Category: Local

Gold Celebration (number one)

Posted on by RideCoordinator

Today was the official city PR event and announcement of Eugene’s Gold award from the League of American Bicyclists. Tomorrow there is a “Happy Hour” Celebration at Arriving by Bike at 27th & Willamette from 6-7PM.

At todays event Mayor Kitty Piercy, Transportation planner David Roth, and GEARs President Paul Adkins all spoke on the importance of the award, not only as a recognition of what we have accomplished but also what we still have to work towards. Following is some media coverage, part of Paul’s speech and a couple photos. Continue reading “Gold Celebration (number one)” →

A New Bike Box….Or is it?

Posted on by RideCoordinator

One of the countries original bike boxes got it’s start right here in Eugene.  However, if you’ve ridden by it in the past few years it’s easy to see how you might have missed it.  The bike symbols and stop bar paint had long ago worn off, though the “Stop Here on Red” signed remained and compliance by motor vehicle drivers was pretty decent considering.  However, most cyclists when asked about it had no idea it was there or what it was.

Eugene's Bike Box (Pre-Paint Job)
Eugene's Bike Box (Pre-Paint Job)

The main reason for this bike box is different than other boxes installed in other cities. It is meant to aid cyclists in their move from the left side bike lane to the right side bike lane. Between 7th (this intersection) and 6th there are bike lanes on both sides for a short distance but you need to move to the right to continue through past 6th (and on down to the river). Most bike boxes are meant to help in the prevention of “right hooks” and to give cyclists visibility and a slight advanced start.

The great news is that this bike box has been repainted!

The new and "improved" bike box.
The new and "improved" bike box.

The not so great news is that despite encouragement from GEARs and advice from the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) it’s not quite up to snuff with other bike boxes in Portland and New York.  It lacks the green paint that other communities have already found effective.  By not painting the box green the city has shown a lack of forward thinking and a vision of creating a safe and comfortable environment for cyclists. Continue reading “A New Bike Box….Or is it?” →

Have You Had a Bike Crash?

Posted on by Paul Adkins

Now is your chance to learn more about your rights and responsibilities as a bike rider. On September 24th, 6:30pm-8:00pm at The Atrium Building (Sloat Room), Olive & 10th, Derek Johnson, of Johnson, Clifton, Larson & Schaller P.C., will present and answer questions relating to civil justice, insurance, and liability associated with bike crashes.

It is your chance to ask questions like: “Do I need to get the name and phone number of the guy that pulled right into me while I was riding down…?” or “Am I liable for hit and run if I run into a pedestrian and leave the scene without talking to them?” Your questions are probably something that we all want to know and this is the night to learn — for free. So, grab your biking friends and bring them to the GEARs legal clinic, this Thursday evening. Bring your headlights too.

Empower yourself and attend. Free to the public.

Eugene Celebrates 111th Anniversary of Bike Lights Parade of July 4, 1898

Posted on by Paul Adkins

Greater Eugene Areas Riders (GEARs), Eugene Celebration, and the City of Eugene present the 3rd Annual Bike Lights Parade on Saturday September 5th. This year is also the 111th Anniversary of the first “Illuminated Parade” held on July 4, 1898 in which 300 bicyclists (or ‘wheelmen’ in those days) decorated and lit their bikes with lanterns.

Eugene, Oregon – August 7, 2009 – Started three years ago to promote safe night riding by using appropriate lighting, this parade turned out to be enormous fun with more than 150 bikes going all out to light up the night. The Bike Lights Parade has become a popular feature of Eugene Celebration, the annual downtown music, arts and sustainability extravaganza.

This year we will be offering 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes for the categories of “Best Illuminated and Best Decorated Vehicles.” Gift certificates donated by local bike shops in the amounts of $122.59, $73.55, and $49.01 will be awarded in each category this year to reflect the 1898 prizes of $5, $3, and $2 – adjusted for inflation. All human powered vehicles are welcome to participate. Those officially registering for the parade will receive numbers and be eligible for prizes.

Eugene Celebration admission bracelets, and/or parade registrations can be purchased online. All proceeds from sales through the GEARs website will be used to support Bicycle Safety Education courses in local elementary and middle schools.

Eugene Celebration admission and Bike Lights Parade registration HERE.

Bike Day wrap-up & Meet in the Street Meeting

Posted on by RideCoordinator

The GEARs table was hopping at Bike Day with the main focus being the Flat Tire Fix-Off. Folks stopped by to see how fast they could change a flat. The top three finishers took the stage at the end of the day and to make it more exciting they competed blind folded!
Paul (GEARs President) stomped the competition by changing the flat in just over 2 minutes. David Roth, from the City of Eugene Transportation Planning department came in second, and Andrew from Paul’s Bicycle Way of Life came in third.
There were a lot more great events and items to wrap-up but for now I’ll pass on some links to some photos and videos from various Bike Day participants and also pass on the word that a Meet in the Street meeting is happening tonight.

Flickr set of Bike Day from Katura
and
YouTube videos of Bike Day from Katura

Here’s the latest from Heidi on MITS:

Meet in the Street is moving along in it’s organization. We have a
date (10/4), a time (8 am -2 pm), a route, and a nearly complete
budget (about $20k), an approved parks permit, dialogue with the
university, outreach to the Whiteaker neighborhood, and more.

We’ll meet on Monday evening to finalize some more details and move
the event organizing along. Hot topic is the deadline to meet
sponsorship application with Point2Point. And discuss the event
theme…how do folks feel about Makin a Splash (in case it’s rainy
that day)? Of course we’d like it to be hugely successful. 🙂

Please come help! Monday evening (6/15) at Keystone Cafe from 7-8
pm…we’d love to see you there.

Thanks!
Heidi

Position on "Idaho Stop" Bill, Change in Meeting Time, & Call to Action!

Posted on by RideCoordinator

The GEARs Board met yesterday afternoon and came to agreement that as an organization GEARs supports HB2690, otherwise known as the “Idaho Stop Bill” that would allow cyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs.

The April 13th GEARs Meeting has also been rescheduled to allow Board and general members to make public comments about the cities position at the April 13 City Council Meeting. The new meeting will be held on April 27th at 7:00 pm at the Keystone.

Background:
A letter was written (download PDF) by the city’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator on behalf of the Inter-Governmental Relations Committee (IGR) without consulting the Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) or the bike community at large. In that letter the City stated it’s position as opposing the bill. Because of the reaction from the bike community to that letter the IGR (made up of three city council members) re-evaluated their position and two members changed from “Oppose” to “Neutral”. Because it was no longer unanimous it automatically goes to the full City Council for a vote to support, oppose, or be neutral on the bill. And that is where GEARs members come in.

A CALL TO ACTION:
GEARs members are encouraged to attend the City Council Meeting and share your opinion on the Bill and/or the city’s process in developing their position. They are reconsidering the City’s position and will likely be voting that night. Time for public comment is at the beginning of the meeting- Monday, April 13th at 7:30 p.m. Get there early to sign in. There will also be a lot of skateboarders there to support the new Washington/Jefferson Park so it will be a great show of Active Transportation modes- we’ll be taking over and letting the Council know that we want to see change in priorities to more healthy, safe, and sustainable transportation options and we want the City to communicate with us!

The BPAC will also be discussing this issue and taking a position at their meeting this evening- 5:30 p.m., Atrium Building, Sloat Room.

And finally, there was a Guest Viewpoint in todays Register Guard from our Vice-President, Jay Klein.