5 December 2008 Archives

Bicycle Film Festival returns to Portland

Bicycle Film Festival opening night-2.JPG

Crowds at the event last year.
(Photo © J. Maus)

The eighth annual Bicycle Film Festival (not to be confused with the Portland-grown Filmed by Bike fest) is set to return to Portland next week. On the schedule are two full nights of bike-inspired films (five programs total) that will show at Cinema 21 (616 NW 21st Ave) on December 12th and 13th.

Last year, I reported that the turnout for this fest was a bit depressing. For some reason, Portlanders didn’t exactly welcome the fest with open arms (or at least the smallish crowds made it seem that way).

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

You’re not likely to find a bike
like this at your local shop.
(Photo © J. Maus)

The other day, in the bike rack of my daughter’s school, I noticed a very practical children’s bike. It had everything a bike needs to be used as a real transportation vehicle — a chain-guard, generator lights front and rear, a rack, a frame pump, full-coverage fenders, and a bell.

BikeCraft IV will be here next week! We have an amazing collection of crafters and artists this year. More people than ever before came forward, with work ranging from gorgeous artisan metalworking to silkscreened patches for your messenger bag. There is something for everyone — so shop local this holiday season as you replenish your stylish warm-weather gear and find perfect gifts for all the bike lovers in your life.

So without further ado, here’s the full 2008 lineup:

Marion Rice and daughter Gleneden

[Editor’s note: This article is by our Family Biking columnist Marion Rice. Marion previously wrote about how to keep kids warm and dry on the bike. Today, she offers up her tips and thoughts about what to do when your little ones don’t feel like hopping on the bike (which is something that I bet happens to all families at one point or another).]

Sometimes my kids say they don’t want to go by bike.

“I also have to admit — I keep emergency chocolate in my Xtracyle bag.”

We do have a car and the mere presence of a motorized, temperature controlled cocoon creates the potential option for using it. I often wonder how other bike commuting parents deal with this and what they say to get their kids going when they don’t want to.

I’ve just added more books that were recommended by readers. Thanks, and enjoy! — Elly

The kid’s bookshelf at the BikePortland Bookstore is growing rapidly. We’ve rounded up a stack of recommendations that have come to us from biking families all over Portland.

These new additions are all picture books and simple story books that will be fun and inspirational for very young kids. Do you have any favorites which don’t appear here? How about bike-related books for older kids and teens?

Via the links below, you can order books to be shipped to you — or better yet, pick them up by bike! Just choose the “In-Store Pickup” option at checkout to have the books held for you at any Powell’s location.

Bicycle Film Festival returns to Portland

Europe envy: Practical kid’s bikes and why they don’t exist in the U.S.

BikeCraft IV — Final vendor list

What to do when kids don’t want to go by bike

A new shop, and a new energy for triathlon in Portland

Updated: Bike books for the training wheel set

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