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Two big events Thursday night: Manifest launch and scenic bikeway video screening

Tonight’s event will feature the premiere of the
Twin Bridges Scenic Bikeway video.
(Photo by Russ Roca/Path Less Pedaled)

One of the “problems” of living in a town with such a richly layered bicycle culture is that there is often too much of a good thing. This Thursday night is an example of when two big events — the Oregon Scenic Bikeways Video Party and the Oregon Manifest Launch Party — happen at the same time on the same night, forcing some bike lovers into a painful decision.

Here’s what’s on tap:

Oregon Scenic Bikeways Video Party – 6:00 to 8:30 pm at Chris King Precision Components HQ (2801 NW Nela St.)

Oregon’s Scenic Bikeways program is the only one of its kind in the nation. The cyclists who’ve ridden these community-suggested, state-adopted, best-of-the-best Oregon road routes know exactly why this program and the rides themselves are so special. But what about those who have yet to experience a Scenic Bikeway?

For you, we and Path Less Pedaled have been working hard on a series of inspirational videos highlighting each bikeway route and the things that make it a fun, beautiful and uniquely Oregon experience. And we think wintertime, while you’re dreaming up your next bike vacation, is the perfect time to watch them.

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White Novara Carema 2005ish

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Year: 2005ish
Brand: Novara
Model: Carema
Color:White
Size:Light Blue
Stolen in Portland, OR 97202
Stolen:2014-03-18
Stolen From: SE 6th and Stark
Neighborhood: SE
Owner: Lauren Mitchell
OwnerEmail: lmitchell185(replace with at sign)hotmail.com
Reward: 400
Description: Light blue and white, purchased 2004-2006, she has holders for a U-Lock, a back light, front light, and bike computer.
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

dark red european i think 60’s

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Year: 60’s
Brand: european i think
Color:dark red
Size:tall man
Photo: http://imgur.com/HvDsEFY
Stolen in Portland, OR 97206
Stolen:2014-03-15
Stolen From: My front porch 5745 se mall st
Neighborhood: foster powell
Owner: becca pryor
OwnerEmail: eforlove54(at sign)yahoo.com
Reward: $100
Description: There’s a brass bell, ‘i love this bike’ sticker, ride local sticker, brooks saddle, vintage blue under seat bag, ‘love one another sticker’ black hamdle bars, heavy frame…white wall tires.
Police record with: started here!
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Oregon Active Transportation Summit will bring two days of bikey braininess to Portland

Oregon Active Transportation Summit-6

OATS in 2011.
(Photo by J.Maus/BikePortland)

The state’s biggest conference about biking and walking policy is next month, and unlike in past years, it’ll take place in Portland.

An annual project of the Portland-based Bicycle Transportation Alliance, the Oregon Active Transportation Summit is a professional networking and education event that gathers wisdom from the country’s best state for biking.

This year’s event will include breakout panels and keynotes at the downtown Governor Hotel on Monday, April 21, followed by a day of mobile workshops and bike tours on Tuesday. Tuesday will also offer a new feature of OATS: full-day trainings in urban bikeway design and urban street design from NACTO.

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‘Wheelwomen Switchboard’ is a new forum for women in biking

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A screengrab of the new Wheelwomen Switchboard.

A new online community for the women’s bicycling movement, launched by a local bike writer and built on a web startup by two Reed College alumni, seems to be off to a roaring start.

Created by Elly Blue, who is herself a sort of bicycle hub who has taken human form and lives in Portland, Wheelwomen Switchboard sorts its users’ posts into two categories: “asks” and “offers.” The Wheelwomen community has drawn more than 70 such posts in its first two weeks.

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Biking the Big Easy: Rich Community, Gumbo Culture

(Photo by Erin Greeson)

Welcome to the third installment of our series on bicycling and transportation culture in New Orleans by former Portlander and BikePortland contributor Erin Greeson. Erin currently lives in New Orleans. Read the rest of the series here.

Part III: Rich Community, Gumbo Culture

New Orleans’ traditions of art, music, creativity and festivity translate to its bike culture.

At the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, seasoned locals lock dozens, if not hundreds, of bikes near the entry gates (pictured below). They know to avoid driving anywhere near the scene, which draws music lovers from around the world: topping out at over 425,000 attendees in 2013.

There are bicycle “second-line” parades organized by Bike Easy, which put a two-wheeled spin on a deep-rooted New Orleans tradition. There are colorful, quirky bike groups. Thursday night meet-up rides feature themes reminiscent of Portland’s “Pedalpalooza” rides, New Orleans-style. NOLA Social Ride hosts a signature Thursday ride and other rides throughout the week. Bikes are often incorporated into costumes and parades; costumes and festive attire are commonly worn in New Orleans, not just for Halloween and Mardi Gras, but for occasions ranging from Saint Patrick’s Day to Saints games.

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black Spot Ajax 2013

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Year: 2013
Brand: Spot
Model: Ajax
Color:black
Size:57cm
Serial:h2jh2254(8)
Photo: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8101/8464277596_65a256410b.jpg
Stolen in Portland, OR 97211
Stolen:2013-03-18
Stolen From: Near NE 33rd and Ainsworth
Neighborhood: Concordia
Owner: James Luce
OwnerEmail: jaluce@pdx.edu
Reward: 1800$
Description: Black spot ajax, converted to drop bars. Similar to bike in photo, but logos are dark gray, and much of frame is wrapped in black cloth tape. These bikes are typically flat bar, the drop bars are unique. Has a rear rack and fenders like bike in photo. These are relatively rare belt drive, internal hub disc bikes, so they tend to stand out.
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 14-22074
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Let’s help Richard get his bike back

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Stolen!

Portlander Richard Lorenz got his high-end Moots titanium mountain bike stolen yesterday afternoon. Then last night he got tips and photos from from two people who saw his bike on the Eastbank Esplanade. Now he’s determined to get his bike back safe and sound and he’s hoping more eyes on the street can help him out.

The bike was taken from inside his car as it was parked in the parking garage on SW 6th and Salmon in downtown Portland. Richard had just sold the bike on eBay and was going to ship it out on Monday. He never got time to box it up and when he went out to his car after work he found his window smashed and the bike gone. He figured it was gone for good, but he still filed a stolen bike listing, made a police report, posted to Craigslist and generally spread the word however he could.

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New ‘Bikeology’ curriculum guides spell out bike skills for grades 6-12

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Click the image for a link to the documents.

When the basics of biking are essentially passed on as folk wisdom from one individual to another, is there any wonder so many of us fail to pick up the best practices?

Local programs like Safe Routes to School and Create a Commuter try to fill this gap for elementary schoolers and working-age riders, respectively. And now the federal government is offering a free three-part guide aiming to help middle school and high school “physical education teachers and recreation specialists” teach the basics of bike use, maintenance and safety.

The 355-page curriculum includes seven units: Getting Ready to Ride, Bicycle Handling Basics, Emergency Bicycle Handling Skills, Advanced Bicycle Handling Skills, Rules of the Road for Riding, Bicycle Maintenance and Riding for Fitness.

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Titanium Moots Mooto-X 2008

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Year: 2008
Brand: Moots
Model: Mooto-X
Color:Titanium
Size:17″
Serial: 17M8595
Stolen in Portland, OR 97204
Stolen:2014-03-17
Stolen From: Stolen out of my car in a parking garage on 6th and Salmon.
Neighborhood: Downtown
Owner: Richard Lorenz
OwnerEmail: rlorenz(at sign)chbh.com
Reward: Yes.
Description: Moots Mooto-X 29er mountain bike with full xtr drivetrain and distinctive blue trim pieces including headset, bottom, bracket, grips and pedals. Enve carbon wheels with chris king hubs.
Police record with: Portland
Police reference#: 14-21876
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Got thoughts about Barbur Blvd? Tell ODOT at open house Wednesday

Riding Portland's urban highways-29

Taking a lane on the bridge.
(Photo by J. Maus/BikePortland)

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is hosting an open house this Wednesday (3/19) to discuss the Newbury Vermont Bridges Rehabilitation Project.

This is the project that sparked interest in doing a “road diet” on Barbur that was ultimately rejected in favor of future traffic studies. While some saw the bridge rehab project as a golden opportunity to re-design Barbur, ODOT maintained that consideration of a road diet was beyond the scope. Instead, they opted to spend $180,000 to install four “Bikes on bridge” flashing warning signs that were turned on last week.

Wednesday’s open house is a chance to offer feedback on those signs and learn more about how the rehab project will impact traffic on Barbur Blvd.

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Event will highlight e-bike trends in Oregon

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The Ohm electric-assist bicycle-6.jpg

E-bike powered.
(Photo by J. Maus/BikePortland)

What’s the latest with electric bikes? Is their popularity growing or is it leveling out? What about the future? Will motorized and pedal-assisted bicycles ever be fully embraced by other road users?

These issues and more will be discussed at an event next month in downtown Portland. The event is being promoted and organized by Drive Oregon, a non-profit trade association that pushes “electric mobility and alternative means of transportation.”

We’ve covered e-bikes for years here on BikePortland. From the local industry that has sprung up around them to the people who credit them for changing their lives, they definitely seem to be gaining traction. That being said, they are still not commonly seen in the bike lanes and their mix of human and motor power makes it hard for them to find a comfortable niche among the existing mix of vehicles on the road.

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