(Photo: J. Maus/BikePortland)
Hoping to plant seeds of love throughout the city, the northeast Portland-based Community Cycling Center has launched Velotines.
The concept is simple: Stop by their retail shop at 1700 NE Alberta Street during regular business hours and tell them who you love, why you love them, and where to deliver the message.
Then the CCC’s team of professional love couriers will type up your message on a romantic vintage typewriter and hop on their bikes to deliver the note.
The CCC says the inaugural program is all about spreading “positive community spirit”.
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Who might deserve a velotine card? The CCC has some suggestions: “Has an organization done something exceptional that you want to cheer in a way that no mere email could convey? Did a neighbor shovel that extra bit of sidewalk during the recent snow days? Could a friend use a little moral boost dealing with a tough life moment? Who are you thankful for? Who do you love, respect, or admire? Or is there that someone in your life who simply gives a great high five?”
“At this particular moment in time, it seems like a lot of people are taking a close look inward and thinking a lot about the people and community around them that they care about while also looking forward and assessing how they can make the world a better place for those they love.”
— David Kurushima, CCC retail store manager
For a nonprofit devoted to increasing access to bicycling, it might seem odd to focus on such a kitschy stunt like this. But for CCC Retail Manager David Kurushima, it makes total sense — especially given our national mood. “At this particular moment in time, it seems like a lot of people are taking a close look inward and thinking a lot about the people and community around them that they care about while also looking forward and assessing how they can make the world a better place for those they love,” he said. “I think this event captures those two sentiments and supports the work we do to ensure that the future of cycling in Portland is vibrant and more inclusive than it is today.”
Velotines at the CCC starts today at 4:00 pm. The shop is open from 10:00am to 6:00pm and there’s a $10 suggested donation. Keep in mind deliveries need to be within five miles of their shop on Alberta.
If you need more love in your life (and who doesn’t?), there are two other events this week that should be on your calendar: The annual Live the Revolution storytelling night on Friday and The Street Trust’s velotines making party at Velo Cult on Saturday.
— Jonathan Maus: (503) 706-8804, @jonathan_maus on Twitter and jonathan@bikeportland.org
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