Washington County will repair bridge rather than prohibit driving

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward
porter road bridge

(Image: Google Maps.)

Washington County has opted to spend $125,000 to $175,000 on temporary repairs to its least sturdy bridge rather than close it to auto traffic.

As we wrote last month, the bridge on Porter Road northeast of Forest Grove is significant for biking because it’s part of the Tualatin Valley Scenic Bikeway and might also become part of a “Council Creek Regional Trail” that would eventually create a low-stress link between Hillsboro and Banks.

It’s also significant for driving because it currently carries an estimated 1,100 motor vehicles per day.

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BikePortland Podcast: Your questions of the year, answered

Active Transportation Debate at PSU-18

Some bikey questions are up for debate.
(Photo: J.Maus/BikePortland)

What do you do when a person in a car yields to you at an intersection for no reason?

How do you have a productive discussion with someone who isn’t excited about biking?

If you could get one bike-friendly person in Portland into public office, who would it be?

For the second year, we’ve dedicated an episode of our monthly podcast to answering questions that were, like these, submitted by readers and listeners. So producer Lillian Karabaic, Joathan and I put 20 minutes on my kitchen timer and answered as many as we could before the bell. The result is rapid-fire and fun.

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Job: Bike Mechanic – Bike Gallery Lake Oswego/Woodstock

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title
Mechanic

Company/Organization
Bike Gallery – Lake Oswego/Woodstock

Job Description
The Bike Gallery is looking for a full time mechanic at both our Lake Oswego & Woodstock stores.

Responsibilities:

* Be able to diagnose and service a wide range of performance complaints for a wide range of equipment types
* Be able to diagnose and service a wide range of noise complaints for a wide range of equipment types
* Be able to complete a bicycle assembly for any product carried, to the established quality standard, and within the established time parameters for the product in question
* Be able to identify and perform all aspects of replacement part installation to the established time and quality standards
* Be able to deliver established service packages (tune-ups, overhauls, etc.) to the established time and quality standards
* Be able to recognize and respond to changes in the work priorities of the service department as indicated by volume or other circumstances
* Test ride all completed service work to verify performance
* Be able to recognize and respond to opportunities to build customer loyalty through the delivery of prompt, accurate service
* Be prepared to demonstrate the value of the service menu pricing and as well as all work performed
* Stay current with equipment manufacturer specifications and product developments that affect service procedures or compatibility issues
* Greeting customers who are picking up or dropping off bikes for service
* Provide estimates for service and repairs based upon customer interaction and an evaluation of the bike in question
* Write service tickets that are clear and legible
* Provide customers with an estimated time for completion of the work; remind customers of our service hours and that they will be called when the work is done
* Investigate and capitalize on opportunities to sell customers upgrades in repair or replacement parts
* Investigate and capitalize on opportunities to sell customers replacement rubber
* Be able to answer customer questions about accessory compatibility and installation with confidence
* Initiate contact with customers when service work is completed

How to Apply
Send Resume & Cover Letter to:

BGresumes@bikegallery.com

The Monday Roundup: Family Feud on ‘cyclists,’ ice-skate commuting and more

Family Feud answers

The most popular responses have the
highest numbers.
(Image via Road.cc)

Here are the bike links from around the world that caught our eyes this week:

Seahawks cycling: Seattle’s NFL team is headed back to the Super Bowl and — believe it or not — it was a bicycle that stole national headlines after their thrilling playoff win.

Annoying game show: Australia’s version of the Family Feud game show decided to ask: “What is something annoying that a cyclist might do?”

Ice-skate commuting: An Edmonton landscape architect has proposed a “Freezeway” that would let people skate to work. The winter “skate lane” would serve as a bike lane in the summer.

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Job: Bicycle Mechanic – Athletes Lounge

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title
Bicycle Mechanic

Company/Organization
Athletes Lounge

Job Description
Athletes Lounge is still looking for an experienced Service Technician to work in our retail location at 2671 NW Vaughn St., in Portland. Pay is based on experience. This is a full time position and includes weekend work. If interested, please send your resume and cover letter to Gary@athleteslounge.com. Athletes Lounge is a full service bicycle shop.

How to Apply
Please send your resume and cover letter to gary@athleteslounge.com

Comment of the Week: Commissioner Steve Novick on the virtues of taxes

Bike Walk Vote candidate party-10

Steve Novick at a Bike Walk Vote
candidate party in 2012.
(Photo: J.Maus/BikePortland)

With friends like Joe Cortright, Transportation Commissioner Steve Novick doesn’t need enemies.

That’s the case Novick made this morning in a sharp response in the comments beneath a widely circulated column we published by Cortright, a local urban economist.

Cortright, who like Novick comes from a generally leftish perspective, had made eight arguments about transportation revenue in the context of Portland’s effort to create a new, local street fund. In the comment below, Novick raises thoughtful objections to two of them.

I have two main problems with what my friend Joe Cortright said in his recent column. First, he’s using generic arguments against a specific proposal while largely ignoring what the proposal actually is. Second, he’s adopting the rhetoric of his political opponents to attack spending on projects that he actually isn’t opposed to.

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Bike rack company touts security at Portland demo event

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward
Park-a-Bike Racks demo-7

Park A Bike’s Christopher Luyet explains
the features of his “bike dock”.
(Photos by J. Maus/BikePortland)

Bike thieves have upped their game and rack manufacturers see a business opportunity.

Not content with using mere bolt-cutters to snip your cable lock or a mini car-jack to pry open your u-lock, thieves are now using power saws. Yes, power saws that can easily zing through the rounded pipes used in over 6,000 of those official blue “staple” Bureau of Transportation bike racks and countless street signs that people lock to when there’s no staple nearby.

Just this morning we learned about the latest power-saw-bike-theft victim via reddit.

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The street fee, bike share, and Portland’s Big Pause

Street Fee Town Hall - non residential fee-6

Our streets: Still without bike share,
new revenue, and a host of other projects on pause.
(Photos by J. Maus/BikePortland)

“There are some who say, ‘Why would you move ahead with bike share if you can’t pave the streets?'”
— Mayor Hales, August 2014

This story was co-written by Michael Andersen and Jonathan Maus

Now that Portland’s erratic search for new transportation revenue is on “pause”, it’s raised another question for the city: How long will the rest of our transportation agenda be on pause?

There’s no better illustration of this problem than the way Portland’s plan for a public bike-sharing system fell apart.

In a previously unpublished interview last August, Mayor Charlie Hales was characteristically candid about this. He and his colleagues have not prioritized bike sharing, he said, because it might endanger their push for new revenue.

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Weekend Event Guide: Palm trees, volcanoes, freak bikes, and more

Wintertime Palm Tree Ride

Winter doldrums got you down? Look up and learn
about local exotic greenery on the Palm Tree Ride.
(Photo by J. Maus/BikePortland)

Welcome to your menu of weekend rides and events, lovingly brought to you by our friends at Hopworks Urban Brewery.

This is the time of year when the weather can make it tough to get out and ride. That’s where your fellow bike lovers come in. A group ride, or a ride that takes you to new places, might be just what you need to cure your case of the winters.

A special shout-out this week is due to Shawn Granton’s Palm Tree Ride. He’s been leading it every year since 2005 and it’s true gem. With his trusty guidebook of local trees in hand, he’ll share his vast knowledge of Portland’s sidestreets, urban history, and local flora with everyone lucky enough to join this ride. He says it’s the last one, so that’s all the more reason to not miss it.

Have fun out there! And special thanks to Hopworks Urban Brewery for renewing their sponsorship of this weekly feature!

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Job: Graphic Designer – Velotech, Inc. – FILLED

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Sorry, this job has been filled. Browse more great jobs here.

Job Title
Graphic Designer

Company/Organization
Velotech, Inc

Job Description
Velotech, Inc., a Portland-based eCommerce enterprise with a focus on outdoor recreation, is growing, and we are looking for an experienced Graphic Designer to join our team of passionate creatives. As a critical component of the Marketing and Creative Services Department, the Graphic Designer will be responsible for creating compelling web and print graphical content for Velotech, Inc. and our sister companies.

What We’re Looking For:

• Intelligent, driven designer who works well in a collaborative setting.
• Passionate about the outdoors.
• Expert-level command of Adobe Creative Suite (Premiere Pro and After Effects a plus).
• Command of CSS and HTML.
• A high degree of precision, accuracy, and attention to detail.
• Someone who can adhere to strict deadlines and prioritize multiple projects.
• Have the ability to manage relationships with internal clients and outside vendors.
• Exceptional communication skills.
• Proven experience in a fast-paced graphic design position (portfolio showing creative breadth and range required).

What We Offer:

• Competitive compensation package
• Comprehensive benefits, including top-shelf medical, dental, and vision.
• Generous time off
• Casual work environment
• Industry discounts on outdoor equipment and apparel.
• The opportunity to work with smart, friendly people who are passionate about what they do and where they work.
• Tremendous growth potential.

Velotech, Inc. is 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
To apply please send your cover letter, telling us a little bit about you, and your resume to Jobs@velotech.com

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