Looking at all of the ways that people use cars, it is interesting to see how those needs can be met with alternative transportation. I’ve seen soups and salads delivered by bicycle, I’ve seen moving by bicycle but I think to get into the holiday spirit, it is nice to see festive trees being moved by bicycle. It is a fun brain exercise to image what else could be accomplished with human power as opposed to engines and traditional fuel-consuming vehicles.

Photo Courtesy of the Oregonian

• Tuesday, September 14 through Thursday, September 16, 5-7 PM or 4- 6 or 7PM
• Saturday, September 18 through Sunday, September 19, Noon- 2 PM

This survey and count is an effort to overcome one of the greatest challenges facing the bicycle and pedestrian field; the lack of documentation on usage and demand. This data is needed to increase investment in these fields. This nationwide effort will provide data for use by planners, governments, and bicycle and pedestrian professionals.

For more information about how to volunteer and help with this effort, go to the National Project Website.

Typical volunteer activities will include:

* A brief Volunteer Training

* A 2-3 hour traffic count and half hour of survey distribution

In Portland, you can volunteer by contacting April Bertelsen, Pedestrian Coordinator, 503-823-6177, april.bertelsen@portlandoregon.gov.

Sharrows in Richmond BC

Not only do bikers need to worry about being hit by cars while riding, but now research shows they have to worry about the tens of millions of toxic particles that fill their lungs on each breath. Researchers in Belgian used devices to count the particles that bicyclists encountered and the rate at which they breathed to determine that in a whole journey of biking, billions of toxic nanochemicals, emitted mostly by car tailpipes, will enter the bicyclists body.

And bikers beware, before you start thinking about wearing a mask to mitigate the damage these toxins do to your body, think again because nanoparticles are too small to be filtered out by such a basic device. Instead, Jonathan Hiskes suggests that planners be more aware of the dangers floating in the air to and create some better buffers with trees, parked cars, or something else that will keep a bulk of the nasty air away from their mouths.

This suggestion comes a little counter-point to the ideas of sharrows that are spreading quickly around the Northwest. Me, I’m not sure how to solve this issue – to separate vehicles and bikes or to integrate them into denser areas…that is the question.

[Via: Grist]
[Source: The U.K. Times]

Photo by Robb Kerr/AP Photo/2009 via the Oregonian website.

While perusing the Oregonian today, I noticed the Cascade Cycling Classic is starting up this week. It’s a six day race (Tuesday-Sunday) and is one of the longest running races in the nation! As someone who grew up riding their bicycle during summer vacations in the Bend area, I can totally see the appeal. I just didn’t realize everyone else in the nation knew how great it is over there!

<Full Article from the Oregonian>

Ghost Bike Memorials

New bike terms I hope to go viral:

Aggromuter – a combination of aggressive and commuter.  From Bike Portland was coined by Joe Doebele of local shop Joe Bike to describe a line of bikes he sells. Specifically, Joe says the Proletariat model from Portland-based bike brand, Stop Cycles is the bike for aggromuters (it caught my eye at the recent Pedal Nation Bike Show).

And “Policy Crush” from the same Bike Portland site — to mean to have an affinity for someone because you love their policy ideas. In common usage, the term has so far been mostly associated with NYC DOT’s Janette Sadik-Khan — the much-loved, bike-riding visionary who has spearheaded a transformation of public space in that formerly (but not as much now) car-choked metropolis.

Fit these into your conversations around the bike rack.

And one more form our Green Growth Terms “Ghost Bike”.  How many have heard of these?

Knitted bike rack in Portland

This was the rack I recently locked up to – conveniently located at one of my favorite yarn stores in Portland – Happy Knits.

It got me thinking about the way that we interact with our urban setting and how, some people try to make it more beautiful, soft, human, or other adjectives to fill a void that many city dwellers have. Enter Urban Knitting or Yarnbombing. You can see this local example on the bike rack, but there are even larger examples of this type of “graffiti” being used for social causes.

I like that this is a very non-offensive way to create a connection to place. For me, seeing this knitted bike rack, it was almost a friendly welcome mat. Inviting me to bike to the places around town that I love and to see them for a different perspective. I feel that way in general about biking – so it was a good reminder that slowing down (by knitting or biking) is a good way to reconnect with your city.

Photo: Engadget

When riding your bicycle to get around we know you’re doing your part in saving the environment, however do not forget to save yourself.

The more times you act-a-fool and bump your helmet, the less effective it becomes. So how will you know when it’s finally time for a replacement? This helmet from researchers at Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute will release gross smells every time you damage it. It will really make you think twice about being a pack-rat with your safety gear…

[Source: Engadget]

Miami Beach models make website glitches easier to bear

After clicking on an intriguing link about Hottie Bikers I stumbled upon this new public/private, revenue-sharing, bike-sharing program in Miami Beach.

It turns out the DecoBike is a relatively new start-up (made evident by a somewhat glitchy website) with a big goal. They have brought a bike-sharing into Miami Beach splitting revenue with The City of Miami Beach. Quite the public-private partnership if you ask me. There should be more of it around the US to promote more efficient sustainble solutions.

For this new program, simply pick up a DecoBike at any station and return it to any other DecoBike station with a vacant spot. Pretty easy but DISCLAIMER: you have to pay extra to rent a helmet. So don’t be cheap with your life. Wear a helmet.

DecoBike ad video with more Miami Beach hotties after the break.

Now for the main show:

Top posts for the past week:

1. The Next Cornelius Vanderbilt?

2. Seattle, Vancouver, and Portland Work Together for High-Speed Rail

3. A “Green” Walk in Bellevue’s Mercer Slough

Other magnificent posts during the week were (in order):

• Grafting trees – growing your own food
• Shape Magazine Ranks Portland Top 5 Fittest Cities!
• Cascadia Rail Week Highlights Cross-Border & Interstate Ties [Old News]
• Tegan Wants to Ride Her Bicycle: Part 1
• Smart Growth in 30 Seconds [Video]
• Father’s Day Special: 14 Green Gifts

1. I think my bike is too small. I believe my parents bought it for me when I was 12. Now, I haven’t grown much since then…maybe 2 inches? But when I pulled it out the other week, I really felt like the hand bars were WAY too close to my knees. But alas, until I can find a new one, I will be rocking the purple mountain trek.

2. I’m nervous. Portland is a pretty big bike mecca. I have a feeling it will be obvious that I am a newbie to the biking scene. This will probably be shown from my fear of the passing cars, slow speed, and really old school helmet. Also, what if I’m so out of shape I make it to my destination, but then don’t have the energy to get home?!

3. The weather. I enjoy riding my bike when it’s sunny. Preferably between 70 and 80 degrees. With a nice breeze. And if some birds could chirp, that would be much appreciated.

So that being said, I had planned my maiden voyage for this weekend. Saturday to be exact. Early enough that I could enjoy the crisp morning air, and still be home in time and showered to attend the Portland Saturday Market. But then I saw the weather report. RAIN!! 62 DEGREES!!

Dear Portland Weather:

I want to ride my bicycle. Please stop raining on my parade.

Yours, Tegan.

Note: Picture courtesy of Toys R Us.
2nd Note: Not an actual photo of my bike, but still cute.