When you’re bored of your standby quick-and-easy dinners and are looking for something new to shake up your pasta routine, try this lemony spaghetti dish.
Creamy ricotta, lemon zest, toasted breadcrumbs and fresh peas will raise the bar on dinner!
Continue reading "Lemony Spaghetti with Peas and Ricotta" »
The Portland Police Bureau has a lead on the suspects in the Biketown vandalism case.
As many as 260 bike share bikes — about one quarter of the entire system — at 32 different Biketown stations were vandalized. Through camera footage, the police have obtained images of the vehicle and three of the suspects and they need the public’s help to further the case.
Below is the official statement, followed by images of the suspects and their car:
If you have any information about this case, please call or email Det. Hergert at (503) 823-0400 or mitchell.hergert@portlandoregon.gov
— Jonathan Maus: (503) 706-8804, @jonathan_maus on Twitter and jonathan@bikeportland.org
BikePortland is supported by the community (that means you!). Please become a subscriber or make a donation today.
The post Police on the lookout for three suspects in Biketown vandalism case appeared first on BikePortland.org.
(Map: Bureau of Environmental Services)
If you live, work or play downtown, you need to get prep yourself for significant projects that will have a big impact on the transit couplet of SW Morrison and Yamhill. This corridor runs through the heart of Portland — from the waterfront to west of Pioneer Square.
TriMet is fixing and upgrading its MAX light rail tracks and the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services is taking the opportunity to make repairs to sewer pipes that run under them.
The takeaway? For three weeks between Sunday April 30th to May 20th, the MAX Blue, Red and Green lines will be disrupted, streets in the area will be closed, and there will be active work zones all over the place. TriMet will use shuttle buses to help keep people moving, but the route closures will lead to heavy traffic (both on roads and on transit) and strange traffic patterns downtown.
Thankfully both BES and TriMet are actively encouraging people to walk or use bicycles instead (it just so happens that Monday is the start of National Bike Month). TriMet is giving passengers a free 30-minute Biketown ride (used promo code TRIMET17) and BES is encouraging people to use caution, avoid the area if possible, and/or get off their bicycles and walk around active construction zones (see map above).
Here are the specific closures that will impact your use of downtown streets:
(Graphic: TriMet)
And here are the websites with full information:
– TriMet
– BES
One last thing: In case you haven’t heard, there will be 70 construction projects happening around Portland during the summer season. PBOT has a Get Portland Moving campaign all set up to help mitigate the impacts. This might be the perfect time to re-nudge your friends and family to give bicycling a try!
Be safe and stay aware. And as always, let us know if/how these projects are impacting your ride.
— Jonathan Maus: (503) 706-8804, @jonathan_maus on Twitter and jonathan@bikeportland.org
BikePortland is supported by the community (that means you!). Please become a subscriber or make a donation today.
The post Route advisory: MAX and sewer repair will have major impacts on SW Morrison/Yamhill appeared first on BikePortland.org.
The City of Portland just raised their game when it comes to providing people with a secure place to park a bicycle.
As we reported just over one year ago, the Bureau of Transportation updated their standard design for city-issued staple racks. Now that the existing stock of old ones has been used up, this week marked the first time one of the new racks went in. We heard the first one to be bolted onto the sidewalk was in north Portland (corner of N Bryant and Interstate) so we rolled over to check it out this morning.
To the untrained eye (and to people without x-ray vision), it doesn’t look like much. But under the hood of this unassuming curved piece of blue steel are some serious bike theft prevention measures.
The differences between the new racks and the old ones include: a flat, steel crossbar; a braided wire cable that floats inside the main pipe; and a requirement to have deeper concrete foundations for the bolts and feet of the rack. (View the official design drawings here.) The crossbar will make it harder for thieves to slip a lock off the rack (something that can be done if the legs are unscrewed or the main pipe is cut) and the internal cable will make it much harder to saw through the main pipe.
“It will take much more effort, forethought, strength, and tool power to defeat this new design,” PBOT Communications Director John Brady told us last year.
According to PBOT’s bike parking manager Scott Cohen, Portland currently has about 7,000 blue staple racks installed on sidewalks and in bike corrals throughout the city. They add and replace them to the tune of about 300 to 400 per year; so it will take several years before the entire stock is updated to this new version.
And it should go without saying, that you shouldn’t rely on anything — or anyone — to make your bike secure. You must have good locking practices, use a high-quality lock, and most importantly, make sure your bike is registered. Learn about all this stuff and more at PBOT’s EndBikeTheft.org website.
— Jonathan Maus: (503) 706-8804, @jonathan_maus on Twitter and jonathan@bikeportland.org
BikePortland is supported by the community (that means you!). Please become a subscriber or make a donation today.
The post Sorry bike thieves, PBOT’s new — more secure — staple racks are finally hitting the streets appeared first on BikePortland.org.
I’d never seen this Calathea with the grid pattern before…isn’t it gorgeous??
Also this was the first time I’d ever seen a Rainbow Eucalyptus tree in person. Just breathtaking!!
Wishing you all a very jungalicious weekend!!
xoxo ~J
The latest from Norther, Western Bikeworks, and Breadwinner.
(Photos by Anthony Bareno (left), Western Bikeworks (middle), Dylan VanWeelden (right).
Portland’s local bike industry is always in flux: coming, going, making it, and breaking it. Because business is a key part of our local scene, we try to keep an eye on it all. Here are three bits of news from local makers and sellers that you should know about.
The Klickitat Pass from Norther Cycles.
(Photo by Anthony Bareno)
I love Norther Cycles. Starmichael Bowman and Mark Simmons have come together to create something special on North Albina just north of Killingsworth Avenue. They can make and fix anything (their shop is like Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory for bike nerds) and they specialize in bicycles built for reliable rambling with an aesthetic that’s classic yet modern and functional. I always say that to make it in bike retail in Portland, you’ve got to bring something distinctive to the table, and Norther does that as well as anyone.
(Photo by Anthony Bareno)
With the shop on solid ground, Norther is flexing its bike-making muscle. Their new Klickitat Pass adventure/sport touring frameset is an exciting step forward. The bike is built right in the shop and is being offered on a limited basis. Only 10 will be made and there are three sizes; 54, 56, and 58 cm. The price is $2,000. Add $200 for a dynamo hub wired up to power a front and rear light.
Here’s the verbage on the bike:
The Klickitat is not a pared down ultra light race bike with the tightest geometry ever. Because it’s not meant to be the lightest fasted bike ever, just light and fast enough to fall in love with. It doesn’t have five thousand braze ons, so it can be way overloaded. It has just enough for smart set ups.
As for the great debate on tubing sizes and wall thickness the Klickitat is right in the middle. It doesn’t use the scary lightest frame tubes available. Because that would be a huge mistake as it would be to light duty for most people and situations, and it would dent up to easy. We also didn’t use the heaviest tubes ever because we want it to still ride awesome and be fun even when it’s not fully loaded down. Could we go smaller and lighter, yes! Would it make sense for us, or any small batch builder to do that, no! I’m constantly interviewing people about their bike and how they feel about it and almost no one feels like there bike is to heavy duty or dead feeling, but man if a bike is two light and flexi people describe it as scary, and usually end up selling their bikes pretty quickly.
We don’t believe in this. We want people to love our bikes. We want you to reach for your Klickitat 9 times out of 10 no matter how many bikes you have to choose from.
Learn more and reserve yours at NortherCycles.com.
The limited edition Lolo Sport from Breadwinner.
(Photo: Dylan VanWeelden)
Another north Portland-based bike maker, Breadwinner Cycles, has a limited edition bike that is unabashedly about going fast. Tony Pereira and Ira Ryan have put together a racier version of their Lolo road bike that’s only available until May 5th. It comes with the option of three SRAM-oriented parts builds, a “motorsport inspired” paint job, and a special wool jersey (also made in Portland!) by ANTHM Collective. The price is $6,890.
(Photo: Dylan VanWeelden)
Our award-winning, custom fit steel Lolo frame paired with Enve fork, thru-axles, disc brakes, optional Ritchey Solostreem bar/stem, and striking motorsport-inspired paint scheme–all with three special parts packages that will suit every discerning rider.
Now through May 5th, the limited edition thru axle Lolo is available with three SRAM gruppos to choose from, carbon wheel upgrades and the option of a custom painted Ritchey Solostreem bar/stem combo.
Mixing ultra-light and responsive Columbus Life tubing with decades of road racing and riding pedigree, the Lolo was made to dance up mountains and carve twisty descents. This smooth riding, light steel tubing is TIG welded with precision and fitted with an Enve carbon fork, resulting in a impeccable performance machine. A modern road bike in design and style, with sloping top tube and double oversize tubing, the Lolo is a fast and responsive road racer that flies and feels great all day long.
Get yours and learn more at BreadwinnerCycles.com.
A new look inside.
Western Bikeworks is one of Portland’s largest bike shops. But the 10,000 square feet of their NW Lovejoy and 17th Avenue store was a bit overwhelming for some customers and a fresh layout was needed. According to Bicycle Retailer & Industry News, the shop hired a consultant and has completed a major update to the interior.
Here’s more from BRAIN:
The remodel included carving out a triathlon-specific zone to house tri apparel, accessories, wetsuits and a complete offering of tri bikes. The tri section is located right near the bike fit area, so that high-end triathletes can easily dial in their perfect bike fit. Western Bikeworks recently acquired rights to triathlon retailer The Athlete’s Lounge’s name and customer base after it closed in 2016.
“This was an exciting project for us to work on, as Portland has some of the best retail stores in the country. This shop suffered from many of the same challenges that typical shops deal with; confusing sightlines, overwhelming bike presentation, uninspiring apparel sections and lack of signage or graphics,” said 3 Dots Design owner Holly Wiese.
“I think customers will be very pleasantly surprised with the new vibe and layout of the store, and I’m confident that Western Bikeworks will start selling more product as well,” Wiese added.
As always, if you work in the local bike industry and have a story you’d like to share here (or even off the record, we do that too), please drop me a line. For more local, bite-sized bike news posts, browse our Industry Ticker archives.
— Jonathan Maus: (503) 706-8804, @jonathan_maus on Twitter and jonathan@bikeportland.org
BikePortland is supported by the community (that means you!). Please become a subscriber or make a donation today.
The post Industry Ticker: Norther’s Klickitat, limited edition Breadwinner, and Western Bikeworks big remodel appeared first on BikePortland.org.
Spring hiring season is sell underway at our local bike businesses. Get in on the action by perusing our freshest job listings.
Learn more about each one via the links below…
–> Bike Builder & Sales (E-Bikes) – Cynergy E-Bikes
–> New Inventory Coordinator – The Community Cycling Center
–> Assistant Manager – Western Bikeworks (Lovejoy)
For a complete list of available jobs, click here. These are paid listings. If you’d like to post a job, you can purchase a listing online by visiting our Job Listings page.
You can sign up for all the latest listings via RSS, email, or by following us on Twitter.
— Jonathan Maus: (503) 706-8804, @jonathan_maus on Twitter and jonathan@bikeportland.org
BikePortland is supported by the community (that means you!). Please become a subscriber or make a donation today.
The post Jobs of the Week: Community Cycling Center, Western Bikeworks, Cynergy E-Bikes appeared first on BikePortland.org.
Members sought for Multnomah County Bicycle and Pedestrian Citizen Advisory Committee
Multnomah County is seeking to fill at least one vacancy on its Bicycle and Pedestrian Citizen Advisory Committee with new members who live, work or recreate in Multnomah County. Preference will be given for applicants who live in east county or rural unincorporated areas. New members will serve a two-year term beginning July 1, 2017.
The committee advises the county on bicycle and pedestrian issues related to the county’s road system, which includes:
– Major collector and arterial roads in the cities of Fairview, Troutdale, and Wood Village
– Roads in unincorporated areas of Multnomah County including the West Hills, Sauvie Island, and areas east and west of the Sandy River
– Five Willamette River bridges in the City of Portland (Broadway, Burnside, Hawthorne, Morrison and Sellwood)Individuals who are interested in transportation issues affecting bicyclists, pedestrians and the disabled are encouraged to apply. The committee advises the county’s Transportation Division on matters that involve bicycle and pedestrian transportation, including project review and budget recommendations.
The committee meets on the second Wednesday of every month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., typically at the Multnomah Building at 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd. in Portland. Members are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners and serve a two-year term.
To apply, individuals need to fill out and submit an application form no later than Wednesday, May 24, 2017. Applications are available online at http://ift.tt/2qng1l6. To request a hard copy of the application form or for more information, contact Kate McQuillan at 503-988-0204 or katherine.mcquillan@multco.us.
The post Multnomah County seeks new members for bike/walk advisory committee appeared first on BikePortland.org.
Job Title *
Assistant Manager
Company/Organization *
Western Bikeworks- Lovejoy
Job Description *
Job Summary: This position act’s as a model for all staff below them of the Western Bikeworks Retail Mission: “Empowering people to achieve their bike-related goals in whatever form they may take.” As a result, this role is responsible for treating both their superiors and staff as customers: identifying their goals, finding solutions to help them achieve those goals, and owning their experience from first contact through the resolution of that goal. These must be the guiding principals for this position when completing all other essential duties and responsibilities. This position is also responsible for ensuring all staff they supervise understand and embody these principals when performing their job duties.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Bears primary responsibility for day-to-day operations
• Assists Sales Staff with exceeding customer expectations.
• Manages inventory, special order purchasing and reporting through the store POS system.
• Places appropriate special orders and ensures that all policies are followed for ordering and receiving small parts.
• Keeps track of and processes all paperwork and POS based receiving of special order and repair parts.
• Coordinates with Velotech’s marketing organization to facilitate promotions, sales, and special events.
• Assists Service Manager with processing warranties.
• Conducts rolling cycle counts to ensure inventory accuracy.
• Requests appropriate product so that the store has full size runs.
• Responsible for opening/closing the store when scheduled.
• Assists Store Manager in training staff on product selection, sales techniques, 3point5 and S-Tech on-line training, POS system.
• Reviews staff performance with Store Manager.
• Monitors daily store sales.
• Works with Store Manager to handle all anomalies that arise from the store operations.
• Coaches staff for policy and procedure violations, ensures that store runs to company policy in the absence of Store Manager.
• Assists with scheduling and processing/approval of time off requests.
• Acts as the public face of the store at Community Events when assigned.
• Is the second point of contact for alarm’s, and other crisis situations.
How to Apply *
Please apply by clicking on link below:
http://ift.tt/2qclpIK
The post Job: Assistant Manager – Western Bikeworks (Lovejoy) appeared first on BikePortland.org.
In 2015 it was just a wild idea by a few ambitious urban planning activists: What if we reconfigured Naito Parkway so that there was more room for biking and walking?
A protected place to walk and roll — at least for the next five months.
After years of being held hostage by the fumes and fear created by people speeding by in cars and trucks, people who wanted to travel through and/or enjoy Waterfront Park under their own power finally had room to breathe and to safely walk and roll.
The City of Portland liked the idea so much they allowed it to return a year later.
This morning, Better Naito took its biggest step yet: It opened as a project funded and implemented — not by an activist group with the City’s permission — but by the City itself. Using $350,000 (over five years) passed by City Council last year, the Portland Bureau of Transportation has taken the baton from Better Block PDX. The result is a project that has taken the project up a considerable notch (no offense to our friends at Better Block!).
At the launch event this morning a spokesman for the City called it, “Even Better Naito.”
Using 470 consistently-spaced plastic bollards that are neatly screwed into the pavement, the new lane looks much better than previous years. Starting just south of the Salmon Street Fountain, there’s now a physically protected lane that runs just over a mile all the way north to the condominiums past the Steel Bridge. Unknown to me before today, PBOT has also added the screw-in plastic bollards to the newly buffered bike lanes between NW Davis Street and Ironside Terrace (across the tracks from Union Station).
In addition to the bollards, here are the key elements of the project:
The screw-in bollards are a big improvement over traffic cones…
Design details like this matter a lot. Note how PBOT has ground away the bike lane symbol to maintain the curbside area as a walking-only zone…
I was very happy to see that PBOT has also extended the bollards to the existing (and permanent) bike lane north of Davis that connects to the Steel and Broadway Bridges. PBOT is now working on a project that will create a contra-flow bike lane between the Steel Bridge path and where Better Naito begins south of Davis…
At this morning’s launch event, PBOT Director Leah Treat said Better Naito is part of the City’s effort to “Encourage people to get out of their single-occupancy vehicles and bike and walk and take transit more,” during the busy summer construction project season. She also referred to the project as, “The largest temporary street transformation in the country” and said it’s the perfect companion to Portland’s busiest Biketown bike share station at Salmon and Naito.
The CEO of the Rose Festival Foundation, Jeff Curtis, said the new lane is, “A great enhancement to the waterfront.”
And Will Naito, the grandson of Bill Naito whom the street was named after following his death in 1996, wants to see it become permanent. “I ride here on my bike commute on a daily basis and I’m thrilled… hopefully this is the next step to getting this cycleway as a permanent part of our transportation infrastructure.”
“Hopefully this is the next step to getting this cycleway as a permanent part of our transportation infrastructure.”
— Will Naito, grandson of Bill Naito
“As I was riding in this morning through the Japanese American Historical Plaza,” Naito continued, “I thought about what this project would have meant to my grandfather and his legacy. I think he would have been very happy to see this evolution of transportation in our city.”
Like many evolutions and revolutions, things that now seem obvious were once considered outlandish. No one knows that better than Gwen Shaw. Now a professional transportation engineer with Toole Design Group, I first met Shaw in 2015. She was sitting on a curb on Naito with a clipboard and a pencil counting bicycle users and walkers on one of the first mornings of Better Naito. She was a student at Portland State University back then and worked closely with Better Block PDX. She was downright giddy this morning as she biked toward the press conference that would launch what was once a crazy idea into an official piece of infrastructure.
Speaking about the City of Portland during her remarks, Shaw said, “We pushed their limits a couple years ago and they’ve come back with endless support and structured opportunities to make projects like this happen all over the place. Seeing this project evolve and become what it is today has been amazing. Having PBOT take ownership and expand it further and seeing what we can do in the next five year is the most exciting thing.”
As you can imagine, not everyone will be excited for these changes. And you can bet City Hall is hearing their voices. It’s also worth noting that PBOT has a new commissioner. Former Commissioner Steve Novick was Better Naito’s biggest cheerleader (he literally jumped up and sang and cheered at last year’s launch); but new PBOT Commissioner Dan Saltzman might still need to be convinced of this project’s value and necessity. Please consider sharing what you think by sending an email to NaitoParkway@PortlandOregon.gov and/or leave voice message at (503) 823-4321. Online you should tag your social media feedback with #BetterNaito.
— Jonathan Maus: (503) 706-8804, @jonathan_maus on Twitter and jonathan@bikeportland.org
BikePortland is supported by the community (that means you!). Please become a subscriber or make a donation today.
The post With City’s embrace, an ‘Even Better Naito’ returns to the waterfront appeared first on BikePortland.org.
