parade lit up NE Portland]
Last night in Northeast Portland, PDOT officially launched their new See and Be Seen campaign.
City Commissioner Sam Adams, visibility visionary (and Get Lit founder) Jeff Bernards, PDOT staffers, and about 60 cyclists braved the chilly temps to take part in the festivities.
Everyone was in a high (visibility) spirits…
- Marilyn “Tweety” Hayward donned an award-winning hi-viz display with her illumilite pants and jacket and Hokey Spokes-enabled wheels (see her in action).
- This friendly trio got into the spirit with some innovative head gear.
- Even Commissioner Sam got into the act by attaching a bunch of lights and weaving glo-sticks all over his bike.
Before the parade, we were treated a speech from Adams and an inspiring anecdote from Jeff Bernards, who recently announced that the Community Cycling Center (CCC) will take over the reins of his popular Get Lit program.
Jeff told us how grateful people are when he gives them lights. One night, he said, he installed a set of lights on the shopping cart/bike trailer of a local homeless couple. They were so appreciative that they offered Jeff a donation. He of course declined but relented upon their continued insistence. They proceeded to turn out their pockets and handed Jeff everything they had, which amounted to .64 cents.
needs a pair of gloves!]
We then rolled out en masse and took over the streets as a bright, twinkling, dizzying mass of riders. Rolling down Alberta Street, we made our way back to the Community Cycling Center where hot cider and fresh donuts awaited us.
A panel of judges awarded prizes for the best bike light decorations and we sipped hot cider and chatted among friends until the biting air thinned out the crowd.
Once the tents came down and the last donut was eaten, all that was left was a table, a box of lights, a few volunteers, and some very grateful cyclists getting free lights installed on their bikes.
I can’t think of a more fitting end to Jeff Bernards’ tremendous dedication and leadership of the Get Lit program. Thank you Jeff for being such a great advocate for safety and thanks to Commissioner Sam, PDOT and the CCC for stepping up to make sure this program has a very bright future.
“Let there be light!”]