February 23, 2009
Portland Transportation Budget Ignores Bikes
The Bicycle Transportation Alliance just released this important message:
Dear BTA members and friends,
The Portland Bureau of Transportation has published its Budget Request and we are very concerned about it. See what you can do to help.
The 2009-10 budget:
* Commits no revenue for building the Bike Boulevards called out in the Mayor's 100 Day List (about $300,000).
* Reduces the size of the Safer Routes to Schools program by about 40% (about $200,000).
* Fails to fund the demonstration cycletrack called out in the Mayor's 100 Day List (about $100,000).
Much of the public discussion around the Bureau of Transportation's budget has focused on budget cuts - but in fact, the Bureau is proposing millions of dollars in new meter, garage and fee revenue, sufficient to cover cuts and to pay for more than $5 million in new road paving. Cutting popular, successful active transportation programs and failing to support the Mayor's very affordable new bicycling initiatives when more revenue is on the table does not reflect this city's transportation or liveability priorities.
What you can do in 2 minutes:
1. Call or email Mayor Sam Adams and ask that he fund bike improvements and restore Safer Routes to Schools funding.
2. Mark your calendar: on Friday, March 20th, the regular Kidical Mass rides will also become rallies in support of Safe Routes. Both rides will gather at 5:30 pm and leave at 6:00 pm, bound for City Hall. One meets at the North Park Blocks Playground, the other at Sunnyside School. We'll let you know when we'll gather to make decorations, costumes and signs; and we'll also let you know if these turn into "Thank you!" rides as a result of our phone calls and emails to the Mayor.
3. Get ready to attend public budget hearings en masse in May - we will email you again to tell you when and where those hearings will take place.
Stay tuned for more information and updates.
Thanks for your help,
Michelle Poyourow
Advocate, Educator
Comments (0) | Posted by orbike at 9:40 PM | Permalink | TrackBack
February 17, 2009
Not the Worst at All
Okay, by this point it really shouldn't come as any surprise when I tell you that the Worst Day of the Year Ride wasn't the worst at all. I mean, when will it ever rain or snow on that ride? The event is apparently cursed with gorgeous weather, even though it occurs on what is historically the worst weather time of the year in Oregon. It was sunny, warm and simply lovely as 3,000 riders came out in support of the Community Cycling Center.
You can check out the slide show here and join the Flickr group here.
Comments (1) | Posted by orbike at 11:25 PM | Permalink | TrackBack
February 12, 2009
Enjoy the Ride! From ORbike
We here at ORbike want you to enjoy the ride, that's why we just produced this very cool hat that we'll be unveiling them at the Worst Day of the Year Ride. Stop by the ORbike booth to get one. ORbike members get half off all merchandise.
These hats are really nicely embroidered with this image on the front and "Enjoy the Ride" on the back. I was so excited to get a picture up here I didn't get a shot of the back side. For now they are only available at events we're attending, and after the Worst Day of the Year Ride we won't be back out on the streets until Reach the Beach in May! So get them while you can.
I overhead one person say this is the coolest hat he's ever seen. And I wore mine to a crowded store tonight. While I'd like to think people were checking me out, I think it was the hat! Or was it that Valentine's Day is approaching and love is in the air? I don't know.
Click for a larger view
Comments (0) | Posted by orbike at 4:11 AM | Permalink | TrackBack
February 9, 2009
The Costume Question
Worst Day of the Year Ride, presented by SKS Germany, is coming up this Sunday, Feb 15th. SKS Germany is giving away free fenders to all riders who come in costume, and by the looks of things, TONS of people are planning on coming in costume. On the ride's Facebook listing, the common question has been "What should I wear for a costume?" Some of the riders are admitting they've never ridden on costume.
So we thought we'd take this opportunity to reach out to you veteran costumed riders who read this blog. What are your favorite ideas and what are you wearing to the ride?
Comments (7) | Posted by orbike at 6:28 PM | Permalink | TrackBack
February 6, 2009
Rider Profile: Bruce Hanson
Bruce Hanson loves riding his bike so much that when a friend invited him on the Worst Day of the Year ride, presented by SKS Germany, he jumped at the chance to sign up. But while many of you will roll out of bed and stroll on over to the start line, it's going to take Bruce and his friend a little longer - they're coming all the way from Toronto.
"I'm looking forward to reveling in the most bike-friendly town in the US, meeting all the interesting people, and trying out my new Bike Friday [folding bike]. I will be picking it up at the factory in Eugene two days before the ride."
Bruce rides several days a week and enjoys regularly cross country skiing in the winter, so he feels well prepared for whatever our fickle weather may throw his way on February 15th.
While in Portland, Bruce plans to "visit friends, local chocolate shops and brew-pubs." Combine that with the Worst Day of the Year Ride and it sounds like Bruce knows exactly how to truly experience Portland!
We'll see you and your friends out there, Bruce!
The Worst Day of the Year Ride is an ORbike member event. If you're an ORbike member, you'll save $5 when you register online and you'll get a free drink at the finish line.
REGISTER NOW
Comments (0) | Posted by orbike at 2:03 AM | Permalink | TrackBack
February 3, 2009
Help Diana Find a Bike
Diana, a friend of mine since the third grade, used to ride a bike in college. Then she moved to Portland for a while and definitely rode here. But when Diana's career as a newspaper photographer took off, riding a bike just didn't fit in with her erratic and rushed assignment schedule, so she let it fall by the wayside. Now Diana wants to get back into riding. She wants to commute by bike (she's in school) and ride for pleasure and exercise. Diana is active and fit, so riding regularly should come quite naturally to her.
But Diana has never had a decent bike. She used to ride a too-small mt. bike with knobbies and she doesn't know a lot about what's available these days. I want to help her find a bike that's a good fit for her needs and desires (we've talked about this extensively), and meets her price range. The plan is for her to take my suggestions and hit the bricks, visiting her neighborhood bike shops until she finds the service and product she's excited about.
So what would you recommend? Diana's looking for a solid bike, good for zipping around town, doesn't need to be ultra light weight, she'll maybe put on a rack, she'll ride exclusively on the road, and she'll mostly be commuting or going out for a weekend ride. She is hoping to spend no more than $800.
Comments (9) | Posted by orbike at 5:24 PM | Permalink | TrackBack