In DC: Alice Swanson’s ghost bike
Alice’s ghost bike at 20th and R Street in Washington, DC (Photos by Elly Blue)
Elly Blue (Columnist)
BikePortland Articles by Elly Blue (Columnist)
The Monday Roundup
Cascade Bicycle Club’s Advocacy Director David Hiller penned an eloquent rebuttal to the age-old “bikes don’t pay their way” rant.(Photo © J. Maus) From a distant and equally snowy land (Washington, DC New Haven, Connecticut), here’s your Monday news roundup. A week of snow in Portland has created an unofficial carfree week. I’m not there … Read more
On the train: Checking the bike, making friends
Boxing up the Brompton was a team effort(Photos by Elly Blue) I’m beginning to realize a few things about traveling with a folding bike. First of all, it’s definitely a passport to general goodwill and friendliness. I had a great time chatting with a homeless guy and a college student on the L’s blue line … Read more
From Chicago: Crashing with the 4 Star Courier Collective
[Publisher’s note: Elly Blue is on a trip through the East Coast. She’s got a Brompton folder, a backpack, and one of my old cameras around her neck. She’ll be posting dispatches and photos from the road. I’ve created a special section for all the articles and I’ll share some of them here on the … Read more
And I’m off! At the end of the era of slow trains
All loaded up just before she left for the train station.(Photo © J. Maus) The first leg of my journey begins this afternoon, barring any delays on Amtrak (that’s been known to happen before). I’ll be on the Empire Builder to Chicago for two nights, and then spend a third night on a less cushy … Read more
Instant celebrity and lock-free life with the Brompton
Taking the Brompton to brunch at the Tin Shed.(Photo: Amy Subach) When I posted on Thursday that I’m headed out today for an east coast train and bike tour, Todd at Clever Cycles got in touch over Twitter right away with the offer of a bike loan. That’s how I came to spend the weekend … Read more
Peacock Lane wrap-up: Lots of fun without the cars
Enjoying a carfree Peacock Lane.(Photo by Greg Raisman) Last night was the unofficial/official start of the annual Peacock Lane holiday light festival. For the first time ever this year, organizers decided to try a carfree night. From all reports we heard, it was a big success. Not even snow, ice and frigid temps could keep … Read more
The Monday Roundup
In Portland, fresh fallen snow is no impediment to biking.(Photo © Greg Raisman from the BikePortland Flickr group)
Sneak preview of new crafters for BikeCraft V
Now that BikeCraft’s over, we’re already thinking about next year — more space, more time, more days, and more amazing bike-related crafts are in the works. My one big regret from this year is that we had to draw the line at 35 (!) crafters, for fear of not having space for any actual shoppers … Read more
Elly’s East Coast Road Trip; Part One
After six (eventful!) weeks on the staff here at BikePortland HQ, I am headed out into the world beyond the Portland bike bubble. This Monday afternoon I board Amtrak’s Empire Builder, and three days later will disembark in our nation’s capital, where my east coast tour begins. I’ll be out east for a month, hanging … Read more
Gandhi, bike licensing, and a 100 year-old debate
Gandhi protested against bikelicenses 100 years ago.(Photo: Wikidpedia) The topic of bicycle licensing has been growing into more than a buzz lately. It’s often brought up around watercoolers and on web forums, and at this year’s Oregon Bike Summit, one of the keynote speakers (Oregon Transportation Commission Chair Gail Achterman) suggested that licensing bicycles is … Read more
Arts, crafts, and a raffle — BikeCraft is tomorrow!
BikePortland readers gathered at Roots earlier this year(Photo © J. Maus) It’s nearly here — BikeCraft IV! I hope you’ll join us tomorrow, December 10th, at Roots Organic Brewing (on SE 7th just south of Hawthorne — find us in Roots’ new event space right next door to the main bar). Doors open at 5:30 … Read more