Oregon Candidates On Active Transportation Issues

by JayinPortland

The Bicycle Transportation Alliance has released candidate responses to their four question survey on active transportation issues in Oregon.

The questions asked of candidates for Governor (guess who didn't respond!), US Senate, US House and numerous state and local races were -

1. What programs and other public policy initiatives do you support for making Oregon communities more accessible for pedestrians and bicyclists?

2. What programs and other public policy initiatives do you support for improving the safety of road users, particularly vulnerable users (e.g., better education for road users, increased penalties for unsafe vehicle operation, other statutory modifications)?

3. What programs or other public policy initiatives do you support to ENCOURAGE the use of bicycles for transportation?

4. Please list the active transportation projects, if any, in your district for which you have provided assistance or support?

Let's take a look at some of the more interesting (and fun!) responses...

continued at Daily Kos....

Bikes In Heat On Open Streets! - A Portland Photo Diary

by JayinPortland

I don't know why I do this, but I hang my jacket on this planter hook on the ceiling right in front of my window.  At least 3 or 4 days a week I slowly open my eyes to what looks like some huge guy standing over my bed pullout couch in the dark, at which point my heart considers early retirement.  For a few seconds at least, until I get my bearings and remember that it's just my jacket and that jackets only attack people in weird cult flicks.

So anyways, this is how I started my day.  Jumped in the shower, choked down a bowl of oatmeal and cursed myself for not setting the coffee maker last night.  Well, I'll just hit the coffee shop across the street for a cup and I should make the bus because it's not due for...

Now.

Whoops.  Okay, well now I have 17 minutes to get my cup of coffee and make it back to the bus stop.  And I did.  We're heading up to work SE Portland Sunday Parkways, and then we're gonna hit the Hawthorne Street Fair for a little bit afterwards.  Come along!

continued at Daily Kos....

Design Challenges and Design Awards

by gmoke

http://www.core77.com/...
1 Hour Design Challenge:  Emergency Shelters
Core77 sponsors these one hour design challenges from time to time.

http://www.core77.com/...
Betacup Design Competition
The object was to replace the disposable cup.

http://www.taipeicycle.com.tw/...
international bike design contest
Annual event based in Taiwan.

http://www.electroluxdesignlab.com/
Electrolux Design Awards
Sponsored by the appliance firm and focused on the home.

http://nationaldesignawards.org/...
National Design Awards
Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt National Design Week: October 9–17, 2010

continued at Daily Kos....

Bicycle Diaries

by gmoke

When I read a book, I note anything that strikes me.  Here are my notes from Bicycle Diaries by David Byrne NY:  Viking, 2009 ISBN 978-0-670-02114-7 David Byrne, the musician and artist who was in Talking Heads, has become a bicycle advocate after years of riding all over the world.  He takes a folding bike with him on his journeys and tours and bikes wherever he is.  Byrne also keeps a blog: http://journal.davidbyrne.com/

continued at Daily Kos....

How to Change US Energy in One Growing Season

by gmoke

 Consistently demonstrate practical, affordable energy efficiency and renewable energy ideas, devices, and systems at the over 4000 weekly farmers' markets that take place across the USA from Memorial Day to Halloween or Thanksgiving.   The people who attend farmers' markets are a core constituency for green technology and practical applications that save money, energy, and resources.  They are likely to be early adopters who can spread those possibilities into the community.  I've done energy demos at my local farmers' market and know that a renewable energy company sometimes participates in the year-long weekly market near Providence, RI.  I wouldn't be surprised if there were more examples out there.   Do energy education weekly at as many of those 4000 weekly markets as possible and over one growing season energy use and attitudes would change significantly.  See Mr Franklin's Folks for one vision of how this might work.

continued at Daily Kos....