hysteria around the total solar eclipse that will make its way through Oregon two weekends from now has caused a major bike event to cancel its plans.

Organizers of the Electric Bike Expo had planned to bring their event to Portland on August 18th through the 20th. But when they started calling around for essential services like tents, fencing, port-a-potties, and backup power generators, they quickly noticed something was wrong. With concerns over historic levels of traffic and camping due to the millions of people expected to flood Oregon for Monday’s celestial show, providers were unable to guarantee availability of the aforementioned services.

This realization sent Ray Verhelst and Bill Sell of the Electric Bike Assocation scrambling. They tried to reschedule the event for the following week — a move that also meant they had to find a different venue because the planned location at Portland Meadows Racetrack wouldn’t be available. They then considered moving the event to October but worries about bad weather tanked that idea.

But with such late notice and with many of their vendors and customers having already made travel plans, Sell and Verhelst announced this morning that they’ve cancelled the event.

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