On a sunny Saturday, the Parkrose Pedal brought together the Parkrose School District and the Portland Bureau of Transportation Safe Routes to School for a vibrant celebration on wheels and foot. Starting at 11:00 a.m., this annual get-together laid down roots in the heart of the community, picking up steam as the clock struck 1:00 p.m. for the official ride and walk. The goal was simple yet profound – to give young people a chance to express themselves freely, to genuinely take up space, and to embody a cycling culture that's as diverse as Portland itself.
The event managed to seamlessly blend conventional cycling styles with the burgeoning "bike life" scene, creating a gathering that was, as described by the Portland Bureau of Transportation, "an incredible display of everything you ever wanted in a ride around the hood." It has come to represent the essential both/and – it's this inclusive vision for what cycling can and should be in Portland that makes the Parkrose Pedal a standout event.
Originating in 2020 as a modest community initiative by Prescott Elementary School, the Parkrose Pedal was born out of the challenges presented by Covid-19 and the necessity to find unity and solace in new ways that safely brought people together. Starting with the simple desire to lift spirits, the ride exceeded every expectation, leading to more than 300 families showing up at its inception. It's an annual tradition that has not just grown but flourished, and as stated by the event organizers, "they're just getting started!"
