Last month, a new Portland bike escort service began, providing cyclists who must ride at night a bike buddy to accompany them on their trip.
The Portland Bike Militia, a group created last year, runs the bike escort service and came together with the goals of increasing cyclist safety and providing a sense of community among bikers, they say.
With an e-mail sent 24 hours in advance to pdxbikemilitia@riseup.net, Militia members said they would provide cyclists with a free escort.
Bike Militia members say that creation of this project was not in response to any specific crime, but simply because bikers need a community of support.
“I think it’s something that the community wanted,” member Benjamin Doyle said. “If you’re trying to get home in the middle of the night alone, it’s a lot better to do it with other people.”
The PDX Bike Militia list Web site describes the group as being for “community defense, reclaiming public spaces, creating a culture of non submissive resistance, opposing authoritarian power structures, baking cookies, and spreading light. all [sic] while riding beautiful bicycles.”
They also say they care about bike safety.
Riding alone at night can be dangerous and Bike Militia members said riding with a partner could make cars more aware of a cyclists’ presence. The members of the escort service can provide lights and helmets for those without and Militia member Joshua Price adds that biking with a buddy reduces the risk of hit-and-runs, because it is easier to pursue the vehicle or to get the license plate number.
“On the road, mass matters,” Doyle said, “and our herd is a mass.” He said he is frustrated that cyclists are expected to act like cars, which he thinks is unreasonable.
“We’re 1,600 pounds less than a car,” Aaron Sunderland added.
Though increasing safety is a central component of the escort service, members said biking in numbers also provides a greater sense of security and confidence necessary for riding in precarious situations.
“The difference is that you’ve got somebody there with you,” Doyle said. “It’s going to make you feel safer.”
The Bike Militia members said no hour is too late for them to accompany cyclists.
“Four in the morning, two in the afternoon … if it’s on a clock,” Price said. They also said they will travel as far as their bikes will take them.
They do have a few limitations to their service.
“If your transportation involves burning dead dinosaurs, I won’t be there,” Price said about vehicles that use fossil fuels.
The Bike Militia has been advertising their project mainly through word of mouth and flyers, and Sunderland said, “People have been receptive.”
Their project is still growing, and while communication with the Bike Militia is currently e-mail based, they said they would like to eventually offer phone service. Before that though, Doyle said the Bike Militia will, “first want to make sure we can provide that level of service.” They are also aiming to increase the numbers of escorts who are trained to give medial attention.
Doyle says that people are encouraged to send the Bike Militia an e-mail, and that the Bike Militia is interested in getting to know people who come to the meetings and helping them help others.
“It’s more about the people than it is about bikes,” Price said.