Month: February 2012

(Image: Rapha North America)

I sometimes get annoyed with Internet memes, but there’s a new one that I’ve had a lot of fun following. In the lead up to tomorrow’s pre-NAHBS Show Me Yours event, local bike lover Chris DiStefano is encouraging folks to share their handmade bikes on Twitter with the hashtag, #showmeyourbike.

In just a few days (thanks in part to DiStefano’s employer, Rapha) there have been nearly 500 submissions on Twitter and Instagram. Tomorrow morning, DiStefano will host an offline meet-up where everyone is encouraged to show off their handmade bikes. The event will start at 9:00 am at West End Bikes (SW Stark and 11th). “These beautiful bicycles aren’t precious collectibles,” says DiStefano, “they’re made to be ridden.”

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A student group at Portland Community College’s Cascade campus in North Portland has launched a bike rental program.

The Associated Students of PCC says the new program — that offers bikes (refurbished by the Community Cycling Center) for $15 a term — is an effort to, “increase access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable transportation.” Here’s more from ASPCCC:

“Through the integration of long-term bicycle loans, education, and recreation, the Cascade Bike Program will enhance the physical and cultural development of students. As a resource for alternative transportation, we will minimize our campus and community environmental impact… The Bike Program is an important step in the PCC’s commitment to sustainability and reducing our impact on the environment.”

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Tim Blumenthal has
been named acting CEO.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

Massive news in the national bike advocacy world…

The Alliance for Biking & Walking, Bikes Belong, and the League of American Bicyclists — the three largest national bicycling advocacy organizations — intend to merge into one group. According to an official statement, the goal of the unification is to, “speed progress in creating a bicycle‐friendly America” and to “combine the significant resources of the three groups into one effective, powerful organization with a clear, integrated structure and a single voice.”

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