🚨 Please note that BikePortland slows down during this time of year as I have family in town and just need a break! Please don't expect typical volume of news stories and content. I'll be back in regular form after the new year. Thanks. - Jonathan 🙏

Citizen activists work to fix narrow bike lanes on Interstate Ave

Bike lane Interstate Ave-1-1

This substandard, narrow bike lane on Interstate Avenue at Larrabee is on a major bike route. In Portland. Thankfully there’s an effort afoot to make it better.
(Photos by J. Maus/BikePortland)

Nearly everyone has a scary story about the narrow bike lane on North Interstate Avenue where it goes under the Larrabee Street overpass (map). Riding a bike on Interstate Avenue is stressful enough in the “good” spots, but at Larrabee, the bike lane suddenly shrinks to a harrowing width of about two-and-a-half feet. That’s not much room to operate when a huge semi-truck barrels by a few inches from your shoulders as a storm drain grate gives you and your bike a jolt.

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Bus service, advocacy group are latest signs of cycling boom in Mt. Hood area

Come aboard (with your bike),
they’re expecting you.

The City of Sandy and the Mt. Hood area are in the midst of a transportation revolution and bicycling is playing a major role.

Thanks to the huge success of the Sandy Ridge Trail System, the burgeoning popularity of adventure road riding, and bicycle tourism efforts, cycling has reached a tipping point. The excitement around cycling has spurred investment and attention from government officials, inspired a new bike advocacy group, and has had an economic impact on area businesses. Add to that the Oregon Department of Transportation’s ongoing work on the Mt. Hood Multimodal Transportation Plan and you’ve got the ingredients for change.

Two developments we’re keeping tabs on in this area are the launch of a new, bike-friendly bus service along Highway 26 and the growing energy around the Mt. Hood Bicycle and Pedestrian Coalition.

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purple Schwinn Hollywood

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Brand: Schwinn
Model: Hollywood
Color:purple
Photo: http://i.imgur.com/YzpgqXM.jpg
Stolen in Portland, OR 97211
Stolen:2012-12-23
Stolen From: SE 64th and Foster
Neighborhood: foster-powell
Owner: Leah Bendlin
OwnerEmail: fallenicarus13@gmail.com
Description: purple/magenta old schwinn hollywood. no fenders. one speed coaster brake. ape hanger handlebars with grips that match magenta frame. black bell brand gel seat with vented middle. frame paint was chipping badly, revealing orange/rust color basecoat underneath. last seen with matching magenta grip tape covering most of the frame– this tape was attached with zipties and blue sparkly tape. small front basket.
Police record with: portland pd
Police reference#: T14000317
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Progress on North Portland Greenway in St. Johns area

The newest piece of the North Portland Greenway
is this paved path through cedar trees in Pier Park.
(Photo by NPGreenway)

There’s progress being made on the North Portland Greenway, a project that will someday connect the existing Eastbank Esplanade at the Steel Bridge with a biking and walking path all the way to the Columbia River north of St. Johns.

According to photos and an email sent to us by NPGreenway Core Team co-chairperson Francie Royce, the City of Portland is currently building the new bridge and paved trail that will connect Chimney Park and Pier Park (north of downtown St. Johns). Currently, the two parks are separated by a gulch that provides right of way for a Union Pacific Railroad line that leads to nearby industrial areas.

As we reported last year, the Pier-Chimney Bridge that spans between the two parks attracted protests from tree conservation advocates. That dispute was resolved amicably and construction is on pace to be completed this year. The estimated price of the 120-foot long bridge is $1.7 million which was funded through a federal grant and $220,000 from the City of Portland.

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grey Raliegh track 99ish

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 99ish
Brand: Raliegh
Model: track
Color:grey
Size:55
Photo: http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/4279493061.html
Stolen in Portland, OR 97212
Stolen:2014-01-9
Stolen From: NE Schuyler st and NE 13th ave near NE Broadway
Neighborhood: northeast Broadway/ Irvington
Owner: Garrett Halm
OwnerEmail: gjhalm( atsign )gmail.com
Reward: yes
Description: Its a track set up deep v wheels, fixation white sealed bearing petals, along with black fixation straps, brand new thickslick rear tire, on deep v white wheels drop down bars with cork grip, and a bell wired to them stem, along with a thompson seat post and carbon fiber front fork.
Police record with: Portland pd
Police reference#: T14000296
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Job: Bicycle Service Tech – Bike Gallery

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title
Bicycle Service Tech

Company/Organization
Bike Gallery

Job Description

Department: Service
Position: Service Technician
Supervisor: Service Department Manager and Company Service Manager

Responsibilities

Interacting with customers
All service technicians are expected to be skilled and confident in assisting customers at the service counter; on occasion this may require stepping out from behind the service counter to assist with a bike, part, or accessory question. These responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
• 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
• Respond with confidence to opportunities to demonstrate features, advantages, and benefits for parts of other products customers may inquire about
• Always respond to phone inquiries with professionalism, courtesy, and enthusiasm

Perform service and repairs on customer bicycles
When not interacting with customers, service technicians are expected to occupy their time in servicing and repairing scheduled or ‘while you wait’ repairs. Bike Gallery service technicians are required to have in their possession the tools necessary to perform all routine mechanical services; supplies will be provided by the shop service manager on an as needed basis.
• 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

How to Apply
Send cover letter & resume to:
Resumes@bikegallery.com

A bit of open streets information and inspiration

Guadalajara_via_recreativa-31

The Via Recreativa in Guadalajara is just one of hundreds of open streets events in Latin America. Former Metro councilor Rex Burkholder will lead a presentation about them next week.
(Photo by J. Maus/BikePortland)

With Portland’s Sunday Parkways firmly ensconced in city budgets and citizen psyches, it’s a good time to step back and take a broader look at the open streets revolution. Since Bogota’s Ciclovia gained widespread attention (thanks in large part to this 2007 Streetfilm), open street events have spread through America like wildfire.

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Council candidate Sharon Maxwell played role in Williams Ave re-design process

Sharon Maxwell at an open house for the
Williams Avenue Traffic Safety and Operations
Project in April 2011.
(Photo by J. Maus/BikePortland)

Sharon Maxwell, the latest challenger to Commissioner Nick Fish’s seat on Portland City Council, might be a familiar name to many BikePortland readers. Maxwell spoke up early and often during the public process to update the design of North Williams Avenue.

For those who don’t remember, the City of Portland’s North Williams Avenue Traffic Safety and Operations Project began as just another transportation project, but ended up as a citywide conversation on bicycling, race, and gentrification. The project became a case study for urban planners, garnered national media attention, and became the subject of academic research.

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Latest Headlines

Video: Good bike infrastructure vs bad drivers

Merry Christmas! Portland’s upgraded automated speed cameras are ticketing drivers once again

Monday Roundup: Golden gravel route, too bad for Rad, Uber is sad, and more

Video: Meet a nursing student who received one of Portland’s first e-bike rebates

From the Archives

Portland’s invisible machine: Behind the scenes at the World Naked Bike Ride