Sunday Parkways "Ciclovía" in Portland

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PORTLAND, Ore. - It's taken me way too long to post this great video by Clarence Eckerson, Jr. of Streetfilms.org. There so many bikey friends, from Aaron Tarfman and his transportation trike, Linda, Timo, and Coach Dan with the 411, and Jonathan Maus Channeling Gil Peñalosa and so many smiles from young and old.

Portland's first Sunday Parkways was a huge success with tens of thousands of Portlanders converging on the North Portland streets, parks and sidewalks. Don't be surprised if this kind of event, originally started in Bogotá, becomes a mainstay all over the world.

Here is the write up from Streetsblog:

Despite a very dreary and damp first half of the day, Portland's first Ciclovia-style street closure, Sunday Parkways, was a smashing success with countless thousands of city residents participating. It was like a giant community block party with walkers, bikers, joggers, bladers, families, and pets filling the 6 mile course.

There were plenty of fun activities in four northeast parks that were linked by the circuit, which was opened to bikes and pedestrian traffic only from 8 AM to 2 PM. For cities planning their own Ciclovias, here are some things I liked about Portland's event: knowledgeable volunteers, lots of fun chalk messages on the ground, easy to follow directions, lots of music & entertainment, and a huge number of bike stations for bike repair.

If you want more Sunday Parkways be sure to let people know.

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Get Behind the Bike Box

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WATCH HIGHER RESOLUTION
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This video is not intended to be viewed by children and the language is foul.

PORTLAND, OR - There have been a lot of bike box videos uploaded to The internets latley. But how are bike boxes being recieved by your average Joes?

Well, I got my hands on some footage a couple jokers shot right down on Hawthorne Blvd. by the liquor store. I think I know who the biker chick is but I won't name names.

Anyway, this once again proves that Portland is much more fun because of bicyclists.

My advice to the bike box curious: get a bike and get busy in the bike box.

 

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Depaving Day at Carfree Conference

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From Streetfilms.org
PORTLAND, Ore. - The Towards Carfree Cities VIII kicked off Monday in Portland, Oregon with an exciting community event. Hundreds of conference participants helped break and remove asphalt from a 3000 square foot parking lot. Depave.org is the mastermind behind the Fargo Garden Project. They promote the removal of unnecessary concrete and asphalt from urban areas. Depave.org will continue to work with Goldsmith Properties to transform this now asphalt-free site into a community greenspace. Once completed, the site will be used to educate the public about pavement removal and storm water drainage management. Notice an example of Depave's work in this video at founder Arif Khan's house.
Music by Reptet and Dreamtime Stilters.


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Live Webcast at the Carfree Conference Public Day

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We'll be live all day today 9-5pm at the Carfree conference http://carfreeportland.org. It's public day so come on down and check it out. You can also watch it here live (see below and be sure your browers is opened fully. If you have any trouble visit http://stickam.com/carfree. You can also get the schedule for the rest of the week there.




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Carfree Conference Starts With Pavement Wrecking

WATCH IT HERE LIVE at 10 AM

Please be patient while this loads. Also open browser large enough to view video conference. If you have any trouble try CarfeePortland.orgPORTLAND, Ore. - The Carfree Conference Starts today and we're going to start by tearing up some asphalt and turning into a greenspace. Watch it here live at around 10AM.


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Do What I Like at the Carfree Conference

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PORTLAND, Ore. - The International Carfree Conference is coming to to town so I wrote a song called "Do What I Like".

Plus CrankMyChain! is going to be live webcasting from the conference so check the live feed here or at carfreeportland.org.

Check out the schedule and the feed at stickam.com/carfree.

The Towards Carfree Cities conference series brings together people from around the world who work to promote practical alternatives to car dependence. The conference attracts professionals, advocates, and community leaders who focus on the creation of sustainable transportation systems and on the transformation of cities, towns, and villages into human-scaled environments rich in public space and community life. The fundamental role of the conference is to share knowledge and assist the practical work of conference participants, whether it be organizing community events, promoting urban cycling, or building the carfree cities of the future.To learn more, contact the conference team at http://www.carfreeportland.org

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Bike2Oz - The Home Stretch - Ep. 12 & 13

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After a week on a cargo ship, the epic bicycle journey from England nears and end. Australia looms and with it Lowannas family. Only 2 weeks to cycle down from Brisbane to the finale in Sydney.


Click to play Episdoe 13
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The cyclists on the final leg of the epic adventure. Heading down South along the coast of Australia. Past kangaroos to finish at the Heart of Sydney.

Bike2Oz was produced by Undercurrents find out more about Bike2Oz here.

I hope you enjoyed this video series as much as I did. This is exactly the type of independent cycling related movie I was hoping to find when I started CrankMyChain.TV almost two years ago. Do you have an adventure in mind? What's stopping you?


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Brooklyn to Manhattan Commuter Race

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From StreetFilms.org
NEW YORK, NY - Transportation Alternatives held its 7th annual Commuter Challenge pitting cyclist, driver, and bus/subway rider in the ultimate showdown of which mode of travel can be quickest (and cheapest!)

In the end, the bike proved swiftest over the 4.5 mile course which began in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene and ended in Manhattan’s Union Square. Jamie Favaro rolled up in just over 16 minutes and took home the gold and a bouquet of flowers for her efforts. Driver, Emmanuel Fuentebella (22 minutes) parked his car and sprinted to a surprise second place finish. Shortly after, disappointed MTA rider April Greene came in last at 29 minutes. But, as Wiley Norvell noted at the finish line, Transportation Alternatives also measured the carbon footprint of all the the riders and Greene came in a close second behind the cyclist.




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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.

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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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National Bike To Work Day

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USA - So I got called from the StreetFilms folks to help with Friday's National Bike to Work Day video. They wanted video from cities all over the country. Only problem was, Portland was not celebrating National Bike to Work day. Don't know why.

But hey, every day is bike to work day in Portland. So I thought I'd strap and electronic gong to the back of the Disco Trike and ride in to see if I could find any bike commuters who liked to bang gongs and eat donuts.

My contribution to the video above is at the end after SF, Austin, and NYC represent. I feel I did my part in keeping Portland weird. Also, here is the 10-minute rough-cut version from my Friday morning adventure.

More info from StreetFilms

The League of American Bicyclists started Bike-to-Work Day in 1956 as a part of National Bike-to-Work Week, which in some cities has turned into Bike Month.

Bike-to-Work Day is an annual event that promotes and celebrates the bicycle as a viable mode of transportation. On Bike-to-Work Day, national, regional, and local bicycle advocacy groups often organize bicycle-related events.

Today’s Streetfilm features Bike-to-Work Day in Austin, San Francisco, New York City and Portland, Oregon.

If you haven’t already, check out the streetsblog open thread from Friday. And, contact us if you would like to participate in next year’s NBTWD film!

This video was produced by Elizabeth Press for StreetFilms
with help from
John Hamilton -SF
Dan Kaufman (me) - PDX
Brent Perdue - Austin
Carly Clark
Ali Qadeer
Elleinad

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OneMillionBicycles.org Kick Off Video

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USA- The Revolution Will Not Be Motorized!

That's the rallying cry for OneMillionBicycles.org, a movment to give away a million bicycles, gain a million new bike commuters nationally and put pressure on congress to double transportation funding for bicycles. The main event is planned for August 9, 2009.

Oregon congressman and Bicycle Caucus member, Earl Blumenauer, helped inspire author and activist Joe "Metal Cowboy" Kurmaskie to spearhead this movment.

In this video Kurmaskie briefly outlines the project and calls on viewers to join by registering at OneMillionBicycles.org and commiting to give a new or used bicycle and/or bringing in a new or returning rider.

One Million Bicycles is not a militant or anti-car movement but it is pro-bicycle. It's encouraging folks to drive less to help create a nation that is cleaner, healthier, and less dependent on fossil fuels.

Anyone who does not already have a bike is eligible to get one by completing a giveaway application and committing to ride a certain number of times per week to work, school, errands, and document their experiences via a onemiliionbicycles blog, newsletter, press releases, letters, photos, stories, etc.

If you are a supporter of CrankMyChain! Cycle TV be sure to sign up right now for this exciting rally and revolution.

Music by Michael A. Whipple.


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Portland Goes Platinum

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PORTLAND, OR - Local advocates, planners, and politicians have worked hard to get Portland to meet the League of American Bicyclists "Platinum" Designation. Davis California was the first City to meet this designation but Portland is the first large city to win the award.

Of course there is a lot more to do to make Portland a better, safer place to ride but there has been huge strides made in just the last two decades and this award recognizes that dedication and results.

But, the bar to attain Platinum will be continually raised so the City can't rest on it's laurels. Can Portland go double platinum?

This video was produced by The Oregonian Newspaper.

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Bicycle Frame Art at PDX Celebrates Home Grown Bicycle Industry

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PORTLAND, OR - If you have Airline ticket either into or out of Portland International Airport (PDX) then be sure to check out Exhibit of Handmade Bicycles showing through October 2008.

The exhibit, local frame builders are highlighted in this Portland Development Commission (PDC) video is by John Cardenas. Alta Planning + Design and BikePortland.org also weigh in on this blossoming industry which is helping earn Portland, Oregon the title of "Detroit of the Bicycle Industry".

It's great to see the PDC get behind this effort that really seems to be paying off.

More information available at BikePortland.org.


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Put The Fun Between Your Legs: Women Who Ride Bikes

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ORLANDO, Fla. - Two young women share their love of bicycles in words, song, and pictures.

It's nice to see the bicycle tide is rising all around the nation.


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Watch and Take the Awareness Test

TAKE THE TEST

Take the awareness test and let me know what you think but don't give it away.

This was put together by Transport for London as a part of the look out for cyclists campaign.

YouTube Version



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Bike To Oz - Episode 1

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UK - Hooray for the heroic adventure. It's exactly what Kevin and Lowanna have embarked on, a 10,000 mile journey from England to Australia by bicycle.

The best part is that they are video blogging their story from the roads, deserts, and woodlands and mountains of UK, Europe, Pakistan, India, Iran, Malaysia and finally Australia.

Part of the reason for this epic journey is to raise attention to global warming and over dependence on fossil fuels. Find out more at www.bike2oz.com.

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Make a Difference Ride More Bikes

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