‘Groundbreaking’ new study gives big thumbs up to U.S. protected bike lanes
A major new study analyzed protected bike lanes from across the country (including Portland) and the results are very positive.
research
Article in academic journal offers explanation for Williams project controversy
New research delves into the Williams project process and why it turned into such a controversy.(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland) It’s been over two years now since the issue of racism and gentrification became part of PBOT’s North Williams Avenue traffic safety project. As the public process for that project morphed into a citywide dialogue about … Read more
With $2.8 million grant, PSU now a national center for ‘livable communities’ research
The Oregon Transportation Research and Education Consortium (OTREC) at Portland State University continued to raise its national profile with today’s announcement of a $2.83 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. This grant comes on the heels of a $3.5 million federal grant awarded in January 2012 that solidified PSU’s role as one of … Read more
Biking and breathing on major streets
Newsflash: Cars are highly toxic and bike riders suck it all in.(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland) The Portland Tribune published an article yesterday with a scary headline: “Car exhaust proves unseen road hazard.” The story chronicled the efforts of transportation researcher Alex Bigazzi, who rides around Portland with special equipment attached to his bike in order … Read more
Researcher explores the ‘Language of promoting cycling’
“When it comes to cycle planning and policy, all parties involved (politicians, policy-makers, practitioners, advocates, etc) should remember that they are providing for “cycling”, not “cyclists””.— Glen Koorey, University of Canterbury Reader John Lieswyn (an associate at Alta Planning + Design) emailed me a link to an amazing bit of research this morning. A 2007 … Read more
94% of bike riders wait at red lights, study finds
A new study suggests that speeding in a car on local streets is at least six times more common than running a red light on a bike.
Surprise! New driving research shows “hands-free” isn’t safe
Cover of Measuring Cognitive Distraction in the Automobile, a new report from AAA. Yesterday the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety dropped a bomb into the national debate about distracted driving. They conducted research and developed a report that shows “significant levels of cognitive distraction” by people who drive while performing various hands-free tasks. The report … Read more
The vote is in: Over 80% of City Club membership supports bicycle research report
One of the recommendations in the report is a 4% excise tax on new bike sales that would fund safety programs and more bike counters throughout the city.(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland) BikePortland has learned that the City Club of Portland will announce tomorrow that their membership has officially voted to support their research report on … Read more
City Club research report strongly endorses bicycling
Read the report here. After a year of research, a 12-member committee of the Portland City Club released a report today titled, No Turning Back: A City Club Report on Bicycle Transportation in Portland. The 83-page report tackled nearly every major bicycling issue that Portland faces: From quantifying just how many people are riding, to … Read more
State embarks on effort to quantify Oregon’s bicycle industry
Bicycle frame and component manufacturer Chris King Precision Components employs over 100 people in northwest Portland.(Photo: Chris King Precision Components) Earlier this month we learned that bicycle-related travel pumps $400 million into Oregon’s economy each year. Now Travel Oregon, the state’s tourism development and marketing organization, has embarked on the second part of that research … Read more
You’re not as visible on a bike at night as you think, new study shows
Not as flashy as most people think. (Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland) People who ride bikes at night consistently overestimate their visibility to other road users, a new study has found. They also overlook a few tricks, like reflective strips around the ankles and knees, that can help the most. The report, led by Joanne Wood … Read more
PSU researcher delving into “multimodal road rage”
Could road rage tell us something about the gender gap in bicycling?(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland) Tara Goddard, a PhD candidate in Urban Studies at Portland State University (PSU), is devoting her thesis to a subject that gets a lot of traction in the media but so far has received scant attention in academia: road rage … Read more