Evan Manvel

Thanks for working on this. As you've hopefully read on
BikePortland.org, Jessica Roberts, our Metro Area Advocate, is
working with the cemetary to find a positive, functional solution
that meets everyone's needs. It's an important connection, and we'd
love to do what we can to keep it open.

She's copied above and will lead the BTA's efforts on this.

Best,

Evan

Evan Manvel
Executive Director
Bicycle Transportation Alliance
717 SW 12th Ave, Portland, OR 97205
(503) 226-0676 x12
evan@bta4bikes.org
Help us open minds and roads to bicycling: http://www.bta4bikes.org/
support/join.php

On Apr 26, 2006, at 11:48 AM, Matthew Wolpert wrote:

> Evan,
>
> I just wanted to alert you to this situation in case you weren't
> already aware of it from Jonathan's website. I have tried to give
> background, which you probably do not need, but I will include just in
> case, along with my thoughts on this issue.
>
> The Riverview Cemetery is an often used cycling link between the west
> end of the Sellwood Bridge and Terwilliger atop the west hills. I have
> used this route frequently to travel to lake Oswego, and just to enjoy
> a peaceful gradual low traffic climb up from the river.
>
> The cemetery has gates at the top and bottom that are closed after
> hours, but cyclists can continue to use this route by going across the
> grass and around the gates. (I am one who has done this on numerous
> occasions, so I'm not trying to be preachy about this.) I have often
> thought that the Cemetery as an organization was being very, very
> generous in not blocking all use by cyclists, because we are "through
> traffic" and I would have to agree that it is in bad taste and could
> be reasonably interpreted as disrespectful to use a road through a
> cemetery in this manner if one is driving a car. Recently, it has been
> brought to the attention of some of Portland's biking community that a
> number of cyclists descend the cemetery very fast and therefore
> unsafely. As a result, the Cemetery is put in a position of being
> forced to contemplate a ban on through cyclists -- which would be very
> sad for many of us, but would certainly be their legal and moral
> right.
>
> To further compound the situation, I believe there is an issue with
> respect to the de facto trails that cyclists have established through
> the grass in order to circumvent the gates once they close in the
> evening. The trail at the bottom is small and just on lawn area. At
> the top of the cemetery however, cyclists cross actual burial plots in
> order to reach the main road. Fortunately there is not a bare path
> worn at the top, but there is still noticeable tire "damage" to the
> sod from bicycles. This includes damage atop a number of burial plots.
>
> Persons who subscribe to the OBRA list and/ or read BikePortland.org
> now have the opportunity to see how important it is to ride through
> the cemetery in a safe, responsible and courteous manner. Because this
> is an important route for our cycling community, I am wondering if the
> BTA could be involved:
>
> 1) Could this issue potentially be explored in an upcoming BTA
> newsletter, in the BTA bulletin (not sure of the name) email, or
> possibly even in a special stand alone mailing to BTA members? I know
> that last option is expensive, but maybe it should be considered.
>
> 2) Is there some way that the cycling community (or the city of
> Portland) could fund a solution that would allow cyclists to access
> the cemetery without damaging lawn or burial sites? I have not spoken
> with anyone at the cemetery, so I do not know if they would even want
> to do this, as it could have legal implications that I could only
> speculate.
>
>
> Thank you,
> Matthew Wolpert
>
>
>
> On 4/26/06, Jeff Tedder wrote:
>>
>> Hey, I want to thank everyone for the group and personal emails I
>> have
>> received about Riverview Cemetery.
>> And a special thanks to Jonathan @ Bike Portland for the article
>> on the
>> website. Portlands cycling community
>> is really an amazing group of people, thanks again,
>> Jeff Tedder
>> Hammer Nutrition Products
>> 503-246-2388
>> cell 503-473-7650
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> OBRA mailing list
>> obra@list.obra.org
>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>
>

Ray Thomas

Our law office had a case not too long ago where a rider hit a car parked on
the wrong side of the road in the cemetary while descending at speed. We
won the case but it's always hard when the bike hits a stationary object to
make a good liability case. Important to bear in mind that there are people
parked up there and other parks like Rocky Butte who are hanging out and not
thinking about anyone proceeding at any kind of speed.

-----Original Message-----
From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
Behalf Of Jonathan Maus
Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2006 10:16 AM
To: obra@list.obra.org
Cc: david@riverviewcemetery.org
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Riverview Cemetery

Jeff,

Thanks for the heads up on this (and thanks for talking with me this
morning). I've posted something on my site to help spread the word and I
also forwarded this to another bike community email list (Shift).

Here's my story.
http://bikeportland.org/2006/04/26/safety-concerns-may-close-popular-cemeter
y-route/

(btw, if you'd like your comments to be seen by a larger part of the
community than the OBRA list I encourage you to leave them on my site).

Thanks.

--Jonathan
-------------------------------
BikePortland.org
"Local news, events, culture and opinion"
(503) 283-8855
http://bikeportland.org

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeff Tedder"
To: "Amber Murray" ;
Cc:
Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2006 8:50 AM
Subject: [OBRA Chat] Riverview Cemetery

> Good morning everyone,
> I just wanted to post a message about riding in Riverview Cemetery. For
> those of you that don't know this is a very popular route from the
> Sellwood
> bridge up to the top of Taylors Ferry and Terwilliger area. I had a long
> talk with David Noble from the head office on Tuesday and there has been
> talk of stopping the cyclists from riding this route, this would be a blow
> to hundreds of cyclists that commute and train in the cemetery. The reason
> for this is the speed of riders going through the narrow roads around the
> areas like the parking lot at the front office, the maintenance shop on
> the
> back side and several other areas that have sharp turns and people cutting
> corners and almost hitting cars head on. There has been several close
> misses
> lately he said and they do not want any accidents. So please slow the
> speed
> going down through the cemetery, especially around the areas that I talked
> about. I would hate to see us loose the privledge of using these roads,
> they
> are nice enought to allow us access so lets not screw it up, please put
> the
> word out to people that may not be on this chatline. Thanks everyone for
> listening and any questions let me know.
> Jeff Tedder
> Hammer Nutrition Products
> 503-246-2388
> cell 503-473-7650
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>

_______________________________________________
OBRA mailing list
obra@list.obra.org
http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

Matthew Wolpert

Evan,

I just wanted to alert you to this situation in case you weren't
already aware of it from Jonathan's website. I have tried to give
background, which you probably do not need, but I will include just in
case, along with my thoughts on this issue.

The Riverview Cemetery is an often used cycling link between the west
end of the Sellwood Bridge and Terwilliger atop the west hills. I have
used this route frequently to travel to lake Oswego, and just to enjoy
a peaceful gradual low traffic climb up from the river.

The cemetery has gates at the top and bottom that are closed after
hours, but cyclists can continue to use this route by going across the
grass and around the gates. (I am one who has done this on numerous
occasions, so I'm not trying to be preachy about this.) I have often
thought that the Cemetery as an organization was being very, very
generous in not blocking all use by cyclists, because we are "through
traffic" and I would have to agree that it is in bad taste and could
be reasonably interpreted as disrespectful to use a road through a
cemetery in this manner if one is driving a car. Recently, it has been
brought to the attention of some of Portland's biking community that a
number of cyclists descend the cemetery very fast and therefore
unsafely. As a result, the Cemetery is put in a position of being
forced to contemplate a ban on through cyclists -- which would be very
sad for many of us, but would certainly be their legal and moral
right.

To further compound the situation, I believe there is an issue with
respect to the de facto trails that cyclists have established through
the grass in order to circumvent the gates once they close in the
evening. The trail at the bottom is small and just on lawn area. At
the top of the cemetery however, cyclists cross actual burial plots in
order to reach the main road. Fortunately there is not a bare path
worn at the top, but there is still noticeable tire "damage" to the
sod from bicycles. This includes damage atop a number of burial plots.

Persons who subscribe to the OBRA list and/ or read BikePortland.org
now have the opportunity to see how important it is to ride through
the cemetery in a safe, responsible and courteous manner. Because this
is an important route for our cycling community, I am wondering if the
BTA could be involved:

1) Could this issue potentially be explored in an upcoming BTA
newsletter, in the BTA bulletin (not sure of the name) email, or
possibly even in a special stand alone mailing to BTA members? I know
that last option is expensive, but maybe it should be considered.

2) Is there some way that the cycling community (or the city of
Portland) could fund a solution that would allow cyclists to access
the cemetery without damaging lawn or burial sites? I have not spoken
with anyone at the cemetery, so I do not know if they would even want
to do this, as it could have legal implications that I could only
speculate.

Thank you,
Matthew Wolpert

On 4/26/06, Jeff Tedder wrote:
>
> Hey, I want to thank everyone for the group and personal emails I have
> received about Riverview Cemetery.
> And a special thanks to Jonathan @ Bike Portland for the article on the
> website. Portlands cycling community
> is really an amazing group of people, thanks again,
> Jeff Tedder
> Hammer Nutrition Products
> 503-246-2388
> cell 503-473-7650
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>

Jeff Tedder

Hey, I want to thank everyone for the group and personal emails I have
received about Riverview Cemetery.
And a special thanks to Jonathan @ Bike Portland for the article on the
website. Portlands cycling community
is really an amazing group of people, thanks again,
Jeff Tedder
Hammer Nutrition Products
503-246-2388
cell 503-473-7650

Dave German

Hey Keith - what if we hung out at the gates during the afternoon communte
hour and alerted the riders of the situation. And asked that they keep it
at safe speeds while in the cemetary.

Dave

>From: "Keith A. Prior"
>To: "Jonathan Maus" ,
>CC: david@riverviewcemetery.org
>Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Riverview Cemetery
>Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2006 10:31:48 -0700
>
>I would be the first to step up and volunteer to work an afternoon at the
>cemetery
>as a way to mend fences with the crew and owner(s). Actions speak louder
>than words.
>
>
>-Keith
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org]On
>Behalf Of Jonathan Maus
>Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2006 10:16 AM
>To: obra@list.obra.org
>Cc: david@riverviewcemetery.org
>Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Riverview Cemetery
>
>
>Jeff,
>
>Thanks for the heads up on this (and thanks for talking with me this
>morning). I've posted something on my site to help spread the word and I
>also forwarded this to another bike community email list (Shift).
>
>Here's my story.
>http://bikeportland.org/2006/04/26/safety-concerns-may-close-popular-cemeter
>y-route/
>
>(btw, if you'd like your comments to be seen by a larger part of the
>community than the OBRA list I encourage you to leave them on my site).
>
>Thanks.
>
>--Jonathan
>-------------------------------
>BikePortland.org
>"Local news, events, culture and opinion"
>(503) 283-8855
>http://bikeportland.org
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Jeff Tedder"
>To: "Amber Murray" ;
>Cc:
>Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2006 8:50 AM
>Subject: [OBRA Chat] Riverview Cemetery
>
>
> > Good morning everyone,
> > I just wanted to post a message about riding in Riverview Cemetery. For
> > those of you that don't know this is a very popular route from the
> > Sellwood
> > bridge up to the top of Taylors Ferry and Terwilliger area. I had a long
> > talk with David Noble from the head office on Tuesday and there has been
> > talk of stopping the cyclists from riding this route, this would be a
>blow
> > to hundreds of cyclists that commute and train in the cemetery. The
>reason
> > for this is the speed of riders going through the narrow roads around
>the
> > areas like the parking lot at the front office, the maintenance shop on
> > the
> > back side and several other areas that have sharp turns and people
>cutting
> > corners and almost hitting cars head on. There has been several close
> > misses
> > lately he said and they do not want any accidents. So please slow the
> > speed
> > going down through the cemetery, especially around the areas that I
>talked
> > about. I would hate to see us loose the privledge of using these roads,
> > they
> > are nice enought to allow us access so lets not screw it up, please put
> > the
> > word out to people that may not be on this chatline. Thanks everyone for
> > listening and any questions let me know.
> > Jeff Tedder
> > Hammer Nutrition Products
> > 503-246-2388
> > cell 503-473-7650
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > OBRA mailing list
> > obra@list.obra.org
> > http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> > Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
> >
> >
>
>_______________________________________________
>OBRA mailing list
>obra@list.obra.org
>http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>_______________________________________________
>OBRA mailing list
>obra@list.obra.org
>http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

David Noble

Keith -
Your offer to volunteer at the cemetery is greatly appreciated, but not
really necessary. Union regulations, OSHA requirements and worker's
comp issues make it almost impossible to utilize volunteer labor. (What
a wonderful world we have created, but that's a whole different topic!)
But even your willingness to do something tangible speaks volumes. Thank
you.
Sincerely,
David Noble

-----Original Message-----
From: Keith A. Prior [mailto:tokarev1@ix.netcom.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2006 10:32 AM
To: Jonathan Maus; obra@list.obra.org
Cc: David Noble
Subject: RE: [OBRA Chat] Riverview Cemetery

I would be the first to step up and volunteer to work an afternoon at
the cemetery as a way to mend fences with the crew and owner(s). Actions
speak louder than words.

-Keith

-----Original Message-----
From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org]On
Behalf Of Jonathan Maus
Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2006 10:16 AM
To: obra@list.obra.org
Cc: david@riverviewcemetery.org
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Riverview Cemetery

Jeff,

Thanks for the heads up on this (and thanks for talking with me this
morning). I've posted something on my site to help spread the word and
I also forwarded this to another bike community email list (Shift).

Here's my story.
http://bikeportland.org/2006/04/26/safety-concerns-may-close-popular-cem
eter
y-route/

(btw, if you'd like your comments to be seen by a larger part of the
community than the OBRA list I encourage you to leave them on my site).

Thanks.

--Jonathan
-------------------------------
BikePortland.org
"Local news, events, culture and opinion"
(503) 283-8855
http://bikeportland.org

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeff Tedder"
To: "Amber Murray" ;
Cc:
Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2006 8:50 AM
Subject: [OBRA Chat] Riverview Cemetery

> Good morning everyone,
> I just wanted to post a message about riding in Riverview Cemetery.
> For those of you that don't know this is a very popular route from the

> Sellwood bridge up to the top of Taylors Ferry and Terwilliger area. I

> had a long talk with David Noble from the head office on Tuesday and
> there has been talk of stopping the cyclists from riding this route,
> this would be a blow to hundreds of cyclists that commute and train in

> the cemetery. The reason for this is the speed of riders going through

> the narrow roads around the areas like the parking lot at the front
> office, the maintenance shop on the back side and several other areas
> that have sharp turns and people cutting corners and almost hitting
> cars head on. There has been several close misses lately he said and
> they do not want any accidents. So please slow the speed going down
> through the cemetery, especially around the areas that I talked about.

> I would hate to see us loose the privledge of using these roads, they
> are nice enought to allow us access so lets not screw it up, please
> put the word out to people that may not be on this chatline. Thanks
> everyone for listening and any questions let me know.
> Jeff Tedder
> Hammer Nutrition Products
> 503-246-2388
> cell 503-473-7650
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>

_______________________________________________
OBRA mailing list
obra@list.obra.org
http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

Keith A. Prior

I would be the first to step up and volunteer to work an afternoon at the
cemetery
as a way to mend fences with the crew and owner(s). Actions speak louder
than words.

-Keith

-----Original Message-----
From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org]On
Behalf Of Jonathan Maus
Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2006 10:16 AM
To: obra@list.obra.org
Cc: david@riverviewcemetery.org
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Riverview Cemetery

Jeff,

Thanks for the heads up on this (and thanks for talking with me this
morning). I've posted something on my site to help spread the word and I
also forwarded this to another bike community email list (Shift).

Here's my story.
http://bikeportland.org/2006/04/26/safety-concerns-may-close-popular-cemeter
y-route/

(btw, if you'd like your comments to be seen by a larger part of the
community than the OBRA list I encourage you to leave them on my site).

Thanks.

--Jonathan
-------------------------------
BikePortland.org
"Local news, events, culture and opinion"
(503) 283-8855
http://bikeportland.org

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeff Tedder"
To: "Amber Murray" ;
Cc:
Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2006 8:50 AM
Subject: [OBRA Chat] Riverview Cemetery

> Good morning everyone,
> I just wanted to post a message about riding in Riverview Cemetery. For
> those of you that don't know this is a very popular route from the
> Sellwood
> bridge up to the top of Taylors Ferry and Terwilliger area. I had a long
> talk with David Noble from the head office on Tuesday and there has been
> talk of stopping the cyclists from riding this route, this would be a blow
> to hundreds of cyclists that commute and train in the cemetery. The reason
> for this is the speed of riders going through the narrow roads around the
> areas like the parking lot at the front office, the maintenance shop on
> the
> back side and several other areas that have sharp turns and people cutting
> corners and almost hitting cars head on. There has been several close
> misses
> lately he said and they do not want any accidents. So please slow the
> speed
> going down through the cemetery, especially around the areas that I talked
> about. I would hate to see us loose the privledge of using these roads,
> they
> are nice enought to allow us access so lets not screw it up, please put
> the
> word out to people that may not be on this chatline. Thanks everyone for
> listening and any questions let me know.
> Jeff Tedder
> Hammer Nutrition Products
> 503-246-2388
> cell 503-473-7650
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>

_______________________________________________
OBRA mailing list
obra@list.obra.org
http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

Jonathan Maus

Jeff,

Thanks for the heads up on this (and thanks for talking with me this
morning). I've posted something on my site to help spread the word and I
also forwarded this to another bike community email list (Shift).

Here's my story.
http://bikeportland.org/2006/04/26/safety-concerns-may-close-popular-cemetery-route/

(btw, if you'd like your comments to be seen by a larger part of the
community than the OBRA list I encourage you to leave them on my site).

Thanks.

--Jonathan
-------------------------------
BikePortland.org
"Local news, events, culture and opinion"
(503) 283-8855
http://bikeportland.org

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeff Tedder"
To: "Amber Murray" ;
Cc:
Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2006 8:50 AM
Subject: [OBRA Chat] Riverview Cemetery

> Good morning everyone,
> I just wanted to post a message about riding in Riverview Cemetery. For
> those of you that don't know this is a very popular route from the
> Sellwood
> bridge up to the top of Taylors Ferry and Terwilliger area. I had a long
> talk with David Noble from the head office on Tuesday and there has been
> talk of stopping the cyclists from riding this route, this would be a blow
> to hundreds of cyclists that commute and train in the cemetery. The reason
> for this is the speed of riders going through the narrow roads around the
> areas like the parking lot at the front office, the maintenance shop on
> the
> back side and several other areas that have sharp turns and people cutting
> corners and almost hitting cars head on. There has been several close
> misses
> lately he said and they do not want any accidents. So please slow the
> speed
> going down through the cemetery, especially around the areas that I talked
> about. I would hate to see us loose the privledge of using these roads,
> they
> are nice enought to allow us access so lets not screw it up, please put
> the
> word out to people that may not be on this chatline. Thanks everyone for
> listening and any questions let me know.
> Jeff Tedder
> Hammer Nutrition Products
> 503-246-2388
> cell 503-473-7650
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>

.David.Auker.

Jeff Tedder wrote:

>(...)there has been
>talk of stopping the cyclists from riding this route, this would be a blow
>to hundreds of cyclists that commute and train in the cemetery. The reason
>for this is the speed of riders (...)
>
>
>
>

Another good reason for riding fixed-gear in urban settings: ya don't
get crazy on descents, cause you're scrubbing your speed to keep the rpm
manageable. Takes some of the thrills away, but that control makes it
hard to break any speed limits!

Jeff, thanks for the heads-up on this concern from Riverview. I hope
cyclists aren't banned from this important (and beautiful) route!

David "legal by drive train choice" A.

Jeff Tedder

Good morning everyone,
I just wanted to post a message about riding in Riverview Cemetery. For
those of you that don't know this is a very popular route from the Sellwood
bridge up to the top of Taylors Ferry and Terwilliger area. I had a long
talk with David Noble from the head office on Tuesday and there has been
talk of stopping the cyclists from riding this route, this would be a blow
to hundreds of cyclists that commute and train in the cemetery. The reason
for this is the speed of riders going through the narrow roads around the
areas like the parking lot at the front office, the maintenance shop on the
back side and several other areas that have sharp turns and people cutting
corners and almost hitting cars head on. There has been several close misses
lately he said and they do not want any accidents. So please slow the speed
going down through the cemetery, especially around the areas that I talked
about. I would hate to see us loose the privledge of using these roads, they
are nice enought to allow us access so lets not screw it up, please put the
word out to people that may not be on this chatline. Thanks everyone for
listening and any questions let me know.
Jeff Tedder
Hammer Nutrition Products
503-246-2388
cell 503-473-7650