(Photos © J. Maus)
There is perhaps no street in Portland where bicycles play a larger role in the daily fabric of life than on NE Alberta. Despite lacking adequate bike access (in my opinion) the amount of bike traffic and evidence of bike-related culture on the street is exciting and inspiring.
On Alberta, bicycles seemed to be embraced by the entire community; a fact that was extremely evident during the annual Alberta Street Fair on Saturday.
I roamed the event for hours with my family and it seemed like every time I turned around bikes were somehow part of the scene. From items sold by vendors to the many full bike parking corrals, to the bikes being ridden by event-goers — and even bikes being used as businesses.
Check out more photos below for how bicycles are a part of living on Alberta Street…
Frock, a locally owned boutique, is full of bike-themed merchandise. An employee in the store said, “We feel like it’s very pro-Portland, and we’re very pro-Portland.”
The Umpqua Bank branch at NE 18th doesn’t shy away from bicycles in its branding…
The official event t-shirts make it clear that bikes are a large part of Alberta Street’s identity…
And then, of course, there are the people on bikes. On Alberta they come in many varieties…
On Alberta, bikes also mean business…
Clif Bar had employees towing trailers dubbed “Energy Carts” that passed out free samples.
The Taco Pedaler(s) – Melanie McClure and Erica Kraner — have been in business since February and their bike-based business model seems to be rolling along quite well.
This mural and this bike caught my eye…
… and upon further inspection I met Bryan Davidson. Bryan has just launched Rinky Dinks, yet another bike-based business. Bryan has partnered with 21st Avenue Bicycles and plans to serve hot and cold coffee drinks from his Haley cargo trike at group rides and other events.
Hope you enjoyed these photos as much as I enjoyed taking them.