A story ran on KVAL last night:
Also, BikePortland.org ran a story last year that talks about the difference between colored and non-colored bike boxes. “With Bike Boxes, Color is the Key”
News
A New Bike Box….Or is it?
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.
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 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?
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.
First Section of Amazon Path Reopened!
This just in- the first section of the Amazon Path, from 30th to 24th is finished!
The City expects the section from 24th to 30th to be finished by the end of next week.
Speaking of paths. Here is an email that was sent out to the GEARs google group but is worth reposting here. Write a letter to City staff regarding access to the Ribbon Trail:
The new Ribbon Trail (http://www.lcmba.org/) that we wrote about in the last issue of the GEARs Newsletter is already being threatened. After hearing concern from Hendricks Hill Neighbors the City is thinking that they will not allow bikes on the new Ribbon Trail.
So, before this becomes reality, lets write to Phillip Richardson <PHILIP.S.RICHARDSON@ci.eugene.or.us> and Neil Bjorklund <Neil.H.BJORKLUND@ci.eugene.or.us> and copy:louieswing@gmail.com
And let them know about your sense of the value of this trail as a bicycle connection that really works.
Dear Phillip Richardson,
I want to share with you my sense of the importance of allowing bicycle use on the new Ribbon Trail.
The Ribbon Trail is a key connection in getting safely up and over the hill toward LCC on my bike. As a father of 4 young kids that searches out places where riding is safe from faster car traffic, I feel that the Ribbon Trail makes a valuable connection from one part of town to another. One that is both fun and safe.
To limit this trail to pedestrians only would be making a big mistake, truly making it more difficult for families and students to choose to travel by human power. In this time, we need to be making changes the other way – always looking to make the choice easier to go by bike….
Eugene Celebrates 111th Anniversary of Bike Lights Parade of July 4, 1898
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.
Crash on Monday is Fatal
Another cyclist has died on our city streets. Marcellus Tryk, 47, also known as Donald Tryk, was listed in critical condition at RiverBend Hospital on Monday but according to a story by KVAL he died yesterday at the hospital.
I have only found the one news story about it. I have a call into the police department to try to find out more. If anyone has more information please share it with me so we can get the information out.
Here’s the story as reported on KVAL.
——-
**UPDATE- I just got a call from the police department and the investigation is still open and they can’t release many details.
I did find out that the crash occured near 339 W. 17th (just west of Lincoln St- near Cornucopia) and that when responding the officer found no damage to the car or bicycle involved and that there were no witnesses. Because of that it sounds to me like they are not investigating too much more. Now that he has died that may change but now that one of the most important witnesses is no longer here to tell us what happened I hope that we as a bike community can help to make sure that his case is fully and fairly investigated. If he was startled by an opening car door then an investigation needs to be done into whether the motorist violated ORS 811.490 which prohibits opening a car door unless it is “reasonably safe to do so.”
Just a few weeks ago a cyclist in Portland filed a lawsuit against a driver for a dooring (information from lawyer Ray Thomas on “dooring” is linked to in the article as well).