Mayor Hales will commute by bike to experience real-world conditions

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Hales riding on the Esplanade last year.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

Portland Mayor Charlie Hales is most powerful elected official in a city that’s widely considered to be one of the country’s best for cycling. However, despite living just over four miles and a pleasant half-hour bike ride away from City Hall, Hales doesn’t commute by bike.

Sure, Hales is seen on a bike now and then; but those rides are organized events like Sunday Parkways. As anyone who has been in a bike parade or open streets event can tell you, that experience is much different than real-life, everyday, weekday rush-hour conditions.

With Portland in a biking funk there has been a growing chorus of whispers pressuring Hales to get on a bike and see what it’s like on Portland streets — without a police escort and cozy coterie.

I’m happy to report that Hales heard the whispers and has decided to ride his bike into work this coming Monday.

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Neighborhood greenways breeze through council with unanimous support

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PBOT Active Transportation Division Manager Margi Bradway and Bicycle Planning Coordinator Roger Geller presenting the report to council this morning.
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)

Portland City Council unanimously adopted a resolution this morning that gives the bureau of transportation more strength and clarity in how they design and manage neighborhood greenways, the residential streets formerly called bicycle boulevards where biking and walking have priority over driving.

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City confirms date for mystery bike share announcement

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You never know. It could happen.

An unexpected comment by City Commissioner Nick Fish at the council meeting this morning has led to a confirmation from the bureau of transportation that they’re planning an announcement about bike share.

Fish was making his closing comments about the neighborhood greenways report and resolution (that passed unanimously by the way) when he said something that raised more than a few eyebrows in City Hall and on social media.

“This is an outstanding report,” Fish said, “I want to thank Steve (Novick, the commissioner in charge of PBOT) for all the great work.” Then he mentioned a few of the initiatives Novick has championed recently like Vision Zero and Sunday Parkways. Then he added, “And bike share, which we’ll soon be taking up and which I fully support.”

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State says there’s not enough proof that bike lanes boost safety, so 26th Ave lanes should go

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The City of Portland wants to create a second, more comfortable crossing of Powell at 28th, but the state says it won’t allow one unless bike lanes and bike boxes at 26th (shown here) are removed.
(Photos: M.Andersen/BikePortland)

Three weeks after being asked if it can cite any evidence supporting its claim that removing a bike lane can sometimes increase bike safety, the State of Oregon has come up empty.

Moreover, a state spokeswoman wrote in an email Tuesday that four studies cited by the City of Portland that document safety benefits of bike lanes are inadequate, though the state did not say in what way the studies fall short.

“More research needs to be done,” the Oregon Department of Transportation said in its statement.

Research notwithstanding, the Oregon Department of Transportation is continuing to deny the City of Portland’s request to install a new stoplight at 28th Avenue and Powell (which would let the city create a new north-south neighborhood greenway on 28th) unless the city agrees to first remove the narrow bike lanes from nearby 26th Avenue.

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Job: Sales Leader – Otto Designworks

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Job Title *
Sales Leader

Company/Organization *
Otto DesignWorks

Job Description *

We are looking for a tenacious leader to direct & manage our sales efforts in launching and developing our revolutionary new product, the OTTO Tuning System, http://ottodesignworks.com, as well as future new products in our pipeline planned later this year. OTTO is a new brand in active sports developing clever solutions to enable enthusiasts to pursue their passions. The position will be responsible for establishing and maintaining key national (and eventually international) OEM/dealer/distributor relationships, and building user sales demand through field & event marketing.

The ideal candidate has experience and understanding of the cycling & active sports/recreation industries, as well as relationships with key channel dealers/retailers in the segment. The candidate must be a self-starter with entrepreneurial roots; capable of travel and product demonstration. The position will work in partnership with a small team to help build a the Brand, launch downstream products and create a sustainable business. OTTO DesignWorks is an incubator business of DWFritz Automation, based in Wilsonville, OR.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish key retailer & dealer sales per strategic plan with initial product, the OTTO Tuning System
• Build profitable sales & distribution for OTTO brand and products and ensure sales policies work well for partners and company
• Lead external field marketing & demonstration programs; Provide and support distributor/dealer account marketing needs
• Support end user need / product development roadmap

Required Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• 3-5+ years with cycling (or related) industry in some sales/external customer service capacity. Demonstrable relationships with key retailers and/or OEMs.
• Strong technical acumen such that person can demonstrate technology, explain features, troubleshooting and diagnose failures of smartphone app/camera and bicycle systems
• Passionate, proactive, tenacious, entrepreneurial spirit and willing to be jack-of-all-trades to service users and market at a high level in order to build a Brand
• Clear and demonstrable understanding of sales channels, key account selling and sales policies and strategies, such as pricing levels, terms, and promotions
• Demonstrated sales & service acumen:
– Ability to build business and relationships
– Ability to close deals
– Ability to resolve issues successfully
– Ability to follow-up, listen, and execute
– Strong written and oral communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to meet schedules and reliably manage multiple activities in parallel
• Ability to work in a group environment
• Ability to lead & grow with business growth

Education & Experience

• 3-5+ years with cycling/outdoor industry in sales and/or service capacity
• Understanding and/or passion for marketplace and product is strongly desired
• BS/BA degree strongly desired
• Experience in international markets & sales a plus
• Experience in pricing/sales forecasting and analysis
• Experience in business start-up or product line launch is a strong plus

Job Conditions/Notes

Working conditions include flexible and occasional extended hours in specific periods to service customers, travel and coordinate meetings or events, and will be primarily in the field. Position may filled by contractor agreement or full-time employment. Position will offer a sales commission structure to be determined.

How to Apply *
email: jobs@ottodesignworks.com

Video leads to two citations in case of dangerous pass caught on camera

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Still from video by Tony Tapay

Chalk up another win for video camera justice.

Tony Tapay caught a dangerous pass on camera last month and — even though there were no police or other witnesses around to see it — he doggedly pursued his case in hopes that the man who nearly hit him and his son would be brought to justice.

Five weeks after the incident occurred the Portland Police have now officially cited Andrew Reid for Careless Driving and Unsafe Passing of a Person Operating a Bicycle.

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PBOT: School relocation will mean more auto traffic on North Flint

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Traffic on Flint at Broadway.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

A popular route for bicycling will change a lot when school starts later this week.

On Thursday the currently vacant school on North Flint Avenue just south of Russell will become the temporary home for Faubion School. Faubion (which serves kindergarten through eighth grade) will move from their northeast Portland location while their school is rebuilt over the course of the next two years.

Flint is a popular connection between the bike lanes N Vancouver Ave and N Broadway. The move means that what used to be a quiet backstreet for thousands of bike riders each day will see a lot more auto traffic.

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City council will weigh new neighborhood greenway guidelines Wednesday

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Southeast Clinton Street.
(Photo:M.Andersen/BikePortland)

Some biking advocates are planning to wear green to Wednesday’s Portland City Council meeting to welcome the arrival of a long-awaited city study of Portland’s neighborhood greenways.

The study, first reported on BikePortland in November, has since evolved to include a new set of recommended guidelines for what makes a comfortable greenway. The guidelines would, in some ways, enshrine modern neighborhood greenways into city practices for the first time.

Over the last year, many Portlanders have warned that some neighborhood greenways — the theoretically low-traffic, low-stress side streets that form the backbone of the bike network in most of inner east Portland and a major component of its city’s planned network — are uncomfortable and unwelcoming to bike on because of high car traffic and speeds.

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Job: Store Manager – Western Bikeworks/Velotech

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Job Title *
Store Manager

Company/Organization *
Western Bikeworks/Velotech

Job Description *

Velotech Inc. has an immediate opportunity available for a driven, experienced and dynamic store manager to direct our flagship Western Bikeworks store in NW Portland. The successful and rapidly growing owner of two retail locations and several ecommerce websites, Velotech has recently been named to the Portland Business Journal’s list of the 100 fastest growing private companies for our fifth straight year. Velotech offers a fast-paced work environment, excellent benefits, and the opportunity for future growth and advancement.
As our premier retail location, Western Bikeworks opened four years ago and quickly became known for its knowledgeable, unpretentious sales and service staff, unmatched retail selection and inviting atmosphere. Now we’re looking for a store manager capable of taking Western Bikeworks to the next level. The position requires a person capable of defining a retail vision for the store, a strategy to achieve that vision, and the ability to execute on that goal.

Reporting directly to Velotech’s management team, the Store Manager provides confident leadership for day-to-day operations, staffing and merchandising the store. He or she works directly with store staff and the Velotech team to set and achieve financial goals and create an outstanding experience for customers. This individual is someone with the confidence and leadership necessary to take responsibility for the direction and ultimate success of the store.

Primary Responsibilities and Essential Duties:
• Hires, trains, supervises and develops all staff with the simple goal of offering the absolute best bike shop customer service available in Portland
• Motivates staff to achieve daily, weekly and monthly goals through respectful, honest and direct communication, and the ability to share ideas and to listen and consider the ideas of others
• Demonstrates a strong work ethic and the personal drive necessary to lead by example
• Takes ownership of store merchandising and public relations to drive sales and promote a strong relationship between Western Bikeworks and the community
• Contributes directly to product assortment and purchasing decisions and promotes strong and profitable relationships with vendors and organizations
• Collaborates directly with Velotech’s marketing and management team to find creative ways to grow the business and better serve the Portland cycling community
• Directly assists Velotech’s Marketing Department to execute promotional campaigns across print, digital and social channels, and assist the Events Coordinator to organize all events and promotions
• Defines a vision that represents the Western Bikeworks brand, ensures consistency of message and leads the company toward that vision

Qualifications:
• Experience as a retail store manager or assistant manager in a similar size retail establishment will be considered.
• Demonstrated ability to motivate staff and deliver a great shopping experience for consumers
• Proven strategic marketing skills and successful merchandising experience
• Strong communication skills with demonstrated leadership ability
• Passion for the sport of cycling! Must be an active participant in the local cycling scene (club and/or team member, event director, event participant, advocate)
• Available to work evenings and weekends on a regular basis
• Strong computer skills, confidence in learning new business applications and comfort with social media
• Ability to stand on feet all day and lift 35lbs on a regular basis

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship, pregnancy or veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

How to Apply *
Please send your cover letter and resume to Jobs@velotech.com