Well-lit bikes and the people who ride them

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

14 years ago

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

When it comes to being well-lit, Mark Allyn does it with style.
(Photos © J. Maus)

With TriMet’s “Be Seen, Be Safe” event set for tonight (5:00, Pioneer Square, be there!), I thought it’d be fun to delve into our photo archives for some shots of well-lit bikes and the people who ride them. One of the main events tonight is a Lit bike contest that I’m sure will draw some of our local hi-vis experts.

Cycle Oregon Day 4 - Lake Selmac to Glendale-4

Jim Parsons.

When I think of well-lit bikes, two people pop into my head. One is none other than Jim “K’Tesh” Parsons and the other is local artist Mark Allyn.

Jim is an interesting and very kind fellow who you’ve likely seen at local bike events. He lives in Beaverton, he is (by far) the most prolific member of the BikePortland Forums, and he does more citizen activism for bicycling than anyone I’ve ever met (he’s actually obsessed with it; seriously).

Jim gave his mom’s bike the “Parsons treatment.”

How many lights can one handlebar hold?

Jim’s bike in full dress.

This guy is impossible to miss.

Among Jim’s many interests are making himself and his bike as reflective and well-lit as possible. He has painstakingly layered his entire bike with reflective tape and he has more lighting systems on his handlebars and helmet than I can keep track of. In addition to the tape and the lights, he’s down with the Down Low Glow. When you see him tonight, make sure you say “hi,” but also make sure you don’t look directly into his lights or you could go blind.

No talk of bike lights in this town would be complete without the “master of light” Mark Allyn. Mark is an artist who lives in Southeast Portland. He makes spectacular, light-infused rain-gear and jewelry that always draws a crowd. It will not be possible to miss him at the event tonight (hopefully he shows up!).

Bike Fashion Show_ride and afterparty-78

Note the cool, light-infused necklace he made.

From the front.

In full dress.

Wowing the crowds at Filmed by Bike.

He makes the jacket too.

Mark and Jim aren’t the only locals who know how to light up a bike. Check a few shots below for more inspiration and don’t forget to roll by Pioneer Square tonight at 5:00 for all the fun, free lights from TriMet, hot cocoa, the Lit Bike contest, and more!