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 the Pedalpalooza Sunset Mystery Ride.
We arrived unannounced as usual, not sure what to expect in terms of the number and types of cyclists, or how many would be unlit. Turns out we were the light of the party! We were slammed from the get-go, installing lights on 35 unlit bikes and talking to riders about our bike safety programs.
We ended up joining the ride and getting to know the other riders. They were a mix of middle aged commuters, twenty-somethings on bikes they had built themselves, and office folks who came out simply to enjoy riding until the last drop of weekend sun.
I pedaled the Madsen from Irving Park to Broughton Beach at Marine Drive and 33rd. That was a workout! Once we arrived, everyone sat on the Columbia River bank, and cheered when the sun set before we rode back as a very well-lit group.
If you are interested in helping make Portland’s streets safer, one light set at a time, check out our Get Lit Outreach volunteer web page.
Reported by Zan Gibbs, Adult Program Coordinator
Photo by Rhienna Renee Guedry