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THE
CLACKAMAS
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014 V. 47, ISSUE 18 f
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CLACKAMAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
| AN INDEPENDENT, STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER SINCE 1966
Q&Awith
active cyclist
by PATTY SALAZAR
editor-in-chief
Greg Myers is a veteran
services coordinator at
Clackamas Com munity
College and has been rid
ing his bike to work five
days a week for four and
half years, Myers, who
lives in West Linn, has
an eight mile commute,
which takes him 30 min-
utes to get to the college.
Myers is an lifelong cyclist
who owns five bikes, rides
year round and also com-
petes in local races.
I
I
I
I
I
The Clackamas Print:
Why do you ride your bike
to work instead of driving?
Myers: I’m an, avid
cyclist, I race mountain
bikes. I prefer to ride my
bike ana I ride year-round
because it’s good for me. I
am also a combat veteran
and I don’t like to drive all
that much. It wakes me u p
on the way in and it calms
me, [andj makes me feel
good on the way home.
W n ereas w h e n T d r iv e J
AorfCget th at! It’s j\ist'g o o d
in every- way.
TCP: What is your usual
route to campus?
Myers: I try to switch it
up; however, most days
I cross the bridge, cut
through downtown to
Singer Hill [7th] climb
it, cut over to 5th where
it becomes Linn Avenue
then Meyers Road, and
then I cross 213 by the
Carls Jr. That is my most
frequently utilized route
because it is the safest,
[but] it’s not the shortest.
TCP: Have you ever had
any close calls with drivers
on campus? :
I
Myers: Not on campus
but on the road all the
time. I do everything 1 can
to remain visible. I nave a
flasher on the front and
flasher on the back, I put
one on my helmet. I wear
the brightest clothing I
can possibly wear. I’m
a lifelong cyclist, so I’ve
learned now to look into
the cars and not at the
cars. I look at what people
are doing. I’ve been hit a
couple of times but I don’t
really fear that. I think
that most people are fairly ,
aware and 1 know I am vis
ible even in the dark. But
there are ignorant people;
I’ve been yelled at, spit on
and things thrown at me.
Students and staff at Clackamas Community College gear up fo r -warmer days and clear skies by riding their bicycles to class.
Is your campus bike friendly?
b y ERIN CAREY
n e w s & cu ltu re e d ito r
Oregon is best know n for how
bicycle friendly m ost of its popu
lated cities are, specifically Portland.
This understanding of those who
choose two wheels over four has
taken years to m ake work. Here at
Clackamas Community College, the
warm weather often brings out stu
dents and faculty who enjoy using
the day for a ride to the campus.
T h e ca m p u s
p o p u la ted b y p e o p le w ith lo n g -
range commutes to campus, m ak
ing it very bus and car-heavy.
However; the biking com m unity
that CCC does have shouldn’t be
ignored.
CCC lacks the precautions that
the other schools utilize for their
bikers. Sitting right on Highway
213, the roadway features a large
intersection that is often used by
large sem i trucks and other large,
RULES OF THE
ROAD
/ ------------------- \
see CYCLING Page 3
by LIZ GOMES
associate photo editor
Bicyclists are subject to DUI
charges if found biking while
intoxicated.
Bicyclists must yield to pedes
trians on sidewalks ana cross
walks, and must use bike lanes
where available.
Bicyclists can be tick
eted for speeding. Speeds
must not exceed the limit
for cars while on the road,
nor walking speed while on
populated sidewalks or trails.
_____________ /
it for years. “It’s great ex ercise, it
doesn’t pollute, and it gives m e lots
of great energy that day,” Gray says.
She understands the hazards
with biking to CCC. “There aren’t
that m any bike-safe roads in the
area, and eveh on cam pus there
isn’t a shoulder, on the actual roads
around cam pus so the m arking is
difficult and a little dangerous/
Oregon law defines
bikes as vehicles
Bicyclists m ust always ride
with th e flow of traffic on
the right side of the right lane
(except when turning left.)
TCP: Has any of that
happened on your way to
or from work?
see MYERS Page 3
fa st m o v in g v e h ic le s . T h e 2 1 3
en tra n ce also doesn’t h a v e a con-
venient bike lane figjr. the cyclists,
m eaning that a biker either uses
the sidewalk or shares the road
with im patient college drivers who
are always in a h u rry to get to class
on time.' W ith a very congested
entryway and a long red light, this
m akes everyone irritated.
Kate Gray is an English instruc
tor who bikes at least ohce a week
to the campus, and has been doing
Lights and reflectors are
required on all bicyclists
after dark. A white light vis
ible from at least 500 feet is
required for the front of bikes,
ana a red light or reflector
visible from at least 600 feet is
required for the back of bikes.
Helmets are required for all
bicyclists riding on highways
or public grounds, anaalways
required for riders under the
age of 16. The maximum fine
for failure to wear approved
headgear is $25.
Passengers and burdensome
loads are prohibited if the bike
cannot safely accommodate
them. Passengers are also sub
ject to headgear laws.
Source: oregon.gov
There is an Oregon Bicyclist
Manual with laws, tips, and
advice for a safe and enjoyable
biking experience. The manual
can be found at any local DMV
office or online at:
bregon.gov/ODOT/HW Y/
BIKEPED