Davis loves bikes.
(Photos © J. Maus)

Portland might have been the first big city to garner the League of American Bicyclists’ coveted “Platinum” bicycle-friendly community rating, but Davis is a small town in central California that has held the honor since September of 2005.

I arrived in Davis this afternoon and so far, I can say they definitely deserve it.

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(Photos © J. Maus)

Yesterday morning (7/23) the Portland Police Bureau’s Traffic Division conducted their second of three “educational warning missions” focused on bicycle operators at the intersection of North Flint and North Broadway.

The results?

According to Traffic Division Captain Larry O’Dea there were 61 total stops. 8 motor vehicle operators were stopped (all were given warnings) and 53 “bicycle operators” were stopped. Of those, 51 received warnings and 2 were written up for citations (for “egregious behavior”).

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Sampling a sharrow on Market
St. in downtown San Francisco.
More images
(Photos © J. Maus)

It’s been several days since my last report from the road. Since then, we’ve driven south from Ashland and made our way into San Francisco.

Before I share photos, I’ve got some embarrassing news: I got a speeding ticket.

While motoring down an empty, straight, downhill portion of I-5, I suddenly noticed my speed was in the mid 80s. I immediately slowed down, but the fuzz was on me just as quick (he probably thought I slowed on his account but I never saw him). The officer cited me for going 83 mph in a 60 65 mph zone. It was a bummer to get a ticket, but I earned it, so I can’t complain.

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[Updated 7/24, 5:40pm: *See below]

Sen. Floyd Prozanski wants
to expand Oregon’s helmet law.
(Photo © J. Maus)

State senator Floyd Prozanski (D-South Lane and North Douglas Counties) plans to introduce an expansion of Oregon’s bicycle helmet law in the 2009 legislative session.

Prozanski told me via telephone this morning that he plans to make Oregon’s current helmet law — ORS 815.485, which only applies to people under 16 years old — apply to everyone who rides a bike.

Pointing out his strong record of support for bike-related legislation, Prozanski says “a combination of things” have led him to this decision.

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**See results and a statement about this morning’s enforcement mission from Captain Larry O’Dea below**

Ladds Circle in Southeast Portland.

Officers from the Portland Police Bureau Traffic Division were out in force this morning in the Ladds Circle area of Southeast Portland.

This area, which is a traffic circle ringed by streets with stop signs, is a busy bikeway where Police have focused enforcement efforts in the past.

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Having fun in the freak bike corral at
the Tour de Fat in San Francisco yesterday.
(Photo © J. Maus)

As you know, I’m down in California (Marin County) on a family road trip. We’re following The Sprockettes on their 2008 tour.

Yesterday was the first big stop. The ladies entertained thousands who turned out at for the Tour de Fat at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.

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The Sprockettes and Officer Smith of the Ashland Police Department.
More photos
(Photos © J. Maus)

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Here are several fantastic job opportunities that were listed this week on the BikePortland Job Listings.

See below for more information (and good luck if you apply):

• Transportation Options Specialist - City of Portland Office of Transportation
• Sales and Service - Bike n’ Hike
• IT Support Specialist - Alta Planning + Design
• Customer Service Rep - Chris King Precision Components

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From a performance
in June of 2006.
(Photos © J. Maus)

For long-time readers of this site, my fondness for The Sprockettes is well known. I’ve covered them for over three years now, snapping hundreds (thousands?) of photos of them in action at performances around town.

Since the first time I saw them dance, I was captivated — not just by their grooves and moves, but by their energy, creativity, and by the way they chose to express their love of bikes.

I’m still one of their biggest fans — especially now that my wife Juli is a member of the crew.

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[Updated 7/16, 2:40pm -7/17, 3:00pm — see below]

(Photos © J. Maus)

A new traffic sign at the northeast corner of SE Water and SE Caruthers offers a stern reminder for those who pass by on two wheels:

“BICYCLISTS MUST FOLLOW STOP SIGNS AND TRAFFIC DIRECTIONS!”

The area (just south of OMSI) is currently the site of two major construction projects — the MLK Viaduct renovation being managed by ODOT and the East Side Big Pipe project managed by the City of Portland.

According to ODOT spokesperson Mike Mason, they had nothing to do with it.

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(Photo © J. Maus)

The BTA is working to solidify plans for a new educational campaign focused not just on people who ride, but all users of the roadway.

The campaign, dubbed Eye to Eye … a lot is riding on it, is still in the formational stages, but initial campaign materials describe it as,

“A safety campaign targeted at all road users… To foster a culture of awareness and respect on our shared paths and roadways… To make the streets of our communities safer for everyone.”

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People who use a bicycle as their primary mode of transportation may not be familiar with the emotional impact that bike/car collisions have on folks on the other side of the windshield.

An example of this emotional toll comes from a comment left on this site a few minutes ago. The comment was left by someone who lists themselves as “Wife of truck driver” and it was left as a response to my coverage of the recent serious injury collision in Southeast Portland.

Given the tone of the comment I don’t doubt her identity.

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The newsstand edition of today’s Oregonian.

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The new sign says, “Hang bike here.
Allow cyclists access to hook.”
(Photo: Bill Alsup)

In an effort to make their bike hooks more user-friendly, TriMet has added new signage on MAX trains reminding passengers that the hook area is for bikes (not for standing in).

TriMet planner and designated bike guy Colin Maher says the new signs were installed because, “we heard that customers were having difficulty hanging their bike because another passenger was standing under the hook and refusing to move, even if they were easily able to do so.”

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The media onslaught inspired by the recent headline-grabbing road rage incidents in Portland continues.

Even Oregon Public Broadcasting’s daily Think Out Loud program decided to spend a few minutes of their show today talking about it.

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David Darby next to
his company vehicle.
(Photos/video © J. Maus)

Portlanders love their gardens, their bikes, and their Mother Earth, so it’s no wonder that David Darby’s new business has taken off.

Darby is the man behind Fossil Fuel Free Lawn and Garden Care, a bike-powered business based in Southeast Portland that he started just four months ago. Darby provides lawn care services using only hand tools and he gets to all his jobs by bike.

Last week, I met up with Darby and his co-worker Prentiss Darden at a warehouse space he rents in the Sellwood neighborhood (just south of Powell Blvd.).

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The City of Beaverton (Portland’s neighbor to the west) and their Bicycle Advisory Committee are planning “Bike Beaverton” tomorrow night.

The event poster encourages folks to “Join your neighbors… for an evening bicycle ride through Beaverton.” The route will be a 7 mile loop starting and ending at the Beaverton City Library using low volume neighborhood streets and streets with bike lanes.

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