Portland State Magazine Spring 2015

4 PORTLAND STATE MAGAZINE SPRING 2015 Park Blocks Protected bike lanes BICYCLING ADVOCATES have long assumed that more people would ride bikes if their routes felt comfortable. Protected bike lanes—like these on Northeast Multnomah Street in Portland— seemed like a promising solution. Few studies had looked at lanes separated from car traffic by curbs, planters, parked cars or posts, until PeopleForBikes turned to Portland State’s Transportation Research and Education Center (TREC). In an effort called the Green Lane Project, TREC researched five cities across the country, collecting definitive evidence that people feel safe and comfortable riding in protected bike lanes. The report gives transportation agencies the science they need to build safer, better bike routes. New Comics Studies Program Enthusiasts looking to join the comics scene as writers, artists and scholars have a fresh avenue for study and exploration through PSU’s new Comics Studies Program. The post-baccalaureate certificate program kicked off in winter term and offers courses taught by some of the country’s top comics creators, including Brian Michael Bendis, Shannon Wheeler and Nicole J. Georges. Guest lecturers and internships also connect students to the local comics community, which includes publishers Dark Horse, Oni Press and Top Shelf. PSU’s Millar Library is home to the Dark Horse Collection, the only complete collection of books published by Dark Horse Comics, which was founded by PSU alumnus Mike Richardson ’77. Image courtesy of Dark Horse Comics.