(Event was July 5th and July 6th)

Tonight, SmartTrips North-Northeast kicks off its summer of Portland By Cycle rides with the very popular Sweet Summer Cycle rides. 

The meterologists have promised excellent weather for both tonight's North Portland ride and Wednesday's ride in NE Portland. 

Besides sun and warmth and biking fun, tonight you will also enjoy free samples from Brother Bob's Roving Bakery, Kandy Korner and Robots Love Cupcakes.

Wednesday's NE ride will feast on complimentary tastes from Annie's Donuts, Case Study Coffee and Rose's Ice Cream.

Participants must bring their own bikes and helmets are required at all Portland By Cycle Rides. Water and lights are recommended. All rides are slow-paced - no one will be left behind. Check online for the full summer of Portland By Cycle rides.

North Portland Sweet Summer Cycle Ride

Tuesday, July 5th

Unthank Park

N Failing and Commercial

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

#4 on N Fremont or Mississippi;

#44 on N Williams or Vancouver

Northeast Portland Sweet Summer Cycle Ride

Wednesday, July 6th

6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Wellington Park

NE Mason and 67th Avenue

#71 on NE 57th or Prescott

#24 on Fremont

Summer is the perfect time for families to enjoy outdoor activities and remember them with pictures.

Send us your favorite summer fun picture of your family biking, walking or skating adventure. It can be in your neighborhood, on vacation, or at an event like Sunday Parkways. The winner will receive a prize and have their picture printed in the fall newsletter. To enter the contest, just send your picture to the address or email below.

Mail your picture to:
Safe Routes to School Photo Contest
Attn: John Chism
1120 SW 5th Ave, Room 800
Portland OR 97204

Or email to: John.Chism@portlandoregon.gov

Please include: Name, age and school

Deadline: August 1, 2011

While I enjoy riding my bicycle to work I am often equally tempted by a quick and quiet MAX trip with my podcasts and newspaper.  Some mornings I'm torn: bike or ride?  If you're like me and you live in Beaverton or Gresham you can have both - bike AND ride!

On July 18th, TriMet will unveil two new bicycle parking facilities that are sheltered and secure.  That means you can rest assured that your trusty stead will be right where you left it and as dry as Portland July day (well, most, Portland July days).

Do you live or work in Beaverton or Gresham?  Are you interested in using transit and your bike to get to work? If so, drop us a line and we can get you a free or discounted access card to the new parking facilities.

Take a virtual tour of the new facilities with Heather and Colin!

Portland is famed for its every ending stream of awesome summer events.

Whether it's Flicks on the Bricks, Oregon Brewer's Fest, Yoshida's Sand in the City or one of countless farmers markets, TriMet has collected them into one easy web page where you can plan your trip to any one of them.

Check it out.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth B. Moore.

Now is a great time to switch from driving alone to other less expensive and more active forms of commuting.

Through the end of August, Metro and Rideshare Online (powered by Drive Less Save More) will draw one winner each day for $100 Fred Meyer gift cards for those who have logged at least 10 non-drive alone trips* on the trip calendar.

Go to https://drivelesssavemore.icarpool.com to register. Make sure to go to the Profile Tab to confirm you have entered the correct mailing address. 

In addition, from August 29-31, those who have logged 20 or more drive-alone trips will be entered in grand prize drawings for $500, $300 and $200 gift cards.

If you have questions, please contact Mary Ann at 503-813-7566 or maryann.aschenbrenner@oregonmetro.gov.

*If you carpool, then Create a Trip under Ridematch Tab for your carpool trips to count toward your total.