Pedal-powered delivery company marks successful first year

Morrison Bridge bike-walk path dedication event-23

B-Line founder and CEO Franklin Jones
and staffer Mike Cobb on the
Morrison Bridge.
(Photo © J. Maus)

B-Line Sustainable Urban Delivery, a local company that uses pedal-powered trikes to deliver freight around Portland’s urban core, will celebrate a successful first year in business tonight with a gala celebration that will feature a keynote address by Mayor Sam Adams.

In a statement released today, Mayor Adams said B-Line’s business model “illustrates the kind of paradigm shift Portland leaders see as essential to the city’s future.”

Since they launched last year, B-Line has made over 3,000 deliveries and covered 6,000 miles. Company founders Kathryn Racine and Franklin Jones have added four employees to keep their delivery trikes buzzing at full capacity.

B-Line delivers to over 30 locations and has partnered with clients ranging from the largest organic produce wholesaler in the Pacific Northwest, Organically Grown Company, to Portland Roasting Company, Pearl Bakery, and others.

At the celebration tonight, they’ll unveil their new Trucker Trike which was designed and built by Bill Stites of Portland-based Stites Designs.

In his keynote address at the event, Adams will recognize B-Line’s delivery method as being a “critical link in the infrastructure of Portland as a sustainable city,” and “one that is essential to meeting the city’s ambitious climate action goals and maintaining a livable community for all.”

    B-Line Anniversary Celebration
    Tonight (4/21) from 4:30 – 7:30pm
    The Sapphire Room at the Indigo 12 West (430 SW 13th Ave)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, contact me via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a paying subscriber.

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Nick V
Nick V
14 years ago

Their riders are very friendly and well-mannered on the roads/paths. I see them a lot going over the bridges. Congrats!

Mark Allyn
14 years ago

Those people must be in great shape!

Moving around loads for eight hours per day on our hills is far more exercise that I do with my 20 mile commute from PDX to Hillsboro!

Great job!

Mark

Steven Vance
14 years ago

Wow, I actually had the privilege of checking out the Trucker Trike a few days ago. It is intense and I think you’ll agree when you show up at the gala and see it.

Paul Johnson
Paul Johnson
14 years ago

Neat cargo bike. I have to wonder if Bill Stites realizes green lights are only permitted on emergency vehicles.

jeneraldisarray
jeneraldisarray
14 years ago

Congrats, B-Line! So glad to see that the Mayor and PDX in general are taking some time party with you and celebrate your success!

Always love seeing you at the SoupCycle kitchen in the wee hours of a Monday morning 😉