The idiots who call themselves the "Zoobombers" take light rail to the zoo station, move their bicycles onto the elevator and ride to the top of the stop, then blast downhill back into downtown, routinely violating every traffic rule in existence. It's okay, though, because it's a thrill, and it helps Keep Portland Weird.
As part of the zoo bombing tradition, the bikes are left in a pile downtown to be used for the next ride.
Nearly three years ago, the group grew frustrated as bikes were stolen or damaged. The Zoobombers actually lobbied the city to give them a safe place to store their bikes.
Mayor Sam Adams, transportation commissioner at the time, made it happen.
"Commissioner Sam Adams asked us to work with transportation to find an artistic solution to the Zoobomb bikes," said Kristin Calhoun from the Regional Arts and Culture Council.
The group typically gives out $3 million dollars in taxpayer money each year to artists and groups and public art projects.
The Zoobomber monument got $10,000. It has loops on the lower portion of a tall mast with a golden bike on top.
The loops will allow Zoobombers to stack their bikes in an iconic pile -- but also lock them to the rings.
They are thrilled.
And I'll be thrilled to sign the recall petition to remove Adams from office.
In the meantime, the City of Portland plows on with more:
Portland Mayor Sam Adams says that the City is dedicated to "transportation transformation".
Sure, "Transportation Transformation". Oh, what a catchy vibe.
PDOT held a couple of "open house events" earlier this month in order to showcase their plans for more streetcars and more bicycle stuff. Yessir, and here's the Bicycle Master Plan Project leader with the Portland Department of Transportation, Ellen Vanderslice. You can see that she's wearing a shirt telling everybody to bicycle and walk more. Just judging by the dainty hippo-shape shown in the photo, it seems reasonable to assume that like most bureaucrats, she's far more comfortable with "encouraging" other folks to change their ways than in actually following through herself.
She talks a lot, she smiles a lot, she explains a lot. More than she can even guess, actually.
