Portland, with its numerous bike lanes and trails, is a city that truly encourages cycling.
The annual Providence Rose Pedal is a popular celebration of that fact.
The 2002 Pedal took place August 3-11 at numerous locations around town. The event drew thousands of participants interested in experiencing local attractions, while at the same time supporting a worthy cause.
The Bike Gallery’s “Midsummer Night City Bike Tour” kicked off the festivities. The bikers gathered at Oaks Park for a pre-ride party at 9 p.m., where the amusement park rides were free to all registered participants. Following the preride the riders set out on a route that took them through the Eastbank Esplanade, Mt. Tabor and the Spring Water Corridor.
Proceeds from the ride went to the Kristy Lawhorn Fund at Providence Cancer Center. Lawhorn was an advocate of biking and an employee at The Bike Gallery, who died of breast cancer in January.
The cyclists arrived at Washington Park on Sunday, Aug. 4 for “Joy Rides.” Joy Rides are designated routes that have been specially coordinated with Tri-Met for easy public transportation access, and can be used all year round. Everyone that arrived on bicycles received free admission to the World Forestry Center, Children’s Museum or the Oregon Zoo. Call Tri-Met at 503-238-RIDE for more information on the Joy Rides program.
One stop along the route was PGE Park. Baseball fans who arrived on their bikes at PGE Park Monday night for the Beavers vs. New Orleans Zephyrs game, got in for free.
Cyclists also were treated to art from across the Pacific. The Portland Art Museum is currently hosting the popular exhibit “Meiji-Arts of Imperial Japan.” Admission, usually $13, was free to bicyclists on August 6.
“I probably would have come even if it wasn’t free,” 19 year-old Quinn Chiotti admitted. “But biking here was a good experience.”
The Seventh Annual Providence Bridge Pedal, probably the most popular event of the week, wrapped up the bicycling celebration on Sunday, Aug. 11.
Thousands gather every year to participate in this unique event.
For one day only, pedestrians and bikers are allowed to cross the Fremont Bridge, which is closed to vehicles for the occasion. The Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA), an Oregon group that works to improve bicycling conditions throughout the state, was a beneficiary of the ride.