Blumenauer does not take attacks
on bicycling lightly.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

As arguably the most bike and transit-sensitive member of the U.S. Congress, Earl Blumenauer has had a trying week.

Yesterday, the widely-maligned House transportation bill, a bill that eliminates the Safe Routes to School program and basically strips out all of the pro-bike provisions, moved through a marathon hearing and was passed out of committee this morning. Also this morning, Blumenauer saw the House Ways and Means committee debate — and then pass — a bill that severs the 30-year link between gas tax revenue and transit funding.

"If we do it right I think we'll come out of this stronger. If not, it could really complicate the next two years."

Reflecting on the actions of his Republican colleagues over the past two days, Blumenauer said, "I don't think they had a clue about what they were doing." While he was understandably baffled at what has transpired, he's already thinking ahead to what this means to the national bicycling movement.

The way Blumenauer sees, the direct threats to bicycling and transit should galvanize a nationwide response. "We're going to see if the networks we've been building around the country translate into something," he said.

"If we do it right," he added, "I think we'll come out of this stronger. If not, it could really complicate the next two years."

What does "doing it right" mean exactly? I asked...

"Now's the time to put the hammer down."

While the news from the Hill was troubling, Blumenauer pointed to the vast coalition of support that came together on very short notice to oppose the transit funding provision. He sees that as a very good sign:

"We had representatives of over 600 individuals and groups from the Chamber of Commerce to the Sierra Club... For the first time in history we are part of a very impressive, broad coalition that is all pulling in the same direction. We've got an administration that has been the most supportive in history and we've got facts on the ground. The work that has been done with the cycling community, to broaden the base, to deal with things like economic development and Safe Routes to School, it's all there...

It's a chance for us not just to beat back this bad legislation, but to educate elected officials."

Blumenauer then told a story (as politicians often do):

"I was in North Carolina a few weeks ago to do some events around livability... In the middle of the morning and with just one weeks' notice, there was a packed room in Durham for a talk about transportation and bicycling... There were business people, local officials, cycling activists... I think it's safe to say it really impressed my colleague [House Rep David Price (D-NC)]... He was really taken aback. He couldn't believe the energy and the interest, and this happens nearly everywhere we go.. it's gone viral."

Now Blumenauer says it's the perfect time to take that support and put it into action:

"This is the time! This is the time to take our game up a step, to make people realize that bashing cycling and pedestrians activities isn't a freebie but there are costs and consequences... That a community doesn't work without transit, walking, and biking."

Blumenauer is already strategizing, meeting with stakeholders, and prepping for a possible vote on the House transportation bill which he says could come within the next weeks. When it does come up for a vote, he figures, "There's an outside chance we could defeat it on the floor."

What's at stake for the U.S. bike movement? "This is chance to prove that the movement is real," said Blumenauer, "There have been a couple of times when they attacked Planned Parenthood and public broadcasting and they got their nose bloody. I think there's an opportunity for us to come out stronger. I think it's a springboard."

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Crown Point is a popular biking destination.
(Photo: Carye Bye)

For four months beginning this fall, a Federal Highway Administration project in the Columbia River Gorge will come with a road closure that will prohibit vehicle access — including bikes — to popular bicycling routes on the Historic Columbia River Highway (HCRH).

The Crown Point Viaduct Project will replace the aging, 600-foot long "half-bridge" that supports the sidewalk around Vista House, a popular viewpoint and destination. The project area also includes restoration to portions of the HCRH between Larch Mountain Road and Crown Point, and between Crown Point and Latourell Falls. (Fun trivia: The HCRH is one of only two roads in the United States designated as a National Historic Landmark, a National Scenic Byway, and a National Historic District.)

The viaduct.
(Photo: ODOT)

Due to construction, a portion of the road will be closed to all vehicles (that means bikes too) from September 4th through December 31st of this year. Here are the specifics on the two closures that impact bike access:

September 4 - September 30, 2012: From Crown Point to Latourell Falls, the historic highway will be closed to all vehicles, including bicycles

October 1 - December 31, 2012: From its intersection with Larch Mountain Road to Latourell Falls, the historic highway will be closed to all vehicles, including bicycles.

The project is slated to begin in August, so stay tuned to the official project website for the latest info about road closures and other issues.

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Screenshot

I've got some exciting news about the continued evolution of the annual BikeCraft event.

You'll recall this year I formally handed over the event to Aaron Kaffen and Amos Hunter after running it for six years (sniff, sniff). Amos and Aaron took it to a whole new level and the event was really solid. Now they're moving forward on the next evolution of BikeCraft — turning it into a curated online marketplace.

Taking the people and product that have made BikeCraft a success through the years and putting them online is something I've wanted to do almost since Day One. Since BikeCraft started in 2005, Etsy has redefined the online marketplace for small, independent makers. Doing something similar (but better!) with BikeCraft is a natural fit.

Here's how Aaron describes it:

"The new site will be an online marketplace where folks everywhere can browse, learn about and buy the kind of unique, high-quality, handmade bike-related goodies that Portlanders have been finding at BikeCraft events for years."

Aaron and Amos haven't revealed many details yet; but they're busy developing the new site and refining their list of vendors. A new URL, BikeCraftOnline.com has been established and they will announce an official launch date in the next few weeks.

They're still interested in hearing from potential vendors. Drop them a line at info [at] bikecraftonline [dot] com if you'd like to be one. You can also sign up via the new site to get the latest news about the launch.

Knowing Aaron and Amos, this news makes me excited about the future of BikeCraft. Stay tuned!

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SW Broadway in downtown Beaverton might soon look like this.
(Conceptual rendering by the City of Beaverton)

The City of Beaverton and the Beaverton Downtown Association are in the process of redesigning SW Broadway, the street that runs through the heart of downtown Beaverton. The goal of the redesign (one element of their larger Civic Plan) is to make Broadway "more pedestrian, bike, and business friendly."

Last month, the city held two walking tours of downtown and collected thoughts on what should be changed. Next week they're having a workshop to showcase specific design elements developed using those ideas.

The redesign focuses on the section of Broadway between Watson Avenue and Hall Boulevard. It includes improvements to pedestrian and bicycle access and may create a plaza or another type of car-free public space.

The full list of potential improvements includes:

• Sidewalk improvements
• Pedestrian crossings
• Street furniture
• Pavement treatments
• Curb extensions
• Landscaping and street trees
• Bollards
• Public plazas

Anyone interested in the project should plan to come to next week's design workshop. It takes place on February 6th from 6pm to 8pm at the Beaverton History Center.

More information about the project is available at:
BeavertonOregon.gov/Broadway

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Later today, the application period opens for the "Green Lane Project," a promising new initiative funded by national advocacy org Bikes Belong.

The project's aim is to help build "world-class cycling networks" in a select group of U.S. cities that are "poised to make significant progress over the next two years in installing cycle tracks and related improvements." To spur the development of high-quality bikeways, Bikes Belong will funnel 70% of their annual grant budget (about $140,000) and provide technical assistance and other resources to the selected cities (study trips are scheduled for Denmark, New York City, and the Netherlands). Cities that are chosen will sign a contract with Bikes Belong committing themselves to the partnership.

Only six cities will be chosen to participate, and you can bet the competition will be fierce.

"We have had conversations with Portland transportation folks and the mayor's office, and look forward to a strong application from the City of Portland."
— Martha Roskowski, Green Lane Project

In order to be selected, Bikes Belong says a city must "have a plan or vision that is supported by elected officials, leading staff, and the community." It's also not just about which city is #1 when it comes to biking. The team behind the project says the cities chosen will range from "known leaders" to ones that are "just embarking on making space for bikes."

Will Portland get a spot on this train? We're certainly a "known leader," but we've stalled when it comes to building world-class urban bikeways. Also, with a new Mayor and new City Commissioners set to take the helm, we need all the momentum and support we can get.

I haven't heard back from Mayor Adams' office or sources at PBOT, but Green Lane Project director Martha Roskowski says they've had conversations with them and that she's, "looking forward to a strong application from the City of Portland."

BTA Executive Director Rob Sadowsky says his organization is "excited about the potential" of Portland becoming one of the focus cities. "The BTA strongly urges the City to get on board," he shared via email this morning. "We need leadership at the local level, now more than ever, to showcase the changes that safe protected bicycle lanes bring to cities."

Other cities sure to vie for a spot will be Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, New York City and Minneapolis.

Roskowski says they'll make decisions by the end of March. Learn more about the project on the official website and watch the video below...

Green Lane Project from Bikes Belong on Vimeo.

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New markings to warn people of the harsh bump as you roll onto the floating ramps on the Eastbank Esplanade.
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)

Portland Parks & Recreation has added new pavement markings on the Eastbank Esplanade floating ramps to warn people on bikes to prepare for a bump. The new markings are part of a larger campaign aimed at improving safety of path users.

Back in July of 2010, we brought attention to these jarring bumps after hearing about a friend who had crashed after hitting them. Shortly after that story ran, Parks vowed to evaluate the situation and six months later they installed a less severe "transition strip" to flatten the bumps.

Now Parks has put down a series of pavement markings with the word "BUMP" along with white stripes across the path. I took a closer look at them yesterday and they seem to have an impact. People were noticeably grabbing brakes and slowing down as they approached...

Parks spokesman Mark Ross says the new markings were installed in response to "concerns raised by the Portland bike community," and are part of a larger effort to improve traffic safety on both the Esplanade and in Waterfront Park.

New signs coming soon.

"We are working in collaboration with PBOT on all of these improvements," said Ross via email this morning. He added that Parks is collaborating with bike safety experts at PBOT along with a traffic engineer to make sure the markings are consistent with what folks see on the street."

Other elements of the biking and walking safety effort will include new signs targeted at people on bikes and more pavement markings at "a few key intersections." The work is expected to be completed by this spring.

Have you seen the "Bump" markings? We'd love to know what you think about them.

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We had a really fun job opportunity posted this week. Check out the details in the job listing below...

• Models Who Can Ride Bikes — The PDX Bicycle Show

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 all the latest job listings via RSS, email, or by following us on Twitter.

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ODOT and PBOT planners presented the
designs to the Bike Advisory Committee
last month.
(Photo © J. Maus)

ODOT, in partnership with PBOT, will unveil their plans for a I-5 freeway expansion project near the Rose Quarter at an open house in the Lloyd Center Mall tonight.

The plan, which is being done as part of the larger Central City 2035 and N/NE Quadrant plans, would add about 1,500 feet of additional lanes (in each direction) and a breakdown shoulder on I-5 between the I-84 interchange through the Rose Quarter. In addition, a host of other changes are being considered that will have a dramatic impact on surface streets and mobility in the area in general.

Aerial view.
(Photo: ODOT)

While just a planning exercise at this point, officials have estimated the cost of the "recommended base project" at $310 million with an additional $204 million for a slew of other "potential elements."

ODOT and PBOT reps presented details about their plans at a meeting of the City Bicycle Advisory Committee last month. Surprisingly, ODOT planner Todd Juhasz and PBOT planner Mauricio LeClerc said the main thrust of the expansion isn't to relieve congestion and add capacity. They say widening the freeway is being done to improve safety.

Here's how Juhasz explained it when the subject of added lanes came up at the BAC meeting:

"We're not trying to meet the capacity of the CRC [Columbia River Crossing project]... No matter what happens here, if CRC backs up this area will still be a mess no matter what we do... But what this project does is you've got so many on and offs in this area, by adding what we're calling auxiliary lanes, it allows more space for vehicles to get on into the flow of traffic or off with more space... reducing side swipe collisions and rear end collisions."

Juhasz says their modeling shows them that even with the additional lane, I-5 wouldn't get any increased capacity at all. "It's not increasing capacity at all... we're not getting any capacity benefit."

In terms of bicycle access, there are several interesting elements being considered.

Planners have come up with a "lid" concept that would put a cap over the existing freeway to "create a park-like atmosphere" on the streets above. The lid — estimated to cost about $110 million — would be placed over the freeway where it intersects with Broadway/Weidler/Williams The lid would allow for more breathing room to possibly improve the biking and walking access and help mitigate the negative livability impact of a major freeway...

Other ideas being considered are two new overcrossings over I-5. One would be at Vancouver and Hancock...

... and the other would be a biking/walking only overpass between Clackamas Ave (on the east) and Winning Way...

Another element of this project is a new multi-use path (MUP) that would run from NE Multnomah to Weidler right alongside I-5 on its eastern side...

And here's another look at the MUP in relation to the Clackamas Overcrossing (it's the orange dotted line that begins in the lower right):

ODOT and project stakeholders are also looking at removing the existing Vancouver bridge and directing all north-south traffic over to N. Flint Ave...

It's worth noting that the Hancock/Vancouver and Clackamas overcrossings, along with the multi-use path are currently listed as "potential elements" (read: extras) of the "recommended base project."

In addition to these elements, there's also the question of how the new freeway configuration (and on/off-ramp changes) will impact the large volume of bike traffic on nearby local streets as well as existing property owners.

Rich and Betsy Reese, who own the Paramount Apartments on the corner of N Flint and Broadway, penned a letter to the projects Stakeholder Advisory Committee on January 19th. The opening paragraph sums up the feelings of many activists I've spoken with about this project:

"While we question the basic premise of the inevitability of freeway expansion, and in principle are more interested in traffic engineering changes that would enhance our neighborhood through better bike, pedestrian and public transportation connections, we understand the importance of participating in this public process at the point of the current discussion."

This is big and complicated planning process that is trying to accomplish many goals. We'll have more coverage as things evolve. To learn more, come to the open house tonight from 4:30 to 6:30 at Lloyd Center Mall (west end, near Nordstrom) or visit the N/NE Quadrant project website.

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Rep. John Mica at a bike industry
fundraising event in March 2009.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

Since the House transportation bill has gone all crazy, I've been banging my head against my desk to figure out why Republican members of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee are so afraid of including any mention of bicycling, transit (except to strip away dedicated funding for it), walking — or anything that doesn't harken back to the 1950s Interstate Highway era — in the bill.

Then it occurred to me (with some help from sources on Capitol Hill, who say there's a threatening letter going around from House Majority Leader Eric Cantor that there better not be any mention of bicycling in the bill), perhaps they're afraid of Republican party leadership? (Feel free to point out my political naivete if this is an obvious thing.)

"I did a [bike] path over an interstate years ago... but we didn't send out a press release on it."
— Congressman John Mica, Chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

This led me to T & I Committee Chair John Mica (R-FL). As we've noted, Mica has clearly been a supporter of Safe Routes and other bicycling and walking-oriented projects in the past. However, now he has crafted a bill that many advocates say will eliminate funding for bicycling completely and roll back their progress several decades.

What gives?

Then I remembered when Rep. Mica attended a fundraiser hosted by Bikes Belong during the 2009 National Bike Summit (at the time, Mica was minority leader of the T & I committee). Here's what I wrote about Mica's brief remarks at that event to a room full of bike advocates:

"He shared candidly that, while he and Rep. Earl Blumenauer "have our disagreements from time to time," he is supportive of biking. Mica boasted that Florida leads the nation in rail-trails and then said in a self-deprecating tone, "That's pretty good for a right-wing, knuckle-dragging conservative." On that note, Mica said that as a Republican he has to support biking "quietly". "I did a path over an interstate years ago," he said, and then began to smile, "but we didn't send out a press release on it.""

So now we have the House member with power over federal transportation legislation doing his best to not simply be "quiet" about his support for bicycling; but to eradicate it from national law altogether.

The debate over this bill is far from over — and without the Petri amendment it's even less likely it will ever pass in its current form — but I think it's important to keep stuff like this in mind. What do you think?

— For more coverage, visit our new Federal Transportation Bill page.

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A memorial on SE Foster near
site of fatal collision back in November 2009.
(Photos © J. Maus)

The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) has been doing "crosswalk enforcement actions" for several years. The events, which place a human decoy in a crosswalk with a phalanx of cops waiting to pull people over nearby, have helped raise awareness for crosswalk laws and traffic safety in general. In the past six years, the actions have netted nearly 1,000 citations.

One of the most dangerous streets in the city is SE Foster Road. It's a high-speed arterial that has claimed many victims over the years, including a fatal hit-and-run just last week. Portland Mayor Sam Adams himself launched a safety campaign on SE Foster in 2010, calling it a de facto "freeway."

Today I noticed that PBOT had a crosswalk enforcement action scheduled for tonight on SE Powell at 54th — a location less than a mile from SE Foster. In an email from PBOT traffic safety staff about the actions, I read this:

"The crosswalk enforcement action scheduled for Thursday, February 2nd... has been postponed until a later date to be respectful to the residents of Foster Powell and Mt. Scott Arleta that will be having a candlelight vigil for Jason Lee Grant on Thursday at 5:30 PM on SE Foster near SE 71st Avenue. Mr. Grant was crossing SE Foster near SE 71st on Saturday evening when he was struck and killed by a hit and run driver."

These arterial streets are so frustrating and so sad. Despite efforts to hang banners over them, install blinking lights at crosswalks, do enforcements actions, and hold vigils to remember their victims — these streets continue to win in the end.

Surely there's got to be more we can do to tame these streets? What we're doing now is great; but sometimes it seems like it's just not enough.

For more information about tonight's candlelight vigil, contact Christian Smith via email at christianbsmith [at] me [dot] com.

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A bike like this one was stolen from
downtown Portland on Friday.

Metro's electric bike was stolen while locked up at Pioneer Square last Friday. The bike is worth about $2,000 and was the only e-bike in Metro's vehicle fleet (which also includes a cargo bike and a standard bike).

According to Vicki Papasadero with Metro Office Services, an employee was attending a meeting at an office near Pioneer Square, locked up the bike with a "big chain lock" and when he returned from the meeting the bike was gone.

The bike was originally purchased at The eBike Store in North Portland. Store owner Wake Gregg says it was a white "Pathfinder ST" model with serial number PB91709163 (found on headset) like the one in the photo at right.

Papasadero says Metro has filed a police report and they hope the bike turns up; but they're not waiting around. "We are going to replace it," she says.

Keep your eyes peeled.

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Clark County and SW Washington House Rep.
Jamie Herrera Beutler voted against an
amendment that would have set
aside funds for Safe Routes to School
and other projects to improve biking.
(Still from Committee video)

It was very close; but despite passionate defense of biking and walking by House T & I Committee member Peter DeFazio (D-Eugene), the Petri/Johnson amendment failed this morning by a vote of 29-27.

The amendment — which would have reinstated set-asides for Transportation Enhancements and the Safe Routes to School program — was debated this morning during the first markup hearing of the House transportation bill (a.k.a. the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act).

"Look parents in the eye and say: We can't afford to help your kids to get to school safely."
— Rep. Peter DeFazio, House T&I Committee member during defense of Safe Routes to School

The vote was mostly split down party lines, with just three out of the 32 Republican members voting for the amendment. In addition to Reps Petri and Johnson, New Jersey Republican Frank Lobiondo also supported it. All the Democrats voted for it. (See the full list here.)

In his opening remarks, Rep. DeFazio was notably angry, accusing the committee members of never even reading the text of the several hundred page bill that was just released on Tuesday. Watch DeFazio's opening remarks below:

When the Petri/Johnson amendment — which would have reinstated funding for Transportation Enhancements and Safe Routes to School — came up for debate, DeFazio launched into a stirring defense of making streets safe for kids to bike and walk to school...

We don't have all the details of testimony by other committee members (we'll look for archive footage of the hearing), but one notable "no" vote to the amendment was Southwest Washington Rep. Jamie Herrera Beutler.

In another move reported from the debate this morning, the House bill would make a major change to transit funding and to a major source of bicycle-related funding, the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) fund. According to the Transportation Issues Daily blog, the bill would rename the Mass Transit Account (a set-aside pot funded via gas tax revenue) to the Alternative Transportation Account and would fund it through the General Fund. CMAQ would also be moved to the General Fund. Advocates fear this will make transit and CMAQ funds much less reliable in the future.

The failure of the Petri/Johnson amendment means the House bill will continue to be debated and marked up. And before it becomes law, the bill would have to be reconciled with a Senate version — so while this highway-centric legislation is frustrating and frankly shocking, there's still a long road ahead.

Even so, bike advocates are now emboldened after this defeat. Via Twitter this morning, BTA Executive Director Rob Sadowsky wrote: "What does the amendment loss mean? It means battle front moves to Salem. Join the @BTAOregon army." And national advocacy group America Bikes said, "Today's [hearing] was just one battle in the struggle to preserve biking walking in the federal transportation system. Onward!"

And here's how the League of America Bicyclists has responded:

"The amendment lost by just two votes. This was a strong showing in a very difficult political environment. The House leadership strongly opposed the amendment, so our strong thanks goes to Reps. Petri, Johnson, and LoBiondo for standing with their constituents and people everywhere who value walking and biking. If these Congressmen represent you, please let them know you recognize their efforts."

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David Auker (L) and long time friend
Danny Knudsen share a laugh at
Auker's 62nd birthday gathering
last night in Hillsdale.
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)

On November 16th, 2010, a man that friends and family thought would never stop pedaling his bike — did.

David Auker is a living legend in local and national bike racing circles. You might not know his name, but Auker was once one of the most feared racers on the west coast. He never signed a pro contract because he was too much of an independent spirit to go that route; but friends who were there back in the 1970s and '80s say he won plenty of races against much more famous opponents like Alexi Grewal, Bob Roll, and others.

"In the old days," former teammate Danny Knudsen recalled at a birthday party for Auker in Hillsdale last night, "the pros would not like to see Dave when they showed up. He'd ruin their plans."

Auker's racing prowess made it all that more shocking when his own plans to keep riding well into his 60s nearly came to an abrupt end.

On that fateful day in November of 2010, Auker was out riding about a block from his home in the hills of Southwest Portland when he had a stroke. Rushed to OHSU, Auker was placed in the ICU. He had lost movement on his right side and he had bleeding in his brain. Friends and family prepared for the worst.

"I went and saw him in the hospital," recalled Knudsen, "And thought I'd never see the man again."

Thankfully, Auker got better. Maybe it was his excellent physical shape, or maybe it was just his dogged determination to get back on the bike. Just a few months after his stroke, David's wife Sarah (they've been together over 40 years) says he woke up one day and said, "I should go ride my bike."

So he did.

David and his wife Sarah.

Last night Auker was eager to tell me that he's now riding 30-40 miles every day. Sarah says at first she would ride with him because his short-term memory is so faint that he would get lost even on roads he's pedaled for decades. Now she rides the first few miles and then sets him off on his own. But still, "He takes the exact same route every time," Sarah says, "Because he knows he'll get lost if he doesn't."

Auker (R) and Knudsen
a long time ago.

If you think Auker was just a bike racer, you should talk to Danny Knudsen.

Knudsen, a fit 42-year old with thick white hair who currently coaches the BicycleAttorney.com Cycling Team, calls Auker his mentor. "He really took me under his wing," recalled Knudsen as Auker looked on, "He's had a huge impact on my life."

From how to pack his race-day gear bag, to using mind games as a way to vanquish stronger riders, to using mint-flavored dental floss to sew up flattened tubulars (the mint was for good luck), Knudsen said, "I couldn't run my team without everything he's taught me."

Auker's influence has been felt in other places as well.

He rode fixed geared bikes and led the local Sunday Fixie Ride long before the bikes became an urban phenomenon (he's even mentioned in this 2005 AP story: Fixed-gear bikes now all the rage).

At his birthday gathering last night, Auker's family and friends gathered around to count their blessings and share stories. I didn't talk at length with Auker (he's not exactly chatty these days, especially with someone like me who he's only met a few times over the years); but I could tell he was feeling well and that he was especially happy to be riding again.

For such a competitive person like David, I can only imagine how hard it is to not feel like you can ride as far, as hard, and as often as you'd like. When the topic of his racing came up, David felt like he had to defend the fact that he wasn't going to ever do it again. "I've done that," he said with a tiny smile, "I'm not sure if it means I'm getting old or just moving on to other things."

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Mayor Sam Adams, shown here at a Safe Routes to School event in June 2010, is scheduled to attend February's KidicalMass ride.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

[*Please note: This article originally said Adams would attend the ride. Unfortunately there was a mix-up with organizers and his staff and we have now learned he is not 100% confirmed. He has been invited, he's "interested in attending," but he has not yet committed to it. — JM]

Portland's beloved Kidical Mass is back for 2012 and, along with already having events scheduled through the end of the year, they're expecting the Mayor to join in on the fun this month.

Kidical Mass is a great place
to meet other biking families.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

Event organizers say Mayor Adams' office has confirmed he will be at this month's edition. The ride starts near N Williams and Holman St. and heads to SCRAP where kids will have a chance to build a birdhouse. (The Mayor's office did not comment on whether Adams would build a birdhouse himself.)

If you're one of the few who hasn't heard of Kidical Mass, here's a brief history of how it came to be in Portland...

Kidical Mass was born in Eugene in 2008 when Shane MacRhodes (Eugene resident and Safe Routes to Schools Program Manager) wanted a way to celebrate a visit to the city by Ted White, the man who coined the term "Critical Mass."

The family-friendly ride that declares "Kids are traffic too!" quickly spread to Portland and other cities, but our local Kidical Mass chapter fizzled a bit when its lead organizer moved to Washington D.C.

Kids and families enjoyed a
(nearly) rain-free ride in January.
(Photo courtesy Travis Wittwer)

After her departure, the torch was passed and events were informally organized for years. Last year's attendance was lower than some hoped, so this year Katie Proctor stepped in to give the ride a boost.

Proctor (with the help of other parents) has already set dates for monthly rides through the end of 2012. January's Kidical Mass had a great turn out and February's ride is expected to bring out even more fun-loving families (especially if this weather holds up!).

Learn more at KidicalMassPDX.org.

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He's fired up.
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)

Oregon Congressmen Earl Blumenauer and Peter DeFazio are pulling no punches when it comes to leveling criticism at the House transportation bill that was released yesterday.

Referring to it as the, "Republican Highway and Transportation Bill," Blumenauer said in an official statement, "I am appalled at the fantasy finance scheme Republicans are proposing." Blumenauer is a senior member of the House Budget and Ways and Means committees, so he focused his criticisms on financial issues instead of simply bashing the bill for being anti-bike.

Here's more from Blumenauer's official statement (emphasis mine):

"Rather than working in a bipartisan fashion to find revenue for the Highway Trust Fund, House Republicans instead would tie revenues from oil and gas drilling in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge and in our coastal waters to transportation funding. Drilling in these areas is opposed by the public and runs the same environmental risks that gave us the Deepwater Horizon disaster. What’s more, my colleagues know full well that revenues from this drilling would do almost nothing to close our funding gap. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that the best case scenario would result in $5 billion over ten years, when we need $60 billion over five years to fund the Trust Fund. This bill’s reliance on such an inadequate funding scheme shows just how unserious and partisan an effort it is at real transportation reform."

Blumenauer said the current House bill would make it hard for states and local municipalities to have a say in transportation decisions, "Making it harder for citizens to have a say about projects happening in their backyard."

More specifically about bicycling, Blumenauer blasted the bill for eliminating bike-specific funding streats, "At a time when communities are clamoring for cheaper, more efficient ways to increase capacity and save their citizens money on gasoline."

"Given the economic realities we are facing," he continued, "it is absurd to block communities from spending money on projects that make biking and walking commutes easier."

DeFazio ready for fight.

House Rep. Peter DeFazio says the Republican-led transportation bill is a step "backward" in large part because it's too small (Blumenauer made the same point). The current bill is just $230 billion, which is a 35 percent reduction from the $450 billion legislation DeFazio drafted (and got approved) back in 2009.

In an email to constituents, DeFazio wrote, "It's simply unfathomable that the Republicans would take us backward at a time when our economic competitors are increasing investments in state of the art infrastructure."

"You can be sure that I will oppose these cuts," reads DeFazio's email, "and fight for robust funding for the transportation reauthorization bill, including alternative transportation modes."

As our Oregon delegation preps for battle on Capitol Hill, advocates are urging everyone to call or write their representatives to tell them to support two key amendments. Stay tuned.

UPDATE 2/2, 7:15am: The bill is having a markup session this morning on the Hill. Watch Rep DeFazio's very angry opening remarks. A must see:

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Republican House member Jamie
Herrera Beutler, who represents
southwest Washington, sits on the
House T & I Committee and
bike advocates want her support
of an amendment to
the transportation bill.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

It's the morning after the House transportation bill was unveiled, and it's being viewed as an abomination by national bike advocacy groups.

"Horrible" is how the League of American Bicyclists feels about it, and former House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chair Jim Oberstar told Politico this morning that the bill has been "hijacked" by "fringe policymakers."

Opponents of the bill are now counting on an amendment expected to be put forward by congressmen Tom Petri (WI) and Tim Johnson (IL) — both of whom are Republican members of the House T & I Committee. But the amendment needs two other Republicans on the committee to join them if it has any chance of being passed.

According to a one-page summary (PDF here; the actual amendment isn't expected to be introduced until 10:00 am tomorrow), the Petri/Johnson amendment would look to preserve funding for two of the key programs advocates are most concerned about: Safe Routes to School and Transportation Enhancements.

Keeping with the theme of consolidation in the existing House bill, the amendment would meld those two programs into one and call it the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Here's how it would work (from the one-pager):

For fiscal years 2013 through 2016, a state shall reserve from its federal apportionments an amount equal to the apportioned funding received in fiscal year 2012 for Safe Routes to Schools and the amount of STP funds set aside for transportation enhancements. States have flexibility to determine source of reserved funds from its various apportioned program funds.

States could choose which specific projects and programs within Safe Routes and TE they'd like to fund; except for "transportation museums," or anything having to do with battlefields or "tourist and welcome centers." Those revisions to the definition of what can be funded with TE money are included in the amendment to counter one of the main arguments against the program made by Republicans — that TE is nothing but a slush fund for frivolous projects.

The other major highlight of the amendment is that it would require states to fund two full-time coordinators to administer the transportation improvements program.

While the plan is to introduce this amendment tomorrow morning, sources say it needs two more Republican members of the House T & I committee to sign on. Without those two additional supporters, the amendment may never see the light of day — and with what is likely strong pushback from Republican leadership about inclusion of any program that could benefit bicycling — they'll need to hear loud and clear that voters have their backs.

National advocacy groups like T4 America are urging action today and local advocates are turning their attention to Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler who represents Clark County and Southwest Washington. If you live in Vancouver, or anywhere in Beutler's district, drop her a line and ask her to support the Petri Amendment.

UPDATE: This was just posted to the Rails to Trails Conservancy website:

Petri/Johnson/Lipinski amendment was filed moments ago. Keep the pressure up into the night! Mark-up begins at 9 a.m. Thursday morning. Act now!

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Congressman John Mica (R-FL) at a Safe
Routes to School event in his district in
October 2010. A bill drafted by Mica would
end the program.
(Photo: Safe Routes Partnership)

The draft federal transportation bill that was unveiled yesterday by Chair of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee John Mica (R-FL) would eliminate the national Safe Routes to School program.

Since it was enshrined in law by Congress in 2005, the Safe Routes program has funded hundreds of millions of dollars for crosswalk, bike parking, education, and much more to schools throughout the country.

Under the guise of "consolidation" and "streamlining," Mica's bill does away with the program entirely and strips mandates that require all state DOTs to have a dedicated staff person in charge of coordinating Safe Routes projects. It also, "Eliminates requirements for states to spend highway funding on non-highway activities." Of course the bill also "permits states to fund those activities if they so choose," however most national advocacy groups feel that, given the lack of a mandate, most states wouldn't so choose.

Mica at the Safe Routes
event in Volusia County. The poster behind him reads,
"Making Safe Routes to School."

I know it was covered over the summer when Mica threatened to introduce a bill like this, but now that the bill has arrived, it's worth revisiting that he was publicly supportive of Safe Routes in his own district as recently as October 2010.

On October 22nd, 2010 Rep. Mica visited Westside Elementary in Daytona Beach, Florida for an event to "encourage more children to safely walk and bicycle to and from school." The school had just been awarded a "Walking School Bus" grant through the Safe Routes to School program.

Now Rep. Mica has proposed a transportation bill that would do away with that program. It makes you wonder who Rep. Mica is answering to with his bill proposal. Stay tuned for more coverage of the transportation bill. See the latest action alert at BikeLeague.org.

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Keep your eyes peeled.
(Photos: PPB)

Portland Police are offering a $1,000 reward to help them find a pickup truck that was involved in a fatal hit-and-run on Saturday night.

The driver of the truck struck 26-year old Jason Grant from Vancouver as he attempted to walk across SE Foster Road near 70th (he wasn't in a marked crosswalk). Grant died of his injuries in the hospital later that evening. The driver of a green pickup was eastbound on Foster and fled the scene after the collision.

Now the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) are asking people who bike around the city to help them find the suspect vehicle.

Jason Grant

The collision took place just before 7:00 pm on Saturday. Based on witnesses and evidence, investigators are looking for a dark green, 1997-2000 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck with front end damage (see photo).

PPB Sgt. Todd Davis got in touch with us this morning. "If it's parked somewhere," he said, "a bicyclist might be more apt to see it than someone driving by in a car."

If you have seen this vehicle, leave a tip online at CrimeStoppersofOregon.com, text CRIMES (274637) and in the subject line put 823HELP, followed by your tip, or call 503-823-HELP (4357) and leave your tip information. Anyone with information about the collision is urged to contact PPB Officer Erik Koppang via email, Erik.Koppang@PortlandOregon.gov.

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Participants in the World Naked Bike Ride eagerly await the start of the ride.
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)

Yes I realize it's February, but I thought some of you still might appreciate a look back at some of the memorable images of 2011. So, without further ado...

Amos Hunter, a volunteer with Active Right of Way, made a presentation to PBOT and Portland Streetcar Inc. staff on January 5th about a list of bike safety concerns with the new Eastside Streetcar Loop. Both PBOT and PSI have been slow to respond to these concerns and many issues remain...

This sign on N. Rosa Parks Way near Willamette Blvd underscored the sometimes dangerous rhetoric that rules our streets...

Local trick rider Blake Hicks had a huge 2011. Here he is at the annual Flatland Jam that was held in Northeast Portland...

We saw lots of growth in the local bike economy in 2011, much of it in the form of new bike shops. Here's Mark Ontiveros (L) and Mike Francis standing outside West End Bikes, the new shop they opened on SW 11th and Stark about one year ago...

PBOT got a new director in 2011. Here's Tom Miller during his first public address in that role at the Transportation Safety Summit...

Once again, we had relatively pleasant weather for the Worst Day of the Year ride...

A full moon made for a magical ride home through Waterfront Park on February 17th...

Friends of Bret Lewis, who was killed while bicycling in Beaverton last February, are overcome with emotion during a visit to the scene of the tragedy...

Embattled gladiators Zane and Twitch show some wear and tear during the annual Mini Bike Winter Chariot Wars...

Congressman John Mica (R-FL) came to Vancouver for a "listening session" to garner feedback for a rewrite of the federal surface transportation bill (that's House Rep. Peter DeFazio in the background). Little did we know Mica would unveil a bill advocates say eliminates bike funding as we know it...

Two Portland-based bike industry legends — Chris King and Sacha White — shared a laugh at the 2011 North American Handmade Bicycle Show held in Austin, Texas...

Portlanders pulled out their vintage style on the Tweed Ride...

The cherry trees on the Waterfront are always a treat. Here's how they looked on April 7th...

BTA Executive Director Rob Sadowsky raised a glass at their annual fundraising dinner, the Alice Awards...

The Spalding Building in downtown Portland unveiled what is likely the most secure bike parking in America — housed inside a former bank vault...

PBOT installed a cycle track on NE Cully Blvd in East Portland...

Residents of the Woodlawn neighborhood came together to create Portland's largest intersection painting (which also happens to be on the NE Holman bike boulevard)...

I had the pleasure of being hired to photograph the Pioneer Century, which took riders through idyllic farming roads in Clackamas County...

With Big Pink looming in the background, racers at the Cirque du Cycling criterium back in June round the corner and head up N. Mississippi Ave...

With Portland's biking summer in full swing, we celebrated yet another hugely successful World Naked Bike Ride...

Another summer favorite is the "Splash Dance" ride which took place during the annual Pedalpalooza events...

Sunset over the Broadway Bridge on second day of summer...

Kids riding in the street without a care in the world (while wearing dresses and with balloons on their bikes); it must be Sunday Parkways...

Several other families joined mine on a weekend getaway to Stub Stewart State Park...

Michelle DePass, a north Portland neighborhood resident and activist, brought up the feelings of racism and gentrification — the "Elephant in the room" — surrounding the North Williams Traffic Operations Safety Project during a meeting in July...

Sellwood Cycle Repair owner Erik Tonkin has reason to smile. His business made a huge leap with a big move in Sellwood...

Portland Design Works co-owner Erik Olson donned a chicken suit and took a few laps around their "Circulus" mini-velodrome during an in July...

People flocked to the open streets of Sunday Parkways when it came to downtown...

We highlighted the "track straddling" phenomenon on the Lovejoy ramp...

Portland Mayor Sam Adams declared July 28th Velomobile Day when the ROAM tour used our city as a launch pad for their ride...

Competitors fought through dust and crowds at the Short Track MTB Team Relay event at Portland International Raceway in August...

Tiago DeJerk demonstrates the fire-breathing capability of a freak bike at an event in North Portland...

PBOT worked with business owners to create a carfree SW Ankeny, using a bike corral as a barrier on the east end...

2011 was a huge year for former PBOT bike coordinator and now President of Alta Planning, Mia Birk. She not only barnstormed for her new book, JoyRide, she also inked a contract to build the country's largest bike sharing system in New York City...

Bike racing legend Greg LeMond stopped by West End Bikes in September...

Crowds squeezed into the Pacific Northwest College of Art for a glimpse at the Oregon Manifest Design Challenge entries...

And the winner was Portland's very own Tony Pereira, shown here riding on Skyline Blvd during the field test competition...

This is Portland! A bit of rain could not dampen spirits at Sunday Parkways Northeast...

Julie and Kelly Bosworth hosted a bike ride last October to raise awareness of their missing husband and father, Mark Bosworth...

The cyclocross season started with huge crowds at Alpenrose Dairy...

We met Dezy Walls, the "Pianobike Kid" and his pedal-powered instrument...

'Cross racers went all out at the annual Halloween race which was held in Bend this year...

PBOT unveiled their latest cycle track on SW Moody in November...

We crowded into the Skyline Grange hall to discuss rural road safety issues...

Bikes played a big role in the Occupy Portland protests. This photos shows the bike swarm in action during the big eviction night on November 13th...

We learned that when police show up on bikes instead of riot gear, wonderful things can happen...

Mayor Sam Adams listened intently during the N. Williams project community forum on November 29th...

The proliferation of cargo bike-based businesses continued in 2011. Here's Joel from Spoketown Cargo on his first few days in business...

Despite some wrangling with local truckers and freight-dependent businesses, PBOT gave people on bikes a lane of their own on the NE 12th Ave overcrossing...

Multnomah County Chair Jeff Cogen had reason to smile at the ground breaking celebration for the Sellwood Bridge project...

Ashawntae Rosemon appeared in court to face the consequences of his drunk driving that killed Dustin Finney back in August...

I headed south at the end of the year and joined family and friends for an exhilarating ride across the Golden Gate bridge...

Hope you enjoyed this trip down memory lane. I promise it won't be so late next year!

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Dan Kaufman and his Disco Trike just minutes after being reunited.
(Photos © J. Maus)

Dan Kaufman and his "Disco Trike" are back together again.

The trike, along with other equipment including an iPod, power inverters, batteries, and gear bags, were confiscated by the Portland Police Bureau during Occupy Portland protests on January 25th.

During those protests, police issued Kaufman a citation for "Unlawful Operation of Sound Producing Equipment." After having his video camera yanked out of his hand by a Portland Police officer, Kaufman was handcuffed and his trike and other equipment were held as evidence until his scheduled court appearance on February 13th.

Yesterday, Kaufman's supporters issued a threat to Mayor Sam Adams: Free the Disco Trike or they'd swarm City Hall with bikes. The story landed Kaufman's plight on both KPTV (Fox) and KATU (ABC).

It didn't take long for the issue to get some traction at City Hall, and yesterday, Mayor Sam Adams said the Police would relinquish the trike. I joined Kaufman today for the reunion...

Kaufman says this incident makes him think twice about rolling the Disco Trike at protests with music blaring. He seems at peace with the citation itself; but this clash with the police, he says, has led him to two realizations:

"How do we [Occupy Portland/PDX Bike Swarm] do it better? These run-ins with the police are marginalizing the movement. This incident also leads me to realize that we don't have the freedom of press/freedom of speech I thought we did."

After getting his trike back, Kaufman delivered a formal complaint to the Independent Police Review Division about the officer's conduct that night. Here's an excerpt from his complaint:

"I believe the Portland Police violated my First Amendment rights, and that they conducted an improper search and seizure by taking away the "Disco Trike," the multi-media vehicle which holds the equipment I use to film protests, amplify public speakers at events, and play music for marches, etc.

During the protest, I was riding the Disco Trike, playing music and videotaping the action. My sound system was not playing at the time I was cited...

... I was surrounded by mounted police near SW 3rd and Main Street. An officer started to grab the camera from my hands, tried to remove it, and threatened to brake it if I didn't release it. The officer did not identify himself or explain why he was trying to rip the camera from my hands... I released the camera because of this threat. I complied and was handcuffed.

... I am very concerned about the chilling effect this type of police conduct has on our freedom of expression and freedom of the press. I believe the Portland Police improperly infringed my rights..."

While Kaufman says this incident has made him think twice about showing up at future protests, I seriously doubt we've seen the last of him — or of trikes. He said a donor has contacted PDX Bike Swarm and wants to give them several more for use at future events.

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