bike bells? Thumbs waaay up!
(Photo © BikePortland/2006)
The Portland Trail Blazers will pass out 6,500 custom-branded Blazer bike bells at tonight’s home game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Bike-riding fans will also enjoy a new roof over their head at the arena’s main bike parking area.
Charlie Burr, from the Blazers PR firm, told me yesterday (with tongue firmly in cheek) that, “We believe the sound of alternative transportation will serve to disorient our Los Angeles brethren, giving us a critical advantage.”
Noisemakers in the crowd are common at Rose Garden Arena, but the team usually hands out cowbells.
“Our first goal is simply to make noise,” Burr said, “then the Blazers wanted to do something that was uniquely Portland. We thought it was a cool tie-in. It’s not the most menacing sound… but we’ll see.”
Burr also had some great news to share about bike parking at the Rose Garden. The main bike racks (just north of the main box office) are now covered. Burr said it’s all part of a renewed and ongoing focus on green practices by the Blazers organization.
Last week, the Rose Garden Arena was awarded a LEED “Gold” rating thanks in part to a large chunk (30%) of fans showing up by bike and transit.
It’s great to see the bike and Blazers connection get stronger and stronger. On that note, tickets are now available for our big Bike to Blazers ride on April 14th against the Golden State Warriors (last home game of the season)! Check out BikePortland.org/BiketoBlazers for more info.