With new ‘Livable Streets’ subgroup, BikeLoud will commemorate road deaths by all modes

livable streets fb

The Facebook page for the new “subgroup”
Livable Streets Action.

A new group called Livable Streets Action is taking the tactics that have won a string of victories for local biking this spring and summer and applying them to other modes, too.

Organizer Dan Kaufman, a videographer and longtime local social justice advocate who has helped organize demonstrations for transportation activism group BikeLoudPDX and the bike-based but non-transportation-focused group Bike Swarm, referred to Livable Streets Action as a “subgroup” of those other groups.

Livable Streets Action’s first event is tomorrow, a Friday afternoon commemoration for Marlene Popps, a woman who was hit by a car and left for dead on the evening of July 4 at the corner of SE 60th and Holgate. She died of her injuries July 21.

Read more

Another outsider’s take: A British bike journalist on Portland

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward
carlton reid

Carlton Reid in Grant Park in June.
(Photo: J.Maus/BikePortland)

Many BikePortland readers are familiar with the work of Carlton Reid, a leading writer for the U.K. news outlet BikeBiz. As of last month, Reid is familiar with Portland, too.

Reid stopped through town for a few days on a tour promoting his new popular history of early bicycling, Roads Were Not Built for Cars. As a side project, he also put together one of the most concisely accurate summaries I’ve seen of Portland and biking at this moment in our history.

Here’s a passage from the piece published today on BikeBiz:

Bike commuters may dominate in some bohemian enclaves but across the city they make up just six percent of the total. This is stellar by U.S. standards – ten times the norm, in fact – but in comparison with, say, Copenhagen, it’s not even in the same galaxy.

Stats can be misleading though. When riding around Portland it’s clear this is a city where, in certain areas, cycling is perfectly normal, not just for getting to work but for running errands or riding to a night out. Bars and shops have bike-corrals (rows of cycle parking hoops instead of car parking spaces) and the light rail system is geared up to take bikes. Portland’s six percent modal share has to be seen in context – in 1990 it was just 1 percent. Between 2000 and 2008 the civic authority’s proactive bicycle programme helped add the other five percent, and the city has held it at that level ever since. Ten percent of kids cycle to school, nine percentage points higher than the U.S. national average.

Read more

Police response to Greenpeace action closes south sidewalk of St Johns Bridge (updated)

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward
greenpeace

Activists hang from the St. Johns Bridge
to block an oil ship’s passage.
(Photo: Greenpeace USA)

Update 5:45 p.m.: Police now say that only the southeast sidewalk (upstream, closer to downtown Portland) is closed and that officers were mistaken when they previously blocked people from crossing the bridge on bike or foot.

“It was just that someone didn’t get told,” Portland Police Bureau spokesman Sgt. Greg Stewart said Wednesday evening. “We’re just having people use the other side of the street.”

An updated version of the original post follows.

Some Portland police officers ordered the sidewalks of the St. Johns bridge closed to foot and bike traffic in response to a direct action on the bridge Wednesday.

Late Wednesday, police changed their operation and closed only the southeast (upstream) sidewalk to people on foot or bike.

Read more

More biking = better driving. So why isn’t this said more often?

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward
kyle at daimler parking

Supercommuter Kyle Carlson preparing to head home.
(Photo: M.Andersen/BikePortland)

An article published today by the Portland-based magazine Oregon Business takes a look at a handful of local bike-commuting superstars who regularly pedal 20 to 40 miles each way to work and back.

Biking fans won’t find many surprises in the piece, though that doesn’t diminish the accomplishment of interviewees like Kyle Carlson, a recent Friday Profile subject here at BikePortland who bikes 39 miles from Hillsboro to North Portland and back several times a week.

But one passage in the post is a little unfamiliar in Portland’s transportation conversation these days. It’s the simple but (for some reason) rarely discussed fact that if Portland doesn’t decrease the percentage of trips that happen by car, everybody who actually needs to get around by car or truck is going to be screwed.

Read more

Job: Mechanic / Sales / Management – The Bike Commuter

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title *
Mechanic / Sales / Management

Company/Organization *
The Bike Commuter

Job Description *
Full Time position available for a skilled mechanic who can multitask! Our shop is a do-it-all environment where you will need to switch quickly between wrenching, selling, and some management work. It’s a fun, neighborhood shop specializing in commuter bikes and accessories. We also have 10 beer taps and a small lounge area for thirsty tired customers, so you would need to get an OLCC servers permit before you could work in the lounge.
We would prefer someone with many years of mechanic experience, who is familiar with the latest technology of Disc Brakes, Internally geared hubs, and some (but not much) MTB.
We offer competitive pay, and will be offering benefits to the right person who can demonstrate that they can do the job.

Qualifications…..

Prefer Past Experience with bike mechanics.
Ability to work under pressure and multitask.
Keep a clean work area Yo!
Must work weekends…..it’s a bike shop….
Be customer centric and awesome…

How to Apply *
Apply in person with Resume, or send Resume and references to…
jobs@pdxbikecommuter.com

Security video helps police nab prolific bike thief (yet again)

dubois-sanders

Johnathan Dubouis in March 2015 in Waterfront Park
under the Burnside Bridge. He asked to pose with
these bolt-cutters, which PPB officers photographed
as evidence prior to arresting him.
(Photo: Portland Police Bureau)

The Portland Police have nabbed one of our city’s most prolific bike thieves: 29-year old Johnathan Marcel Dubouis. Dubouis was arrested on Sunday night, just about 24 hours after he appeared in security camera footage stealing a woman’s bike in southwest Portland.

Read more

Open house will feature ODOT plans for notorious section of Powell Blvd

Protest on SE Powell-9.jpg

A protestor at the May 11th rally held at SE Powell and 26th.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

The Oregon Department of Transportation is ready to share their plans for making SE Powell Blvd safer. Their “Powell Boulevard Safety Project” will spend $3.8 million on the segment of the roadway between 20th and 34th.

The project includes the intersection of SE 26th where Alistair Corkett was involved in a collision back in May that resulted in his leg being torn off. Then a few weeks later another man was seriously injured from a collision in the same intersection.

While their Powell project isn’t slated for construction until 2017, ODOT fast-tracked a left-turn signal at Powell and 26th immediately following those two collisions.

Read more

Heroic bike shop employee wrestles back stolen track bike

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward
image1

Alleged thief on stolen bike.
(Photo: Nate Gibson)

Thanks to the quick thinking and brave action of a bike shop employee in southwest Portland, one of three track racing bikes stolen from Alpenrose Velodrome last week has been recovered.

Nate Gibson, an undergrad at Portland State University and employee at Southwest Bicycle, contacted us today with the good news.

Here’s Gibson’s version of events:

“So here goes, I’m finally calm enough to sit down and type.

Read more

Job: Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator – Oregon Walks

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title *
Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator

Company/Organization *
Oregon Walks

Job Description *
Title: Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator
Organization: Oregon Walks
Location: Portland, OR
Status: Part-time, .625 FTE (25 hours/week)
Salary: $17-20/hour – depending on experience
Benefits: Generous PTO policy. This position does not offer health benefits at this time.

About Oregon Walks:
Since 1991, Oregon Walks has worked to make walking a safe, convenient, and accessible transportation option for all Oregonians, regardless of which town, city or neighborhood they call home. We build political power for pedestrians through advocacy, educational programming, coalition-building, policy analysis, statewide safety initiatives, and supporting increased funding to support these vital activities. Oregon Walks plays a pivotal role influencing Oregon’s transportation future and addressing the needs of pedestrians across the state.

Position Description:
Oregon Walks is hiring a Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator to empower Oregonians to participate in our mission of promoting walking and making the conditions for walking safe, convenient and attractive to everyone.

The Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator must be a highly motivated, responsible person with experience and skills to support & grow the organization’s members, volunteers and programs. The position requires strong communication skills with people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities; excellent attention to detail, a flexible and joyful personality, and a commitment to Oregon Walks’ mission and values.

The Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator works directly with the Executive Director, partners and stakeholders to grow our network of pedestrian advocates through volunteer management, while also supporting, creating and promoting walking events – with a specific focus on schools. This position is also responsible for managing grant reporting requirements and robust data tracking to ensure thoughtful program design, delivery and evaluation.

The position is grant funded through June 2017, with the opportunity for this position to grow with the organization pending additional funding.

Specific Responsibilities of the Position:

• Recruit, manage and support volunteers – serve as primary point of contact for new and established volunteers; coordinate orientations & outreach at a variety of events; maintain records and materials; track volunteer hours and provide support to volunteers as needed.

• Coordinate targeted outreach efforts– Plan & execute open houses & a ‘walking challenge’ at Title I schools in Portland Public School District, and other events across the region.

• Plan & execute walking events – Organize 2016 Walktober event series including recruitment and supervision of interns and walk leaders, promoting walks to increase participation, developing new walks and working with sponsors to fund them.

• Work with Executive Director on all other duties as assigned.

The Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator must:

• Have passion and enthusiasm for a transportation system that incorporates and prioritizes safety and accessibility for people walking, and commitment to Oregon Walks’ mission and values;

• Be able to pass a criminal background check; for work with students in school settings

Preferred qualifications for success in this position:

• Strong emphasis on accountability, collaboration, professionalism, a positive attitude and transparency at all times;

• Demonstrated experience managing, recruiting and retaining volunteers and interns;

• Background working with diverse communities and ability to communicate with a wide range of individuals, including members and volunteers, media, funders, and public sector staff;

• Bilingualism – Spanish, Russian, Cantonese, Mandarin or Somali – is strongly preferred;

• Success and ability to thrive while working independently, and ability to manage multiple projects while responding quickly to emerging opportunities;

• Aptitude for managing grant deliverables and funder reporting requirements;

• Familiarity with social media and other digital communication tools;

• Ability to manage time effectively and prioritize tasks;

• Proven ability to deliver excellent customer service;

• Willing to problem-solve with spirit of innovation;

• Flexible schedule to work occasional evenings and weekends.

How to Apply *
Please submit a one-page cover letter outlining your passion for the cause and fit with the position. Please also provide a resume and the names and contact information for three references who can speak to your professional work. Send all materials to our Executive Director, Noel Mickelberry, at noel@oregonwalks.org with “Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator” in the subject line. We will begin reviewing applications on a rolling basis on August 10th, with a deadline for submission of August 17th at 5 p.m.

Women, people of color, members of LGBTQ communities, and people with disabilities strongly encouraged to apply. If you need any accommodations to participate in the application process please let us know.

Oregon Walks Respects Civil Rights – Oregon Walks is committed to operating all of its programs without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, citizenship, veteran status, marital status, sensory disabilities, physical disabilities, mental disabilities and all other identities protected by state and federal law.

City advisory committees oppose TriMet’s plans for swing gates on Orange Line

swiomggatees

Swing gates.
(Photo: TriMet)

Official Bureau of Transportation committees that represent two of the groups TriMet is trying to keep safe from MAX trains on the new Orange Line — people who walk and bike — oppose the agency’s plan to use swing gates at the entry and exit of tracks at two intersections in inner southeast Portland.

After hearing about plans for the path at SE 8th and 11th, the City of Portland’s Bicycle Advisory Committee and Pedestrian Advisory Committee have both issued formal letters of opposition to TriMet.

The bicycle committee outlined several reasons for their disapproval. The main reason is, “the operating difficulties they will impose on members of the traveling public – principally those who are bicycling or walking.”

Here’s more from their letter:

Read more