Culture

Portland Bike Culture A community that promotes community
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	Portland Bike Culture While every major city has some amount of bicycle infrastructure, Portland remains the only American city which has a significant bike culture. Our city hosts a central community which offers a social bike experience throughout the year (yes even in the rain).

	Portland is a unique city. We have the largest urban park, the largest number of street trees, and the most kissing bike commuters. Read on to learn more about Portland's bike culture. Thanks to Clarence (Of BikeTV fame) and his lovely girl for this picture.

	SHIFT is the center of Portland's bicycle community. As much a social group as it is a non-profit. 'Shiftys' plan, execute, publicize, and otherwise have a hand in an ever-widening variety of free bike-related events. "We are a loose-knit and informal gang of bike-loving folks from all walks of life. There is no membership list, fee, or dues. We share a passion for the bicycle in all its glory: as toy, as transportation, as tool for social and environmental change! SHIFT is open to everyone sharing that passion."

	Among the most successful programs provided by Portland's bike culture (judging by the copycats) is 'Breakfast on the Bridge.' This program was begun by 'Timo' Forsberg and involves a few volunteers who carry pastries, coffee, and reusable cups to the Portland Bridges and serve warm food to bicycle commuters. Here Nick is serving pancakes on the camping stove he hauls to the bridge with his bike trailer.

	When Portlanders want to know what's going on in the news. They go online to http://www.bikeportland.org. Jonathan Maus, who runs the site, has made himself a leader in the community. He is not only a savvy reporter and an advocate, but also a skilled diplomat. Jonathan has done wonderful work to raise awareness and break down barriers within the community.

	When Portland bike people decide to change residences, they don't need a gas powered van. You just send a call out to your friends and everyone with work bikes (pictured here) or trailers carries your things to the new place. For more on bike moving in Portland visit the Shift Bike Move page. Click here to see photos of the many bike moves or visit bikeportland.org Or learn more about various bike carrying options.

	"But how do you live car free if you have kids?" Chuck Dobbins has the answer. The bike minivan can help you bring up to six children to the store, or the park. Plus everyone gets to play a part in getting there. I've been told by many parents that carrying children makes cycling much more safe because drivers are exceedingly cautious. Learn more about children and transportation

	Steven Kung is working hard to contribute to world peace. What does he use as a vehicle for peace? The bicycle. Exchange Cycle Tours was created as a means to promote world peace by getting more people to use bicycles for transportation and recreation. Steven and ECT spend Saturdays helping visitors have a safe and working bicycle, then on Sunday he leads one easy, and one intermediate bicycle ride starting on the Eastbank Esplanade. Destinations include Powell Butte, Hagg Lake, Sauvie's Island, and Clackamette Park. Learn more about the Community Exchange Cycle Touring Club.

	If you think that biking is only for those lycra-clad boys who have the chutzpa to brave the roads, Janis McDonald will show you otherwise. This PDOT employee who was unhappy to see a 3 to 1 ratio of men to women decided to start the Women on Bikes program. This program is America's first city sponsored effort to encourage women to trade auto dependance for bike fun.

	Many of the politicians in Portland are cycling advocates. This is how Portland has achieved Gold status as judged by the League of American Bicyclists. Here Metro Councilman Rex Burkholder shows his love of the machine.

	Portland's bike culture has many facets. Each group contributes to a better city in it's own way. B.I.K.E. (Bicycles and Ideas for Kids Empowerment) uses bicycles as a medium towards physical and academic success among at-risk children. John Benenate displays an amazing concern for each and every person that he meets. This is obviously the cornerstone of the organization. John has been monumental in bridging the economic gap of Portland's bike scene.	Thanks to 'The Gal from Down Under' for this shot

	People's Coop, which sells exclusively local organic food, features a weekly farmer's market every Wednesday afternoon. Can you find the parking lot in this image? No? People's worked hard to convince the city that since most of their customers arrive on foot or by bike there was no point in providing one. Now the space is used for music, benches, and produce. And if you don't have saddlebags or a trailer, People's offers bike delivery service to boot.

	The most crucial business for Portland's bike community (aside from the pubs of course) is the bike shop. Tim Calvert is one of the founders of CityBikes, a worker owned cooperative bike shop. Tim and CityBikes have been staunch supporters of Portland's bike community for over 15 years.

	The high point of the year for the biking community in Portland is the Multnomah County Bike Fair. This event is the culmination of Pedalpalooza - a 2 week bike filled extravaganza. Come and be part of the fun! Thanks to Carrie for the image.

	Here bicycles are demonstrated as more than merely transportation, recreation, and exercise equipment. SHIFT hosts the pedal powered smoothie. This allows customers to become an active part (pun intended) in creating their refreshment. Kyrstin Westwind (walking past on the left) is known as 'smoothie lady' for her support of pedal-powered food.	Thanks to

	The Community Cycling Center supports Portland's bike community by encouraging larger numbers of cycling citizens. In addition to offering programs to Portland's youth by which they can enjoy a safe after-school program and learn life skills, the CCC also hosts a program which provides commuter bicycles to low-income residents. Here the CCC is offering bicycle 'kiddy' trailers to low income parents who can now bring their child to day care, or the supermarket.

	In addition to the many local events in Portland, there are numerous hosted rides ranging from one day to several weeks. Here are a few: Cycle Oregon - 2 day or 7 day fully supported rides through Oregon Seattle to Portland - an easy double-century ride through Washington and Oregon. The Portland Century - a scenic 60 or 100 mile ride through Portland The Harvest Century - a one day fall ride through farm country If you still haven't found enough bike fun, check out BikePortland.org

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