Pedicabs Coming

"Maine Pedicab will debut in the coming weeks with a soft launch. Drivers will test out different routes with one to three bike taxis, or "pedicabs," at a time before the eight-cab fleet is unleashed. "The goal is within two months people will see a lot of pedicabs out," says Bruce. The pedicabs look like normal bikes in the front, but the back features a two-person seat. 

Bruce cites streets like Commercial, Congress and Fore and the area surrounding Hadlock Field as potential pedicab hot spots. "Sporting events are a big thing, as well as tourism, cruise ships and the geography of a city," all in Portland's favor, he says. "A very circular, small city where people can walk in a very short time is not a very good pedicab market."
The company's Portland headquarters -- a warehouse space in the East End's Portland Company Building -- will ensure easy access to tourists traipsing through the Old Port or coming off cruise ships." - MaineBiz

New Portland Train Station to be Studied

A new station on Commercial Street (where old tracks still exist) will be considered.  PressHerald:

The Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority expects to begin a study this spring of proposals to relocate the Portland train station, shorten trip lengths and add more daily runs between Brunswick, Portland and Boston and others.
...Quinn said relocating the station might shorten trip times, especially for runs between Portland and Brunswick when that service is launched in autumn 2012.

Portland Streetcar Map (1916)

What a Portland streetcar map would have looked line in 1916. via Right of Way, via wikipedia.

New Bike Shop in Town

Profiled in the Daily Sun, a new bicycle shop has opened on York Street.  Portland Velocipede features "dutch style" bikes meant more for commuting than mountain biking or racing.  Portland may not be Amsterdam, but it is becoming more and bike friendly.

The Dutch-style bicycles carried by the shop are mostly European made, with California-based Linus representing the lone American brand. “There are a lot of larger companies branching out into the market, but we like companies that focus on them,” said Cridler.

Brands sold at Portland Velocipede include Dutch stalwarts Batavus and Gazelle, which have been manufacturing such bikes for over a century.

The Dutch cycle's heavy, solid construction and cruiser-styling allow riders to perch comfortably on their seat and offer a smooth ride. “'Being upright, being able to see around you is so much more comfortable,” said Kitchings.

View Portland Maine Bike Map in a larger map




* Full disclosure - Portland Velocipede is a client of mine.  

Waterfront Forums

The Planning Board will be hosting two forums next month on the issues facing the working waterfront. 

The Changing Waterfront: Economic Conditions for the Central Waterfront – Ground Fishery, Lobster Fishery, and Marine Tourism
March 2, 2010; 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Merrill Auditorium Rehearsal Hall, Myrtle Street entrance

Private Piers, Public Policy, and the Future of the Portland’s Central Waterfront
March 3, 2010; 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Merrill Auditorium Rehearsal Hall, Myrtle Street entrance

The first forum, The Changing Waterfront: Economic Conditions for the Central Waterfront – Ground Fishery, Lobster Fishery and Marine Tourism, will explore the economic challenges and opportunities facing three key components of the marine industries that current policies are designed to protect. Panelists include Deirdre Gilbert, Deputy Commissioner of the Maine Department of Marine Resources, Burt Jongerden, General Manager of the Portland Fish Exchange, Barbara Whitten, Executive Director of the Greater Portland Convention and Visitor Bureau, commercial lobsterman and “Lucky Catch” tours owner Tom Martin, and Don Perkins, President of the Gulf of Maine Research Institute. The forum will also provide an opportunity for the panelists, Planning Board and public to discuss how changes to current policies may impact identified marine industries.


The next day, a second public forum, Private Piers, Public Policy, and the Future of Portland’s Central Waterfront, will outline potential changes to Portland’s waterfront, and seek public input on the future of the zone. Participants will be broken into small groups to discuss a number of questions including: Have current policies helped or hindered economic vitality for the area? How would significant non-marine development in the Central Waterfront impact the city as a whole? What elements should be preserved and what elements can be improved for the Central Waterfront zone?

Save $1.25 each way

The bus is already a cheap option for getting around, but Friday and Saturday it will be free. See the routes here.

"Rides on the METRO and South Portland public bus services will be free Friday and Saturday.

Metro, operated by the Greater Portland Transit District, provides service to Portland, Westbrook, Falmouth and the Maine Mall area of South Portland.

The South Portland City Bus service operates throughout South Portland, Target and Walmart in Scarborough, and between South Portland and Portland.

A potential shortfall of federal funds could mean fare increases or cuts in service for METRO buses."

- Maine News Updates

DOT Proposed New Train Station in Portland

The Forecaster

"One is an MDOT recommendation to review alternative terminal or platform locations in Portland.

Nathan Moulton, the DOT project manager for the rail plan, said Monday that although the Portland Transportation Center on Thompson's Point works well for the Downeaster, plans to bring commuter service into Portland from northern communities would require a downtown location to make such a service viable.

Moulton said an in-town platform would be more attractive to workers, as well as bikers and pedestrians. Moulton wouldn't say if the state had specific locations in mind."

Uber Transit Map

The new Greater Portland Transit Guide shows these bus, train and ferry routes all in one map -

* Greater Portland Transit District METRO
* South Portland City Bus
* Casco Bay Island Transit District
* Shuttle-Bus - Zoom
* Amtrak Downeaster

Bike lanes to be added

Good to see lanes being expanded beyond the peninsula.

Press Herald: "About two miles of bike lanes will be designated as part of a project to expand Portland's bike network from Morrill's Corner, down Forest, Deering and Park avenues to Congress Street.

The project also will establish bike routes without marked lanes on segments of Forest Avenue and part of Park Avenue.

The lanes will be at least 5 feet wide and defined by painted lines. In areas where the road is not wide enough, routes will be marked with signs and bicycle logos painted on the street.

The project will add more than three miles to Portland's existing network of 11 miles for cyclists."

Concepts for Franklin Street

The Franklin Reclamation Authority:

"The Franklin Street Redesign Committee and project consultants have developed three possible concepts for the future Franklin Street. These concepts are still being refined, and the Committee is open to mixing and matching different elements from each one. Phase two of the redesign project will examine and analyze these possibilities in greater detail."

Bring the Trains Back

I like this idea. Much of the old track (and the right of way) is still there. One thing I took from the Maine State Pier history lesson was how much trains were such a key part of the City.

"The idea is for the city to have two train stations for the Amtrak Downeaster: the existing one on Sewall Street and a scaled-down platform on Commercial Street near the International Marine Terminal. Trains would stop at one or the other or both, depending on how the schedule is arranged and where the train is traveling."

Proposal for Trails Extension

Portland Trails is proposing to extend the trails system out the west side of the peninsula. They have proposed a few options, and are looking for feedback.

"The nonprofit group, which oversees about 30 miles of trails in the Portland area, will gather neighborhood comment at a public meeting Thursday beginning at 6 p.m. in the Portland Exposition Building, 239 Park Ave."

Green Streets Day tomorrow

Get discounts all over town if you do a 'green' commute. A bit more challenging theses days - though carpooling qualifies.

U Car Share Here

Rights of Way has what you need to know.

"Earlier this week, U Haul delivered Portland's first-ever shared cars to dedicated parking spots on Commercial and Elm Streets (next to the ferry terminal and Monument Square, respectively)"

Time to Get E-ZPass

The Turnpike Authority is getting rid of the 'Exact Change' lanes. I don't drive that much, so I have not bothered getting E-ZPass, but since now the only other option will be to get stuck behind people who are fumbling for money, lost, or looking for someone to talk to at the tollbooth, I guess I'll get the E-ZPass.

Uhaul Car Sharing Coming

Uhaul is getting into the car sharing business here in Portland, Rights of Way reports.

"Last night at City Hall, Councilors voted to dedicate four prime parking spots (two near Monument Square and two more near Casco Bay Lines ferry terminal) to U-Car Share, a relatively new subsidiary of U-Haul. In about a month, U-Car Share will deliver four PT Cruisers to Portland to launch our first carsharing service."

Update on bike lanes

Rights of Way provides an update on some new bike lanes and sidewalks in town, complete with photos!

"Portland's public works department has been busy this summer with a number of projects that will make walking and cycling easier, safer, and more pleasant. Here's a quick and incomplete look at what's new:"

Rogues Gallery bike map

"This is a project I've been working on for the past few weeks for Rogues Gallery, the clothing company I use to work and intern for. Its a bike map of Portland for the RG store, so people can rent out old cruisers and ride around portland and go to place that we like. The map is based off of older Portland maps from the 1800's with the updated street's on it. I'm pretty pleased with how it came out, it took alot longer than I thought it would, and went through alot of revisions. but here's the end result!

- kris johnsen . art: Rogues Gallery bike map

Save the Cars!

Beth Quimby's piece in the Press Herald today begins more like a rallying cry against the proposals. If I did not have better things to do (unlike 'Oak'), I would read the always entertaining comments on the article, which she will surely stir up with that headline.

Cars could become second-class citizens on Portland's peninsula if a set of proposals being developed by a transportation committee is approved.

The Peninsula Transit Study Committee is floating dozens of ideas as it seeks ways to reduce the number of single-occupancy vehicles in the city and promote alternative forms of transportation.

- Cars in the cross hairs | Portland Press Herald

White is the New Yellow (Bike)

The nonprofit White Bike program, which kicks off next week, is a reincarnation of the similar Yellow Bike project that was launched in 1996 in Portland but soon withered away.

On Monday, White Bike organizers plan to place about seven donated bikes at downtown locations. They'll consist of various models, including 10-speeds and mountain bikes, and will carry clipped-on signs identifying them as free for use by the public.

'If you see a white bike, pick it up and ride it. The purpose of the White Bike initiative is to provide an alternate means of transportation and create an opportunity for the community to learn more about the facts and talk about the issues,' says John Rooks, president of Dwell Creative, a public relations design firm in Portland that helped organize White Bike.

Unlike the yellow bikes that were left unlocked, the white bikes will be equipped with combination locks whose code is posted at www.whitebike.org.

- Portland Press Herald