🚨 Please note: BikePortland is currently on hiatus and only publishing guest articles. Learn more here. Thank you. - Jonathan 🙏

Portland edits city bike map to reflect fatal bike lane gap

A small but important change.
(Graphic: PBOT Citywide Bike Map)

The City of Portland has edited a section of their official bike map to more accurately depict a dangerous gap in the bike lane where man was killed in 2015.

As we reported at the time, Martin Greenough might have been on his first-ever bike commute when he was hit and killed by an intoxicated driver on NE Lombard. Greenough was hit while bicycling through a dangerous gap in the bike lane that occurs where the lanes narrow to go under an overpass. Unfortunately, the official City of Portland bike map Greenough used to plot his course did not show the gap. The map incorrectly labeled that section of NE Lombard where it goes under 42nd Avenue as having a continuous bike lane.

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Bike companies to high schoolers: We’re cool, come work with us

A local high school student in the “Bikes Mean Business” booth.
(Photos: Dan Steinle/Ruckus Composites)

To succeed as an industry cluster in Portland, bicycle companies must compete for the best talent. And that’s no easy task in a town full of well-known names in the tech, fashion and outdoor industry.

To help raise the profile of bicycle-related careers, a group of local bike companies shared a booth at the NW Youth Careers Expo held at the Oregon Convention Center yesterday. The annual event hosts 6,500 students from 70 area high schools who get a chance to meet-and-greet with over 200 companies.

Under the rubric “Bikes Mean Business” (it was also on their custom lanyards, made by Chrome Industries), representatives from Chrome, River City Bicycles, and Chris King Precision Components spent their day talking to local teens about how their future could include a job in the bike industry.

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Troutdale follows Gresham and now a 40-Mile Loop trail extension is dead

They said no.
(Photo: Metro)

Fears of crime and of “undesirables doing bad things” have fueled another city in the eastern part of our region to say no to a major multi-use path project.

After tallying public feedback from an open house late last month, Metro has decided to suspend all planning efforts for the Troutdale section of their 40-Mile Loop Master Plan because of local opposition. This is a carbon copy of concerns that fueled opposition from the City of Gresham to the same project back in January.

Now, after a year of planning, public events and committee meetings, Metro will pull the plug and put this project on the shelf.

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48 hours in Portland: Fatal hit-and-run, three injuries, 2 arrests, and a police chase

In just 48 hours many lives were changed forever because of dangerous driving. And it was all preventable.

I often feel that what’s often lost in our debates about transportation projects, policies and funding is a conversation about the staggering toll driving extracts from our city.

In 48 hours starting last Thursday evening, I noticed a stream of police alerts come across my computer. It was a startling spate of incidents that underscored this toll. They involved people using cars dangerously and without respect or consideration for others.

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City of Portland ratchets up their war on speeding

Activists with BikeLoudPDX and the Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon rejoice at the sight of new — and lower — speed limit signs on SE Division.
(Photo: BikeLoudPDX)

The City of Portland has unleashed a barrage of attacks against a key rival in their fight against speeding.

With Vision Zero firmly planted as a top priority at the highest levels of city government, the Bureau of Transportation has turned their attention to two of our most dangerous streets: SE Division and SE 122nd.

Here are updates on several speed-related items we continue to track…

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Job: Bike Mechanic (Seasonal) – Citybikes Workers’ Cooperative

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title *
Bike Mechanic (Seasonal)

Company/Organization *
Citybikes Workers’ Cooperative

Job Description *
Citybikes aims to provide dependable new and used bicycles, new and used components, accessories and the highest quality service at affordable prices to ensure that bicycling is accessible to the full spectrum of those that wish to ride. We adhere to a non-hierarchical structure that focuses on all workers taking responsibility for the business. Through cooperation, we hope to make our work enjoyable and to get our jobs done efficiently by utilizing each other’s strengths.

General Summary:
Citybikes Workers Cooperative is seeking qualified, experienced seasonal mechanics. As a worker you will be expected to assess and repair new and used bikes, prepare bikes for sale, assist customers with new and used bikes, parts and accessories purchases, and contribute to the day to day operations of the business.

Job Description/Responsibilities:
Assess and repair bicycles
Assist customers with new and used bikes, parts, and accessories purchases
Write up job tags, schedule repairs, and answer phone, paperwork, etc.
Maintain a safe, clean, and well-organized work space
Participate in day to day operations including opening and closing responsibilities
Attend and participate in committee and general membership meetings

General Qualifications:
2-3 years minimum bike shop experience
Consistent attention to detail
Ability to stay focused and on-task in order to complete jobs in a timely manner
Willingness to accept guidance and feedback related to job duties
Effective verbal and written communication skills
Ability to work in a collaborative environment
Willingness to participate in a consensus-based environment
Excellent problem solving skills

Wage:
Based on Experience

Schedule:
20-40hrs/week dependent on need, including weekends. Work days vary.

*Women, People of Color, and Folks underrepresented in the bike industry are strongly encouraged to apply*

How to Apply *
Please submit resume with references to:
Citybikes Workers Cooperative
1914 SE Ankeny
503 239 0553

New IMBA Director Dave Wiens visits Gateway Green bike park

IMBA Exec Dir Dave Wiens at Gateway Green-3.jpg

IMBA Executive Director Dave Wiens (left) gets a tour from trail builder Jason Wells.
(Photos: J. Maus/BikePortland)

The bike trails at Gateway Green aren’t even ready for the public yet; but they’re already attracting major attention.

On Monday Dave Wiens, the newly hired executive director of the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA), visited the park along with several other staffers from his organizations. Wiens and two senior planners from IMBA’s Trail Solutions crew were en route to Bend for the Sustainable Trails Conference. They spent a few hours in the rain with volunteers and city staff who are working on the Gateway Green project. They heard about the project’s background and challenges, and exchanged ideas about how lessons from other areas could be applied in Portland.

Wiens soaked up the information and seemed genuinely impressed with the progress so far. “It’s such an exciting project,” he said. “This is the type of project we could use an as example all over the country.” Wiens sees neighborhood bike parks like the 25-acre Gateway Green as a key to the future because of their potential to get more kids on bikes. After I shared a bit of background about how Gateway Green might influence trail access debates around Forest Park, he said, “Let the kids talk.” In his mind, these bike parks can help build a new constituency that will change the face of off-road cycling and offer a fresh — and more politically persuasive — perspective on access debates.

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Wiens talks with NW Trail Alliance President Chris Rotvik (right).

Asked what he thought of the trails at Gateway Green, Wiens — a resident of a small town in Colorado and respected mountain-bike racer who retired from competition in 2004 — said if he lived in Portland he’d definitely ride to the new park, “Do a couple of hot laps” and then ride home.

IMBA’s fingerprints are all over Gateway Green. They helped put together the original concept plan in 2007 and now their builders are making the trails. Locally based trail builder Jason Wells walked through some of the new singletrack with Wiens, pointing out how he carved a swooping line through what was once a tangle of ivy, brush, and a makeshift tent-camp.

The transformation of Gateway Green is testament to the work of IMBA, the City of Portland Parks & Recreation Bureau, nonprofit groups Friends of Gateway Green and the Northwest Trail Alliance, and others. The project is part of a national — and international — movement that’s bringing off-road trail riding to urban areas. I asked the Trail Solutions crew for other parks similar to Gateway Green. They mentioned the Sihl City Bike Park in Zurich, Switzerland; the Belle Isle Skills Park in Richmond, Virginia; and Wakefield Park in Fairfax County, Virginia.

As we approach the grand opening of Gateway Green on June 24th, the impact this park is likely to have on our region is coming into focus. Beyond the benefits for the Gateway District and everyone who visits the park, Gateway Green also represents a major step forward for cycling advocacy. Similar to how Vision Zero has helped coalesce a wide swath of interest groups to build political urgency for safer streets, Gateway Green could do something similar as an organizing principle for off-road cycling in the region. IMBA’s Vice President of Trail Solutions James Clark said on Monday that a project in Santa Cruz, California that brought together off-road advocates, land managers, and other trail user groups (even horse riders!), has had a major impact on the access discussion in that area.

“The mountain biking community is bringing all these people together and that’s the key to it all,” Clark said. “Showing that leadership is what gains you the credibility and that’s what allows you to get more access to different areas.”

With a draft of the City of Portland’s Off Road Cycling Master Plan due this spring (and a series of just-announced open houses starting next month), local off-road advocates should take Clark’s words to heart.

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

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Industry Ticker: New Nutcases, big Ruckus move, Breadwinners, and more

Nutcase’s offerings keep growing.
(Photo: Nutcase)

Portland’s bike culture goes way beyond bike lane activism and group rides. Our city is also a magnet for bike-related industry — from manufacturing to design and everything in between.

Here’s an update on the people, products, and places that make up Portland’s ever-changing bike industry landscape…

Ruckus moves into larger space
Ruckus’ new digs.
(Photo: Ruckus Composites)

Continuing the growth we reported on last fall, Ruckus Composites has just completed a move into a new space. Here’s more from a company statement:

“The new building that houses their carbon fiber repair shop is at 3380 SE 20th Ave “The new building provides space for increased department separation and growth opportunity, further optimizing its repair workflow. An improved structural repair area allows the company to begin to fully utilize their investment in NDT (non-destructive testing) technology using ultrasound, infrared and fluorescing penetrant dye to fully form a holistic image about how and why carbon fiber frames are damaged. Two immediate improvements include an independent, paint facility and a carbon fiber lay-up clean room, further bolstering the company’s “better service through science” model.”

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The Monday Roundup: Best carfree cities, school choice and mode choice, helmet law repeal, tolling, and more

This week’s Monday Roundup is sponsored by The Bike Index, the nonprofit tool and community that has recovered thousands of stolen bikes.

Here are the best stories we came across last week…

Doing it right: Former (that’s important) Bicycling Magazine editor-in-chief absolutely laid into the infamous cycling “Rules” kept by Velominati.

Paying to drive fixes congestion: This NY Times column argues that all the technology in the auto world won’t solve congestion. The only thing that will is making driving more expensive.

Bikeway widening: Instead of widening auto-only highways, smart cities are creating more bike-only “highways.” Berlin is building bike “superhighways” hoping to mimic success of the concept from London.

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Job: Bike Instructor for Summer Camp – The Lumberyard Bike Park

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title *
Bike Instructor for Summer Camp

Company/Organization *
The Lumberyard Bike Park

Job Description *
Job Summary:

The Lumberyard is Portland’s Indoor mountain bike park, and offers a variety of programming including Spring, Fall and Winter after school programs and weekly Summer camps. Instructors will be responsible for following our set curriculum for youth, ages 4-14. Programs include warm up activities, bike skills instruction, basic bike maintenance, video skills review and other group activities, indoor and outdoor. There will also be opportunities to participate in private instruction for both youth and adults.

Duties and Responsibilities:

– Provide a safe and stable environment for participants, mostly youth ages 4-14,
– work as a team with other instructors, assistants and supervisors,
– be an ambassador for the Lumberyard on and off site,
– provide bike skill instruction and supervision for groups of 5 or less,
– relate with and encourage youth while serving as a positive role model,
– lead organized games and other age appropriate activities,
– assist with daily set-up and clean-up,
– fulfill goals of the program to provide a consistent and high quality experience,
– further program administrative responsibilities as, experience indicates,
serve in Guest Services role, as needed, and other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, skills and ability requirements:

– Satisfactorily complete Lumberyard Instructor Training,
– be able to demonstrate competency at skills required for camp activities (ie: mountain biking and/or bmx riding, assisting new riders, basic mechanical skills, group management, etc.),
– have at least 2 years experience working with youth, ages 4-14,
– have at least 2 years experience instructing any skill,
– IMBA or PMBI Mt. Bike Instructor Training Certification preferred,
– current CPR and First Aid certification required, and
– Wilderness First Aid, a plus.

Wage: Depending on experience and certifications.

Hours: May lead to work year round (32-40 hr/week).

How to Apply *
To Apply: Hit us up at jobs@lumberyardmtb.com. Include easy to review files including a copy of your resume, 2 personal or professional references with contact information and most importantly the links or attachments telling your story. The subject of your email should read “Yes, I want to teach at the Lumberyard!”

Thanks for checking us out!

The 670-mile Oregon Timber Trail launches March 23rd: Here’s the backstory

Scenes from the Willamette Tier of the route.
(Photos: Travel Oregon)

Something big is about to happen for off-road cycling in Oregon.

On March 23rd the nonprofit Oregon Timber Trail Association will do a soft-release of their Oregon Timber Trail, an experience its creators promise will be, “North America’s premiere long-distance mountain biking route” and a “world-class bikepacking destination.”

That might sound boastful, but once you learn more about this project and the people behind it, it’s easy to see why they’re so confident.

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