Secretary of Commerce visit highlights Portland’s bicycle industry

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker gets a tour of United Bicycle Institute with owner Ron Sutphin (left) and Congressman Earl Blumenauer.(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland) Flanked by Congressman Earl Blumenauer, the United States Department of Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker beamed about the cycling “revolution” she’s seeing across the country during a stop on her national … Read more


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U.S. Sec of Commerce will visit United Bicycle Institute in North Portland

Secretary of Commerce (and triathlete) Penny Pritzker.(Photo: US Dept. of Commerce) In the latest nod to Portland’s reputation as an epicenter of the bicycle industry, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker will visit United Bicycle Institute (UBI) in North Portland on Friday. The Department of Commerce announced the event as part of Sec. Pritzker’s … Read more


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Today: Islabikes Open House and Rider Appreciation Day on Williams

Get an inside look at Islabikes at their open house today.(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland) There are two events today you won’t want to miss (actually three, but we’ll share the third one in a separate post later today). Islabikes, the UK-based purveyor of fine children’s bicycles is hosting an Open House event at their new … Read more


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Showers Pass announces new ‘Cloudcover’ waterproof device covers

Southeast Portland based Showers Pass continues to enter new markets. They announced a new waterproof glove line back in January. Below is a press release about their latest products… “Showers Pass® is known for keeping cyclists protected, dry and performing year round, so it seems a natural extension that we design accessories protection to do … Read more


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State embarks on effort to quantify Oregon’s bicycle industry

Bicycle frame and component manufacturer Chris King Precision Components employs over 100 people in northwest Portland.(Photo: Chris King Precision Components) Earlier this month we learned that bicycle-related travel pumps $400 million into Oregon’s economy each year. Now Travel Oregon, the state’s tourism development and marketing organization, has embarked on the second part of that research … Read more


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Summit will take “bikes mean business” to another level

Everywhere we turn these days it seems there are signs that bicycling means business. Whether it’s impacts to tourism, property values, sales receipts, or economic and urban development — the case is very strong. Another major component of the “bikes mean business” mantra relates directly to how having a bike-friendly workplace contributes to the bottom … Read more


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A visit to Islabikes, Portland’s new bike company for kids

Tim Goodall works with a family during a fitting appointment yesterday.(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland) There’s a new bike company based in Portland that caters especially to kids. Islabikes, a seven year-old company based in Shropshire, England, opened their North American headquarters in southeast Portland back in March. To set up their U.S. operation, Islabikes sent … Read more


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Portland-based Showers Pass expands operations into UK

Showers Pass HQ in southeast Portland.(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland) In yet another sign of growth, southeast Portland based Showers Pass has announced a new sales operation in the United Kingdom. Here’s more from a company press release: “Based in South Shields, Tyne and Wear, the Showers Pass UK headquarters opens for business May 16, 2013 … Read more


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Breadwinner Cycles launch draws huge crowd

The launch of Breadwinner Cycles drew a huge crowd.(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland) Breadwinner Cycles drew a huge crowd to Velo Cult on Friday night. The event marked the official launch of the company which was started by noted bike builders Tony Pereira and Ira Ryan (we profiled Breadwinner back in February). At Friday night’s event, … Read more


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UK-based Islabikes opens North American headquarters in southeast Portland

Google Streetview of Islabikes new Portland location at SE 7th and Lincoln. Islabikes, a well-known brand from the U.K., is the latest bicycle company to chose Portland for their North American headquarters. The company plans to begin selling their full range of children’s bicycles from a 5,200 square-foot building on the corner of SE 7th … Read more


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Helmet company Nutcase announces big plans for Europe

Nutcase founders Miriam Berman (L) and Michael Morrow. (Photo: Nutcase) Portland-based helmet company Nutcase Inc., has announced major plans to extend their brand into Europe. The company, launched in 2006 by graphic designers Michael Morrow (formerly Nike’s Global Creative Director) and Miriam Berman, has gained a strong foothold in the U.S. market with their urban-focused … Read more