The Zoobomb Pyle at
SW 10th and Oak
(Photos © J. Maus)

An idea nearly three years in the making will finally bear fruit later this month when Zoobomb holds an event to dedicate the new permanent home for their "Pyle" of mini-bikes.

As we reported back in October 2007, the Zoobombers worked with Mayor Sam Adams (then Commissioner of Transportation), the Regional Arts and Culture Council (RACC) and the Bureau of Transportation to secure a $10,000 grant for the project.

The new rack will be an officially recognized and sanctioned work of public art. Or, as Zoobomb puts it:

"A new home for Zoobomb’s bicycle lending library and a monument to public space, bicycling,and free fun!"

(more...)

Vanessa Renwick
Photo © Montana Maurice

As part of the process to transform their iconic "Pyle" of mini-bikes into official public art, the Zoobombers have chosen two artists to help turn their visions into a reality.

According to regular Zoobomber Carl Larson -- who (along with a group of others) is working with the Regional Arts and Culture Council (RACC) on the project -- they have chosen the dynamic duo of Brian Borrello and Vanessa Renwick.
(more...)

The Pyle, at its current
location on SW 9th.
(Photos © Jonathan Maus)

Even though it's been over a year since Zoobombers first met with PDOT about it, the process to integrate the iconic mound of mini-bikes known as the Zoobomb Pyle into a piece of official public art is now moving along quickly.

After the announcement of the project in October, the Regional Arts and Culture Council (RACC) received 14 applications from local artists hoping to build a new rack for the beloved cluster of mini-bikes.

The bikes are maintained by a group of Portlanders who like to take them on the MAX train to Washington Park and then "Zoobomb" down the steep and windy streets of the West Hills every Sunday night. (more...)

[Editor's note: This is the first article by new contributor Carl Larson. I hope to bring you more of his writing in the future.]

The iconic Zoobomb Pyle
will get a new home.
(File photo © Jonathan Maus)

The "Zoobomb Pyle," that colorful jumble of janky kids bikes chained to the bike rack across from Rocco's Pizza at SW 10th and Oak, has
finally been recognized as "art."

Thanks to pressure from Commissioner Sam Adams' office, the Regional Arts and Culture Council (RACC) has given the project a budget of $10,000 (that's less than 20% of the budget for "Pod," the enormous metal shuttlecock-on-a-tripod that usually ends up in the background of tourists' pictures of the beloved Pyle).

The RACC -- in concert with PDOT and Zoobomb -- plans to build a purpose-built structure at W Burnside and SW Stark to which the bicycles can be locked without the threat of citations or removal by the city.
(more...)

[Photo by Felix]

Last week, a group of Zoobombers met with with Portland's art rack coordinator and Transportation Options manager Linda Ginenthal in a conference room at PDOT headquarters.

The meeting was called to garner feedback from Ginenthal on potential designs (see below) and locations for a new Zoobomb bike rack. Next week, Ginenthal will meet with Commissioner Sam's office and a rep from the Regional Arts and Culture Council (RACC) to make the final decision.
(more...)

[One idea for new
Zoobomb bike rack]

The iconic Zoobomb Pile (a.k.a. the "Holy Rack" or the "People's Bike Library of Greater Portland") is in for a major change.

Tuesday night, in a rare showing of cohesion, 20 Zoobombers met in a downtown restaurant to discuss potential new locations for the pile and share design ideas and sketches for a new rack to hold their mini-bikes.

Also in attendance was PDOT employee Linda Ginenthal. One of Ginenthal's roles in the Transportation Options division is to review art racks and make sure they pass city guidelines.
(more...)

[The Zoobomb Pyle]

The Zoobomb Pyle—which Zoobombers call the "People's Bike Library of Greater Portland"—is much more than a bunch of mini-bikes, it's an icon that symbolizes one of Portland's proud traditions.

It's also an important part of the weekly ride that zooms from the Zoo into downtown. The bikes in the Pyle are loaners which Zoobomb maintains for first-timers and others that show up without a bike.

The library system works well, and there's even an official librarian. That post is currently held by Handsome Dave, who collects $5 and an ID from anyone who uses a "Pyle bike."
(more...)