Help shape the "state of riding" in the Portland area

MisterEd · 03-14-2006, 10:39 PM

This is being passed around tonight to any and all Portland/Vancouver area motorcyclists - have a read...

>>>From Patrick Leyshock of the Sang Froid Riding Club and Norton Motorcycles<<<

Over the last year, the SFRC has been working with the City of Portland as well as local riders Courtney Olive and Heather Knight, on improving the "state of riding" within the city. We're happy to present the first fruit of our efforts! Please closely review the information release below, paying special attention to the rider survey (link included). It's very important that the city see a good turnout for this online survey, so please take a few minutes to complete the form, then forward the link to other riders!

There is more stuff in the works, and if you're interested in getting involved (realizing that it may be some time until then) - please drop a line.

Again, details below.

Thanks,

Patrick Leyshock, SFRC

-------------

Remember the Motorcycle/Scooter community forum with City Commissioner Sam Adams that took place in March of 2005?
Well, City government is taking some significant first steps in response to concerns raised at that forum and is reaching out to the local Motorcycle/Scooter community.

Specifically, the City of Portland has today launched a website entitled "Resources For Using a Motorcycle/Scooter in Portland". In conjunction with the website, the City is conducting an online survey of motorcycle/scooter owners and riders; the survey will be open until 7/28/06. First, some info about the website:

I. The site will be incorporated within the Portland Office of Transportation’s main site; the address is:

http://www.portlandonline.com/transportation/index.cfm?c=40219

II. Highlights of the site

1. A detailed FAQ section.

Through these FAQs the City addresses parking-related questions; remember how many of those came up during the Motorcycle/Scooter community forum? For instance, YES it is legal for motorcycles/scooters to share a space with each other or with a car, as long as all vehicles have properly paid. The FAQs also cover such things as licensing requirements, safety tips, rider resources, and information on why Portland cares about the Motorcycle/Scooter community.

2. An interactive map of the City’s dedicated motorcycle/scooter parking locations, as well as a spreadsheet list of the locations. More spaces are popping up all the time!

3. Information on SmartPark resources for motorcycles/scooters. For instance, did you know it costs just $30 for monthly parking of a motorcycle/scooter in any SmartPark facility?

4. A link to the survey (discussed in detail below).

III. Please note that the site is a work in progress. Various improvements (such as to the map of parking spaces) are already planned, and the Office of Transportation is happy to take your questions, comments, or suggestions about adding info to the website or changing what is already there. Simply email the Office of Transportation at: 823park@pdxtrans.org

Now, some info about the survey, located at: http://www.zoomerang.com/recipient/s...WEB224S6YFK8PE

I. Through this survey, the city hopes to gather information to better serve the local motorcycle/scooter community.

II. The survey is an opportunity for members of the motorcycle/scooter community to let the City know how significant our community is, and to help City officials better incorporate motorcycles and scooters into Portland’s overall transportation plan. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey and encourage fellow riders to as well - we want the City to have data that motivates them to work with us!

III. As with any survey, the more precise the information the more useful the results will be - so please answer accurately. Also, the City will monitor survey submissions so be sure to submit only one survey per person!

IV. The survey will be open only until Friday, July 28, 2006, so be sure to fill it out before then!

jmetteer · 03-15-2006, 10:58 AM

Survey done...

Later,

CountPacMan · 03-15-2006, 11:08 AM

Thanks for posting this. My other residence is in Vancovuer, WA and I'm in Portland often enough. Here was my answer to question #13 on the poll: What can The City of Portland do to improve motorcycling/scootering in the city? Are there policies, or physical improvements that need to be made that would improve conditions for riders?

More on-street parking specifically for motorcycles. Especially in zones where a car does not fit. Lots of hashed-off triangle areas that are just wasted space. 2 or 3 motorcycle can easily park there without blocking any car and pedestrian access. These don't need necessarily to be marked as motorcycle parking, but the law needs to allow it to be used as such without fear of a parking ticket. The second improvement would be motorcycle specific parking at all MAX stations. Again, no existing car spaces need to be taken, just create a new space by using a corner or portion of the sidewalk where a few motorcycles can park. Third, and perhaps more controvercial for the USA, would be to emulate motorcycle parking legislation of cities around the world from Tokyo in Japan to Nottingham in England which permit riders of motorcycles and scooters to park and chain up their motorcycles in bicycle parking lock areas. These are generally on an extended area of a sidewalk and well out of the way of any pedestrian traffic. Lastly, lane sharing for motorcycles and scooters should not be illegal. It is not unsafe and it reduces congestion and pollution. In the vast majority of progressive countries in the world, lane sharing is legal and even encouraged. In the USA, it is only legal in California. It would be a strong message of support for progressive transportation policy to push for a clearly defined right to lane share.

Road Rash · 03-15-2006, 12:09 PM

Thanks Mr. Ed

are you the Mr. Ed from Albany?

Hi CountPacMan

I didn't get into the details that you did but did let them know that I would like to see lane sharing and more MC parking in the PDX area.
Let us know next time your in the PDX area and want to ride or I would buy ya some beer and or food to hear some of your travelin stories.

Mista Vern · 03-15-2006, 01:56 PM

Done! I live in Mac but travel to PDX on my bike a lot, so figured my input was worth something...

Rubber Cow · 03-15-2006, 02:13 PM

Done...now holding breath for lanesplitting legalization....

gbranham · 03-15-2006, 10:18 PM

Do you guys honestly think that these butt head politicians and bureaucrats running this city are going to listen to us? Give me a freaking break. Logic does not enter into their minds. Just look what they do to the citizens driving cars. Lane miles are taken away every year for buses and bike lanes. The need for lanes around the area is ignored or undergo "feasibility studies" for decades. All the tax revenue from said drivers, what happens to it all? They come up with brilliant ideas like turning Burnside into a one-way street?!!! Build more bike paths and bridges. Yes, that's what we need. Sure, the survey is a start and I'll go to any townhall meeting, but it will be a cold day in the Metro offices any of our requests or advice are heeded. Lane splitting!!!!!???? Are you kidding me? It makes way too much sense. More parking, yeah sure. I wish us good luck....Gary

gbranham · 03-16-2006, 12:12 AM

Did that sound like Lars?

Road Rash · 03-16-2006, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbranham

Do you guys honestly think that these butt head politicians and bureaucrats running this city are going to listen to us?

Don't know until we try..................................Lars

gbranham · 03-16-2006, 08:54 PM

Hi Tom, We will try but based on their history I give it a snowman's chance in the lake of fire.

MisterEd · 03-17-2006, 08:51 PM

I must admit that when I first saw this survey come out, I put on my best "overly skeptical" hat (or helmet...) and I'm not hopeful about lots of positive results coming out of this.

BUT - I'm feeling optimistic this week, and heck, if this even results in a few more parking spaces around town or, as CountPacMan wrote (very similarly to what I put in, by the way!) they consider letting us park in some of the "verboten" areas that exist now, maybe it's worth it.

I dunno - I'm willing to try. Portland might be JUST goofy and quirky enough that some of this may fly.

- and Road Rash, no I'm not the Mr. Ed in Albany, I'm the MisterEd in SE Portland

BUT, I'll be visiting the Mr. Ed in Albany in two weeks to have a custom seat built for the GS!

Road Rash · 03-18-2006, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisterEd

- and Road Rash, no I'm not the Mr. Ed in Albany, I'm the MisterEd in SE Portland

BUT, I'll be visiting the Mr. Ed in Albany in two weeks to have a custom seat built for the GS!

I just moved from SE Portand 2 years ago, ever try to hook up with the PDXGS'ers? www.pdxgs.com We meet (most of the time) the first Sunday of the month at Stump Town Coffee on 40 something and Division, come by and go for ride with us sometime, or at least ride by and flip us off.

MossBack · 03-18-2006, 04:08 PM

Survey done.

I can't wait to lanesplit down the Banfield when it's a parking lot.

MisterEd · 03-24-2006, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Road Rash

I just moved from SE Portand 2 years ago, ever try to hook up with the PDXGS'ers? www.pdxgs.com We meet (most of the time) the first Sunday of the month at Stump Town Coffee on 40 something and Division, come by and go for ride with us sometime, or at least ride by and flip us off.

Considering that Stumptown is about three blocks from my house and one of my favorite coffee shops, this shouldn't be a problem.

(not the flipping off part - the meet and ride part, I mean

)

03-24-2006, 08:53 PM

[quote=Road Rash]I just moved from SE Portand 2 years ago, ever try to hook up with the PDXGS'ers? www.pdxgs.com We meet (most of the time) the first Sunday of the month at Stump Town Coffee on 40 something and Division, come by and go for ride with us sometime, or at least ride by and flip us off.

[/quote

Wow what a great offer to salute ya all at once . Although in the interest of being thorough I will stick with the one at a time method, besides its more fun that way.

03-15-2006, 10:58 AM	#2
jmetteer Filler... Joined: Dec 2003 Location: Woodland, WA Oddometer: 1,632	Survey done... Later, __________________ Jake Metteer <<< click for pictures. 04 DL650 03 WR250F 89 Transalp "Everything you read on the Internet is true, I know because I read it on the Internet"

03-15-2006, 11:08 AM	#3
CountPacMan KTM 640 Adventure abuser Joined: May 2004 Location: Portland, OR - USA / Oltenita, ROMANIA Oddometer: 104	Thanks for posting this. My other residence is in Vancovuer, WA and I'm in Portland often enough. Here was my answer to question #13 on the poll: What can The City of Portland do to improve motorcycling/scootering in the city? Are there policies, or physical improvements that need to be made that would improve conditions for riders? More on-street parking specifically for motorcycles. Especially in zones where a car does not fit. Lots of hashed-off triangle areas that are just wasted space. 2 or 3 motorcycle can easily park there without blocking any car and pedestrian access. These don't need necessarily to be marked as motorcycle parking, but the law needs to allow it to be used as such without fear of a parking ticket. The second improvement would be motorcycle specific parking at all MAX stations. Again, no existing car spaces need to be taken, just create a new space by using a corner or portion of the sidewalk where a few motorcycles can park. Third, and perhaps more controvercial for the USA, would be to emulate motorcycle parking legislation of cities around the world from Tokyo in Japan to Nottingham in England which permit riders of motorcycles and scooters to park and chain up their motorcycles in bicycle parking lock areas. These are generally on an extended area of a sidewalk and well out of the way of any pedestrian traffic. Lastly, lane sharing for motorcycles and scooters should not be illegal. It is not unsafe and it reduces congestion and pollution. In the vast majority of progressive countries in the world, lane sharing is legal and even encouraged. In the USA, it is only legal in California. It would be a strong message of support for progressive transportation policy to push for a clearly defined right to lane share. __________________ "Improvement makes strait roads, but the crooked roads without Improvement, are roads of Genius" - William Blake 1757-1827 spake Rad, "The KTM will reward you like a very expensive mistress where the BMW will reward you like a, like a... like a wife "

03-15-2006, 12:09 PM	#4
Road Rash Infamous Joined: Oct 2003 Location: The Original OC, in Oregon Oddometer: 17,500	Done Thanks Mr. Ed are you the Mr. Ed from Albany? Hi CountPacMan I didn't get into the details that you did but did let them know that I would like to see lane sharing and more MC parking in the PDX area. Let us know next time your in the PDX area and want to ride or I would buy ya some beer and or food to hear some of your travelin stories. __________________ "A man can never have too many motorcycles, like any good craftsman you need the proper tool for the job at hand. A man needs more tools than a hammer, the same goes for bikes." ~Mr. Cob~ My Ride Through Roatan

03-15-2006, 01:56 PM	#5
Mista Vern Knows all - tells some. Joined: Dec 2005 Location: McMinnville, Oregon Oddometer: 12,879	Done! I live in Mac but travel to PDX on my bike a lot, so figured my input was worth something... __________________ Remodeling. Please check again later.

03-15-2006, 02:13 PM	#6
Rubber Cow GS Dork Joined: Jul 2001 Location: Aloha... yes, Aloha, Oregon Oddometer: 5,299	Done...now holding breath for lanesplitting legalization.... __________________ "He had that rare weird electricity about him--that extremely wild and heavy presence that you only see in a person who has abandoned all hope of ever behaving"normally"." HST-RIP "Woof, woof woof woof ...woof woof!!!!!!!!!" Cricket the Dog-RIP

03-14-2006, 10:39 PM	#1
MisterEd ^OP .. nuttin' clever here Joined: Sep 2005 Location: The Rose City ... Oregon Oddometer: 15	Help shape the "state of riding" in the Portland area This is being passed around tonight to any and all Portland/Vancouver area motorcyclists - have a read... >>>From Patrick Leyshock of the Sang Froid Riding Club and Norton Motorcycles<<< Over the last year, the SFRC has been working with the City of Portland as well as local riders Courtney Olive and Heather Knight, on improving the "state of riding" within the city. We're happy to present the first fruit of our efforts! Please closely review the information release below, paying special attention to the rider survey (link included). It's very important that the city see a good turnout for this online survey, so please take a few minutes to complete the form, then forward the link to other riders! There is more stuff in the works, and if you're interested in getting involved (realizing that it may be some time until then) - please drop a line. Again, details below. Thanks, Patrick Leyshock, SFRC ------------- Remember the Motorcycle/Scooter community forum with City Commissioner Sam Adams that took place in March of 2005? Well, City government is taking some significant first steps in response to concerns raised at that forum and is reaching out to the local Motorcycle/Scooter community. Specifically, the City of Portland has today launched a website entitled "Resources For Using a Motorcycle/Scooter in Portland". In conjunction with the website, the City is conducting an online survey of motorcycle/scooter owners and riders; the survey will be open until 7/28/06. First, some info about the website: I. The site will be incorporated within the Portland Office of Transportation’s main site; the address is: http://www.portlandonline.com/transportation/index.cfm?c=40219 II. Highlights of the site 1. A detailed FAQ section. Through these FAQs the City addresses parking-related questions; remember how many of those came up during the Motorcycle/Scooter community forum? For instance, YES it is legal for motorcycles/scooters to share a space with each other or with a car, as long as all vehicles have properly paid. The FAQs also cover such things as licensing requirements, safety tips, rider resources, and information on why Portland cares about the Motorcycle/Scooter community. 2. An interactive map of the City’s dedicated motorcycle/scooter parking locations, as well as a spreadsheet list of the locations. More spaces are popping up all the time! 3. Information on SmartPark resources for motorcycles/scooters. For instance, did you know it costs just $30 for monthly parking of a motorcycle/scooter in any SmartPark facility? 4. A link to the survey (discussed in detail below). III. Please note that the site is a work in progress. Various improvements (such as to the map of parking spaces) are already planned, and the Office of Transportation is happy to take your questions, comments, or suggestions about adding info to the website or changing what is already there. Simply email the Office of Transportation at: 823park@pdxtrans.org Now, some info about the survey, located at: http://www.zoomerang.com/recipient/s...WEB224S6YFK8PE I. Through this survey, the city hopes to gather information to better serve the local motorcycle/scooter community. II. The survey is an opportunity for members of the motorcycle/scooter community to let the City know how significant our community is, and to help City officials better incorporate motorcycles and scooters into Portland’s overall transportation plan. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey and encourage fellow riders to as well - we want the City to have data that motivates them to work with us! III. As with any survey, the more precise the information the more useful the results will be - so please answer accurately. Also, the City will monitor survey submissions so be sure to submit only one survey per person! IV. The survey will be open only until Friday, July 28, 2006, so be sure to fill it out before then! __________________ Every day is a great day to ride! MisterEd's BikeStuff page Truth, Justice and the American Road! ____________________________________

03-15-2006, 10:18 PM	#7
gbranham Double eye Joined: May 2004 Location: Portland OR USA Oddometer: 978	Do you guys honestly think that these butt head politicians and bureaucrats running this city are going to listen to us? Give me a freaking break. Logic does not enter into their minds. Just look what they do to the citizens driving cars. Lane miles are taken away every year for buses and bike lanes. The need for lanes around the area is ignored or undergo "feasibility studies" for decades. All the tax revenue from said drivers, what happens to it all? They come up with brilliant ideas like turning Burnside into a one-way street?!!! Build more bike paths and bridges. Yes, that's what we need. Sure, the survey is a start and I'll go to any townhall meeting, but it will be a cold day in the Metro offices any of our requests or advice are heeded. Lane splitting!!!!!???? Are you kidding me? It makes way too much sense. More parking, yeah sure. I wish us good luck....Gary __________________ Mista Kozzo sent me.

03-16-2006, 12:12 AM	#8
gbranham Double eye Joined: May 2004 Location: Portland OR USA Oddometer: 978	Did that sound like Lars? __________________ Mista Kozzo sent me.

03-16-2006, 08:54 PM	#10
gbranham Double eye Joined: May 2004 Location: Portland OR USA Oddometer: 978	Hi Tom, We will try but based on their history I give it a snowman's chance in the lake of fire. __________________ Mista Kozzo sent me.

03-17-2006, 08:51 PM	#11
MisterEd ^OP .. nuttin' clever here Joined: Sep 2005 Location: The Rose City ... Oregon Oddometer: 15	I must admit that when I first saw this survey come out, I put on my best "overly skeptical" hat (or helmet...) and I'm not hopeful about lots of positive results coming out of this. BUT - I'm feeling optimistic this week, and heck, if this even results in a few more parking spaces around town or, as CountPacMan wrote (very similarly to what I put in, by the way!) they consider letting us park in some of the "verboten" areas that exist now, maybe it's worth it. I dunno - I'm willing to try. Portland might be JUST goofy and quirky enough that some of this may fly. - and Road Rash, no I'm not the Mr. Ed in Albany, I'm the MisterEd in SE Portland BUT, I'll be visiting the Mr. Ed in Albany in two weeks to have a custom seat built for the GS! __________________ Every day is a great day to ride! MisterEd's BikeStuff page Truth, Justice and the American Road! ____________________________________

03-18-2006, 04:08 PM	#13
MossBack North side of the tree Joined: Jun 2005 Location: County of Multnomah Oddometer: 231	Survey done. I can't wait to lanesplit down the Banfield when it's a parking lot.

03-24-2006, 08:53 PM	#15
taco Guest Oddometer: n/a	split lanes now before its legal and all the Sang Frauds are doing it! [quote=Road Rash]I just moved from SE Portand 2 years ago, ever try to hook up with the PDXGS'ers? www.pdxgs.com We meet (most of the time) the first Sunday of the month at Stump Town Coffee on 40 something and Division, come by and go for ride with us sometime, or at least ride by and flip us off.[/quote Wow what a great offer to salute ya all at once . Although in the interest of being thorough I will stick with the one at a time method, besides its more fun that way.

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