PBOT adds physical separation to Williams Ave bikeway plans

Plastic bollards on Hawthorne Bridge-3

Separation similar to this is coming to
Williams Ave north of Broadway.
(Photo J. Maus/BikePortland)

As the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) gets closer to breaking ground on their North Williams Avenue Traffic Safety and Operations Project, they’ve released a set of new plans that include some key modifications. Among them is a protected bike lane in one of the busiest and and most important sections of the entire bikeway: just north of Broadway where bicycle riders will merge from right to left as a high volume of traffic enters the I-5 freeway.

And strangely enough, the idea came at the request of the Oregon Department of Transportation.

In an email to members of the project’s Stakeholder Advisory Committee late last week, PBOT project manager Rich Newlands shared the 60% plans and highlighted several changes from the 30% plans released back in January. Back then, we noticed that the plans didn’t call for any physical separation. Instead, PBOT’s plans were to rely on buffer zones on each side of the six-foot bike lane in order to create separation from auto traffic.

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Dark blue Urban X-press KHS 2011

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2011
Brand: Urban X-press
Model: KHS
Color:Dark blue
Size:18
Photo: http://www.citybikes.coop/bikes/citybikes-custom-urban-xpress/
Stolen in Portland, OR 97211
Stolen:2013-04-22
Stolen From: Alberta Co-Op bike rack1500 NE Albera St, Portland, OR 97211
Neighborhood: NE Alberta
Owner: Sanna Riikka Salonen
OwnerEmail: sannariikkasalonen@gmail.com
Reward: Yes
Description: Frame material:
Reynolds 520 double-butted Chromoly
Sizes:
Colors:
Pearl White Lettering, Citybikes Blue
Wheels:
Weinmann sp-17 Shimano Rear Hub, Formula Front Hub, 36 spokes.
Tires:
Panaracer Pasela Tourguard, 700×32
Shifters:
Microshift trigger shifters
Front derailleur:
Microshift
Rear derailleur:
Shimano Acera
Cassette:
Shimano HG31, 8 speed (11-30)
Crankset:
Shimano 52/42/32
Bottom bracket:
Square taper with sealed cartridge bearings
Pedals:
Alloy body, steel cage.
Handlebar:
Alloy swept-back.
Brake levers:
Tektro
Brake calipers:
Shimano Altus v-brake
Saddle:
KHS Ultra Comfort
Light:
Cygolite Metro 360, red back lights
Fenders, rack on the back, water bottle holder
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 14-32782
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Black Trek Soho 2010

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2010
Brand: Trek
Model: Soho
Color:Black
Size:56″
Stolen in Portland, OR 97204
Stolen:2014-04-23
Stolen From: Stolen out of the PGE parking garage at 1st & Salmon (WTC 2 building).
Neighborhood: Downtown (SW)
Owner: Peter Vidito
OwnerEmail: petervidito(at sign)gmail.com
Description: Matte black, aluminum frame Trek Soho. Identifiable by the Misfits “skull” logo on the front of frame.
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

Recap of PBOT Director Leah Treat’s first major speech

PBOT Director Treat

PBOT Director Leah Treat at the Sentinel Hotel today.
(Photo J. Maus/BikePortland)

Portland Bureau of Transportation Director Leah Treat hit mostly familiar notes today during her first major speech since taking over the agency last summer. Treat was hosted by the City Club of Portland and the event was included in the agenda of the annual Oregon Active Transportation Summit.

While she didn’t make any major policy commitments or launch new initiatives that might have sent the crowd of local transportation advocates and insiders abuzz, Treat gave us a glimpse of her perspective and offered clues about where she might take us during her tenure. She laid out her justification for investing in better biking and walking access and touched on big issues like Vision Zero, bike share, Safe Routes to School, getting tougher on speed enforcement, equity and investment in east Portland, the City’s efforts to pass a transportation fee, and more.

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The Ride: A north Portland loop that’s perfect for the whole family

Ultimate North Portland Family Loop-15

With half the mileage on paths completely separated from auto traffic, this nine mile north Portland/Columbia Slough loop could be the ultimate family ride.
(Photos J. Maus/BikePortland)

If you’ve been looking for a great loop ride in north Portland that’s perfect for novice riders and families, I’ve got an exciting route to share.

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Yellow and black, one speed, “Cruiser” generic “Smoking Loon” promotional Bike generic

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: generic
Brand: generic
Model: “Smoking Loon” promotional Bike
Color:Yellow and black, one speed, “Cruiser”
Size:generic
Stolen in Portland, OR 97210
Stolen:2014-01-01
Stolen From: 2564 NW Savier Street
Portland, Oregon 97210
Neighborhood: Nob Hill
OwnerEmail: jasonbell(replace with at sign)southernwine.com
Reward: Bike isn’t worth alot, but would give some reward and recognition….
Description: If you see it, it has my name and phone number written under the seat and on the chain guard.
It is a yellow Cruiser style bike, a wine promotional bike I got from my work
Police record with: not filed
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

As a low-car generation rises, youth organizers step up transportation activism

Kelly Hansen of the Community Cycling Center, Nicole Johnson of OPAL, Camille Bales of Grant High School and Adriana Rangel of De La Salle High School at a panel on youth transportation advocacy Monday.
(Photo by M.Andersen/BikePortland)

Few Portlanders rely more on low-car transportation than teens. And as many factors have made car use by young people dramatically less common, some are getting more sophisticated in advocating for better public transit, biking and walking.

A panel on the subject at the Oregon Active Transportation Summit Monday was enough to make city staffer Janis McDonald call herself “embarrassed” on the city’s behalf that it isn’t doing more to tap youth advocates’ opinions and expertise.

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Doored? The law is on your side (but that might not be enough)

door zone warning stencil-10

(Photo J. Maus/BikePortland)

If you ever have the unfortunate luck of coming into conflict with another road user, it’s always a pleasure to find out the law is in your favor.

Usually, conflicts on the road relate to the question of who has the right to the same space at the same time. Having someone open their car door into you — a.k.a. getting “doored” — falls into this category. Usually a motor vehicle operator fails to see a bicycle rider and opens a door so close to their path that a collision or near-miss occurs. While defensive riding can go a long way toward avoiding this sometimes painful encounter, sometimes there is just nothing a rider can do — everything happens too fast.

Fortunately, this is one of those areas where the law is on the side of the bicycle rider. Here’s the relevant section of Oregon’s Vehicle Code (remember bicycles are “vehicles” too) that prohibits opening the door of any vehicle unless it is reasonably safe to do so:

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green Sea Snax folding bike 2013

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2013
Brand: Sea Snax folding bike
Color:green
Size:12″ wheels
Stolen in Portland, OR 97211
Stolen:2014-04-22
Stolen From: A driveway near Garfield and Going
Neighborhood: King
Owner: Trillium Shannon
OwnerEmail: pdxflor(AT)gmail.com
Description: Mint Green Sea Snacks bike, no add on’s it was won fromba raffle at New Seasons.
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

Job: Mechanic/Sales – Cycle Portland

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title
mechanic/ sales

Company/Organization
Cycle Portland

Job Description
Part Time Mechanic/ sales staff position at Cycle Portland Bike Shop downtown.

We’re looking for an experienced mechanic to round out our team. Certification is preferred, but not required. Applicants should have at least three years experience and be comfortable working on a wide variety of different bike styles. This position includes working on the retail sales floor as well as behind the stand.

Customer Service experience is a must and you should enjoy working with the public. We also rent bikes at our shop and a large part of this position is checking bikes in and out to customers along with helping cyclists choose appropriate accessories for their needs.

Many of our customers are visitors from around the world and a large part of the position is being able to give directions, route assistance, and food/ drink recommendations to make their Portland experience a success. Position is seasonal, but could turn in to full time for the right candidate.

How to Apply
Please e-mail info@portlandbicycletours.com or drop off a resume at 117 NW 2nd Ave., along with a paragraph or two about why you would be a good fit for the position, and what days of the week you are available.

Brush Specialized Sequoia Comp 2004

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 2004
Brand: Specialized
Model: Sequoia Comp
Color:Brush
Size:Large
Serial:P3CL26785
Stolen in Portland, OR 97210
Stolen:2013-04-20
Stolen From: The garage at the Cambridge Condominiums in NW Portland. Cable lock wrapped around the frame and the bike rack was cut.
Neighborhood: Northwest Portland
Owner: Martha Denison
OwnerEmail: marthadenison@comcast.net
Reward: small one
Description: SKS fenders,PCB seat bag, cat eye headlight
Police record with: Theft
Police reference#: 14-152859
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

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