Meet A.U.T.O Lobbyist Veronica Moss

New York City, NY - This is Jonathan's Maus (bikeportland.org) wayward sister who changed the spelling of her name and moved to New York City. They have not spoken for years.

Idaho 'Rolling' Stops for Bicycles in Oregon

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Animation by Spencer Boomhower.

The Oregon Legislature is considering passage of a law that would allow bicycle riders to treat stop signs as yield signs. These "rolling stops" would allow bike riders to preserve some of the momentum they depend upon for efficient travel, just so long as they don't infringe on the safety and rights of others.

The law is based on one that's been successful in Idaho for the last 27 years, so it's come to be known as the "Idaho Stop" law.

There's some controversy - and whole lot of misunderstanding - surrounding the proposed Idaho Stop law. Spencer Boomhower does a great job helping clear thing up with the magic of animation.

Music: "Celebrated Shoo Fly Galop" by W.L. Hayden, performed by Lucas Gonze (soupgreens.com and gonze.com). Used under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 license.

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Have We Got a Bridge to Sell You! - BSN HACKED!

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In our third snippet from the Bridge Shopping Network things go “all-CSPAN” as the show is hacked live into the Joe Cortright’s formal testimony at the Jan 29th Portland City Council meeting on the Columbia River Crossing (CRC). It's surely not what the BS Network hosts have in mind, as things become wonky and counter-productive to their sales pitch. Toward the end of the video hack, Cortright is questioned by Portland City Commissioner Randy Leonard.

Ride you bike to this Sunday’s Citizen’s Opposition and Alternatives Rally 12-noon at Tom McCall Waterfront Park Near the Morrison Bridge. Semi-Organized Rides to the rally are posted here. Find out more at smarterbridge.org. You can also stay up to date at bikeportland.org.

See you Sunday!


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Have We Got a Bridge to Sell You! "The CRC Cures Cancer"

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"Cures Cancer" is the second in a series of spoofs by the Bridge Shopping Network (BSN) made to promote the Citizen's Opposition and Alternatives to the Columbia River Crossing (CRC) rally, which is being held noon Sunday, April 5th at the Tom McCall Waterfront Park (north of the Hawthorne Bridge). To find out more about the Columbia River Crossing and see better alternatives see smarterbridge.org. The video was produced by Dan Kaufman crankmychain.com and Joe 'Metal Cowboy' Kurmaskie metalcowboy.com.

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Have We Got a Bridge to Sell You! - The Columbia River Crossing

Building Like it's 1959 is the first in a series of spoofs by the Bridge Shopping Network (BSN) made to promote the Citizen's Opposition and Alternatives to the Columbia River Crossing (CRC) rally, which is being held noon Sunday, April 5th at the Tom McCall Waterfront Park (north of the Hawthorne Bridge).

To find out more about the Columbia River Crossing and see better alternatives see SmarterBridge.org

The video was produced by Dan Kaufman-CrankMyChain.tv and Joe 'Metal Cowboy' Kurmaskie-metalcowboy.com .

Formats available: MPEG4 Video (.mp4)

Whatever Happened to Critical Mass in Portland

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A Post-Critical Mass Portland: Living in a Post-Revolutionary Bicycle Age from Joe Biel on Vimeo.

What does it mean that Portland, one of the best North American cities for cycling, has virtually no Critical Mass? Is it no longer relevant in the evolution of cyclists or has the police crackdown just been so successful? What are the new goals of cyclists?

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Across the Land - Yes We Can!

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This is a song inspired by President Obama's inauguration speech. It's bit hokey but I had to get it off my chest. Music by Dan Kaufman.

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Rep. Boehner Thinks American Families Hate Bike Paths

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Excerpt of Representative John Boehner (R-Ohio) from "Face the Nation" - 1/11/09
See more on the story at BikePortland.org
http://bikeportland.org/2009/01/12/rep-john-boehner-widen-highways-for-american-families/
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You Can't Fool All the People All the Time

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I wrote this song in the darkest days of Republican scorched-earth domination.

Abraham Lincoln's wise words were finally shown true last night with the overwhelming support of the American people for Barack Obama.

I hope I never hear the term "real Americans" or red state/blue state again.

My hope is that our leaders have moved away from the deceptive and divisive politics of the Bush era.

But if they don't, well "you can't fool all the people all the time".

Video and Music by Dan Kaufman



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GOP Mocks Bicycling and Walking

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The National Republican Congressional Committee funded this attack ad against 3rd District Pennsylvania Democratic contender, Kathy Dahlkemper.

They think she is asking Americans to sacrifice too much by walking and biking more. They call her out for opposing the GOP red herrings of gas tax reduction and offshore drilling.

Informed voters know that neither domestic drilling nor gas tax reduction will have an impact on gas prices or American dependency on foreign dictatorships.

Oil companies are already making record profits and they will be happy to sit on domestic oil reserves until they need them (as they are currently doing). They will also be happy to take the extra profit a reduction in gas taxes would bring.

It seems to me this attack ad will backfire. See the original ad here:

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Obama in Portland: Invest in Bicycle Infrastructure

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PORTLAND, OR - To a crowd of 75,000 at Tom McCall Waterfront Park in Portland Oregon, Presidential hopeful Barack Obama called for the nation to get serious about it's energy issues and model Portland's investment in Bicycles and Alternate means of transportation.

Of course this seems an obvious solution to cycling advocates but with all the talk from the candidates there has been little mention of bicycles and specifically investment in bicycle infrastructure.

Here is the full quote:

"If we are going to solve our energy problems we have to think long term. It's time to be serious about investing in alternative energy. It's time to be serious about raising fuel efficiency standards in our cars. It's time for our entire country to learn from what's happening right here in Portland with mass transit and bicycle lanes and funding alternative means of transportation. That's the kind of solution we need for America..." this was greeted by some of the loudest applause of his speech.

-----

CrankMyChain! Cycle TV endorses Barack Obama for President, Sam Adams for Mayor of Portland and Chris Smith for Commissioner.

Today is the last day for Oregonians to drop off their ballots for the Primary election.


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Transportation Equality Press Conference and Speeches

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PORTLAND, Ore.- Transportation activists gathered Friday to speak at a press conference promoting a Sautrday rally for transportation equality. The event was organized by Eleanor Blue and hosted by Jonathan Maus. Speakers included attorneys Bob Mionske and Ray Thomas, activists Scott Bricker, Jessica Roberts, Ellen Vanderslice, and author Joe Kurmaskie who also hosted the rally Saturday.

Dozens including reporters from OPB, KEX, KPAM, KGW and many other attened the press conference, which in turn drew hundreds to the rally.

My camera and microphone were too far from the speakers at Saturday's rally so I do not have good coverage of that event and the great speeches.

Filmmaker Vincent Caldoni was able to capture some footage of a few of the speeches and posted them as part of a great article at the Portland Mercury and YouTube.

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Tags: bicycle, transportation, equality, rally

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Rep. McHenry Blasts Bicycles

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WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Patrick McHenry argues that promoting bicycles to help solve our energy crisis is naive and ridiculous. To me, he ends up coming across as a foolish tool.

Thanks to Jonathan Maus of BikePortland.org for catching this story. Read more about it and a lively discussion at his blog.

Let your congressperson know how you feel about bicycles as part of our nation's energy plan.

Patrick McHenry is a Republican who serves the 10th district or North Carolina in the United States Congress.

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Portland Cyclists Rally for Bike Master Plan

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Report by Jonathan Maus of BikePortland.org
PORTLAND, OR - Nearly 200 cyclists, well over twice the usual amount, joined city bike coordinator Roger Geller on his Bike Master Plan Ride last night. Riders of all stripes came out to show support for the embattled Master Plan, which Mayor Potter recently decided to cut from his proposed budget.
As expected, Transportation Commissioner Sam Adams, flanked by his policy analyst Roland Chlapowski and his Chief of Staff Tom Miller, made an appearance. During interviews with the various media outlets he said,

“I just think that this (the Bike Master Plan) is more important than some of the other items proposed in the Mayor’s proposed budget…It’s absolutely critical that we continue to be a leader in bike mobility and that comes by having a good plan…Bikes have never been more important to the mobility of this city. It’s an affordable way to get around; in some cases, it’s the most reliable way to get between two places; it’s good for your health; you burn fat instead of oil; and it’s good for the environment.

The Bike Master Plan allows us to develop a bike system, not just do it piecemeal, but develop a system…As transportation commissioner I have a responsibility to get people around the city safely and bikes are a key part of my strategy. I think you can argue that we don’t spend enough money on bikes, not that we need to cut back on our spending.”

After Adams’ remarks and brief words from Roger Geller, the ride began amid the chaotic cacophony of May Day Parade revelers, which passed by Terry Schrunk Plaza right as we rolled out. After a quick loop around the South Park Blocks, we made our way over the Willamette River (via the Hawthorne Bridge), up the Eastbank Esplanade, and onward through North Portland.

As we made our way to our destination (Kenton Park), we experienced a diverse array of bikeways and environments;
Bike Master Plan Ride #4

* We rode through the innovative, bike-only “scramble” signal near the Rose Garden Arena,
* worked the sometimes tricky connection from Weidler to N. Williams,
* enjoyed the serenity of residential streets near N. Ainsworth,
* got a first-hand look at the new bike/ped refuge medias at N. Portland and Willamette Blvd.,
* shared a narrow bike lane with fast-moving motorists on N. Willamette near the University of Portland,
* basked in the bucolic splendor and spring time aromas of the Peninsula Crossing Trail,
* pedaled over the bike/ped bridge over the Columbia Slough,
Bike Master Plan Ride #4
* rode next to nature along the Columbia Slough Trail while huge packs of lycra-clad racers careened through corners at Portland International Raceway,
* and finally, we passed by Paul Bunyan at the entrance to up-and-coming Kenton.

I talked to several people on the ride (unfortunately I can’t use the audio due to excessive wind noise), and they all expressed a deep concern about the Mayor’s decision to cut funding for the plan.

Dave Sohigian was there with his wife and two kids. They live in Lair Hill, just south of Portland and as a carfree family, the continued improvement of Portland’s bikeway network is very important to them. Another women I spoke to said she moved to Portland (from Ohio) in large part because of it’s bike-friendly reputation and she wants to see that continue.

Shamus Lynskey of St. Johns towed his young daughter along and said he has a vested interest in improving bikeway connections from that area to downtown. BTA volunteer Lee Hoffman lives in Tanasbourne and came out to show his support for the Master Plan.

Once at Kenton Park, we re-assembled, filled out comment forms had a Q and A session with Roger Geller. It was a constructive, informative discussion that brought up a wide range of topics; from the potential of a bike-only lane on the Hawthorne Bridge (Geller said bikes were 16% of the total trips last summer), to problems with the new bike/ped refuge island at N. Willamette and Portland.

It was inspiring to see both the large showing of support for the Bike Master Plan, and the high level of concern and engagement for improving the bikeway network.

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Driving Test

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Any Town, USA -
Take a driving test. What is your reaction?
Video Produced by Steev Hise. Thanks for the test, Steev!

Now is the time for Progessive Cyclists to Act

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ANYWHERE, USA -- Congratulations, our nation has moved away from toxic one-party rule. George Bush today is calling for energy independence for national security reasons. I couldn't agree more and what better way to achieve that then on a bicycle. Bush is also a cyclist. Perhaps we can convince him to pay more then just lip service and build a National Bikeway System.

This is not bike related, but we must also repeal the recently adopted Military Commissions Act, which does away with Habeas Corpus. Tell your representatives in DC that the reversal of this is essential to our liberty!

Let's enjoy this victory of democracy and use the momentum to pedal towards to better tomorrow.

Bike to the Polling Place

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ANYWHERE, USA - Tell all your bikey friends to GET OUT AND VOTE. If they need an inspriational song have them watch this video.

Bike to The Polling Place By Dan Kaufman

CrankMyChain! Voters Guide
Portland Metro
Yes on 26-80

State Ballot Measures
If in Doubt: VOTE NO

Representatives
If in Doubt: VOTE DEMOCRAT