4/25: Hello readers and friends. I'm still recovering from a surgery I had on 4/11, so I'm unable to attend events and do typical coverage. See this post for the latest update. I'll work as I can and I'm improving every day! Thanks for all your support 🙏. - Jonathan Maus, BikePortland Publisher and Editor

Group looks to improve access to bicycle trailers for low-income families

ABC Bike Ride 2013

Kids get ready to roll before an Andando en Bicicletas
en Cully ride, organized at Hacienda CDC.
(Photo: Community Cycling Center.)

As bikes become a bigger part of normal life for people at Hacienda CDC in Northeast Portland’s Cully neighborhood, there’s a shortage of something that holiday charity bike drives seldom offer: bike trailers.

It started when a group of residents at the low-income housing community decided to join the Northeast Portland Sunday Parkways event last June. The Community Cycling Center (which works with Hacienda residents on several projects) arranged to loan bike trailers to a couple moms who wanted to bring their children.

“The women just loved it — they didn’t even realize that was an option,” CCC spokeswoman Melinda Musser said Tuesday. “Normally when they go on bike rides, the women who have kids, they have to have another adult to watch them. So that was an obstacle that they maybe didn’t even realize. … Once they started using the trailers they got really excited. They realized that they could ride more often and bring their kids with them.”

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City teams up with ODOT to pave new section of Columbia Slough Trail – UPDATED

New section of Columbia Slough path-3

New path on the Columbia Slough at Vancouver Ave entrance.
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)

Please note: As of 10/28, the City of Portland has notified us that the path won’t be opened to the public until November 8th. We regret any confusion.

The Oregon Department of Transportation and the Portland Parks & Recreation Bureau have teamed up on a major new biking and walking path along the Columbia Slough in north Portland. The path — which has just been paved between N Denver and Vancouver avenues — is known as the Columbia Slough Trail.

The new path is about 10-feet wide with gravel shoulders and it hugs the Columbia Slough for about 1.2 miles. It offers access to lots of wildlife (tons of birds) and views of Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams, and Mt. Hood. From the path you can also see the Portland Meadows racetrack and watch big tractors and trucks at work on several industrial sites (I mention this for those of you with little ones). In addition to entry points at Vancouver and Denver avenues, there’s also a spur out to N Schmeer at Whitaker Road. This creates a much-needed connection for north Portland residents who frequent the Hayden Meadows shopping area (which includes a big hardware store among other things).

I rolled out there today and took a bunch of photos…

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PBOT makes official recommendation for SE Foster Road redesign

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Detail of PBOT’s draft recommendation for SE Foster Road.

Nearing the end of a one-year public process to update the Foster Road Transportation and Streetscape Plan, yesterday the Portland Bureau of Transportation released its official draft recommendation for how to re-design SE Foster Road from 52nd to 90th.

Their plan, which will be put in front of the Stakeholder Advisory Committee at a meeting tomorrow night, calls for three standard lanes (one in each direction and a center turn lane), on-street auto parking, and six-foot bike lanes for the entire length of the project area. In addition, PBOT is recommending wider sidewalks in the eastern segment of the project (SE 84th to 90th, through Lents) from their existing five feet to nine feet.

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Safe Routes to School pioneer Deb Hubsmith diagnosed with leukemia

Deb Hubsmith on Capitol Hill in 2010.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

Deb Hubsmith, the woman who played a vital role in the establishment of Safe Routes to School in the United States, has been diagnosed with acute myeloid luekemia (AML). Hubsmith is currently the founding director of the Safe Routes National Partnership and she has been the leading advocate and lobbyist for Safe Routes for well over a decade.

Here’s more about her health from a message posted on the Partnership’s blog yesterday:

“Last week, while visiting the doctor for flu-like symptoms, Safe Routes to School National Partnership director Deb Hubsmith was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This type of leukemia comes on very quickly, and Deb’s doctors caught it early and started treatment right away. She will be in and out of the hospital over the next couple of months while going through chemotherapy. Once treated, AML has a good remission and survival rate. Her doctors fully expect remission following her treatment course…

Deb would like everyone not to worry and instead think as positively as she always does. She is focused on getting well and will not be checking email but you can feel free to post comments on this blog and we will be sure she receives your outpouring of support.”

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Job: Bike Tour Guide – Worldwide – Trek Travel

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Job Title
Bike Tour Guide – Worldwide

Company/Organization
Trek Travel

Job Description
Do you want to bike around the world while getting paid? AWESOME! We have just posted our 2014 Hiring and Training Dates and can’t wait to hear from you:

TREK TRAVEL, the world’s leading cycling tour company is currently looking for individuals who are passionate about people, cycling and travel to lead unforgettable bicycle vacations for us this season in North America and Europe. Our main season runs from April through November. We are hiring individuals fully available during these months, especially interested in candidates with strong bike mechanic skills, and French, Italian and/or Spanish language skills. Completed applications are reviewed and processed in the order they are received. If you are interested in finding out what it takes to be a Trek Travel Bike Guide, please click the following link to read the full job description and apply online: http://www.trektravel.com/employment/be-a-guide/

DEADLINE for Applications: Friday, December 13th, 2013 — Apply Early — spots will fill fast!

How to Apply
http://www.trektravel.com/employment/be-a-guide/

White/Light Blue/Black Marin Bolinas Ridge 29er 2012

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Year: 2012
Brand: Marin
Model: Bolinas Ridge 29er
Color:White/Light Blue/Black
Size:29er
Serial:JH122601JD011
Photo: https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/q74/s720x720/1384167_970232808931_315905359_n.jpg
Stolen in Portland, OR 97216-2117
Stolen:2013-10-21
Stolen From: PCC SE Campus at SE 82nd and Division
Neighborhood: Montavilla
Owner: Dylan Carmody
OwnerEmail: dylancarmody@gmail.com
Description: 2012 Marin 29’er mountain bike white, light blue, and some black, it has front and back fenders, purple EL wire light along the frame, a front white light, a back red light, a back red frog light and a blue frog light under the front fender, disc brakes. Also, if anyone sees it on craigslist let me know. 503-724-3368 Thanks.
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

White Felt Z100 2011

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Year: 2011
Brand: Felt
Model: Z100
Color:White
Size:51cm
Serial: SIDT06335
Stolen in Portland, OR 97202
Stolen:2013-10-22
Stolen From: The bike rack at SE Milwaukie Ave and SE Bush Ave.
Neighborhood: Brooklyn
Owner: Brenna Gay
OwnerEmail: gay.brenna(AT)yahoo.com
Reward: BEER AND A HUG
Description: White ladies’ FELT bike with obama & HRC stickers on it, little dinky bike lights and one velcro frame pack by the handlebars.
Police record with: PORTLAND PD
Police reference#: T13010763
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Silver Specialized Sirrus Sport 2001

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Year: 2001
Brand: Specialized
Model: Sirrus Sport
Color:Silver
Size:Medium
Serial: PX01143
Photo: http://i.imgur.com/1Hyeoiy.jpg
Stolen in Portland, OR 97202
Stolen:2013-10-20
Stolen From: From bike rack outside Portland Art Museum on SW Park Ave.
Neighborhood: SW Portland/PSU Campus
Owner: Katie Fankhauser
OwnerEmail: fank.katie(A T)gmail.com
Reward: $100+
Description: Silver Specialized hybrid bike with swivel rearview mirror attachment on left handlebar and tool kit below seat. No front light, rear light that emits solid and strobing red light.
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: T13010758
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

black and blue Trek Lexa S 2011

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Year: 2011
Brand: Trek
Model: Lexa S
Color:black and blue
Size:47 cm.
Serial: WTU048C0238F
Photo: http://bikereviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2011-trek-lexa-womens-road-bikes-4.jpg
Stolen in Portland, OR 97214
Stolen:2013-10-20
Stolen From: Outside of the Laurel Hurst Theater.
Neighborhood: NE and Burnside
Owner: Diana Liepina
OwnerEmail: dianaliepina27(AT)hotmail.com
Description: It had a human rights sticker, and a salt lake city bicycle company sticker. A water bottle holder, and brand new fenders with a reflector strip on the back.
Police record with: Portland Police
Police reference#: T13010750
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Time to hit the streets for ‘Walktober’

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Have you heard about Walktober? It’s “Three weeks of fun on foot” and it’s in full swing right now. The event is organized by Oregon Walks and it was inspired by Shift’s bike-centric Pedalpalooza that happens each summer. Similar to Pedalpalooza, the event consists of several individual events created and led by community groups and individuals who add them to a master calendar. Last week there was a walk on the Eastbank Esplanade led by the man who planned the project, George Hudson. There was also the Get Annoyed walk led by our very own Michael Andersen which featured problem solving and cake.

We’ve heard about two events this week that look interesting, so we wanted to share them with you…

Wonk Walk 2013: Crosswalk Crusade! 5:15 pm TONIGHT (Meet on west side of SW 4th between Stark and Oak)
This walk will be led by Lancaster Engineering employees Kirk Paulsen and Brian Davis. Here’s how they describe the event:

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Red Schwinn

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Brand: Schwinn
Color:Red
Stolen in Beaverton, OR 97006
Stolen:2013-10-5
Stolen From: from my apartment at 16340 SW Estuary Drive Apt 203, Beaverton OR 97006
Owner: Anoop Radhakrishnan
OwnerEmail: anooprk2k(at sign)yahoo.com
Description: It is a red colored mountain bike with motion sensored blinking light on the rear valve, it also has an attached hand air pump and a rear mud gard
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Schwinn Mountain Bike

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Brand: Schwinn
Model: Mountain Bike
Serial:s2606wm
Stolen in Beaverton, OR 97006
Stolen:2013-10-05
Stolen From: From my apartment at 16340 SW Estuary Drive Apr 203, Beaverton OR 97006
Owner: Anoop Radhakrishnan
OwnerEmail: anooprk2k@yahoo.com
Description: It is a red colored mountain bike with motion sensor blinking light on the rear wheel valve, it also has an attached hand air pump and a rear mud gard. I have installed commuter tires on it. the serial number on the bike is either s2606wm or em-0902-1dl. I wrote down both because they were both on the bike
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike