Portland Farmers Market has announced that this May will be their first-ever Bike Month at the Market.
Throughout the month, the Saturday PSU Market will host a bike booth featuring bike displays, bike inspections and biking experts to provide market-goers with the information and inspiration to tote their produce and artisan foods home on two wheels instead of four.
According to a survey conducted at the market, 60% of shoppers arrive by car. And a visit on any Saturday morning finds a serious parking deficit and slow-circling cars hunting for a spot near the booths. Market organizers say they hope that Bike Month will help solve the parking problem as well as encouraging the community to make the connection between local food and sustainable transportation.
Besides information, maps, and friendly advice on topics from routes to cargo carrying to adjusting your brakes, the bike booth is hosting a raffle. Each $5 ticket earns you a chance to win one of three exciting prizes: a Townie Xtracycle with a child seat from Clever Cycles; a conversion by Joe Bike of your road or mountain bike to a commuting, cargo-carrying machine; and a LifeCycling urban everyday riding skills clinic from BIKEmpowered.
The month will also feature weekly clinics, beginning this Saturday, May 9th with a Bike Bucket construction workshop at 10am and a Crash Free Forever skills workshop at 11am. Other weeks will feature different clinics and displays of “market ready” bikes. See their website for a full schedule.
The month’s bike activities culminate on the final Saturday, May 30th. Group rides starting from points around the city will converge at the market at 11am for free snacks, kids’ activities, and the raffle prize drawing. (Stay tuned for details — or contact Anna (anna at portlandfarmersmarket dot org or 503 241 0032 if you’d like to volunteer to lead a ride.)