‘PDX by Bike’ and a trike for Wrench Raiders: Two projects worth supporting

Two great local projects.

Portland is full of creative people doing exciting things to make our community better. There are two projects/fundraising campaigns in particular that deserve more attention and support.

The first is a campaign by Wrench Raiders to raise money for a new trike. Wrench Raiders is the nascent non-profit we profiled back in January that is fixing bikes — and building community — for Portland’s homeless.

Future Wrench Raider vehicle!

Currently, head Wrench Raider C.J. Speelman doesn’t own a bike that can haul his growing bevy of tools, repair stands, and spare parts. “We want to be a completely bike powered, mobile bicycle repair service.” To do that, Speelman hopes to raise $3,000 to purchase a cargo trike. He’s already 1/3 of the way there. Head over to WrenchRaiders.net to learn more and contribute.

Another awesome local bike project worth supporting is the new venture of Elly Blue and Meghan Sinnott. Elly and Meghan will soon launch a business called PDX by Bike (full story coming soon) that will specialize in helping Portland visitors navigate our city on two wheels with all the tips, tricks, and insights of a local.

They’ve launched a Kickstarter fundraising campaign to publish PDX by BIKE: Your Guide to Discovering Portland by Bicycle. Here’s more about the zine:

“It’s a travel guidebook, but with a twist. You know all the good stuff at the front of most guide books about local history, catching the bus, which bridges you can bike over, and tips for doin’ it like a local? That’s what’s in our printed guide–but geared towards bikers.”

Head over to Kickstarter to help Elly and Meghan raise $2,000 (they’re almost half way there!) to print and develop this zine. For more, watch a short video about the project below: