Reader Story: A pleasant way around SW Barbur Blvd
Reader Kevin Wagoner created this map to help explain his favorite new way to avoid SW Barbur Blvd on his daily commute.
Reader Stories
The stories below were written by BikePortland readers. We’d love to share your stories on the Front Page. If you’d like to send one in, please use our submission form.
Reader Story: A call for bikeway etiquette as fair weather floodgates open
As temps increase, so do crowds in the bike lanes.(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland) This article reflects on an annual tradition in Portland: Veteran, all-season riders having to adjust to an influx of fair-weather riders at the onset of spring. It was submitted by 31-year old North Portland resident Adam Stone, who requested that I publish … Read more
Reader Story: Get a quick-fix of mountain biking in Forest Park
The magic of Forest Park’s northern reach.(Photos by Hudson Henry) After I shared a story about a recent ride in Forest Park, I heard from many readers with fun routes of their own. The story and photos come to us from southwest Portland resident Hudson Henry. Do you desperately need a mountain bike ride, but … Read more
Reader story: The Tiniest Bright Spot (a poem about riding in January)
This poem was submitted by reader and St. Johns resident Jamie Caulley. I think it captures the challenge and the beauty of riding through Portland winters. Read it below the jump…
Reader Story: ‘Pay it Forward Ride’ brightens holiday for a family in need
Hammer Velo team members at the recent Pay it Forward ride.(Photo courtesy Drew Coleman) [The article below was submitted by Sellwood reside Drew Coleman.]
Reader Story: Portland team heads to Hungary for MTB Orienteering World Championships
Abra McNair (L) and Sue Grandjean are ready to take on the world.(Photo courtesy Abra McNair) The story below was submitted by northeast Portland resident Abra McNair. This August, two Portlanders will head across the globe to Veszprem, Hungary to represent the USA in the World Championships of Mountain Bike Orienteering (MTBO). This will be … Read more
Reader story: Photos of bike culture in Cuba
People and their bikes from Cuba. Photos by Josh Townsley.
Reader Story: What the Ride of Silence means to this mom
[This story was submitted by Kristi Finney, who became a traffic safety activist after her son Dustin was killed by a hit-and-run driver while bicycling in Portland last August.] Less than a year ago I’d never heard of the Ride of Silence. I don’t remember how I found out about the website but I came … Read more
Reader Story: Portland Bike Polo, ten years in the making
Bike polo players in Alberta Park.(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland) [This story was submitted by northeast Portland resident and president of Portland Bike Polo, Sasha Friedman.] Portland Bike Polo has progressed over the past ten years from an offshoot of an indie messenger sport to a large group of athletes practicing year-round for national and international … Read more
Reader Story: Shared space as a bridge to cycling utopia
(Photos © J. Maus) [This story was submitted by Portland resident and active transportation activist Alexis Grant.] With Jonathan’s recent mention that Effective Cycling (the vehicular cycling bible) will be republished, it seems like a good time to share some thoughts on cycling facilities that I developed after attending Towards Carfree Cities IX in York, … Read more
Reader Story: How I survived auto amputation
Allison and her husband Michael.(Photo: Allison Sliter) [This story was submitted by BikePortland reader Allison Sliter.] A couple years back I lost some weight. A lot of weight, actually. I lost about 1500 lbs when my 1980 Honda Accord was donated to NPR. I had been dabbling in the carfree lifestyle for years. Leaving my … Read more
Reader Story: St. Johns Bridge: Portland, how about a warning?
A visitor finds that even the sidewalk isn’t that nice to ride on.(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland) [Editor’s note: I am excited to publish the first reader story submitted through our new Share Your Story page. Please keep the submissions coming! — JM (currently in Siesta Key, Florida ;-))] This story was submitted by Peter Herreid … Read more