Portland: Brocyle Report

I just got back from a week in beautiful Portland, Oregon. While the temperature in Birmingham has been in the triple digits, I spent the majority of the week in a cardigan and on an old Miyata 21 speed (thanks to Andrew). Not my ideal ride but was the right size and did a decent job getting me around the city. Everywhere I went there was ample bike infrastructure, which, coming from Birmingham, is a welcome change. Everything from separated lanes to bike sensors at traffic lights to bike racks on every corner made riding in a busy urban center a lot easier and more accessible.

What also comes with this cycling friendly system though is traffic citations for cyclists. Like Alabama, every bike has to be equipped with a brake; however, unlike Alabama, if you get caught without a brake you can get a ticket worth $240. DAMN! Clay, (pictured below) informed me that there are only a couple of cops in the West side of that will bust you for that but most will stop you for rolling through a stop sign or traffic light. I guess that's the price you pay for being treated like a human as a opposed to a nuisance.

Anyway, it was great time and if you have the chance to get out there fly Southwest and take your own bike. It's free with them. Delta is $175 extra each way.

Here are some photos:

Clay


Olaf


Jousts


Lady Killer


Burnside