Sam Adams speaking at lastnight’s BMP Open House(Photo © J. Maus) It’s a classic story in Portland by now — you total your car, assess your options, and decide the time is right to go carfree. It looks like the latest person to play out this story will be our mayor. Mayor Adams walked away … Read more
With plenty of transit and bike options, there won’t be any reason to drive.(Photos © J. Maus) With the impending completion of major streetcar and light rail projects in Portland, sustainable transportation advocates are starting to think big. Chris Smith, well-known for his work as a streetcar and bike advocate and for his run at … Read more
More trains, more bikes, fewer cars.(Photos © J. Maus) Portland’s transportation future is set to change drastically in the coming years. The stars are aligning for a city — and especially the downtown core — where public transit, feet, and bicycles are the vehicles of choice for most people. Don’t believe me? Just look around … Read more
A community survey conducted by the City of Portland’s Bureau of Planning and Sustainability as part of their Central Portland Plan update had good news for supporters of bikeways and carfree streets. The survey was made available at more than 60 community events and locations throughout the city during a two-month period between August and … Read more
About thirty people showed up — by bus, bike, and on foot — to the first Portland Car-free Happy Hour on Thursday. Some highlights for me included: – Standing outside on a sunny March day, talking about bike commute routes, long distance train travel, streetcars, and more.
“Whether you drive a hybrid or an SUV, your car is a cash-guzzler. Families trying to save real money should consider going without.” It may be a true sign of change when the Wall Street Journal suggests that giving up your car could be good for your personal finances and the economy as a whole. … Read more
Enjoying a carfree Peacock Lane.(Photo by Greg Raisman) Last night was the unofficial/official start of the annual Peacock Lane holiday light festival. For the first time ever this year, organizers decided to try a carfree night. From all reports we heard, it was a big success. Not even snow, ice and frigid temps could keep … Read more
At some events there’s nowhere good to park.(Photo © J. Maus) Now you’ll be able to park your bike at the carfree evening planned for viewing the lights on Peacock Lane this Sunday. I reported a couple weeks ago that the neighborhood association wanted to encourage people to ride their bikes over to Peacock lane … Read more
Now Portlanders can roam (or ride) without worry at the annual Peacock Lane holiday lights show. (Photo © J. Maus) Each year, for the last two weeks of December, residents of the little-traveled Southeast Portland street, Peacock Lane, deck out their houses with elaborate holiday light displays and invite the public to come enjoy the … Read more
[Editor’s note: This story was originally posted on Friday 10/10 but has been re-posted after a server outage.] Commissioner Leonard on his ride home from City Hall in May 2007. (Photo ? J. Maus) According to an article by Amy Ruiz in this week’s Portland Mercury, Commissioner Randy Leonard is intrigued by carfree public spaces … Read more
One of my photos from an exhibition that will open Thursday night at The Breeze Block Gallery. I hope you haven’t made plans for this Thursday night. Besides the usual fun of Last Thursday on Alberta, this month’s event will be officially carfree (more on that later). But if that’s not enough to get out … Read more
“A page has been turned, clearly there is no doubt: the future will hold many more large scale street openings…”— Livable streets advocate and filmmaker Clarence Eckerson On Saturday, New York City tested the Ciclovia waters with their first of three Summer Streets events planned for this month. From the looks of a fantastic video … Read more