Portland Community

Picture yourself on a new bike? How about a bike loan?(Photo © J. Maus) Portland-based Unitus Community Credit Union has announced the creation of a bike loan program. According to Tracy Streebel, business development officer with Unitus, the new Bicycle Loan will allow any member of the credit union to borrow money to put toward the [...]

Due to his role as Commissioner in charge of Transportation, I have reported on Sam Adams many times in the past few years. Last week I finally sat down with Sho Dozono — a Portland business owner who is Adams’ only competition in the race for mayor. Below are some of my thoughts [...]

A scene from last year’sAlberta Art Hop Parade!(Photo © J. Maus) If you’re looking for something to do on a bike this weekend, check out the events listed below. Saturday, May 17 Gorge Bike and Hike 9:00am Led by Exchange Cycle Tours: Join us for a moderately paced ride out to the gorge, followed by a [...]

Download the letter (490k, PDF) On Tuesday, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) pledged their full support for PDOT’s efforts to improve bike safety by installing bike boxes at intersections. Their support came in the form of a letter written to Scott Wainwright, a top highway engineer for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), who also sits on [...]

“”It’s a great place to ride and I don’t want to take that away from anyone.”– ODOT maintenance manager Larry Olson The Oregon Department of Transportation has responded to reports that Troutdale residents scattered tacks on the shoulder of the Historic Columbia River Highway — a popular bike route and gateway to riding in the Gorge. [...]

A few more excellent job opportunities were listed on the BikePortland Job Listings this week. Check them out at the links below (and good luck if you apply!): Bike Retail Sales - Bike Gallery Tour Mechanic - American Lung Association of Washington For a complete list of available jobs, click here. If you’d like more information [...]

The sun is out and Portland’s streets are full of signs that summer is fast approaching — including this fantastically flowerly dress I spotted on my way to a meeting today… Great to see for many reasons. This woman and her dress are so great to see for a lot of reasons: It’s finally warm enough to [...]

[UPDATE: 5/16, 10:30am - ODOT has responded. Read full story here.] “The cyclist-haters out in the Gorge are at it again, spreading tacks across the Historic Columbia River Highway.”–From a BikePortland reader email With weekend temps promising short-sleeve weather, many Portlanders are planning to head out on their bikes and take in the grand vistas of [...]

These guys had the best seat in the park.(View Photo Gallery)(All images © J. Maus) After Tuesday’s opening Prologue, the Mt. Hood Cycling Classic made its way a few miles east to Mt. Tabor Park where over 200 of the nation’s fastest cyclists competed in a 1.3 mile, multi-lap criterium race. A warm sun, high clouds, and [...]

Anyone who’s ridden a bike in downtown Portland knows that streetcar (and MAX) tracks can be a bit tricky to navigate. Now, someone has modified a warning sign that takes it a step further. Check out this sign modification/vandalism/art I noticed yesterday… Sign is on SW 11th just before Taylor.(Photo © J. Maus) Be careful out there!

“Bicycling is the most equitable and affordable form of transportation… All of Portland’s citizens already live within a 20-minute bicycle ride of our existing Regional and Town Centers and Commercial Main Streets.”–From a document produced by PDOT titled Bicycling Into Our Future Steve Dotterer with the City of Portland Bureau of Planning made a presentation about [...]

A rider leaves the start ramp. Waterfront Park is in the background.View the Stage 1 Photo Gallery(Photos © J. Maus) The Mt. Hood Cycling Classic got off to a fast start in downtown Portland last night. It was a surreal sight. All the northbound lanes of Naito Parkway were closed and lycra-clad pro bike racers sped [...]

Yesterday, I shared some thoughts (and asked for yours) on the race for Council seat #2. Today, we move to to the other hotly contested battle for City Commissioner being waged by six candidates, five of which are likely to garner a significant number of votes. This race features several impressive candidates and two [...]

Chris King hubs on display.(Photos: Swell2008 on Flickr) A Portland bike component manufacturer has been recognized for their earth-friendly production methods. Chris King Precision Components — based in Portland’s northwest industrial area — is part of the third annual Swell Future show, an exhibition of “future friendly design” being held in Vancouver, B.C. Chris King [...]

From the looks of a casting call (below) that made it’s way onto the Shift email list (via ExtrasOnly.com), Trek Bicycles plans to film an upcoming national commercial in Portland — and they’re looking for a few good bicyclists. Check out the flyer… For some reason, I love the “RIDING THROUGH REAL RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC!” part. (Click [...]

(Photos © J. Maus) I can’t really keep up with all the bike events these days — but below is an attempt to share a few that have come to my attention. By the way, in case you haven’t noticed, May is National Bike Month and it’s an ideal time to spread the word about biking to [...]

Mirrors like this are being used in Amsterdam to reduce right-hook collisions.(Photos: Todd Boulanger) Here’s an interesting idea that was spotted by City of Vancouver transportation planner Todd Boulanger on a recent trip to Amsterdam. Boulanger visited the Netherlands in April to attend the Intertraffic Conference and he ran across what he calls a “new application of [...]

This is a monthly feature to remind you that when you buy a used bike from the Community Cycling Center’s retail shop (1700 NE Alberta) you are not just getting a cool bike, you’re also helping fund their amazing education programs for low-income youth and adults. [Written by Alison Hill Graves with the CCC] Since May [...]

Like I mentioned back in April, Portland will be prominently featured on a TV show to air on the Sundance Channel later this month. Our bike-friendliness will be on the national stage yet again when their Big Ideas for a Small Planet series turns its attention to transportation. The episode features Mia Birk (former PDOT [...]

The CLF wants you to think about a Climate Smart CRC. There’s a lot going on with the Columbia River Crossing project. The much-anticipated Draft Environmental Impact Statement has been released and we are now in a 60-day public comment period (that ends July 1st). Comments on the DEIS will help regional decision makers choose which [...]