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Master Plan: Review and analysis as comment period comes to an end

2009-11-06T21:47:54Z

The vision by 2030.

If you have something to say about the Portland Bicycle Plan for 2030 (a.k.a. the Bicycle Master Plan), Sunday (11/8) is your last chance to do it.

PBOT will take all comments received by Sunday night and try to work them into revisions of the Plan before it is finalized and goes in front of City Council for official adoption on January 20th (you can also show up to City Hall to testify on that day).

The 118 page Plan (download the whole thing or parts of it here) was over two years in the making and it will help dictate how our bikeway network is built out for the next 20 years.

So far, it has been generally well-supported, but we have also heard some criticisms and suggestions on how to make it better.

Off-street trail advocates have made their voices heard, calling on PBOT to put more emphasis and priority on facilities like the yet-to-be-built Sullivan’s Gulch and North Portland Greenway trails.

Will policies in the Plan be strong
enough to lead to carfree districts
like this one in Guadalajara?
(Photos © J. Maus)

We’re likely to see some revisions in the plan to acknowledge their input, but for PBOT, these trail plans are simply not developed enough (yet) to warrant higher priority. Sullivan’s Gulch goes through right-of-way that is owned by a railroad company that is under no obligation to relinquish it. It is also extremely expensive from PBOT’s budget-strapped perspective, costing an estimated $7.7 million per mile.

Trails are also not PBOT’s jurisdiction. Even though they are increasingly considered as transportation corridors, off-street paths are managed by the Parks Bureau. This lack of a clear champion within the bureaucracy is a rightful concern of trail advocates.

On a similar note, others have said the plan focuses too much on bicycle boulevards and should instead create a network of cycle tracks on main streets and in commercial districts.

Boulevards are great, but so are cycle tracks.

PBOT likes cycle tracks, but they don’t think the political will exists yet to be aggressively implement them. Cycle tracks are expensive and require tricky political balancing acts like removing parking and motor vehicle lanes in dense commercial zones (where business owners have traditionally been difficult to win over). For PBOT, cycle tracks aren’t just politically difficult, they are also not fully embraced by “the bike community” they are meant to serve, and it’s much easier for PBOT to do bike projects that have overwhelming support.

Instead of getting too far out in front with cycle tracks, PBOT wants to “build the constituency” with bike boulevards (not like the pseudo-boulevards we have today, but real, developed bike streets where it’s obvious that bike traffic has been prioritized — like we hope the ones being built on on SE Spokane and N Going Streets will turn out).

According to PBOT, the bike boulevards will lead to higher bike usage, which will then build the constituency necessary to push for more bold and difficult treatments like cycle tracks.

In a blog post last night, local transportation thinker (and Planning Commissioner) Chris Smith refers to this debate about bike boulevards and cycle tracks as either going “broad or deep”.

I think it’s a mistake to see this as an either/or situation. Obviously, given that they’ve already installed one cycle track downtown, the City is keen on doing more of them and I’d be shocked if we don’t new ones pop up soon (or, more likely, see the PSU/Broadway one extended). So, while the plan puts an emphasis on bicycle boulevards, it’s likely that PBOT will take a flexible approach as funding opportunities arise.

But will those opportunities arise? Is PBOT going to put their money where their mouths are?

See that tiny sliver? That’s what
PBOT spends on bikes.

The Portland Mercury published a feature story this week drawing attention to the fact that while the plan looks to make bicycles a “pillar” of the transportation system, it still only commits about 1% of it’s budget to funding them.

The Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA), Portland’s largest bike advocacy organization, is in support of the plan. They haven’t made their official comments public yet, but staffer Michelle Poyourow testified at the Planning Commission hearing on October 28th.

In that testimony, the BTA said they find the Plan’s “goals, objectives and action items to be strong”. However, they warned the Commission that those goals could only be reached if the policy proposals made by PBOT in the Plan are “explicitly — not just implicitly” incorporated into other important City planning documents.

“Create conditions that make bicycling more attractive than driving for trips of three miles or less.”
— PBOT’s proposed new language for the City’s policy on Bicycle Transportation

That’s the big win for the Bike Master Plan. There’s little doubt it will be adopted by Council; but the real victory for PBOT is if the policy recommendations in the Plan become codified into the City’s much more powerful and binding Transportation System Plan and over-arching Portland Plan. These recommendations include things like the “green transportation hierarchy” which could lead to policies to establish carfree or “car-limited zones”, planning models that favor the movement of people instead of the movement of cars (like they currently do), and so on.

The Plan also proposes a change to the City’s official policy on on Bicycle Transportation (Policy 6.23 in the Transportation System Plan) to “Create conditions that make bicycling more attractive than driving for trips of three miles or less”.

That statement is much stronger than the current one, which only refers encouraging bicycle use and making it “a part of daily life” in Portland. If adopted as official policy, it will be a much more powerful lever to advocate for bikeways.

The BTA’s Poyourow says she’s also concerned that the plan doesn’t have enough specific benchmarks. The over-arching goal of the plan is to have 25% bike mode split by 2030, but Poyourow would like to see intermediate goals to make sure the plan stays on course.

Given the current trajectory for bicycle use and funding opportunities (thanks to a regional government (Metro) and an Obama administration that cares about livable communities), it seems like 25% by 2030 isn’t all that bold. Wouldn’t we reach that amount of bike use just by continuing on our current path of projects, policies and programs?

Portland needs a plan that we can all get excited about. 21 years nothing for planners, but for the public I worry that it seems too far off. I also worry that it doesn’t hold politicians and policy-makers accountable enough since they’ll all be long gone by the time 2030 rolls around.

I’d love to see the BTA or some other organization get behind another bike plan that focuses more on activating a groundswell of grassroots, public support of bicycling. How about a campaign called 20/15 that shoots for 20% mode split by 2015? It’s an exciting mode split number and a date that is much more real to most people.

Whatever you think about the Plan, let PBOT know! Public comment period ends this Sunday.

And remember, regardless of whether or not you agree with the strategy or policies, we are very lucky to have an amazing group of PBOT employees and volunteers who have spent two years of hard work putting together the most in-depth and forward-thinking bicycle plan any city has ever seen.

Winter riding: Staying warm and dry on a budget

2009-11-06T21:14:46Z

Raingear comes in all styles, forms
— and budgets.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Now that the rain has arrived in earnest, it’s time to get the daily wet weather riding routine down pat.

For many of us, that isn’t going to include shopping for a new, name brand rain jacket and pants, fancy washable wool, or a new bike with disc brakes.

Fortunately there are plenty of local options for staying warm and reasonably dry without going broke.

I recently made a trip to Andy and Bax, a military surplus store at 324 SE Grand, right in the center of the industrial east side. They have whatever the military has too much of — and this includes plenty of wool gear as well as perfectly good, basic $10 rain pants with snaps at the cuffs that keep them out of your chain.

Simple, functional, and highly visible
at Earth Day 2007.
(Photo © J. Maus)

A variety of rain coats run more on the order of $30 (some even have features like ventilation and non-drab colors). Ponchos also run in a wide variety of prices, sizes, and options — if you have fenders on your bike, a poncho with a couple of velcro snaps to attach the front to your handlebars is really all you need on all but the windiest days.

By the entrance a vast array of hats, balaclavas, gloves (including some with grips that seem to be made for motorcycling), and mittens (an articulated trigger finger also aids in braking) are made of weather-appropriate wool, fleece, waxed cotton.

The goal of the trip was to find a waterproof bag to carry things in my Xtracycle pannier in the fast-approaching storm. The $14 bright yellow tube I ended up with is suitable for intermittent full submersion and fits everything I need to carry on a daily basis, at a fraction of the price of its fancy step-cousin the Ortlieb pannier.

I couldn’t resist dropping by Next Adventure a block away at SE Grand and Stark. I’ve heard tales for some time of their legendary bargain basement.

Portland’s Free Store could have
just what you need at just (really!)
the right price.
(Photo © Elly Blue)

It more than lives up to the hype. While not as orderly, uniform, or determinedly utilitarian as the stock at Andy and Bax, in 20 minutes of rummaging through you can find everything from an $11 teal vinyl hoodie for a giant to what I presume is a bargain $89 technical fabric, name-brand raincoat made specifically for hiking or cycling. Rain pants were in shorter supply; the ones I found fell in the $10 to $30 range.

Next Adventure’s bargains also include a rack of cycling gear from many eras including this one, a bin of clipless bike shoes, and gems like a trainer and a battle-worn Schwinn child seat ($10).

Many people have reported excellent wet weather gear finds at thrift stores (including the always fruitful, if unfocused, Goodwill Bins that sits conveniently right off the Springwater Corridor). And Portland abounds with clothing exchange parties, both organized and casual. If you can’t find an event online that suits you, organize one with your friends.

I’ve stayed dry — if messily — all winter in years past on a bike without fenders by wearing an impermeable raincoat and $10 rainpants tucked loosely into knee high rubber boots. If you don’t mind climbing in and out of wet, muddy gear at every destination — or being asked frequently if you’re a highway safety flagger — this is a fine budget option. You’ll certainly stay warm this way, though if you’re a fast rider you’ll get too warm and so much for staying dry.

A political campaign sign
has a new life as a
rear fender.
(Photo © Elly Blue)

Fenders are one of the best investments you can make into winter riding on your bike. The water and road gunk that your tires pull off the ground and throw at you (and anyone riding right behind you) is often heavier than what’s coming out of the sky. With full-coverage fenders, you often don’t need to bother with more than just a wool sweater in a light rain.

For affordable fenders (and friendly assistance in putting them on your own bike), check out Bike Farm at NE Wygant and Garfield (near NE MLK and Alberta) — reports are in that they have just received a shipment. You may be able to find used fenders, along with other used parts and gear, at Citybikes at NE Ankeny and 20th.

If you’re handy and inspired, there are plenty of examples roving around town of fenders made out of repurposed campaign signs, mountain bike tires, and plastic water bottles. If you make your own, we’d love to hear how it goes.

What are your equipment strategies for wet, cold weather? Feel free to share in the comments below.

- See also our discussion of the wide world of wool as an option for winter riding from last year around this time.

Keep your bikes cozy in a (locally made) bike shed - Updated

2009-11-06T22:47:33Z

Portlanders like to take care of their beloved bikes. Here are a few locally made examples; some by an entrepreneurial builder and one sent in by a reader who did it DIY style.

Local artist and craftsman Brennan Conaway has found yet another niche to serve in Portland’s fast-growing population of bike lovers — bike sheds.

Conaway’s bike sheds — which he designs and builds in Portland along with other small backyard structures under his Micro-Structures brand — look like an attractive way to keep your bikes secure and out of the weather.

Here are a few of his designs:

Conaway makes each shed custom and says he can build them for any budget. I caught with him on the phone at his workshop in Southeast Portland this morning. “I can work with people, but I’d say anywhere from a few hundred bucks up to a few thousand.” What makes a bike shed a bike shed? Conaway says it’s all about ease of access. “I’ll either do a ramp, put it at ground level or add extra wide doors. I like sliding doors because they’re easier to manage when you’re also holding up a bike.”

Check out his ad on Craigslist and find his contact info at Micro-Structures.com.

Reader Tim L. sent us info on his homemade bike shed, saying it cost him about $400 (a “great deal” to preserve $3,000 worth of bikes). Tim’s shed features an awning made from corrugated plastic and cedar timber and also has electric lighting “for those dark winter mornings”. Check it out:

Grape vine “adds a nice touch” says Tim.

From above.

After tragic week, pedestrian advocates call for “immediate response and change”

2009-11-07T06:56:27Z

“The sheer number of serious collisions between pedestrians and cars this past week demonstrates that our traffic safety deficit is not found in one person’s error.”
— Steph Routh, Director of Willamette Pedestrian Coalition

On Sunday night, two young women were struck by a car while attempting to cross the street at SE 80th and Foster; one was killed and the other seriously injured. Several other traffic incidents in which people on foot were killed or sustained major injuries also occurred in the past week in Oregon.

Portland’s pedestrian advocacy group, the Willamette Pedestrian Coalition (WPC), says these incidents demonstrate an acute need for more investment in complete streets. They plan to hold an awareness action at the site of the fatality on Foster Road to bring attention to this issue. Here are more details on the event:

There will be a quiet safety awareness action along SE Foster Rd near 80th Ave. on Tuesday, 10 November 5:00-6:30pm. If you would like to participate, you are invited to bring a homemade sign that asks everyone to watch out for one another and to share the road safely. Please contact the Willamette Pedestrian Coalition with any questions or comments: steph at wpcwalks dot org.

In Oregon, every corner is a crosswalk.
(Photo © J. Maus)

In a statement released this morning (download PDF here), the WPC also expressed serious concern over the state of infrastructure, safety, and awareness of the needs of people walking through public space and called for “immediate response and change.”:

Funding is essential to improving our region’s pedestrian environment. Entire neighborhoods remain without sidewalks. Pedestrian connections to bus stops and business centers are incomplete or absent in many areas. Additional funding is necessary, and our elected officials need to prioritize transportation that is used by everyone, for everyone is a pedestrian at some point in their day. The recent transportation bill that passed the state legislature, for example, did not raise the minimum spending on bicycle and pedestrian facilities from 1% to 1.5%, which would have been a small but a positive step. Instead, we received earmarks for highway projects. This is recessive and needs to change.

The WPC statement also drew attention to the fact that the number one cause of pedestrian injury in Portland is failure to yield to people in crosswalks. Oregon law states that every corner is a crosswalk and that vehicles must “stop and stay stopped” when a person wants to cross whether the crossing is marked or not.

Pedestrian safety issues don’t usually gain as much attention as bike safety issues do in Portland, even though the number of people killed while walking far outpaces those killed while riding a bike. From 1996 to 2007 there were 130 people killed in traffic while walking versus 29 people killed while biking.

Pedestrian Safety Awareness Action
SE Foster Rd near 80th Ave.
Tuesday, November 10th 5:00-6:30pm
Download Willamette Pedestrian Coalition Press Release for more details (86kb PDF)

Jobs of the Week

2009-11-06T17:16:30Z

Two excellent bike-related job opportunities have been listed on the BikePortland Job Listings this week. Check out the details below and good luck if you apply!

Lead Mechanic — Portland State University Bike Hub
Advertising Sales Account Manager — Momentum Magazine

For a complete list of available jobs, click here. If you’d like more information about the BikePortland Job Listings, contact us, or visit the Job Listings page.

You can sign up for the all the latest job listings via RSS, email, or by following us on Twitter.

These are paid listings, so when you apply, please remember to tell them you saw the job on BikePortland.org!

Weekend Event Guide

2009-11-07T15:06:04Z

A ‘cross racer dressed up like a swamp monster riding through a huge wall of bubbly foam: It must be SSCXWC.
(Photos © J. Maus)

Better late than never, here are your weekend bike events!

Friday, November 6

6:00pm: Vegan Dinner Ride
Meet under the brick shelter at Col. Summers Park (SE 19th and Taylor) and ride to eat delicious vegan food. Post-party ride heads to the grand opening (including yet more vegan food, drinks, and raffle prizes) of a new vegan belt shop on Alberta.

~~6:00pm: Circusesque: A Splendorific Art Gallery Ride~~
Billed as “A stilt-walking, aerial art, music, visual art, dance, theatrics, performance, illusions, glitter and imagination extravaganza,” this three mile ride heads from 2950 NE Oregon to the Splendorporium Art Gallery for a free event led by Halley the Harper. Fancy dress encouraged, whatever that means to you.

Saturday, November 7

~~8:45am: Bike Camping at Alder Flat~~ *Canceled due to weather*
This really is the last Cycle Wild camping trip of the season!

5:00pm: Ride to Remember Rob Williams
Rob was a popular local triathlete and bicycle racer (with Veloce Cycling Team) who took his own life after a long bout with bipolar depression on October 26th. This event will be a memorial procession from North Portland to downtown Portland.

7:00pm - 10:00pm: SSCXWC09 Opening Party
Get yourself lubed up for a full day of racing and costumery on Sunday. At the Oregon Manifest Bike Union, NW 10th and Hoyt.

1:00pm: Harvest Bike Move
Brian and Kristi are moving. Kristi is a vegan, gluten-free chef. This bike move includes a mouth watering menu. The train rolls out from 1450 SW Jefferson at 2:00pm.

4:00pm: Twilight Ride with the BTA
Join the BTA for a sunset ride to celebrate the new bike lights on the I-205 bike path. Gather at Lents Town Center/SE Foster Rd MAX Station (9451 SE Foster Road) for a short program followed by the ride.

Sunday, November 8

8:00am - 4:00pm: Cross Crusade Race #7
This one’s close to home at Portland International Raceway. Come to race and watch, and stay for more mayhem later on…

4:00pm - til it’s done: SSCXWC09
It’s the Single Speed Cyclocross World Championship and this is another fancy dress event, so long as a swamp monster in a gold bikini is your idea of fancy dress. Foam is promised again this year. Same place and crowd as Cross Crusade, but different registration — the events aren’t affiliated.

New coalition calls for “CRC 2.0″ and a new planning process

2009-11-05T22:15:26Z

Groups want to start the
planning process over.
(Photo © J. Maus)

A coalition of five local non-profit groups are calling for “an immediate restart of the deadlocked I-5 planning process.”

The Coalition for a Livable Future, the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, Environment Oregon, Environment Washington, and Upstream Public Health just issued a joint news release saying they want a new plan for the Columbia River Crossing.

Here’s the word from the release:

“Seeing no regional agreement on the size, funding, congestion management, or design of the project, the five groups are calling for a restart of the deadlocked planning process. The groups are promoting a new approach – a “CRC 2.0” – that starts with region’s shared values of economic vitality, affordable transportation, safe and healthy neighborhoods, and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.”

So far, planning for the CRC project — which has lost serious momentum in recent months as many politicians have questioned its viability — has already cost taxpayers in the region $80 million dollars (and has another $50 million committed to it).

Besides the fact that many key components of the project’s construction have still not been agreed upon, the new coalition points to the election of Tim Leavitt in Vancouver has yet another sign that the current project is doomed. Leavitt has been outspoken against tolls on a new I-5 bridge, and tolls are seen as an imperative part of the project.

This coalition calls for a new plan that would use “least cost planning principles and include land use changes, transportation investments, and management strategies”. The major difference they’d like to see in a new plan is that the design of the project happen “outside of the Departments of Transportation”.

In a statement BTA Executive Director Scott Bricker said,

“Rather than pick apart the $4 billion, unpopular version, we should start with our shared goals and see what could be done to meet them. In this economy, we should be maintaining and optimizing the roads we already have, not building bigger and more expensive ones that degrade our communities.”

BikeCraft V will showcase Portland’s crafty, creative talent on December 5th

2009-11-05T22:09:29Z

BikeCraft is an annual holiday bazaar that gathers under one roof the many unique and interesting Portlanders who create handmade, cycling related crafts.

We can hardly believe it, but this is the fifth anniversary of BikeCraft!

Each year BikeCraft has grown by leaps and bounds, and this year we think we’ve finally found a space that can hold all of our talented, creative crafters, the people who flock to the event to purchase hand-made gifts, art, gear, and fashion…and even all of our bikes. Sandbox Studio, a former forklift warehouse turned gorgeous photography studio, has generously invited us to use their large, light-filled space.

The BikeCraft fair will be free and open to the public on Saturday, December 5 from 10am-5pm at Sandbox Studio located at 420 NE 9th Ave (between Flanders and Glisan).

BikeCraft is a family friendly event, featuring creators of jewelry, painting, weaving, writing, clothing, printing, bicycle bags, zines, bike accessories and much more. Come support these local artisans who help make Portland’s cycling scene special — and bring some cash and a holiday gift list.

Over the next few weeks we’ll be whetting your crafty appetite with profiles of crafters and previews of the goods that will be on hand. For now, here’s just a taste of what some of our first-time crafters will be bringing. Lets give all these folks a warm welcome:

Dawn Guildner’s crocheted hats have been available at Cross Crusade races and are now coming to BikeCraft. (Photo from Bike ‘n’ Chain)

New BikeCrafter Labelle Maverique makes some of the coolest bike tube jewelry out there. (Photo from Labelle Maverique)

Tad Bamford of TCB Racks (Photo from TCB) is an exciting new addition to BikeCraft.

Povera Jewelry is also new to BikeCraft, bringing a minimalist aesthetic and affordable ethic to jewelry made of bike parts. (Photo from Povera)

We’re also thrilled to present many veteran BikeCrafters such as Red Bat Press with letterpressed cards, Black Star Bags with handmade bags, panniers, and top tube pads, 1 By Liz with her chainring clocks and magnets, cycling caps by Little Package and Deller Designs, and more who we can’t wait to tell you about.

Smittens are back!
(Photo by Sweetpea Bicycles)

Natalie Ramsland will be back with her popular S’mittens, Citybikes will be on hand to help you make your own bike buckets to carry your purchases home in, and Gram Shipley will be returning with his leather mudflaps.

BikePortland expects to have additional participation in the form of bike based businesses like Q19 Greening, Cafe Velo, BikeRacker, and SoupCycle providing food, parking and clean up assistance.

Do you make bike-oriented arts, crafts, fashion, or gear by hand in Portland and want to participate? We still have spaces available — potential crafters and volunteers are encouraged to contact intern[at]bikeportland.org for details.

Event details:
BikeCraft V
When: December 5, 2009, 10am - 5pm
Where: Sandbox Studio, 420 NE 9th Ave (between Flanders and Glisan).

- For a list of past (and some current) BikeCraft vendors, see our BikeCrafter directory (it’s a work in progress).

At Climate Change Summit, ‘Bike Bloc’ protesters will put the fun between their legs

2009-11-05T17:56:45Z

Next month’s United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen is sure to attract protesters who feel global leaders aren’t acting quickly enough. One group plans to make their point with a massive bicycle sculpture infused with the bodies of activists.

That alone seemed like something Portlanders could get behind. Then I read their rallying cry — “Put the fun between your legs” — and remembered how that slogan is commonly seen on t-shirts, stickers and patches made by Portland-based Microcosm Publishing.

(Graphic from FunBetwenYourLegs.info)

Here’s a snip from a press release about the protest a reader sent me this morning:

“An irresistible new machine of resistance will be launched during the COP15 UN summit protests in Copenhagen. Made from hundreds of old bicycles and thousands of activists’ bodies ‘Put the fun between your legs: Operation Bike Bloc’ is a collaboration between Climate Camp and art activist collective The Laboratory of Insurrectionary Imagination.

… Bike hackers, welders, activists, artists and engineers will team up to design the resistance machine in Bristol, UK. It will then be built and launched in Copenhagen as part of the Climate Justice Action mobilizations. The Bike Bloc will merge device of mass transportation and pedal powered resistance tool, postcapitalist bike gang and art bike carnival. We invite you to put the fun between your legs and become the bike bloc.”

That sounds like something right out of the backyards of Portland’s many freak-bike builders.

Check out a video trailer of the Bike Bloc project below and visit FunBetweenYourLegs.info for more:

Any readers plan on being at COP15?

Cycle tracks in D.C. and a ciclovia in L.A.?

2009-11-05T17:22:14Z

Sunset Blvd like you’ve
never seen it before.
(Graphic: Colleen Corcoran/cicLAvia)

Two bits of news that came across my desk in the last 24 hours speak to the growing momentum (should we call it a revolution?) across America for carfree streets and more dedicated space for bike traffic.

According to an article published in the Los Angeles Times yesterday, a group of Angelenos calling themselves cicLAvia are pushing the city to plan an event similar to Bogota’s ciclovia (which also inspired Portland’s Sunday Parkways events).

On their website, cicLAvia has posted visualizations of how the event could transform the city’s landscape. L.A. is the epicenter of our nation’s car culture and it would be amazing if they could pull of a large-scale event like this.

(A ciclovia in L.A. might also do wonders for the currently strained relationship — which an LA Times op-ed describes today as being on a “collision course” — between people who drive cars and people who ride bicycles in that city.)

Coverage of the new cycle track on DCist.com.

On the other side of the country, word comes this morning that Washington D.C. has installed their first cycle track. The new facility, on 15 Street NW, is not very long but local resident and League of American Bicyclists staffer Jeff Peel says “the enthusiasm” for biking by new DOT Director Gabe Klein is “definitely a nice change of pace”.

D.C.’s new cycle track is also noteworthy because it has bike traffic going against motorized vehicle traffic — a.k.a. contraflow. There’s a detailed report and analysis of the cycle track design published here by the excellent blog Greater Greater Washington.

It’s exciting to learn about these developments happening in cities all across the country.