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Courtney Tait
Courtney Tait is a writer from Victoria, B.C. who lives in Portland. Read More
Pedalpalooza Bike Festival
Every summer, Portland cyclists organize hundreds of fun-filled, public bike rides.
Courtney Tait
Courtney Tait is a writer from Victoria, B.C. who lives in Portland. Read More
Whether you’re a cycling fanatic, an occasional cruiser or just a lover of fun events, Pedalpalooza has something for you. Held all over Portland, this bike- and fun-focused festival celebrates summer’s arrival with over 100 rides throughout town.
Don’t know where to start? Why not start at the yearly Kickoff Ride at the beginning of the festivities? Dress up you and your bike and take to the streets to celebrate biking and the community. You can also Head to Portland’s verdant Gateway Green, Portland’s very first cycling park. Or join the thousands of riders who cycle through the city in the buff during the World Naked Bike Ride.
What is Pedalpalooza?
Inspired by the success of Bikesummer, a traveling event Portland hosted in 2002, Pedalpalooza has entertained bike enthusiasts since 2003. While local bike-fun organization SHIFT runs the festival’s site and helps with planning, anyone can create and lead a ride.
It’s DIY, as is Portland’s culture, with room for every weird kind of ride.
Chris McCraw, SHIFT
“I think the thing that surprises most newcomers (and continues to entertain old hands) is the ingenuity behind some of the rides,” says Chris McCraw, one of SHIFT’s community builders and an occasional ride organizer. “It’s DIY, as is Portland’s culture, with room for every weird kind of ride, from life drawing to scavenger hunts to pub crawls to races to campouts.”
With a mix of family-friendly and adult-only rides, Pedalpalooza embraces bike fun as a way to bring the community together. Many rides — such as Fancy Mondays or the Star Trek Ride — encourage costumes reflecting the festival’s celebratory, non-competitive nature. And while fun with bikes is Pedalpalooza’s priority, in previous years, events like the Climate Ride, Oil Train Protest Ride, Feminist Ride, and Jazz Funeral Ride (memorializing Portland and Oregon traffic deaths) also let people speak out on important issues.
Pedalpalooza for Visitors
Visiting from out of town? If you don’t have a bike, it’s easy to test out Portland’s bike share program, Biketown, or one of the city’s several other bike rental programs. Want to get a taste of Pedalpalooza without pedaling? Head to an event that ends with a post-ride dance, like the Kick-Off Ride Afterparty. There are also slower rides that you can join by foot or pedicab.
Pedalpalooza is a ‘Welcome to summer, get on your bike!’ event that builds community
Chris McCraw
“Pedalpalooza is a ‘Welcome to summer, get on your bike!’ event that builds community,” says McCraw. “Hopefully, people you pass by will get a whiff of that joy — that delightful sense of being yourself and having fun in public — and join us on the next ride.”
Pedalpalooza Rides & Events
Ride your way through all of the Pedalpalooza events.
Pedalpalooza
Portland’s cycling culture peaks during summer’s multi-week Pedalpalooza, featuring 200+ local-led, themed rides, all open to the public.
World Naked Bike Ride
Every summer, thousands of cyclists cruise commando through Portland streets as part of the World Naked Bike Ride.
Bike Summer Kickoff Ride
This is the official ride that kicks off the festivities every year. Bring yourself and your bike to the kickoff location where volunteers will be selling Pedalpalooza BIKE SUMMER merch from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.. Depart at 6:30 p.m. on a family-friendly cruise, lasting about an hour. You are encouraged to dress yourself and…
Fancy Mondays
A picnic bike ride where fancy dress is encouraged. All clothing is welcome, but fancy gets bonus points (there will be bowties to lend if you need fancy assistance). A casual social ride on 1st, 3rd, and 5th Mondays. Meet at Oregon Park at 6 p.m., and ride at 6:30, A different endpoint each time….
The Great Movie Ride
Every other week, Starting June 7, join in for great movies, great rides, and with great people. Ride about the city until reaching the final destination. Each movie location will be set to match the theme and tone of the movie. Please bring whatever creative expression you wish to participate in. You can dress up…
Star Trek Ride
Time to take the helm and shift gears to Warp 9. Rendezvous at Irving Park in NE on Stardate 06.08.23 starting at 18:00 for a mission to engage at 19:00. Explore strange new roads and seek out new pit stops and new destinations throughout the North (delta) quadrant. Along the way, expect trivia, music, costumes,…
PSU Portland Farmers Market Ride
PSU Portland Farmers Market Ride — Pedalpalooza Edition An all-ages/all-abilities ride from SE PDX to the PSU Farmers Market to help support local farmers, bakers and makers of all kinds. This is a great opportunity to meet and develop the community in a relaxed, informal setting. A post-ride adventure that is only loosely planned beforehand…
Rainbow Ride
Hey, she’s, they’s and gays. It’s time for the third annual Rainbow Ride. This year is leveling up with a partner, The Street Trust and a grant from Prosper Portland. Don your most vibrant rainbow colors and roll together in PRIDE. LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, allies and accomplices welcome. Creating a safe, fun atmosphere where all are…
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