Portland, Oregon has earned the nickname “Bike City, U.S.A.” Consistently topping Bicycle Magazines list of the best cycling cities, in Portland bike paths and lanes abound, city planners recognize the importance of designing with cyclists in mind, and the citizens have responded by bike commuting about 350% more than the national average (3.5% of all commutes are by bicycle). In keeping with the “Safety in Numbers” theory, the Census Bureau reports that drivers in Portland are more accommodating of cyclists. Portland is currently laying plans to adopt a bike rental plan similar to Paris’ overwhelmingly popular Vélib.

Cycling’s popularity in Portland has both brought bike industries to the area and spurned some homegrown efforts. As a result, the local cycling industry has swelled to include 125 bike-related businesses trafficking in everything from cycling hats made from recycled fibers to high-end niche bicycles to bike tourism.

Portland has slowly become the mecca for high-end handmade bicycle frames. Cyclists who are tired of mass produced rigs and in search of some customized bling turn to companies such as Vanilla Bicycles for a made-to-order experience. The city will play host to the 2008 North American Handmade Bicycle Show.

 

Portland recognizes the financial boost these small bike-businesses bring to the city and the state, and are supporting their efforts. Many of these enterprises were founded out of a love for bikes – decent profits are a welcome surprise to many of these businesses. The Portland Development Commission is helping to improve the business model of several of these smaller companies, and helping them to network and grow stronger together.

 

"Our intentions are to be as sustainable a city as possible," said Sam Adams, city commissioner in charge of transportation. "That means socially, that means environmentally and that means economically. The bike is great on all three of those factors. You just can't get a better transportation return on your investment than you get with promoting bicycling."

 

Via New York Times

Photo via Flickr by footnoteblog