Portland’s southeast streets came alive last night with a diverse crowd of advocates and enthusiasts gathered for The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly Ride, an event celebrating urban mobility and transportation reform.
Hosted by Strong Towns PDX as part of their monthly Urbanist Happy Hour, which takes place at the familiar SE Ankeny Rainbow Road Plaza, the turnout was impressive, with around 150 participants registering a strong sense of community and enthusiasm.
Participants were greeted by an array of smiles and positive energy as they prepared to ride together through the city streets.
The event was a collaborative effort among multiple organizations, including Strong Towns, Bike Loud PDX, Sunrise Movement, Community Cycling Center, and Depave.
The blend of interests represented at the ride showcased Portland’s commitment to advocating for comprehensive urban planning and transportation initiatives.
“We’ve got public transit nerds and social and climate justice advocates, as well as people concerned about zoning, housing, biking, and infrastructure all coming together,” said Harper Haverkamp, one of the event leaders.
Haverkamp, a notable figure in local organizing, wears many hats—she’s involved with Strong Towns, chairs the Transportation and Land Use Committee for Kerns Neighborhood Association, and serves on the PBOT 2045 Transportation System Plan Community Advisory Committee.
“Because it’s gonna take all of us and our relationships to really change this city. There’s more of us than there are of them, and we can really go and get things done!” she added, rallying the crowd.
Another passionate advocate, Jacob Apenes from Sunrise PDX, also spoke to the participants prior to the ride.
He emphasized the importance of creating a city that prioritizes multimodal transportation options.
“We’re here, fighting for the end of the era of fossil fuels,” Apenes declared.
“We want to build a city that’s actually multimodal, so people can choose how they get around safely and effectively at any stage of their life.”
The event highlighted the growing interest in tactical urbanism—a movement where volunteers implement low-cost, small-scale urban interventions, including crosswalks and traffic calming measures.
Strong Towns and PBOT are currently negotiating the installation of various DIY-painted crosswalks across Portland, a clear indication that grassroots efforts are gaining traction in city policies.
City Councilor Mitch Green, a supporter of these initiatives, was spotted mingling with participants, reinforcing the idea that community-driven projects have a place in the city’s vision.
“We’ve got this giant fiscal gap in our budget and we’re going to be fiscally constrained for a long period of time. That sucks,” Green acknowledged in a speech at the plaza prior to the ride.
“But it’s also an opportunity to change the way our city thinks… We’ve got this army of volunteers that wants to do tactical urbanism to make our communities safer and to flourish,” he added, expressing his commitment to supporting these grassroots efforts.
Green’s presence at the event signals a growing collaboration between city officials and community advocates.
“I like to be with cyclists and activists who are trying to create safer spaces for us to exist,” Green said, expressing his enjoyment of engaging with those working towards a shared vision for the city.
After the opening remarks and various discussions held in Rainbow Road Plaza, participants mounted their bikes and set off on a journey through the city.
The ride included several stops, where attendees learned about current projects such as Depave’s Green Plaza initiative at SE 7th and Sandy and the SW 4th Avenue project at SW Ash between 3rd and 4th.
The Blumenauer Bridge and Sandy Blvd were also part of the ride’s itinerary, although some, like myself, had to bow out early due to discomfort.
However, beyond the project discussions, the ride facilitated meaningful connections and conversations among participants.
As the large group took over the westbound side of the Burnside Bridge, the spirit of solidarity was palpable.
Sharing the experience with someone like Councilor Green provided an opportunity to gain insight into his perspective: “I see nothing but opportunity,” he remarked about the moment.
Indeed, the evening was not just about advocating for change; it was also about fostering relationships and community in the face of urban challenges.
As the sun set over Portland, a sense of hope for the future and excitement for continued collaboration resonated through the participants, echoing the sentiments of a community united for a more equitable, vibrant city.
image source from：bikeportland
