BikePortland

Portland’s creative bike shop employees are at it again

Still from the shop’s new video.
Watch it below.

Yes I’m very biased, but I honestly think Portland has the most creative and interesting bike shop owners in the country.

I mean, seriously: We’ve got a bike shop that runs out of a converted yellow school bus (that’s been painted purple); a shop that actually promotes other bike shops and will issue you a library card to checkout saddles before you buy one; a shop that was the first in America to import dutch cargo bikes (thus sparking a nationwide craze); a shop that has created a following for their brilliant newspaper ads, and a shop that has become famous worldwide for its unique blend of welcoming attitude, bar offerings, and bike collection. And I could go on and on.

And now the trend continues thanks to two shops who have mastered video marketing: 21st Avenue Bicycles and Well Tuned Fast (WTF) Bikes.

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title *
Customer Sales Representative

Company/Organization *
Chris King Precision Components

Job Description *
Chris King Precision Components™, manufacturer of bicycle components and Cielo Cycles, is seeking qualified applicants for a Customer Service Representative position in dealer sales.

This position provides customer service to dealers within a predetermined region and/or dealer type through regular inbound and outbound telephone and email communication. Reaches out to all dealers as assigned in an effort to nurture relations and, thereby, increase sales. Processes orders through data entry and inventory tracking procedures.

Must have a proven track record of 2+ years of delivering superior customer experience, through utilization of technical product knowledge and inventory systems. Must be well versed in discussing product installation, routine maintenance and some technical problem solving. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required. Bicycle industry experience is not necessary but personal excitement, experience and passion about bicycles is.

The successful applicant will be team-oriented, eager to learn, enthusiastic & have a strong commitment to community, the environment & excellence in general.

How to Apply *
Please furnish letter of interest & resume by e-mail to jobs@chrisking.com (No attachments accepted). A drug free environment & EOE. Visit our website at www.chrisking.com.

For Every Kid coalition takes $15 million ‘safe routes’ funding push straight to regional leaders

Safe Routes rally at Metro meeting-4.jpg

Rally outside Metro headquarters this morning.
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)

For Every Kid, a regional coalition that wants more money for biking and walking infrastructure around schools, made their strongest statement yet when they brought their message to Metro’s regional headquarters this morning.

At their monthly meeting in April, Metro’s Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation (JPACT) will decide how to spend an estimated $125 million in regional flexible funds. This coalition — which includes the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, the American Heart Association, the Community Alliance of Tenants, the Community Cycling Center, Oregon Walks, Upstream Public Health, and others — is asking JPACT to allocate $15 million of those funds to spread the Safe Routes to School program across the region.

The $15 million ask is a bold move because competition for these flexible funds (so named because they come from federal sources not tied the Highway Trust Fund and can therefore be spent on anything) is fierce. The For Every Kid coalition has support from several state legislators and hundreds of families and kids from all over the region. The Bicycle Transportation Alliance has made expansion of the Safe Routes program one of their five main advocacy campaigns and they’ve tapped into partnerships at schools throughout Portland for support.

(Graphs: Portland Bureau of Transportation)

Portland pupils keep riding cars to school less, and walking and biking more.

Survey data released by the city Wednesday show a continuing upward climb in active transportation to school. Among Portlanders in kindergarten through fifth grade, walking, biking and otherwise rolling to school became more common than traveling in the family vehicle sometime around 2010 and has more or less kept climbing since.

This is a tame incident compared to many, but it was worth sharing. The (very old) man driving this SUV was clearly looking for somewhere to park and didn’t care about the bike lane. The driver had been hugging the bike lane even before the right-hand turn shown in the video, but that’s when things really started going wrong.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwTEy3c5xmk

What would you have done in this situation? How should we address this in public policy? Certainly more bikes on the street helps. I’m curious what else.

Steel Bridge homeless camp update, Feb 17

The last update I posted was two weeks ago (Feb 3). The mayor’s homeless policy was nine days ago (Feb 8), so I was curious what it looked like. I’ve been through there since the policy, but I didn’t have any good photos/video until today.

One thing I see in that video is that I need to ding my bell much sooner. One group moved aside after I dinged the bell, but realistically I didn’t give any time. It’s also clear that nobody was aggressive in any way. “Blocking the sidewalk” is something we all do- go look at Screen Door or any other hotspot on a weekend during brunch times and you’ll see a different subset of the population engaging in the same behavior.

Also, over the weekend (Saturday night, I think) there were four police cars (and at least four police officers) attending to the camp. I don’t know why or what happened, I thought perhaps they were clearing the camp out.

Wednesday Video Roundup: Pikes Peak, bike lanes in Berlin, and more

Welcome to this week’s roundup! We’re starting with my favorite video (so far) that I’ve posted. This is a great little documentary about a bike shop in Amsterdam. There are many great quotes (“without a bike, you’re nowhere in Amsterdam”) and sweet moments. I love seeing all the “working bikes”.

Better Block demonstration project on 3rd Ave-16

Better Block’s 2014 demo on SW 3rd Avenue got results.
(Photo: J.Maus/BikePortland)

The volunteer street transformers at Better Block PDX are kicking off what they call “a transformation moment for our organization” at a “volunteer appreciation party” Thursday night.

It’ll be a starting gun for the first full year of what the group hopes will be an ongoing conveyor belt of new ideas for Portland streets, with help from Portland State University’s pipeline of aspiring planners and engineers.

The event is 6 p.m. at 1805 NE 2nd Ave.

Job Title *
Bicycle Mechanic

Company/Organization *
Santiam Bicycle

Job Description *
Santiam Bicycle is hiring a full time Bicycle Mechanic for year round employment for our Tigard location with excellent full medical benefits after 90 days. Come and join the Santiam family!!!

We are a Rider/Trail Builder owned shop, that sells and works on every type of bikes with focus on high end full suspension mountain bikes. Experience in hydraulics brakes and suspension basic services a must, but should be able to work on anything from BMX to high end road bikes as well.

Qualifications:
Ideal candidates should have 3 to 5 year experience as a bicycle mechanic or current certification.
Hydraulic brakes and suspension basic service knowledge a MUST!!
Strong customer service skills.
Basic computer literacy a must.
Detailed component knowledge is required.
Must be enthusiastic and ride bikes often.

Duties will include but not limited to:

Assisting customer by addressing and influencing their wants and needs.
Operating register and point of sale system.
Assisting with bike sales if need it.
Creating service repair special orders.
General cleaning.

How to Apply *
send resume to: raul@santiambicycle.com

Cycle Oregon grant funds new Wallowa Lake State Park hiker-biker camp

Great news for anyone planning an adventure in this spectacular part of our state. And speaking of which, I was just out there last summer!

Here’s the official statement from Oregon State Parks:

Joseph OR — The Cycle Oregon Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation has awarded a $10,000 matching grant to develop a new hiker-biker camp at Wallowa Lake State Park. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will contribute an additional $10,000 to complete the project.

The current camp for people who hike or bicycle into the park is in an open area along the main camp entrance. Over the next year, park staff will build the new 8-site camping area in a more secluded spot by redesigning the park’s former amphitheater. The new camp will include covered and uncovered sites, lockers, tables, and charging stations. Park staff created a new area for park presentations in a more central location, freeing up the old amphitheater for this project.

From 2009 to 2014, visits to Wallowa Lake State Park have increased 10 percent, from 348,000 to 381,000. As curious travelers from Oregon and around the world discover the Wallowas, the park is interested in encouraging less polluting, less congestion-causing forms of transportation such as hiking and bicycling.

“This is a tremendous gift from Cycle Oregon,” says Park Manager Nancy McLeod (mih-CLOUD). “They’ve always supported the region, but this goes beyond goodwill. They’re investing in the community, and we’re grateful for it.”

The project should start this spring, finish a year later, and be open for its first season in April 2017. The park will work with the Eastern Oregon Visitor Association and the Wallowa Chamber of Commerce to promote the improved service as it opens.

Southeast neighborhood group says city should ‘reopen conversation’ on 20s Bikeway

Reed College Place would be better than 32nd
for a neighborhood greenway route, some say.
(Image: Google Street View)

The coalition of neighborhood associations that represents inner Southeast Portland is pushing for some 11th-hour changes that it says would improve the planned 20s Bikeway.

In a letter signed by its president, backed by a 14-2 vote of its board and circulated Wednesday, Southeast Uplift makes three requests of the city.

First, it proposes moving the southernmost leg of the route one block east to Reed College Place south of Tolman Street, avoiding the No. 19 bus line on 32nd Avenue.

Ken Pliska leading a ride at Sandy Ridge.
(Photo: Ken Pliska)

Ken Pliska, known to many people for his involvement with cycling in the Portland area since the 1970s, is currently in the hospital recovering from a major stroke.

Pliska, who just celebrated his 50th birthday (at The Lumberyard Bike Park of course) on February 8th, was found unconscious in his home three days later. He was rushed to Oregon Health and Science University where doctors ~~performed~~ considered brain surgery to relieve hemorrhaging but were able to get it under control with non-invasive methods. After several scary days, friends and relatives report that he’s doing much better now although he faces a very long road to recovery.

Pliska is most well-known in the BMX scene where he’s been a competitor for decades and now helps introduce young riders to the sport. He’s a beloved figure among BMX promoters, riders, and the industry — many of whom are flooding the Internet with positive thoughts and prayers for their friend. He has also raced mountain bikes at the Short Track race series at Portland International Raceway, completed century rides on the road, and has also ridden his bike to work. According to The Oregonian he rode in the first Portland New Year’s Day Ride in 1978 when he was 12 years old.

Portland’s creative bike shop employees are at it again

Job: Customer Sales Representative – Chris King Precision Components

For Every Kid coalition takes $15 million ‘safe routes’ funding push straight to regional leaders

Driving to school hits a new low in Portland after 15 years of ‘Safe Routes’

Enraging (yet common) bike lane encounter

Steel Bridge homeless camp update, Feb 17

Wednesday Video Roundup: Pikes Peak, bike lanes in Berlin, and more

Better Block will unveil its four 2016 street demos at Thursday event

Job: Bicycle Mechanic – Santiam Bicycle

Cycle Oregon grant funds new Wallowa Lake State Park hiker-biker camp

Southeast neighborhood group says city should ‘reopen conversation’ on 20s Bikeway

Respected Portland bike rider Ken Pliska suffers major stroke – UPDATED

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