
The man who died after being struck by a MAX light rail train on Wednesday was 81-year old Michael O’Callaghan. He was a lifelong activist who organized and implemented several successful community initiatives in over a half-century of public service. And he showed no signs of slowing down, as he ran an inspiring campaign for Portland Mayor just last year.
Some of us got to know “Mayor Mike” during his recent mayoral campaign and his regular attendance at Bike Happy Hour. Mike, who lived in a makeshift shelter on Portland streets for the past 15 years, was eager to speak during open mic and tell us about his ideas.
Zack Reinhardt, a mechanic at Splendid Cycles near the entrance to the Springwater Corridor path, told BikePortland that Mike was a good friend of the shop. “Mayor Mike was a fixture of southeast Portland,” Zack shared. “You could often find him drinking coffee at Spielman’s bagels on Division or riding his bike along the Springwater.”
Here’s more from Zack:
“He would routinely visit Splendid Cycles to thank us for providing an open water spigot to the public, occasionally bringing us gifts: freshly picked flowers, a potted orchid, and even once home made blackberry wine. He was a living example of kindness and generosity.”
Mike hailed from Anchorage, Alaska where he was known for decades of grassroots activism that focused on helping people in need. Whether it was giving away free food from the back of his bicycle trailer or free bicycles from a bike share program he created in 1977 — Mike never shied away from a bold idea and was the quintessential do-it-yourselfer.
In 1987, his work earned him a mention as an “unsung hero” in Newsweek magazine.
When Mike moved to Portland, he helped start the Right to Dream homeless camp and garnered headlines when he represented himself in a lawsuit against the city over the camping ordinance.


Mike had such an impact on his former hometown that the Anchorage Daily News published a where-are-they-now profile of him in 2020. Here’s an excerpt from that article:
“For several decades, Michael O’Callaghan was one of Anchorage’s most colorful activists and political gadflies. His causes were myriad and wide ranging. With him now in Portland, is there anyone left in Anchorage that combines his mixture of humanism, flair for the dramatic and quixotic inclinations?”
It’s still unclear what exactly happened before Mike was struck and killed. He lived along the Springwater Corridor, very close to the rail crossing at SE 8th and Division, and had likely made it across that same intersection countless times without any problems. What we do know is that Portland has lost a wonderful human who embodied much of what makes our city so special.
Rest in peace Mayor Mike.
Learn more about Mike:
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What a wonderful man. And what a sad ending. This is a lovely piece — thanks for letting us know what Mayor Mike was like. RIP.
I’m heartbroken. Mike was a wonderful human being and I know many of his neighbors and friends will miss him – including me. I will always be grateful for the example he set demonstrating kindness, creativity, and steadfastness in his efforts to make this world a better place.
Rest In Peace Mayor Mike! Thank you for running for Portland Mayor, sharing your brilliance, and being a super human.
Hey FYI Mike grew up in Tigard. Lived in Alaska for decades and then came back to the Portland area.
Thanks so much for posting this obituary of Mike. I got to know him as a regular at the Laurelthirst Pub – a music venue and Pub in NE Portland. Mike was a regular there. One couldn’t help but notice his original style of solo dancing. A gentle soul who deep down really cared about our city. RIP in Peace Michael…
I know him from the Thirst as well..what a sweet man..and what a dancer !! I’m shocked…
You could count on Mike to show up anywhere, unexpectedly, sometimes far outside from SE Portland. His raging optimism and way of framing things made me rethink my own approach to daily life. There was a time when there were more people like him but forever none like Mike.
Does anyone know the process for putting up a ghost bike? I’d love to organize something like that in his memory.
Hi Katie,
Thanks for reaching out. I’m so sorry for your loss.
There’s no set process or organization that does this. However, lately a local nonprofit group called BikeLoud PDX has been organizing ghost bikes and memorial signs. If it’s ok with you, I’ll forward your comment and email to a few of the folks who do this.
Regards and take care.
Sorry for your loss, Katie
Is this intended to be critical of Trimet? From everything I’ve read about this tragedy, the deceased bypassed every safety device and entered an active trackway. I don’t blame the MAX operator at all, in fact I feel the most sorry for them.
Not sure how you would think anything written above is meant to be critical of TriMet. She asked about a ghost bike memorial. I don’t see anyone blaming the MAX operator and your comment is extremely insensitive given the context.
I knew Michael from our days at the U of O. I was also friends with Colleen. I was so sorry about hearing about his demise. For the past few years I would get a call from Mike on my birthday, inviting me out for a drink. I knew of his living arrangement. Rest in peace. I treasure those moments I spent with Mike.
Peace to all who knew him. I met him not long ago at Laurelthirst and his positive spirit was lovely.
MEMORIAL AND GHOST BIKE UPDATE:
Sarah Risser with Families For Safer Streets and other BikeLoud Volunteers are getting a ghost bike (and sign for it) prepared for the Memorial Ride on July 11th 6pm at track location.
We are looking for speakers who knew him to attend, might be wanting to help share a story or a special memory.
I am working on a flyer so others outside cycling community can learn about the memorial.
Please reach out if you have flyer location suggestions or can print and post one somewhere.
FlatTireCreations (at) gmail
Thank you for connecting with Bike Loud to place a ghost bicycle where Michael O’Callaghan was killed by the train. I greatly appreciate your work to increase bicycle safety. I have been an avid bicyclist for years. Many of Michael’s family members are planning to join the ride Friday, July 11. I worked alongside and was married to Michael for 32 years.
Several members of Michael’s will be traveling to Oregon for Michael’s wake and would like to join the ride July 11. Does anyone have bicycles that we can borrow? Or rent?
Thank you.