MADE bike show returns to Portland in August

Zidell Yards was bustling at the 2023 MADE show. (Photo: Echos Communications)

The MADE 2024 bike show will return to Portland next month. Organizers announced Monday that tickets are now available for the event that will take place once again at the Zidell Yards venue in South Waterfront on August 23rd through 25th.

Last year MADE brought around 200 exhibitors to the cavernous, 100,000-square foot former shipbuilding warehouse and in so doing set a new standard for handmade bike shows and cemented Portland’s status as a cycling epicenter. The show’s organizers, bike industry public relations and marketing firm Echos Communications, is fresh off a show in Melbourne, Australia in June.

Th exhibitor list for MADE 2024 includes over 50 framebuilders and Echos already saying it will be, “the world’s largest gathering of builders and the public.” Among the builders coming this year are Portland-area favorites HotSalad Bicycles, Ira Ryan Cycles, Fiddlehead Cycles and Sage Titanium.

“For 2024 we’ve expanded the floorplan and have ample space for new builders and brands to join the community,” said MADE Co-found and Show Director Billy Sinkford. “We have new brand partnerships and activations with BikeFlights, Campagnolo, Chris King, ENVE, Shimano and Yakima, builders coming in from all across the world, and a full schedule of events.”

If you love bicycles and appreciate the craft of building them from raw materials into beautilitarian machines, you should consider attending this show. It’s a unique celebration of the art of framebuilding and a gathering of artisans and admirers where everyone is welcome.

Event details:

  • Dates: August 23 – 25, 2024 
  • Location: Zidell Yards, Portland, Ore.
  • 200+ builders and supporting brands
  • Evening activations supported by Chris King, Shimano, and Yakima
  • Iconic covered venue with indoor and outdoor expo space
  • Elevator Coffee provided by Shimano
  • Cold treats provided by ENVE
  • Sparkling water provided by Campagnolo
  • Beer garden supported by Block 15 Brewing
  • Multiple food and beverage options on-site, with many more in walking distance of the venue
  • Single- and multi-day tickets available
  • On-site parking available with ticket purchase
  • On-site bike parking 
  • Public transit: Zidell Yards is a half-block away from a bike-specific bridge and directly on the waterfront bike path. Multiple train and bus options are less than a block away

Check out the event website for more info and tickets.

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, contact me via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a paying subscriber.

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Pockets
Pockets
4 months ago

Stoked for year two! Attendees new this year, I suggest bringing some cash for goodies, maybe a small bag and carry a water bottle, despite being out of the sun it still gets a bit warm on the show floor, and iirc there will be more outdoor spaces as well.

Colton
Colton
4 months ago

Curious if they’re going to fix the beer garden this year so its not just a square with one tent on the blacktop away from everything. Would be rad to be able to have a beer while walking around and checking things out

Jim Calhoon
Jim Calhoon
4 months ago
Reply to  Colton

I understand the want to be able walk around while drinking a beer It all has to do with how they license the event. The following is from the OLCC website.

TYPES OF SPECIAL EVENT LICENSES

Temporary Sales License (TSL)
This license allows the sale of distilled spirits, malt beverages, wine, and cider for drinking within a licensed area. This license also allows the sale of wine, cider, and malt beverages in growlers to go.

The licensed area has to be a controlled area. Every entry and exit must have staff to ensure that no alcohol leaves the licensed area and no minor can enter the area. There are other special event licenses that would allow a bigger area to consume alcohol. These would require more staff and more hoops to jump through just to get the license.

Colton
Colton
4 months ago
Reply to  Jim Calhoon

Yeah I am aware of OLCC permitting and how that works, you just have to balance the cost with projected alcohol sales. I know I had a ton of friends that omitted drinking at the fest because it was too out of the way and there wasn’t anything going on in the beer corral. The key is to make buying/consuming easy enough that folks would spend time and money doing it. There are plenty of other events that take place there that have figured it out, and being a ticketed event means there is already staff at entrances and exits. Having a handful of staff specifically to keep OLCC happy isn’t that expensive if your alcohol sales jump exponentially.

Again not saying this is a necessity, I was just pointing out the fact that it was a 40’x40′ corral with one beer trailer and one tent and I feel like its a missed opportunity and there could be more going on out there.

Matt
Matt
4 months ago

Doesn’t it seem a little strange that a bike event in the South Waterfront in Portland that’s billed as “the world’s largest gathering of builders and the public” sells car parking?

With the on-site bike parking and multiple close transit options outlined in the story, should the organizers be in the business of coordinating ticketing for car parking?

Sure, folks can drive if they need to, but it feels odd to prioritize it with space and sales.

MontyP
MontyP
4 months ago
Reply to  Matt

At least they’re charging $10 in advance, $15 day of for parking, so that’s as good a method as any of discouraging driving.

Granpa
Granpa
4 months ago
Reply to  Matt

There is always someone with a stricter ideological purity test

Jim Calhoon
Jim Calhoon
4 months ago
Reply to  Matt

So do you not realize that most people who ride bikes drive cars. And it’s not just people who live in Portland who attend this show. Without auto parking you wouldn’t get the volume of visitors needed to attract all the venders. As for the cost of parking discouraging driving probably not. The Expo Center charges more for it’s parking. On the big shows there running shuttle busses from the overflow parking at PIR.

Paul Hobson
Paul Hobson
4 months ago
Reply to  Jim Calhoon

Jim — to your point. This venue is located mere blocks away from a transit state at the base of a bridge that serves only transit and bikes/pedestrians. There is also free on-site bike parking available. Not sure what else to do to make it more friendly to non-automobile options.

Jim Calhoon
Jim Calhoon
4 months ago
Reply to  Paul Hobson

So does the Expo center but it’s a low number that attend events using max. I believe that there will be a large number of people who will bike to the event and use the free bike parking. And there will be some that make use of transit. It could be 30 to 40% that do not drive. I have been attending cycling events in the Portland area for the last 40 years (Remember when Portland had an annual bike show). The majority of people still drive to the events. The problem is how transit and riding on Portland streets is viewed. Friendly is not part of that veiw.

Michael Mann
Michael Mann
4 months ago
Reply to  Jim Calhoon

The majority of attendees last year arrived by bike or transit.

Jim Calhoon
Jim Calhoon
4 months ago
Reply to  Michael Mann

Thanks for that update. I did not make it there last year (working out of town). I hope the same is true this year.

Matt
Matt
4 months ago
Reply to  Jim Calhoon

Most people who ride bikes drive cars? I don’t believe that’s true. I think it’s a statistical and scientific certainly that most people who ride bikes ride them exclusively of any other form of transportation, including planes, trains, or automobiles.

Speaking of which, does the MADE bike show have room for a helipad?

Granpa
Granpa
4 months ago
Reply to  Matt

Without snark or derision, suspect that in the community in which you circulate it is true that cyclists don’t drive. Bicycling is a big tent with many diverse and varied communities. Unlike many on this blog I won’t play “gotcha” by asking for the statistics or science on which you base your assertion that cyclists don’t drive.
It is worth recalling that the Made event is huge. Even in this comment thread Bike Friday mentioned their eagerness to come up from Eugene to participate in the event. I suspect attendees will show up from Bend, Vancouver and other far flung locations. (Okay, maybe with some snark) Feel free to assume the moral high ground over those who operate in the world as it exists

Watts
Watts
4 months ago
Reply to  Matt

“Most people who ride bikes drive cars?”

Yes. Though I concede bike riders never take the bus, as it violates union rules, and it’s just too slow

water4all
water4all
4 months ago

They need to have easy access water & refills stations. Last year was hot af without water stations

KC
KC
4 months ago

Pumped, best bike event I’ve ever seen, wish I would have gone back for a second day to spend more time.

Bike Friday
4 months ago

We are so stoked for another great MADE Show! Can’t wait to showcase our latest developments happening down in Eugene!

Surly Ogre
joe bicycles
4 months ago

here’s the layout for 2024
https://made.bike/exhibitor-list/

Granpa
Granpa
4 months ago

Will Billy Sinkford be meeting with happy hour attendees and checking out Portland’s coolest bikes?

Brian McGloin
Brian McGloin
4 months ago

I’m stoked to go this year (I was out of town last year). I bought my tickets and secured days off.

I assume there’ll be some related Pedalpalooza and/or bike shenaniganery during or after the event.

MontyP
MontyP
4 months ago

Is this kid friendly? I didn’t see anything about kid’s tickets on the website.

Matt
Matt
4 months ago
Reply to  MontyP

Unaccompanied children will be given an espresso and a puppy.

Serenity
Serenity
4 months ago
Reply to  MontyP

Yes. I saw lots of kids there last year.

MontyP
MontyP
4 months ago
Reply to  Serenity

Good to hear. It’s always great to show kids how cool bikes are. There are plenty of car and moto shows around, but very few bike shows.

Serenity
Serenity
4 months ago
Reply to  MontyP

There should definitely be more bike shows.

Middle of the Road Guy
Middle of the Road Guy
4 months ago
Reply to  MontyP

I hope not. Also hope they keep dogs out.