12 June 2008 Archives

Pedalpalooza Kickoff Parade: Photos and video

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

A sunny, carfree SE Hawthorne Blvd.
(Full gallery here)
(All photos by Jonathan Maus)

Over 350 people on bikes, in all manner of costumes, stretching seven city blocks on an otherwise normal Thursday evening… sounds like Pedalpalooza is here!

All types of folks showed up to partake in the bike fun tonight. I saw trikes, tandems, tall-bikes, a tandem recumbent, a bunch of unicycles, old people, little kids, lots of dresses and costumes — and a lot of smiling faces.

Jon “Dutch” Paglia showed up in a full wrap lycra suit, smoking a cigarette, with a gold-painted tall-bike that he did several ballet tricks on (in the video below):

Robert Pickett
(Photo © J. Maus)

The article below was written by Portland Police Officer Robert Pickett. Pickett — who regular readers know by his user name “PoPo” (he’s a regular commenter and member of the Portland Bike Forums) — is a former member of the SE Precinct Bicycle Patrol Unit and now works in the Bureau’s Neighborhood Response Team division. Pickett is also a former BTA Alice Awards nominee for his dedication to community policing.

Pickett was recently selected by Police Chief Sizer to be an official communications liaison to the community on bicycle issues. On BikePortland.org he previously shared his thoughts on humility and wrote about why cops ride on sidewalks.

“In my view, the Columbia River Crossing (CRC) debate is less about building a bridge and more about debating a right-sized project that is multi-modal, that won’t bankrupt our transportation funds, and won’t promote sprawl by increasing auto use. In addition, for cyclists, it’s about creating a world-class bicycle and pedestrian facility.”

That’s the opening paragraph of a blog post just published by Bicycle Transportation Alliance executive director Scott Bricker.

A scene from last year’s parade.
More photos here
(Photos © J. Maus)

Tonight is the annual Pedalpalooza Kickoff Parade.

If you want to bear witness to the wonderment (is that a word?) that is the Portland Bike Scene and/or take part in a rolling celebration of all that is beautiful about human-powered transportation, you should not miss this event!

The parade will have a full police escort and will meet at Jamison Square (NW 10th and Johnson) at 6:15, but you’ll want to arrive early to soak up the sights and decorate your bike.

The blue Hummer that led to the suspect.
(Photo © J. Maus)

The two parties involved with a road-rage incident in Northwest Portland back in January now want to put the whole thing behind them.

On the afternoon of January 21, Collin Whitehead was riding his bike when claimed he was “assaulted, threatened with a softball bat and punched in the face” by a man who had been driving a Hummer H2. The incident occurred in broad daylight and the man in the Hummer took off before police arrived.

Whitehead claimed the attack was provoked because he spit from his bike and the alleged assailant thought the spit was intended for his brand new Hummer H2.

Cover of the Portland
Mercury’s Bike Issue.
(Art by Justin “Scrappers” Morrison)

This year, the Portland Mercury stepped up to partner with Shift’s Pedalpalooza event (the 2+ week, 200+ event biking extravaganza that starts today!).

The Mercury is helping Shift with their big Dance Party on Saturday night and they’re distributing the official Pedalpalooza Calendar in their “Bike Issue” that just hit the streets this morning.

If you haven’t checked out the Mercury this week, do it now! Here’s a rundown of the bikey features:

PEDALPALOOZA DANCE PARTY — and Naked Ride!

Track 7, NW 30th Ave and Industrial St

9:00pm – 5:00am

Dance Party for the Naked Ride. Body paint and secure storage area will be provided, though we aren’t making any guarantees about how secure the storage really is. To be admitted to the party you must be 18 or older. Please bring your ID if you want to get into the party. The party’s theme is “Masquerade”.

Cirque du Cycling!

Come one, come all!

The circus is coming to Mississippi Avenue.

Cirque du Cycling, presented by Laughing Planet Café, is part circus, part bike street race and a benefit for Self Enhancement, Inc.

The whole event kicks off at 4:00 with a free three mile family ride to Peninsula Park. There is also a bike parade (advance registration required) featuring all sorts of wild sculptural bikes: tall bikes, choppers, swing bikes and more.

There’s live music all afternoon, plenty of entertainment to watch and an evening criterium street race with a two-way racing right down the middle of Mississippi Avenue.

Come relax in the beer garden, bring your bike, settle into your lawn chair, peruse the shops of Mississippi Avenue and numerous exhibitors and be prepared to be awed by spectacular bicycle tricks and riding feats.

Pedalpalooza Kickoff Parade

Shift’s Pedalpalooza Kickoff Parade

Jamison Square, NW 10th and Johnson Take Trimet
6:15pm, Arrive early to decorate your bike

Kick it off! Bring out the bike love on a costumed, decorated, escorted Bike Parade.

Pedalpalooza Kickoff Parade: Photos and video

Police Officer shares candid perspective on Taser incident

BTA chief clarifies CRC advocacy strategy

Tonight: Kickoff Parade will begin Pedalpalooza madness

Both parties admit overreacting in Hummer road rage case

Check out the Mercury’s Bike Issue

Pedalpalooza Dance Party

Cirque du Cycling!

Pedalpalooza Kickoff Parade

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