[ more info ]

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November 1, 2007

A Renewed Vision for the CCC

The Community Cycling Center got its start as a community resource center in the most authentic of ways. Brian Lacy, a cyclist with mechanic skills, was fed up with seeing children on the street without supervised activities and without functioning bikes. He decided to combine those two needs with his skills by bringing a repair stand out onto the sidewalk and offering to fix the kids' bikes if they would stick around to watch and learn. That was over 13 years ago. The Community Cycling Center now has a large building (that's still not large enough), a community bike shop, 2,000 volunteers and programs that serve hundreds of kids every year. And after all this growth, the staff decided that maybe it was time to stop, take a breath assess where they were headed and how they should get there.

This intensive visioning process resulted in a refined mission statement, a renewed commitment to the community, a huge open house party and great hope for future growth. So what is their mission now?

The mission now states that "The Community Cycling Center broadens access to bicycling and its benefits through our hands-on programs, volunteer projects, and neighborhood bike shop. We believe bicycles are a tool for personal empowerment and a vehicle for social change." Instead of their former system of providing programs to youth and happening to have one adult program, the CCC has solidified their commitment to the entire community. "Getting kids on bikes is great" says Director of Development Alison Hill-Graves. "But getting the entire family on bikes is even better."

The CCC provides clubs and camps for kids and classes and clinics for adults. They integrate paying workshop attendees with low-income scholarship-funded participants to bring the community together in a learning environment. They will also be assessing what the community really wants and needs and working to create new programs. They will be providing programs for women and hope to develop programs for teens.

Alison says their open house was "a new chapter in the future of the CCC." 2007 was their most financially successful year in the bike shop. They're financially stable and have reserve funds to help them get through the winter season, a time that's always difficult for bike shops. "We're stronger than we've ever been" Alison says.

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October 22, 2007

The Freakanomics of Bicycling

Turns out that cyclists are 12 times more likely than car drivers to suffer a fatal accident. But then again, walking is 23 times more dangerous than driving. And on top of all that, a Danish study found that people who do not bike to work suffer a 39% higher mortality rate than those who do. And the more people out there on the road, the safer we all are. This comes from an interesting tid-bit on TreeHugger. Read the full story.

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October 16, 2007

Money for Portland Bike Safety on the Line

The City of Portland is contemplating a transportation spending package that includes $54 million for pedestrian and bike safety, including route and intersection improvements that will make deaths like this one less likely. This is an UNPRECEDENTED amount of money. The BTA got it into the package; now they need your help to get it implemented because it's not a sure thing just yet.

City Commissioner Sam Adams is holding Town Hall meetings at which he'll be presenting the package and taking comments and questions from the audience. Whether you attend or not, you can comment online here.

Here's what the Michelle Poyrow at the BTA has to say: "The BTA supports this package one hundred percent because it will fund safety improvements holistically, for all road users, by improving bike routes, fixing dangerous intersections, paving crumbling roads, and funding educational programs. And it will be paid for by everyone, from a gas tax and a utility fee with discounts for "green" practices.

"I believe we are at a turning point in Portland's bike history. In twenty years, when we have cycletracks on all arterials and a full network of bike boulevards across our city and bike training in every school, we'll remember this decade as the time when we asked for change, and we got it."

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October 9, 2007

Help the Little Kids Ride Bikes

"We are looking for volunteers who know how to have fun," says Bicycle Transportation Alliance program leader Gregg Lavender.

The BTA's Safe Routes to School (SR2S) program teaches biking and walking safety to elementary school children in the Portland metro area. These important lessons include community walk and bike rides that need the help of volunteers. The program, now in its third year, is recruiting people to help walk and bike with kids and Gregg says it's a great opportunity for businesses and organizations to get involved.

"Help make walking and biking to school the best travel option for kids in your community!" Gregg says. For more information you can contact Gregg at Gregg@bta4bikes.org or 503-226-0676 x 20.

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September 18, 2007

Women: Get Ready to Race!

Janis McDonald runs the Women on Bike program and she has joined forces with Barb Grover (from the Bike Gallery) and Alison Hill Graves (from the Community Cycling Center) to get women talking more about issues related to women in cycling.

Janis send me this announcement today:
"Ever have that urge to try your legs at racing? Then your knees start to tremble at the sheer thought of getting on the course? We've all been there. The uncertainty of registering, training, the ability of finishing the race. Join our fabulous panel of racers from the I-just-want-to-have-fun to the I-am-the-champion. These ladies will talk about how to get started and their personal experiences in a variety of races - cyclocross, road, time trials, mountain, and track. Plus, OBRA will be there to demystify the rules and regulations of racing. Feel free to invite your friends - everyone welcome! Details: September 27th, Thursday, 6:30-8pm (doors lock at 6:40pm) Portland Building Room C - 1120 SW 5th Ave (Between Main and Madison) Perhaps heading out afterward to continue conversations - perhaps Lucky Lab."

Looks like fun!

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September 11, 2007

Portland Bike Advisory Committee Seeks Members

The City of Portland's Bicycle Advisory Committee is seeking new members. The committee is charged with advising the city on all matters related to bicycling. In the past couple of years, the group has been made up of forward-thinking, inspiring cyclists. City of Portland's Bicycle Coordinator, Roger Geller, relies on the group to help him shape the future of cycling in Portland.

This is an application process and all applications are due by Friday, September 28th. [ Application and more info ]

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August 15, 2007

Portland Traffic and Transportation Class

I recently got a message from Bicycle Coordinator Roger Geller about the Portland Traffic and Transportation class. I took this excellent (free) class a few years ago and found it fascinating.

Calling all transportation activists! Learn how the city that works, works! And how you can affect change in your neighborhood. Work with decision and policy-makers, planners, scholars and engineers to better understand how to get your neighborhood transportation project going. This interactive Portland State University class is open to all Portland citizens and full scholarships are available to qualified applicants.

Go to www.gettingaroundportland.org and look under the "What's New" section or contact Scott Cohen at 503-823-5345 or scott.cohen@pdxtrans.org. The class will take place at PSU's downtown campus, Thursday evenings, 6:40 - 8:40, beginning September 27th. the class is led by Rick Gustafson, transportation planning consultant and former Metro executive officer, and the class is comprised of presentations by local experts and an extensive tour of Portland.

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August 8, 2007

Chicago - Here I Come!

I'm about to head to Chicago for a wedding and I'm excited to spend some time in the city, observing all their bike advances. I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and spent a lot of time in the city, but it was never much of a bike town.

For years, Mayor Daley, in office since 1989 and a bike commuter, has been encouraging Chicagoans to bike on the many miles of bike path he has funded. It's all part of Daley's goal to turn Chicago into the greenest city by 2008 (that's coming right up, and I'm not sure how close they are - they've had a steep hill to climb).

For the longest time I didn't notice a change. Sure, along the waterfront, like any busy city, people rode bikes, walked and enjoyed the view. But beyond that recreational area, cyclists were few and far between. And then, that last time I spent an extended time there I saw it: the indication of a solid, developed cycling scene.

While waiting for a light to change, a bike commuter rolled up next to me wearing street clothes... but also wearing cleats. To me, that's when you know a city has it's cycling rhythm down. You don't necessarily want to suit up to ride, but you can't resist the increased efficiency of cleats. You know how to easily get around by bike, but you know how to do it without Lycra (don't get me wrong, Lycra has a time and a place).

So I'm looking forward to heading back and seeing new advances. I just wish I could convince all my Chicago friends to get out of their cars and onto their bikes. We could cruise all over the city together. My five-year-old nephew Collin just got a bike for his birthday. Maybe he and I will go for a ride.

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July 22, 2007

Live From Mt. Bike Oregon

Jonathan Maus, of the very popular blog BikePortland.org, will be down in Oakridge for Mt. Bike Oregon. Jonathan is a long-time mt. biker, but with all of his urban reporting for BikePortland.org, he hasn't hit the trails much since he moved to Portland from Santa Barbara, California.

Here's where it gets really cool:

Jonathan will be reporting daily from Mt. Bike Oregon. If you're not signed up for this weekend mt. bike getaway, you can tune in to BikePortland and see what you're missing. It's also a bonus feature for the event participants who come from Canada and all parts of the US - their friends and family back home can virtually share in the adventure. Jonathan will post photos and recaps of each day on the trails.

BikePortland.org is a daily, online news magazine that covers the Portland, Oregon bike scene. Jonathan founded the site in 2005 soon after moving to Portland Santa Barbara. Jonathan got his start working on marketing and PR in the bicycle industry, but once in Portland it quickly became evident there was a need for fast-paced, relevant reporting on the quickly-evolving bike culture. Cyclists in Portland pull a lot of weight in local government and they have the potential to influence major decisions. Jonathan has been at the forefront of local-gone-national issues such as the story of a bike commuter punched by a bus operator, legislation and tickets for fixies not having brakes and a story about a radio DJ on Jammin' 95.5 who advocated road violence against cyclists.

BikePortland also features a forums section for discussion, stolen bike listings through which many bikes have been recovered, a calendar of events, bike industry job listings and other resources. Sure, it's Portland-based, but the breadth of bicycle information Jonathan covers is fascinating to readers from around the globe.

So why is Jonathan excited to head to Oakridge? " I used to to have great trails and epic riding right outside my door," he explains. "I used to do big, backcountry overnighters on the weekend right from from my front door. but when I moved to Portland I pretty much had to cut out that part of my life (I don't like driving to ride)... So I'm very psyched get dirty and get back in the groove of real trail riding. It's sort of like getting back to my roots... mountain biking is where my real obsession with bikes began. I smile just thinking about getting back out there...I hope I haven't lost all my skills but I'm eager to find out!"

And what is he most looking forward to? "Fast, narrow, technical singletrack with lots of turns and switchbacks (hope they have some of that) and I especially like technical singletrack climbing, it's like an anaerobic chess game, you have to think of your moves and strategy ahead of time while you can hardly breathe! And also just getting out into the woods, away from the noise of the city, and of course the camaraderie that riding always brings."

So from July 27-29, tune in to BikePortland.org and get your daily MBO fix!

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July 6, 2007

What are you Wearing to The Night Ride?

The Night Ride is Saturday, what are you wearing? The costume contest this year is going to be off the hook. They're giving away Amtrak Cascades tickets, passes to the Hottest Day of the Year Ride and Filmed by Bike DVDs. Biggest, brightest, best group costume and best pun are the judging points. Come prepared to strut your stuff!

Online registration is closed, but you may still register at the event or tonight at the Lucky Lab Brew Hall (NW Quimby at 19th) from 4-7 pm during Packet Pickup.

This ride is a benefit for the BTA, so it's not to be missed.

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June 12, 2007

Forums to Gather Bike Plan Data

The City of Portland's Office of Transportation wants feedback residents to help shape the city's Bicycle Master Plan. There will be three public forums this month. The first was last Tuesday. The next two are from 5-8 pm on June 12 at 1120 SE 5th, Room C and June 14, at 5210 N. Kerby in the Jefferson High cafeteria.

Portland is knows as one of the nation's most bike friendly cities. Portland has earned Gold Status from the League of American Bicyclists and numerous awards from Bicycling Magazine. Portland is hoping to acheive the League's Platinum Status through input from citizens. Platinum Status will assist the city in gaining respect nationwide, provide leverage to continue funding for successful bike programs and overall it is a rewarding acheivement for decades of hard work.

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April 30, 2007

Tour of North Portland

City of Portland bike coordinator Roger Geller says, "Ladies and Gentlemen, start your pedals." He wants you to hop on your bike and head out on a tour of North Portland on May 1. The two ride options are 11 or 15 miles. Here's the full message:

The 4th Bicycle Master Plan ride will focus on North Portland with a swing through the Park Blocks to get a bit of the Amsterdam feel. Be at Terry Schrunk Plaza at 5:15 sharp as we'll get underway as close to 5:30 as possible. BRING FOOD!! This ride will likely finish outdoors at one of two North Portland Parks so bring dinner!!

For more info, contact Roger. (503) 823-7671, roger.geller@pdxtrans.org

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April 25, 2007

Important Message From the BTA

The Bicycle Transportation Alliance just sent out this call for action to Portlanders:

"Mayor Tom Potter's office has released his draft budget, which includes many of the good things BTA members care about.

But the Mayor cut an essential item - the Platinum Bike Master Plan Update.

Please contact the Mayor's office TODAY and ask him to restore $150,000 in funding to make sure the Platinum Bike Master Plan Update can be completed. With cities like Chicago, Seattle, and New York setting aggressive goals to improve bicycling, Portland can't be using a 12-year-old master plan to compete. We've learned a lot since the plan was written in 1995, and we need to collect those lessons into a plan to make Portland a Platinum-level bike city, and to address key city goals around child and adult health, global warming, and affordable transportation choices. (503) 823-4120.

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November 30, 2006

ByCycle.org Fundraiser Apparel

ByCycle.org, the folks behind the awesome trip-planner tool for cyclists, has started selling apparel to help raise funds in support of their project. These folks are doing something revolutioary. Check out the great designs they have to offer, available on shirts, sweatshirts and dresses from American Apparel.

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November 29, 2006

Gordon Price Talk

Gordon Price, a land-use and tansportation speaker from Vancouver, BC, will be in Portland tonight. I've seen him speak before and he's quite interesting. The event is free.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS:
The City of Portland Office of Transportation and Portland State University welcome Gordon Price. Mr. Price is Director of the City Program at Simon Fraser University, a former five-term Vancouver, BC City Councilor and an entertaining speaker on land use and transportation.

He will speak on Wednesday, November 29, from 6:40 - 8:40 p.m. at the Portland Building Auditorium, 2nd floor, 1120 SW 5th Avenue, Portland. Attendance is free, but arrive early, as his presentation is popular. For more information call Peter Hurley, City of Portland Transportation Options, at 503.823.5345.

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November 20, 2006

First Day of the Year Ride

Details have just been released for the very first big ride of 2007 - the First Day of the Year Ride (not connected to the Hottest or Worst Day of the Year Rides). This ride is organized by the BTA and meets at Waterfront Park at noon on January 1st. For details, see our calendar.

Speaking of the Worst Day of the Year Ride, the ride is February 11th this year. 1,500 people came out last year to ride on what could have been terrible weather, but wound up being super nice. In fact, there has been good weather for this ride every year. Registration though our website will open later this month.

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October 31, 2006

New Yorkers Want Ideas From Portland

StreetsBlog is a daily source for news and information about New York City’s burgeoning livable streets movement. The blog is coordinated by the NYC Streets Renaissance organization. Clarence Eckerson, one of the coordinators, reports that the site will be a featured Portland video short every day for the next week. He also has this to say:

"We want to get a dialogue started, esp. from folks in Portland who'd like to inspire New Yorkers about what else is good/not so good, so PLEASE leave a comment if you so desire."

[ check out the site ]

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October 4, 2006

International Walk and Bike to School Day

Today is International Walk and Bike to School Day. The BTA was out in force at schools to help them celebrate the event which raises awareness about the feasibility and importance of helping children walk or bike to school. This morning I spoke with Robert Ping, the youth programs coordinator at the BTA, about the event. He was at Sunnyside Environmental School amidst a huge celebration. Robert told me that here in Oregon, the event has made a huge leap from having the involvement of 12 schools initially to this year having 90 schools participating in the day. Only 30% of all school children walk or bike to school, a drastic decline over the years. One reason for the decline is that parents are nervous about the safety of their children. The BTA is working hard to combat the misconception that biking is inherently dangerous for kids and they are working to make streets around schools safer. They're also in the schools educating children and parents about how to find safe routes to school and the benefits of the physical activity.

In addition to speaking with Robert, I also got to talk with some of the kids who had ridden their bikes to school today. These kids were awesome! Forrest told me that his ride to school is a healthy way to start the day and he likes that it's good for the environment. John told me that it's a good way to clear his head. These kids are definitely off to a great start!

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September 29, 2006

Walking and Biking Summit

The City of Eugene invites community bicycling and walking advocates to kick off a new pedestrian and bicycle strategic planning process for the City of Eugene. The summit is free and open to the public. The event is October 7, 8:30-1 at University of Oregon.

Called the number one “Green City” in America by the Green Guide and ranked “Silver” by the League of American Bicyclists, Eugene is highly regarded nationally as a great place to bike and walk. But, what can we do to make it even better? The City of Eugene desires your input on ways to make the community a safer and more inviting place to bike and walk.

Join us at the Eugene Walking and Biking Summit for a day filled with fun and informational workshops and engaging speakers. Your input at the summit will help guide the direction of the strategic planning process designed to make Eugene a better place for pedestrians and cyclists. Immediately following the summit, participants are invited to join City staff on walking and biking tours of Eugene.

[ More info ]

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September 28, 2006

BTA Urgent Call to Action

The BTA is seeking your support of bike boulevards and a project called the "70's Bike Boulevard". Bike boulevards are low-traffic streets that are engineered to create a safe, flowing path for cyclists.

Scott Bricker, policy director at the BTA, says, "We heard from ... hundreds of ... cyclists that you strongly prefer cycling on low-traffic bicycle boulevards. Here’s your first chance to help get a new Bike Boulevard funded! The City of Portland has requested $3.8 million from Metro to fund a new 7.8-mile north-south route in Northeast and Southeast Portland along the streets in the 70’s (71st to 76th, depending on the area). This project would run almost the whole length of the city, connecting the Springwater Corridor to NE Killingsworth."

MORE INFO FROM SCOTT:

A group of regional leaders is meeting TOMORROW MORNING to make some decisions on regional projects, including this project.

While one boulevard project in the East 50’s is likely to get funding, the 70’s Bike Boulevard project is slated to be cut – so we need YOUR help to get it back on the list for funding.

Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams and the City of Portland should be making sure this project gets funded – call his office and urge him to step up for bike boulevards!

ACTION
Call and email Commissioner Sam Adams TODAY (Thursday) and urge him to support the 70’s Bicycle Boulevard.

Phone: (503) 823-1121
E-mail: samadams@ci.portland.or.us

More about bicycle boulevards:
http://www.bta4bikes.org/at_work/bikeboulevards.php

Scott Bricker
Policy Director

Bicycle Transportation Alliance

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September 27, 2006

BTA Open House

Tonight is BTA's open house from 5-7 pm. Read this previous post for all the details.

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September 7, 2006

BTA Open House

The Bicycle Transportation Alliance has new digs and they want you to see them. Michelle from the BTA says, "We’re nearly settled into our new (fantastic) office with its (fantastic) local lunch options and the (fantastic) Park Blocks close by for shady walks and naps. So now it’s time to throw a party! Come to our Open House on Weds., Sept. 27 - we’ll have drinks and snacks, newly painted walls to admire and critique, and good bikey company. It’ll be a casual, stop-by-after-work kind of affair. All are welcome!"

The new office is at 1979 SW 5th (just north of the freeway near PSU) from 5-7 pm. I hope that this new spacious office will offer the BTA staff the support they need to continue to do great work advocating for the rights of cyclists in Oregon and SW Washington - if they're not too distracted by those delightful shady walks and naps.

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August 31, 2006

New Metro Area Adocate Needed

Sadly, Jessica Roberts is leaving her role as the Bicycle Transportation Alliance's Portland metro area bicycle advocate. Over the years, I have appreciated frequent e-mails from Jessica as she updates the biking community on her projects and progress fighting for safe, efficient, accessible bicycling facilities in Portland.

Jessica says, "After five great years at the BTA, I'm off to exciting new adventures, continuing my work to improve bicycling and walking conditions at Alta Planning + Design (a longtime BTA supporter and partner)." So as sad as her leaving is, the new position Jessica is taking on is great news. Mia Birk, the principal of Alta, is a former City of Portland bicycle coordinator. She was hired while fresh out of college in Washington, D.C. full of new ideas, and she (along with a team of others) brough extreme innovation to bicycle infrastructure in Portland. I don't think I'm being too over-the-top when I say that those of us who love bicycling in Portland nowadays are forever indebted to Mia and the former bicycle coordinator team (of which Roger Geller is still in position).

Jessica's departure leaves a hole at BTA that sorely needs to be filled. She says, "We're looking for someone with proven experience as an advocate and grassroots organizer, preferably with an understanding of transportation policy and bicycling issues. Obviously, we want someone who loves bikes as well!" The application deadline is Setpember 12. See this page for more information.

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August 15, 2006

Weigh in on KATU Survey

Cyclist Mike Wilberding killed when struck from behind by a driver while riding his bike on the road. The tragedy resulted in merely a $242 ticket for "failure to yield to a bicyclist" for the driver, according to an article on BikePortland.org.

Jonathan Maus has done an great job of following the story which has sparked outrage in the cycling community. KATU wants to know if fatal accidents involving vehicles and bicyclists automatically warrant a wrongful death investigation. You can weigh in on the survey here.

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August 4, 2006

BTA Survey

A current BTA survey is trying to gather inforamtion from riders of all skill level and they hope to use the data to improve cycling in Portland. You can complete the survey here.

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July 13, 2006

Cyclists Needed to Count Cyclists

From Jessica Roberts of the BTA

Portland bicycling friends,
Roger Geller, Portland's "bike czar," wants to increase the number of bike count locations this year so we can get an even better sense of how many Portlanders are biking and where they ride. He needs some volunteer help to make it happen.

Hopefully some of you will be willing to spend a couple hours helping him out. This data is essential when we're making the case that bicyclists are a real, growing and legitimate part of Portland's transportation system.

WHAT:
The City of Portland is seeking volunteers to spend two hours counting bicyclists at key bikeway intersections. It's easy, it's fun to watch the
cyclists stream by, and it helps provide us with great information about changes in bicycling activity. The City will provide a quick training and
pizza for volunteers!

WHEN:
Pizza and Training:
6 pm Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Portland Building (1120 S.W. 5th Ave.)
Broadway Room, 9th Floor

RSVP: To attend the training, please respond by Monday July 24, 2006 to Crista Gardner at: Crista.Gardner@pdxtrans.org (503.823.1088).

For more info, see the BTA blog.

Bike on,
Jessica

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