Archive for Author: Momoko Saunders

Bicycle Parking Code Revisions at City Hall November 13th

    On Wednesday, November 13th, we plan to testify at City Hall about proposed changes to Portland’s bike parking code. We would love to see you there, also testifying, or just showing up in support! This is the first full revision of the city requirements since 1996. At that time, the citywide percentage of […]


New School and New Staff for our STEM Program

Since 2015, the Community Cycling Center has been teaching “Bike Mechanics as STEM Education” in two alternative secondary schools: Helensview and Rosemary Anderson/POIC New Columbia. In keeping with our long history of using bikes and bike mechanics as a tool for empowerment and a vehicle for change, this program was designed to bring multiple benefits […]


Oregon Public House supporting the Cycling Center, AGAIN!

  The Oregon Public House (700 NE Dekum, Portland) bills itself as “The World’s First Not-for-Profit Pub.”  The community gathering space, which opened in 2010 just a few minutes by bike from the Cycling Center, pays its staff a living wage and then gives all of its profits to community organizations.  WOW!   The way it organizes […]


Beautiful Wooden Bike (Art!) Looking for Good Home!

Every now and then we get a really special bike donated… and we have one right now!  This Renovo bike was custom-made here in Portland and was barely ridden — it hung as decoration in the showroom at Rejuvenation, a store specializing in beautiful things made out of wood.  And it’s definitely beautiful!  Now it is ours, […]


More than just a bike

When my family immigrated to the United States, my parents were forced to navigate virtually every facet of our new life in America in an unfamiliar language and an unfamiliar place. We were not in Iran anymore, and the chaotic sounds of war were replaced with the urban landscape of Cleveland. This meant, for the […]


Holiday Bike Drive On December 2nd

  Our biggest and most magical event of the year is coming up soon, on Sunday, December 2nd. Hundreds of kids from families with low incomes will get to choose a bike to take home, and the smiles will light up the room. We have a few slots still available for volunteers to help with […]


Bike Camp Summer Summary

What’s the best part of Fall–that crunch of many piled leaves under your bike tire, the cool crisp bite of wind blowing in your face, or that pumpkin spice latte you’re carrying in your water bottle cage? Whatever it is, don’t neglect one of the greatest seasons for riding your bike. Pull out your scarves […]


Cycling Center Hosted Record Number of Interns in 2018

Hosting interns is part of our effort to provide meaningful learning opportunities for youth, and to make the cycling community more diverse and welcoming. This Summer the Community Cycling Center hosted eight wonderful interns from three different programs! Our largest contingent of five interns came from the SummerWorks program, which aims to place diverse youth […]


Trade Wars Affect Bikes, and Us, and You!

As you probably are already aware, the current federal administration recently imposed tariffs (taxes on imports) on certain goods coming to the United States from China.  Unfortunately (but predictably) some of the goods in question go into the making of items that we carry at our bike shop.  As we move into the 2019 season, […]


Your Vote Matters – Please Use It!

The Cycling Center has five recommendations for you this election season:  1.  Vote!   Wherever you are, and whatever you believe, please make your voice heard!  Important issues and contested races are on the ballot in Oregon and elsewhere, and we urge everyone who is eligible to participate by casting a ballot.  If you are in Oregon, […]


Walk n Bike to School

Waking up early can be hard, but once you are out the door, and particularly when you choose to walk or bike, the experience quickly starts trending towards the positive. Beautiful weather doesn’t hurt either. This past Wednesday, October 10th was a prime example as the community turned out in impressive numbers for International Walk […]


Volunteers Make Our World Go Round

In order to meet our goals of preparing over 350 bikes to give away at the Holiday Bike Drive in December, we need more volunteers! Are you free on Tuesday nights to help prepare for the most magical day of the year? Our main entry-level volunteer shifts are Tuesday nights, 7-9pm at the shop at […]


Transit Justice for All

TriMet has new money from a new tax and is deciding how to spend it. Our friends at #OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon and Youth Transit Justice Alliance (YEJA) are requesting adequate funding for YouthPass and for senior and disabled transit services. Please support them by signing a petition here! To find out more about the situation, read […]


Slipping into Fall

The days are getting shorter, the air feels crisp, and there’s more rain in the forecast.  Our shop has your back, and your toes, and your fingers.  We have a full selection of fenders, lights, gloves and rain gear available, and last year’s remaining stock of Shower’s Pass rain gear is on sale!   Please also note that we […]


Give us a bike – at REI! October 6th Collection Events

Many of you have bikes or parts to donate but don’t live near our shop on NE Alberta. Is there an REI location closer to your home? Then you’re in luck! On Saturday, October 6th, from 10am to 3pm, Cycling Center volunteers will be collecting donated bikes and parts at the REI locations in Tualatin, […]


Many days and also many years of love for Cycle Oregon

Five staff members and twelve volunteers had a great time riding and working around eastern Oregon September 8th – 15th on the “Cycle Oregon Classic” ride. The week-long adventure travels a different route in rural Oregon each year, exploring the many beautiful parts of this state and bringing money and guests to rural communities. The Community Cycling Center […]


New Product Alert: Shop now selling Ottolock

OTTOLOCK is a new cinch lock ideal for people who find a U-Lock too clunky to warrant bringing along for a short trip inside a cafe or corner store. While OTTOLOCKS aren’t a good option for all day use, they are secure enough that we’d recommend them to people looking for protection against theft opportunists. It’s more […]


Tenth Annual Transportation Trivia!

Please join the Community Cycling Center and Oregon Walks on Wednesday, September 5th at the Lagunitas Community Room (237 NE Broadway) for a benefit trivia night and put your knowledge to the test. Doors @ 5:30, Trivia starts @ 6:00. This evening will be dedicated to all of the local, national, and even international transportation […]


New Fujis for Sale in the Shop!

by Tyler Pell While much of our customer base may not know it, each fall, the Cycling Center effectively runs out of bikes to sell. Not that our inventory is wiped clean, but our supply of affordably-priced utilitarian commuter bikes — the shop’s bread and butter — effectively runs dry. It’s a tradition we dread, […]


2018 Bike Camp!

by Maddeline McGraw Bike Camp is in full swing this summer with just a couple weeks left to ride! Portlanders may have spotted troves of children taking over the streets of Northeast to East Portland, Sellwood, and beyond. They’ve been rolling by friendly neighbors’ houses, checking in at local Parks, and feeding all the goats […]


Riding for Change!

by Jude Perez On a grey and chilly March morning, the staff of the Community Cycling Center received an email that would leave us smiling from ear to ear.  Elijah Shulman, a student at Northwest Academy, wrote to us with the most unexpected, but amazing, news of his decision to ride his bike 1,650 miles […]


End Family Separation

The Community Cycling Center is appalled by the administration’s current policy of separating children from their parents. Separating children from their parents fits the United Nations definition of genocide. Although we know that America has a long history of doing just that to black, brown, and immigrant children (through slavery, Native American boarding schools, and […]


New Partnership with “Girls Build”

We launched a new partnership this spring with a new organization! For six weeks this year, six girls participated in an after-school “Become a Bike Mechanic” camp with an all-female instructor team. Girls Build has an overall focus on teaching girls hands-on skills and letting them know that jobs in the trades are a possibility for them. We […]


The HUB is open for business in 2018!

The 2018 Season of the HUB is up and running! The first day of “business” was May 2nd, and a grand opening party with music and burgers was held on Saturday, May 19th. The HUB is a free, convenient neighborhood bike repair spot for the residents of the Portsmouth neighborhood, specifically the New Columbia housing […]


Cycling Center Celebrates 15 years of Carl Wilson!

There has been a lot of change at the Cycling Center in the past 15 years. The one constant? Long-time mechanic Carl Wilson. On Sunday, May 27, Carl — who started at the Cycling Center on that date in 2003 — was surprised by a host of current and former CCC employees (who were all […]


Meet Matt Aranez, our new Volunteer and Intern Coordinator

Post written by Tyler Pell Matt Aranez comes to the Cycling Center after holding a similar position at Catholic Charities in Utah – a refugee resettlement agency – where he coordinated a massive volunteer mentor program for immigrant and refugee youth going through resettlement. Matt is eager to bridge his passions for helping people find […]


Top 5 things to consider when buying a new or used bike

By Jackie Mautner, Bicycle Mechanic When considering purchasing a new or used bike, the following tips may prove useful in narrowing down your choice and finding the bike that’s perfect for you. These tips are not meant to be entirely comprehensive in terms of the subjects they touch upon, but instead provide a good starting […]


We did it!

  By Jersey Deutsch, Volunteer & Development Coordinator Today, the winter campaign totals are confirmed and we are blown away by your support. That’s right, we raised over $179,127! In November we set out to raise $167,000 by the end of the year, which means you surpassed our goal by over $12,000! I joined the […]


Shop tip: oil, grease, and solvents, what to use where

By Patrick Loftus, Service Manager The most common question we get in the shop is, “What do I use to oil my chain?”  This month’s shop tip covers different oils, greases, and solvents and their best uses. Light Oil – TriFlow ($5), Phil Wood’s Bio Lube ($10), and Prolink are just a few examples of […]


Meet Lale!

Lale Santelices is by far our cheeriest staff member. Over the years she has done a little bit of absolutely everything. She recently signed on as a permanent employee, and we want to celebrate by shining our staff spotlight on her. Meet Lale! You have been with the Community Cycling Center for a while. What […]


Reviews of the PDW Spaceship™ 3 and Cosmic Dreadnought

Review #1 of the Spaceship™ 3 By Gwen Koon, Service Mechanic I picked up PDW’s Spaceship™ 3 a couple of months ago, an emotional separation from my old CatEye Opti-Cube from waay back in 2009 (may it rest in peace). The most important factor for me when it comes to headlights is (surprisingly) visibility.  I […]


Our newest social venture

By Jonnie Ling, Director of Operations “What’s your favorite program at the Community Cycling Center?” I’m often asked in interviews and conversations alike. Our community collaborations with New Columbia and Hacienda usually take the #1 spot, but I may soon have a new favorite. Late in 2012, I was asked to lead a truly innovative […]


Pack-a-Pannier – 25% off extended through October

By Britt Appleton, Social Media Specialist We have decided to extend the popular Pack-a-Pannier promotion through the end of October. This means another month of big savings. If this is your first time hearing about Pack-a-Pannier, or you need a refresher, here are the details: Through the end of October, buy a bag or pannier, […]


Want to win a bike?

Giant Bicycles and Cross Crusade are partnering to support the Community Cycling Center at the 2013 River City Bicycles Cross Crusade with a raffle. Raffle tickets will be sold at the October 6th, 13th, and 20th CycleCross events. Tickets are $5*. Winner will choose from a TCX SLR 2 or Brava SLR in his or […]


Bike Club is back! Meet Nur, a former Bike Club participant

By Melinda Musser, Communications & Marketing Manager This fall, Bike Club is back. This after-school, bike safety education and earn-a-bike program for 9-12 year olds will return to Harvey Scott School next week. We’re also extremely excited to offer our very first Bike Club at Rosa Parks Elementary School this season. Rosa Parks is located […]


Get to know our new CEO, Mychal Tetteh

By Melinda Musser, Communications & Marketing Manager Mychal Tetteh showed up to work on Monday morning ready for his new role as our Chief Executive Officer. We sat down with Mychal to find out about his plans for the future of the Community Cycling Center and what he learned while working at the Village Market […]


Product Review: Iris Water Bottle Cages

By David Kurushima, Retail Manager This month, rather than promoting the outstanding merits of a singular product manufactured by a particular company, I would rather recommend to you a type of product, which you may not have ever used – specifically a type of water bottle cage. This type of cage has no universal name, […]


Volunteer Spotlight: Jimmy Villafranca

By Randi Orth, Volunteer and Outreach Manager It is my very great pleasure to introduce you to our September Volunteer Spotlight: Jimmy! Jimmy consistently brings a community-minded, gentle blend of teaching to our shop and outreach program. Always with a mind for empowering the individuals he works alongside, Jimmy uses his toolset of hands-on, explanation-based […]


Pack a pannier and save 25%

By Britt Appleton, Social Media Specialist During the month of September, buy a bag or pannier, fill your new bag with any new parts and accessories, and we will give you 25% off everything inside the bag. Also, pro tip, you can put a bag inside a bag, which means you can buy one bag […]


New Bike Skills Park brings neighbors together

By Melinda Musser, Communications & Marketing Manager The Bike Skills Park at New Columbia is now a popular gathering spot for families, friends, and neighbors, bringing more people and attention to the once vacant lot that resides on the corner of N. Trenton Street and N. Woolsey Avenue. “When I go to the garden, I […]


Overnight Bike Camp Adventures at Stub Stewart State Park

By Bonnie Harvey, Bike Camp Instructor The week started like all other Bike Camps: practicing rules of the road, turn signals, and mapping day trips around Portland.  This was only the beginning, however, as the overnight Bike Campers were eager to fulfill the “overnight” portion of their name. It was all a matter of training […]


Our programs and admin team’s favorite places to ride

By Britt Appleton, Social Media Specialist RANDI. Volunteer and Outreach Manager. Randi will ride anywhere as long as she is with a group of people on bikes. She’ll even climb hills or go down them quickly if her peers are involved. Her main solo route is the Alameda ridge with its twisty, turny roads, great […]


Our Mechanics’ favorite places to ride in Portland

By Britt Appleton, Social Media Specialist EVAN. Holiday Bike Drive Production Coordinator/Service Coordinator/Mechanic. Evan, a jokester, says he’s lived here too long to ride his bike. Truthfully, he prefers to stay in his neighborhood, Northeast. But, like everyone else, he loves a good Zoobomb.       CARL. Mechanic. Carl is adventurous. He loves Zoobombing […]


Marineusa on earning her bike, “Black Beauty”

By Britt Appleton, Social Media Specialist Marinuesa earned a bike at a Create a Commuter workshop in February and wasted no time making it her own. She named her KHS “Black Beauty” and attached a basket to the rear rack draped with a Brazilian flag. Marinuesa grew up in Brazil on a farm. “We all […]


Breaking ground on New Columbia’s Bike Skills Park

By Melinda Musser, Communications & Marketing Manager This week, we’re putting the finishing touches on New Columbia’s Bike Skills Park, located adjacent to the Bike Repair Hub on the corner of N. Trenton Street and N. Woolsey Avenue. The park, opening in July, will offer a safe riding area for neighbors of all ages. Participants […]


Mount Doom, Columbia Park, derailleurs – oh my! Bike Camp is here

By Melinda Musser, Communications & Marketing Manager Our summer Bike Camps launched last week with 48 campers convening at our bike shop at 9am on Monday morning. On Friday, we caught up with Lucia, daughter of Susana Pacheco, a member of Andando en Bicicletas en Cully at Hacienda. You may remember Lucia, as she is […]


Shop tip: helmets – style and fit

Patrick Loftus; Service Manager This month’s shop tip will cover different styles of helmets, how to properly fit your helmet, and accessories that go well with helmets. General notes on bike helmets: All bike helmets meet the same minimum federal safety standards.  They will deteriorate over time due to UV and sweat exposure. It’s good […]


Reviews of the PDW Radbot™ 1000

By Gwen Koon, Service Mechanic The Radbot™ 1000 has absolutely knocked my socks off for one simple reason: in the two months I’ve had it, the Radbot has yet to spontaneously turn itself on while floating around in my messenger bag. This is huge, folks!  And, unlike most of its competition, the Radbot’s light continues to operate at […]


In his own words: Dan on earning a bike

By Britt Appleton, Social Media Specialist On December 12, 2010, Dan earned a bicycle through a Create a Commuter workshop at Central City Concern. Since then he started working at Salvation Army, and became an avid bike commuter. Dan takes a lot of pride in his bike. He bought a trip meter so that he […]


Volunteer Spotlight: Maggie Russell

By Randi Orth, Volunteer & Outreach Manager Maggie is a delight to work with both inside our shop, during community events and in our earn-a-bike workshops. She is a smart, flexible, and fun volunteer, and certainly knows how to have a good time while teaching community members about their bikes. Maggie is a very dedicated […]


Bicycles are a tool for empowerment in the classroom

By Britt Appleton, Social Media Specialist Jon Erickson is doing something incredible with bicycles. As a middle school teacher at Metro Montessori, he is using bikes to teach math and science to his students, helping them run their own business and become a mobile classroom. Jon heard about the Community Cycling Center through friends when […]


Shop tip: locking your bike

By Patrick Loftus, Service Manager Properly locking your bike is the best way to keep it for a long time. Quality bike locks can be expensive, but they last for years and are much cheaper than buying a new bike. I recommend locking your bike at home, even if it is parked in a locked […]


In his own words: Juan on earning a Create a Commuter bike

By Britt Appleton, Social Media Specialist On December 12, 2010, Juan earned a bicycle through a Create a Commuter workshop at Central City Concern. Two and a half years later, he is still riding. I met up with Juan and his former employment specialist, Christina, last week to talk about his experience and what it […]


Why you should play with adult Legos and build your own bike

By Britt Appleton, Social Media Specialist You don’t need to know how to build a bike to build a bike. If you want to learn, Gram Shipley, our Used Inventory Coordinator and resident bike-building expert, believes in you. As Gram says, “It’s not rocket science. It’s only wrenches and there’s a lot of free info. […]


Volunteer Spotlight: Marbry Walker

By Randi Orth, Volunteer and Outreach Manager Marbry makes us look good. Literally. For over five years, she’s supported us by lending her design expertise to our fundraising and communications teams. Thanks to Marbry’s patient, talented design abilities, we published our Understanding Barriers to Bicycling report and have created engaging and beautiful fundraising collateral that […]


Youth tell us what’s up at the 2013 Youth Bike Summit

By Kelly Hansen, Program Manager A hip hop symphony. A Colombian politician. The Community Cycling Center’s program manager. This is no dream – this is the 2013 Youth Bike Summit. For the third year in a row, New York City’s community based bike shop and bike education leader, Recycle a Bicycle (RAB), hosted the Youth […]


Build a bike and save 20%!

By Britt Appleton, Social Media Specialist We have a lot of great bikes for sale. We have refurbished bikes that are all fixed up and ready to go. We have as-is bikes that need a little love to be road-ready. But that is not all – we have hundreds of bike frames, and thousands of […]


Product review: BLAQ Reflective Sticker Kit

By David Kurushima, Retail Manager As with almost any product review, this one is not for every rider and certainly not every bike, but hear me out—reflective stickers, locally made reflective stickers from BLAQ, are worth your consideration. Now I know many of you wince at the thought of adhering anything to your beautiful carbon steed, […]


Mobility, safety, and comfort: how one man’s life changed in an instant after earning a bike

By Lale Santelices, Create a Commuter Instructor In February, Rafael participated in our Create a Commuter program in partnership with Easter Seals, a nonprofit organization that provides services, education, outreach, and advocacy so that people living with disabilities can live, learn, work and play in our communities. During the workshop, Rafael and a group of […]


Keeping kids safe: protecting the eggheads

By Melinda Musser, Communications & Marketing Manager “Last year, a car hit my grandson as he rode his bike,” Rosie explained. Rosie’s 8-year old grandson wore a helmet and escaped with a few minor bumps and bruises, but this incident made an impression on her. “I hate wearing a helmet. It’s hot and sweaty, and […]


Volunteer Spotlight: Melissa Sweet

By Randi Orth, Volunteer & Outreach Manager Melissa made a big splash when they joined our Volunteer Program. With a knack for creating inclusive and inviting learning spaces, and an excitement for sharing knowledge, Melissa is a strong presence in our shop and programs. In less than a year, Melissa excelled in our bike shop, […]


Flossing the cogs, limit screws, and drive trains, oh my!

An inside look at the Basic Bike Maintenance class By Melinda Musser, Communications & Marketing Manager Before joining the Community Cycling Center, my bike maintenance skills were limited. I knew the importance of keeping my tires full of air, my chain clean and lubed, and I could do some minor brake adjustments, but for the […]


Shop tips: Rim brake pads

By Patrick Loftus, Service Manager If you’ve been riding your bike all winter, it might be time to replace your brake pads.  With all the water and grit on the roads, brake pads wear a lot faster in winter. If you let them go too far, you risk damaging your rims. In this month’s shop […]


Transportation Trivia Night: Start forming alliances

By: Noel Mickelberry Back by popular demand! This isn’t just any trivia night. It’s Transportation Trivia Night – a fundraiser for the Community Cycling Center! Last August we held our first ever transportation-themed trivia night fundraiser  at the Radio Room – and were blown away by the turn out, and how much fun the entire […]


Volunteer Spotlight: Charles Edelson

By Randi Orth, Volunteer & Outreach Manager Since his start as a volunteer over a year ago, Charles enhances our weekly volunteer program of wrenching on tiny bikes with his casual, upbeat personality and meticulous attention to detail. He has a knack for teaching with patience and articulates the complexities of bike maintenance with the […]


New Columbia residents help design a bike skills park

By Omar Casillas, Community Collaborations Manager On Tuesday, January 29th, New Columbia residents gathered to take part in a design workshop for a new bike skills park in their neighborhood. Landscape architects and planners from MIG, Inc. facilitated the event and worked with community members to come up with creative bike skills park designs. Members […]


Celebrations and cheers at the 2013 Volunteer Appreciation Night

By Randi Orth, Volunteer and Outreach Manager Our volunteers know how to have a good time and Volunteer Appreciation Night on January 29th was no exception. The shop was abuzz with friendly conversations and laughter as volunteers caught up with old friends and made new ones. The passion and sense of community volunteers bring to […]


Alison’s next big adventure

Dear Friends, Today I am writing to announce that after seven incredible years as a Community Cycling Center staff member — three years as Executive Director — I am embarking on a new adventure. I’m leaving because I have an opportunity of a lifetime. As you may know, my husband, Jay Graves, recently retired after […]


The Community Cycling Center Board of Directors thanks Executive Director Alison Graves for outstanding years of service and leadership

The search for a new director will commence by March 1 Feb. 1, 2013 – Portland, Ore. – The Community Cycling Center board of directors announces that Executive Director Alison Hill Graves is departing the organization. She and her husband Jay Graves, who recently retired after 39 years at Bike Gallery, a business that he and […]


Get to know Yvette from New Columbia’s We All Can Ride

By Omar Casillas, Community Collaborations Manager Yvette Maranowski joined We All Can Ride, New Columbia’s bike committee, in April of 2012. She is a regular volunteer at the Bike Repair Hub, which opened in October. How did you get involved with We All Can Ride? I got involved because a colleague, one of the two […]


Product Review: Mammoth Muffs

By David Kurushima, Retail Manager So if you read our past three product reviews I can only assume that you are now thoroughly enjoying your fully winter-ized bicycle complete with rugged tires, grippy pedals, and some locally-made water-proof panniers. Well, now that your bike is set, what about you? As a content winter cyclist or […]


Volunteer Spotlight: Pamela Marks

By Randi Orth, Volunteer & Outreach Manager Pam is a regular on the Tuesday Drop-In scene at our bike shop after volunteering at the Holiday Bike Drive in 2011. Never one to hesitate, Pam jumps into any bike project and is a wonderful teacher to those who are learning alongside her. In addition to bringing […]


Donors dig deep during the winter fundraising campaign

By Breesa Culver, Development Manager A hearty thank you to everyone who contributed during our winter fundraising campaign! Thanks to those who rounded up their bills at the bike shop, attended the Sneak Peek, donated online, and mailed in checks, we are within spitting distance of our $130,000 goal. The winter campaign is one of […]


Ready to ride – ABC leaders earn bikes through Create a Commuter

By Britt Appleton, Social Media Specialist On November 30th we conducted our second Create a Commuter workshop in Spanish at Hacienda CDC. Several committee members from Andando en Bicicletas en Cully (ABC) not only earned bikes, but they also led portions of the workshop – a Create a Commuter first. Yeni discussed the importance of […]


Staff Spotlight: Jonnie Ling, Director of Operations

By Britt Appleton, Social Media Specialist I sat down with Jonnie Ling, our Director of Operations, for a little Q&A session. Jonnie began working at the Community Cycling Center in 2008, and has contributed greatly to the success of our organization through various roles and capacities over the years. Lets discover the mystery behind this […]


Shop Tips: picking the right pedals

By Patrick Loftus; Service Manager How you contact your bike is crucial to your comfort, safety, and control. The three main contact points are the handlebars, seat, and pedals. This month’s shop tip will cover different types of pedals, their best use, pros/cons of each, and, for the true bike shop experience, my completely biased […]


Stories and photos from the 17th annual Holiday Bike Drive

By Britt Appleton, Social Media Specialist On Sunday, December 9th, 440 children lit up the atrium of Legacy Emanuel Hospital with huge smiles. Before choosing their new bikes, they learned how to be safe on the road, how to safely fit and snap on their new helmets, and many other hands-on lessons designed to make […]


Check out these great Holiday Gift Pack ideas

By Britt Appleton, Social Media Specialist Our Holiday Gift Pack special is a fantastic way to score great deals and great gifts this season. Through the end of December, shop for items in either the DIY Pack, the Upgrade Pack, or the Commuter Pack and save up to 30%. We’ve put together some sample packs […]


Product Review: Redline Pedals

By David Kurushima, Retail Manager Well it’s fair to say that the care-free days of summer have long passed out of sight from the scope of your helmet mirror. No more Sunday Parkways in your Birkenstocks. No more putting off buying those fenders, and that sweet bike you picked-up at a yard sale and rode […]


ABC leads bike safety workshops for kids in Cully

By Omar Casillas, Community Collaborations Manager Abdullahi stood on a chair and raised a helmet high above his head as the other kids counted down. 5…4…3… Even before the group finished counting, the helmet hit the ground…hard. I had my doubts about whether the egg that Abdullahi and his two buddies had carefully wrapped in […]


Why Bike Club matters

By Stasia Honnold, Instructor When Richard leaned his bike against his fence and hurried into his house, my co-instructor Joseph and I weren’t sure what to think. But before we could even look at each other and shrug, he burst out the front door again carrying his tiny Chihuahua, which he proceeded to give every […]


Volunteer Spotlight: Sam Payne

By Randi Orth, Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator Sam is a regular at our Tuesday Drop-In nights, supporting us in many ways like wrenching bikes as a Holiday Bike Drive Certified Mechanic, and truing wheels in the Guest Mechanic program. He is keen to soak up any knowledge about bike part compatibility and recently finished a […]


Ready, set, go! We’re in the Give!Guide

By Noel Mickelberry, Development Coordinator This fall, the 9th annual Willamette Week Give!Guide will feature 110 local nonprofits in an effort to encourage people under the age of 36 to become involved philanthropically in the Portland area. We are incredibly honored to be included in this year’s fund drive. During its first eight years, the […]


Building confidence in Bike Club at Harvey Scott Elementary

By Stasia Honnold, Instructor From atop a shiny green Raleigh, Troy smiles nervously. “That was scary,” he says, slowly breaking into a huge grin, “but awesome!” Troy, a 6th grader at Harvey Scott School, has just finished leading our line of Bike Club participants, eleven 4th, 5th, and 6th graders. He has been in charge […]


Next Tuesday at 15th Ave Hophouse: Raise a glass and help us out

By Breesa Culver, Development Manager It’s that time of year when comfort food is called for and what better way to enjoy it than when proceeds from your meal support a cause you believe in? On October 30th, Fifteenth Avenue Hophouse will donate 15% of their sales between the hours of 6 and 9 pm to […]


Opening the Bike Repair Hub

By Jonnie Ling, Bike Shop General Manager The neighborhood was quiet when we first arrived at the Hub. “The Hub” is what we call the 200 square foot building we constructed at New Columbia to teach basic bike maintenance and safe riding skills. I was there with two fellow staff members, four Community Cycling Center […]


Shop tip – riding in the rain

By Patrick Loftus, Service Manager Just because the rain is around the corner doesn’t mean you have to put the bike away. Riding in the rain can be a pleasant experience, if you’re prepared. Wool, water proof/resistant shoes, and wearing multiple layers are great places to start. Today we’ll cover various strategies to keep you comfortable […]


Volunteer Spotlight: Community Connections Committee

By Randi Orth, Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator In this month’s Volunteer Spotlight we’re highlighting the stellar volunteers who join us, behind the scenes, as members of the Community Connections Committee. The Community Connections Committee puts the fun in FUNdraising. They help us in all of our grassroots fundraising efforts – from organizing bake sales to […]


Fall brings new beginnings at Create a Commuter

By Joseph Rosevear, Instructor On the 1st of October, we partnered with Portland Youth Builders for the first Create a Commuter workshop of the season. It was a fantastic event with ten participants ages 18 – 24. Portland Youth Builders focuses on supporting young men and women who are committed to changing their lives to […]


Where to Bike Portland Rides Around

Anne Lee, our Deputy Director, just launched her first book, Where to Bike Portland. The book is aimed at the recreational cyclist, and offers rides from 3 miles to 70 miles. There really is something for everyone. Anne is leading two rides that are featured in her book and you are invited to join her. […]


October special – save 10% at the shop when it’s raining!

By Britt Appleton, Social Media Specialist Fall is officially here, and with it comes the rain, the darkness, and the cold. It would be very easy to feel gloomy, but before you do that, check out our new shop special for October: 10% off new and used parts and accessories (including frames) when it’s raining. […]


Product review: Town and Country tires

By David Kurushima, Retail Manager Portland is home to 59 miles of unpaved roads. For some cyclists, these irregularities in our city streets might make for some challenging, if not dicey, moments in their daily commutes. For others, they can be a delightful detour opportunity. Regardless of one’s particular disposition towards these urban country roads, […]


Cycle Oregon 2012 – and we’re back!

By Breesa Culver, Development Manager Last week, four Community Cycling Center staff members, 14 volunteers, and one very talented event planner headed south to join the traveling circus that is Cycle Oregon to raise money for our community programs. We arrived back in Portland last Saturday with sunburns, hoarse voices, so much dirt and bike […]


A season of epic bike adventures

By Lara Sheets, Program Support Specialist This summer, 8 instructors educated 445 youth on rules of the road and basic bike maintenance. They empowered campers, encouraging them to take on new and exciting challenges, like riding out to Rocky Butte and Sauvie Island. As one parent shared: “My eight year old loved Bike Camp. It […]


Pack a Pannier special extended through September

By Britt Appleton, Social Media Specialist The Pack a Pannier special was so successful (and so fun) in August that we’re extending it to September. If you’re thinking about gearing up to go back to school, or to commute in the rainy season, now’s the time! Here’s the deal: Visit the shop on a Wednesday […]


Advanced Girls Camp meets with Nissy Cobb

By Britt Appleton, Social Media Specialist On August 22nd, the Advanced Girls Bike Camp rode to the track in Fernhill Park to meet with Nissy Cobb, our New Inventory Specialist at the Community Cycling Center. Nissy is also a highly skilled track bike racer. She competes weekly, and trains up to 6 hours a day […]


Meet Michelle, a We All Can Ride superstar

By Britt Appleton, Social Media Specialist Michelle Hanna is a great example of what can happen when you make biking accessible to everyone. A few years ago she earned a bike through our Create a Commuter program, and has since become very involved with We All Can Ride, a resident-led bike committee at New Columbia. […]


Shop tip: tools to carry with you

By Patrick Loftus, Service Manager Carrying a few of the right tools will help you get out of a jam, and might keep you from walking home or taking the bus. Beyond a helmet, lights, and a lock, here’s a list of recommended items to carry with you on your commute, in order of importance: […]


Staff Spotlight: David Kurushima, Retail Supervisor

By Britt Appleton, Social Media Specialist David Kurushima has been promoted since we last checked in with him. He is now our Retail Manager. From what we sell to creating a welcoming environment in the bike shop, David is the guy making sure you have a top notch experience. He is also very involved with […]


Young adults empowering youth

By Lara Sheets, Program Support Specialist Every summer, our Bike Camp program works with Self Enhancement, Inc. interns to help lead our youth safely on the road. SEI is a nonprofit organization that helps “at-risk African-American urban youth realize their potential.” This season, we’ve had the wonderful opportunity to work with Kiara Berry who joined […]


Pack a Pannier and save 20% at the shop!

By Britt Appleton, Social Media Specialist The Pack a Pannier special was so successful (and so fun) in August that we’re extending it to September. If you’re thinking about gearing up to go back to school, or to commute in the rainy season, now’s the time! We sell three different kinds of panniers in our […]


Journey to Freedom

By Jonnie Ling, Shop General Manager On Saturday August 4th, the hottest day of the summer so far, the Community Cycling Center and Journey to Freedom co-hosted an African American Heritage ride in N and NE Portland. Young people participating in Journey to Freedom’s “Book and Boot Camp” geared up at 11:00 AM after a […]


Product Review: North St. Panniers

By David Kurushima, Retail Supervisor We’re having a Pack-a-Pannier special in the shop! That means every Wednesday and Thursday in August, pack a pannier with accessories and take 20% off the bag and everything in it. If you’re reading this, I can bet we have two things in common: 1) You ride a bike, and […]


Shop tip: flat fix (patching a tube)

By Patrick Loftus, Service Manager Last month we covered how to replace a flat tube with a new one. This month we’ll show you how to patch the tube. To patch a punctured tube, you will need a patch kit containing patches, glue, and emery cloth or sandpaper. Traditional patches tend to give a more […]


Create a Commuter at IRCO reunites with past workshop participant

By Zan Gibbs, Adult Programs Manager On Thursday, June 7th, we offered our third Create a Commuter workshop to the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO). IRCO is the leading refugee organization in Oregon and Southwest Washington, empowering refugees and immigrants to become self-sufficient, long-term contributors to the economic vitality of the community. We had […]


Build a bike in June and save big!

By Britt Appleton, Social Media Specialist We would love to help you build the bike of your dreams! For the month of June, buy a bike frame and you not only save 20% on the frame, but we’ll also take 20% off all used parts. We have more than 40 bike frames, everything from mountain […]


Why I Ride: No More Car Payment, Far More Fun

By Omar Martinez This article is re-posted with full permission from the League of American Bicyclists. I’ve been interested in cycling all of my life, since I was a kid. But growing up and in college, cycling was about racing. Living in Arkansas, riding to work wasn’t a safe or comfortable option. It wasn’t until […]


Shop tips: flat fix (replacing the tube)

By Patrick Loftus, Service Manager Being able to fix your own flat will save you time, money, and frustration. To replace a tube, you will need a tire lever, a pump, and, if you don’t have a quick release wheel, you will need a wrench to get your wheel off. Step 1: remove the wheel […]


Last chance to get 20% off new and used products at the bike shop!

Monday is the last chance to score our Monday MAYhem deal on new and used parts and accessories on our bike shop. (Remember: say “narwhal” at the register to get the 20% discount.) Check out some of our great new products: Come visit our bike shop to see our complete selection of gear, and don’t […]


Special volunteer projects – more than cleaning bikes!

By Noel Mickelberry, Development Coordinator Last week, I attended my first volunteer orientation on Tuesday night. Along with getting to see the great new faces interested in joining our volunteer team, I got to chat with several current volunteers about some of the special projects they are tackling in our bike shop. It is because […]


Volunteer spotlight: Jerome Funchess

By Randi Orth, Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator Jerome brightens our days with his boisterous, energetic personality ever since he joined our volunteer program last Fall. He has become a mainstay at both Sunday Recycling and Tuesday Drop-in nights and a strong addition to our growing Outreach Educator volunteer team, supporting community outreach events around the […]


Building momentum with a little help from our friends

By Noel Mickelberry, Development Coordinator Mini-pies, donated bikes, a hula hoop covered in bike lights and our awesome supporters – who could ask for a better fundraising campaign kick-off? Last Friday, the bike shop was packed with people munching on tasty food, bobbing their heads to sweet soul tunes, and chatting away happily. They had […]


Too sunny for fenders: Create a Commuter at Open Meadow

By Zan Gibbs, Adult Programs Manager On what was probably the best weather day yet for 2012, Saturday, April 21st, we held our 3rd annual Create a Commuter workshop with Open Meadow in North Portland. Eleven excited young adults received KHS bicycles, fully outfitted for all weather commuting! They were SUPER excited about the quality […]


Shop tip: cleaning your rims

By Patrick Loftus, Retail Service Manager Cleaning your rims is the least glamorous bike maintenance task, but will improve braking quality, prolong the life of your rims and brake pads, and keep your bike looking great, especially during the rainy season. It’s also a great opportunity to inspect the rims and brake pads for wear […]


Volunteer Spotlight: Lucas Balzer

By Randi Orth, Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator We know Lucas is in the building because somewhere nearby there is laughter. Wherever we find him, he is all energy and enthusiasm; his positivity is infectious. Over the years, Lucas has helped on Tuesday Drop-in Nights, as a Certified Holiday Bike Drive Mechanic. But that is just […]


What a difference an overhaul makes (with photos)

We just wrapped up our Overhaul Special at our bike shop. We thought we’d celebrate by sharing some pictures of a bike before and after its complete overhaul – what a difference it has made! Our mechanics do such excellent work refurbishing bicycles. Thank you to everyone who participated in our shop special! Your dollars […]


Community Calendar: April

Here are some events happening in April: Tweed Ride April 1, 1pm Kenilworth Park, SE Holgate and SE 34th Read more Walk to Work Day April 6th Check the website for meetup locations Read more Race Talks Occupy Oregon: a coalition of color Tuesday April 10th, 7pm McMenamins Kennedy School, 5736 NE 33rd Read more […]


An afternoon with The Climate Trust

By Britt Appleton, Social Media Specialist One of the many ways you can volunteer with the Community Cycling Center is by organizing a volunteer group with your coworkers and coming to our bike shop to clean bikes. When a bike is donated, it is usually in a pretty rough state.  A thorough cleaning is the […]


Q&A with Claire Fitzgerald, Bike Camper and Volunteer

By Kim Whitney, Youth Program Manager For the last two years, Claire Fitzgerald rode with us in our Urban Riders and Advanced Riders bike camps, learning how to ride up and down hills safely, while exploring destinations far beyond NE Portland. When she wasn’t climbing multiple hills in a day with other teens, she spent […]


Volunteer Spotlight: Derek Burns

By Randi Orth, Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator Derek joined us as a volunteer less than a year ago and he’s made a big impact on our programs in that short time. He started as a Tuesday Drop-in volunteer, quickly moved through the Holiday Bike Drive certification process to become a Guest Mechanic and can now […]


Campus Commuters: PCC’s exciting new bike rental program

By Britt Appleton, Social Media Specialist In November, we were contacted by members of the Portland Community College’s Cascade campus community who were interested in developing a bike rental program. It was Julie Davenport, the Communications Coordinator for ASPCC (Associated Students of Portland Community College) who had the idea. She got it, she says, from […]


Community Calendar: March

Here are some events happening in March:
Women’s History Month Ride
March 10th, 11am,
2129 SE Ladd
Read more
Why Aren’t There More Black Peo…


Bike Club – Vernon

The last meeting of the Vernon Bike Club was a happy one. We are so proud of the students and their hard work over the past 12 sessions, and we wer…


Cycle Oregon Adventures

Cycle Oregon is all about connecting people and supporting communities. Their work is similar to our work in north and northeast Portland, but with…


It’s the last day of Bike Camp

It’s the last day of Bike Camp and it’s hard not to be a little weepy. Our incredible instructors and campers have spent the summer spreading bike …


Bikes for Kids at New Columbia

We are excited to announce the second Bikes for Kids event on Sunday, July 11th at New Columbia. With support from community volunteers and residen…


Get Lit goes to Pedalpalooza

On the evening of June 13th, the Get Lit team rolled the fully-loaded outreach vehicle (a Madsen cargo bike donated to us by the Bike Gallery) to t…


Remmers won an Alice Award!

Susan Remmers has a reputation for making bold statements. At the Alice Awards on Saturday night, she received one herself: "You are making a diffe…


Ms. Graves goes to Washington

Bikes make people happy. That’s the word on "the hill" after more than 700 bicycling advocates descended on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, last we…


Getting to know: Jonnie Ling

Jonnie manages the service department of the bike shop with mild mannered confidence and extensive bike knowledge. He is our resident Jack of all t…


On the mend

Our fearless leader, Susan Remmers, the woman who has steered the Community Cycling Center from rocky shoals onto the open sea, is currently out si…


Volunteer Spotlight: Bob Wong

You can often catch Bob working on Holiday Bike Drive bicycles at the shop on weekday afternoons, wrenching away and trading smiles and stories wit…


Vote for us at Patagonia!

We’re excited to announce that we are participating in Patagonia’s Voice Your Choice fundraising campaign this month. We are one of three groups th…


Welcome new board members

Please join us in welcoming three new Community Cycling Center board members: Wendy Lear, Kathryn Sofich, and Sarah Bailen Smith. These bicycling a…


Getting to know: Sara Loreno

Sara is our multi-talented and even-tempered Shop Manager. Even though she’s in charge of pretty much everything at the bike shop, she never breaks…


Getting to know: David Kuch

Mechanic David Kuch is the longest-serving member of the Community Cycling Center staff. Over the years, he has taught, trained, and mentored new m…


Getting to know: Carl Wilson

Carl greets everyone with a smile, from the hundreds of Bike Campers, shop customers, and volunteers to the moody, adopted shop cat, Zelda. With hi…


We’re hiring!

Are you highly organized? Would you describe yourself as a "people person"? Are you resourceful, positive, and an excellent communicator? We’re sea…


Volunteer spotlight: Todd Roll

Todd Roll began volunteering with our Create a Commuter program in 2008. He initially stepped in to assist our instructors during the five-hour wor…


Thank you, Cycle Oregon!

The Cycle Oregon Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation awards the Community Cycling Center $5,000 for general operating expenses

We have worke…


Thirteen new bicycle commuters

On Monday, January 26th, we offered a Create a Commuter workshop at Innovative Housing, Inc. This organization creates new solutions to unmet housi…


Volunteer Profile: Randi Orth

Name: Randi Orth

How long have you been volunteering at the Community Cycling Center? How did you start?

I’ve been volunteering for over a ye…


Volunteer with us in 2009

 
Our volunteer program is the best in town, and keeps our hard-working, fun-loving volunteers coming back year after year.
We offer drop-in vo…


Bike Gallery pitches in

Beginning Friday, November 28th, all six Bike Gallery stores will commence one month of in-store fundraising for the Community Cycling Center!


Getting to know: Brian Benson

Employee at the Community Cycling Center since: August 2008

What do you do here?
As the Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator, I work with the hug…


Goodbye, Bonnie

Earlier this week, the Community Cycling Center lost a great friend, volunteer, booster and all-around den mother, Bonnie Blackman. She volunteered…


Demystify your patch kit!

The next session of our popular Urban Cycling class begins September 8th

A great class to take with a friend, our Urban Cycling class is designe…


Thank you Cycle Oregon!

The Community Cycling Center received a $10,000 grant from the Cycle Oregon Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation to support our office move an…


Get a little, give a little

Hey there, Richie Rich! You have any plans for that economic stimulus check? We bet you do!

Please consider using at least part of it to make a …


Portland is Platinum

Congratulations, Portland! We did it! We are the first large city in the United States to receive the Platinum designation as a Bicycle Friendly Co…


The Transition Continues

When you were inside during the hailstorm on Saturday, a group of volunteers, led by Kim Whitney and Neal Armstrong, moved some of the Community …


reCYCLE Your Bicycle!

Donate your bike and make it a vehicle for change!

This year the Community Cycling Center needs to collect 4,000 bicycles, including 1,200 adult…


Better Late than Never

Remember how our bike shop was damaged when a truck collided with our wall on December 9 (the day before Holiday Bike Drive)? Well, stop the pre…


Join Our Team!

The best thing about rolling into a new season, besides the promise of warmer and sunnier days, is the joy of adding new faces and energy to our te…


Golden Bike Awards

As part of the Volunteer Appreciation party last night, the Community Cycling Center held its own awards ceremony for all the great volunteers who …


Give!Guide Results Are In

The final results are in, and with your help, the Community Cycling Center ranked 7th in overall fundraising with a total of $20,434 raised in the …


2008 Brings Changes for CCC

Here at the Community Cycling Center, we are bringing in the New Year with some changes we would like to share with you.

If you receive our monthl…


Bike Clubs Awarded Grant

The Fred Meyer Family Foundation recently awarded a $7,500 grant to the Community Cycling Center to be used in our Youth Earn-a-Bike program. Our…


Update on Office Space

Thank you to everyone who has contacted us to express concern or assistance in the aftermath of the accident earlier this month. For those of you w…


Drink Coffee for the CCC!

Nossa Familia coffee is donating 50 cents for every pound of coffee sold in December at New Seasons stores. Now you can get your daily fix while s…


Gamma Ray Gorgeous

For some, a gamma ray might simply refer to a high energy photon, but for some lucky kid at Holiday Bike Drive, Gamma Ray is the sweet violaceous G…


Welcome New Board Members

The Community Cycling Center is happy to announce Augusto Carneiro and Tom Ralley as our newest Board Members.

Augusto Cameriro loves bikes, “…


Winter Hours Start Today

This is just a reminder that starting today, the Community Cycling Center shop is keeping winter hours. Not to worry, though, we will still be open…


Upcoming Bike Collections

Have you always wanted to donate a bike to the Community Cycling Center but it’s never convenient to stop by our shop at 1700 NE Alberta? Well, thi…


And the Winner Is…

This Sunday’s Open House brought together more than fifty people, new and familiar to the Community Cycling Center. Volunteers, participants, new a…


Celebrate at Our Open House

The Community Cycling Center is proud to celebrate the rollout of our new mission statement with a community Open House. Everyone is welcome to j…


Love Bikes? Join Our Team!

The Community Cycling Center is looking for a few community-oriented, bike-loving people to join our team. Open positions include Administrative an…


$15,000 Raised at Cycle Oregon

Last weekend, hundreds of cyclists finished up the sometimes grueling, always gorgeous 481-mile Cycle Oregon route, and the Community Cycling Cente…


The CCC is Proud to Present…

…Mary Dzieweczynski, the Community Cycling Center’s new Program Director! Mary called Seattle home for more than ten years before she moved to Po…


Look For Us at Cycle Oregon

If you are headed to Cycle Oregon this weekend, don’t forget to look us up! We’ll be available all week detailing bikes to raise money to support o…


All Good Things Must End

Summer is ending and so has the Community Cycling Center’s Bike Summer Camp. We had a great summer with awesome games, trips to the fire station, i…


Random Acts of Bike Safety

Get Lit is a Community Cycling Center program that practices random acts of safety. We stake out an event or neighborhood at dusk and wait for unsu…


Hottest Day of the Year Ride

We can definitely say we had the coolest Hottest Day of the Year Ride on Sunday. The temperature hovered around 65 degrees most of the day. Luckily, we Portlanders don’t even notice a little cloud cover as evidenced by the pre-ride smiles and post-ride silliness….


Safety Resources for Parents

Developed for our Holiday Bike Drive, we’ve just posted our popular Bike Safety for Parents brochure online. Available in four languages thanks t…


Eduard and Alex

When asked what he’s learning in Bike Safety Club, Woodmere Elementary School participant Eduard excitedly begins his list, "Hand signals, stoppin…


Report from the Field

Our spring Bike Safety Clubs are swiftly coming to an end. A very exciting end. This summer there will be approximately 120 new young riders on the…


Summer Camp for Adults

Spend this summer getting to know all about your favorite vehicle by taking our popular bike maintenance class.

Our next class with openings run…


Join our Team…

Come spend the summer outside riding bikes with the Community Cycling Center. Join our Summer Day Camp team and lead week-long day camps throug…


Fewer Bike Donations a Quandary

The Oregonian investigated why bike donations are down from years past, a worrying trend for the Community Cycling Center’s earn-a-bike programs. The Oregonian found the Community Cycling Center isn’t the only one feeling the effects.


Now on eBay…

Now specialized items donated to the Community Cycling Center that won’t easily find a home in our bike shop are available for purchase through e…


Bike Safety Clubs in the News

Our spring programming is in full gear, with our signature Bike Safety Club program running at 7 elementary schools in North and Outer SE Portland….


Learn to Fix Your Bike!

Our bike maintenance classes are a great way to kick off spring with some new bike knowledge! Learn a range of repair and maintenance skills to kee…


New Website!

On March 12, 2007 we launched our new website. The new look and navigation is meant to provide better access to the range of programs and services …


Bike Summer Camp!

Hey Early Birds,

Our Bike Summer Camp schedule is set and we’re gearing up for another terrific summer of active bike fun.

New this year is a…