A group of Portland framebuilders are in the early stages of forming the Oregon Bicycle Constructors Association (OBCA).
The effort is being led by veteran framebuilder Andy Newlands of Strawberry Cyclesport and Natalie and Austin Ramsland of Sweetpea Bicycles.
Newlands says this will be a statewide effort (he has already begun contacting builders) and that they have looked to the existing Creative Metal Arts Guild as a model.
in southwest Portland.
He told me this morning that the primary goals for the OBCA are to help promote and market Oregon builders. The group’s mission statement is,
“To promote the interest of the members involved in handcrafted bicycle construction by creating public appreciation and by fostering the professional development of its members.”
He is also actively pursuing a venue for an Oregon Bike Builders Show which would serve as an annual showcase of locally produced bicycles (similar to the Made in Portland Bike Show held last summer in City Hall).
The group has a basic website up at OregonBCA.org.
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