BikePortland

The BikePortland Podcast: The surprising power of bike fun

Benson Bubbler Ride - Pedalpalooza 09-10

Bike fun comes in many shapes and sizes in Portland, and it’s impact is profound. This is a scene from a 2009 ride led by our podcast producer Lily Karabaic where she shared the history of the “Benson Bubbler” fountains.
(Photos by J. Maus/BikePortland)

With the crazy month of June behind us, our latest edition of the BikePortland Podcast delves into the power of Pedalpalooza and the surprising secrets that make bike fun both a pleasant pastime and a potent pillar of cultural change.

Faraday Road along the Clackamas River is part of the route.

Just in time for peak summer riding season, the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission has just approved the latest State Scenic Bikeway. The Cascading Rivers Scenic Bikeway is a 70-mile route that takes riders from Estacada to Detroit along the Clackamas and Breitenbush Rivers.

Here’s more about the route from its official description:

ODOT officials and assorted dignitaries walk across the path alongside the new I-84 bridge over the Sandy River.
(Photo: ODOT)

Things are looking up for bicycle access in Troutdale along I-84 and the Sandy River.

New Eastbank path under Tilikum Bridge -6

Some of the first riders to ever travel on the new section of path under the Tilikum Bridge on the east side of the Willamette River.
(Photos by J. Maus/BikePortland)

After a 14-month closure, TriMet re-opened the Eastbank Esplanade path (which some are calling the Eastside Greenway Trail) between OMSI and SE Caruthers Street this afternoon. The new, 14-foot wide path begins just south of OMSI, goes under the Tilikum Crossing Bridge and then back up to Caruthers just south of the Portland Opera headquarters.

I rolled over today for a closer look.

Portland is poised to enter a new era of bike activism; and it might look a lot like the old one.

After laying dormant for over six years, Critical Mass appears to be showing real signs of life. People who were at the ride this past Friday night have expressed enthusiasm and optimism about how it went and it’s already on the calendar again next month.

How low could you go? The bike limbo competition was fierce at Saturday’s Bike Fair.
(Photos by J. Maus/BikePortland)

While the Sprockettes deservedly got most of the spotlight at the Bike Fair on Saturday, there was a bunch of other great action.

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title
Mechanic/sales

Company/Organization
Bike N’ Hike – Beaverton

Job Description
Beaverton Bike N Hike is currently hiring for positions in both sales and service. Bike mechanic applicants must have shop experience. Sales position applicants must have a positive attitude and a love for bicycles, no shop experience required.

How to Apply
Drop off a Resume at our Beaverton shop, located at 10120 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy, Beaverton, OR 97005. Or email a Resume to beaverton@bikenhike.com

The Monday Roundup: Carfree, ‘Curbee’, car abuse & more

The “Curbee” footrest in action.
(Photo by Steven Vance/Streetsblog Chicago)

Here are the bike links from around the world that caught our eyes this week:

Cycling and social mores: Women in Afghanistan are seeking symbolic equality by the simple act of riding their bicycles. “For us, the bicycle is a symbol of freedom… We’re riding because we want to, because we love to, because if our brothers can, so can we.”

From crooked to carfree: Famous Lombard Street in San Francisco is now carfree on the weekends. And despite howling critics, the trial run went quite smoothly. What Portland streets could be improved by being carfree on the weekends?

Sprockettes 10th Anniversary Reunion Performance-67

28 Sprockettes — including all the founding members — danced together at the Bike Fair yesterday.
(Photos by J. Maus/BikePortland)

It was one of those moments that will be talked about for years. Portland’s beloved mini-bike dance troupe, The Sprockettes, gave an emotionally charged and historic performance in front of a large, appreciative crowd at the Bike Fair on Saturday.

It’s a great weekend to explore Marine Drive and head out to the Gorge.
(Photo J. Maus/BikePortland)

Welcome to your menu of weekend rides and events, lovingly brought to you by our friends at Hopworks Urban Brewery.

Things have been a bit disjointed here at BikePortland for various reasons, so we’re looking forward to clearing the slate over the weekend and starting fresh on Monday. But before then, there’s a full weekend ahead and there’s a lot of fun riding to choose from.

The weather might be a bit wet on Friday and Saturday, but things are expected to clear by Sunday. And regardless of the rain, at least it’s nice and toasty outside. Embrace it!

Here’s our list of the best rides and events this weekend…

Critical Mass in Portland, June 2005.
(Photos J. Maus/BikePortland)

After years of telling people that Critical Mass was dead in Portland, it seems I might have to start telling a different story. Tonight, after a nearly six-year hiatus the well-known tactic of bike-centric street activism will return — at least in name if not in form.

Author Jen Sotolongo.
(Photo: Dave Hoch)

Portland resident Jen Sotolongo and her partner Dave Hoch recently returned from a trip to Bogotá, Colombia where they took part in “Ciclovía” — the event inspired our own Sunday Parkways and that’s considered the Godfather of open streets events around the world.

Story and photos by Jen Sotolongo

——

We awoke from our short morning nap after a sickeningly bouncy, seven-hour night bus ride from San Gil, Colombia to Bogotá, feeling somewhat less nauseous, a touch more rested, and most of all, ready to take to the streets of Bogotá for Ciclovía.

The BikePortland Podcast: The surprising power of bike fun

70-mile ‘Cascading Rivers’ route becomes Oregon’s 12th scenic bikeway

New I-84 bridge over Sandy River comes with new bike connections

TriMet re-opens Esplanade path under Tilikum Bridge (photos)

Organizers enthused about resurgent Critical Mass

Bike limbo, flatlanders, jousting & more! A 2014 Bike Fair photo gallery

Job: Mechanic/Sales – Bike N’ Hike (Beaverton)

The Monday Roundup: Carfree, ‘Curbee’, car abuse & more

Sprockettes mark 10 years with epic reunion performance (photos)

Weekend Event Guide: Mural debut, mountain biking, Mt. Hood, and more

Critical Mass returns (at least in name)

Guest essay: A Portland perspective on Bogotá’s ciclovía

Latest Headlines

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From the Archives

The 10 busiest bicycling spots in Portland