This month we will cross the river (twice!) as we take on the Esplanade bridge loop – with a stop in the nearby Central Eastside Industrial District for a visit to craft brewery tasting room, Hair of the Dog.  Sample a taste or a full flight of artisan beer, if you feel so inclined, before walking it off on the return trip.

This walk is approximately 5.3 miles round trip and is mostly flat.

Please RSVP Community Relations Manager Heather Bayles at heather@southwaterfront.com or 503-972-3289.

Join the South Waterfront Walks There Google Group at: http://groups.google.com/group/swfwalksthere.   

Wednesday, May 23, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Meet at South Waterfront Community Relations
Atwater Place, Suite 115
0841 SW Gaines Street, Portland, OR Map It

FREE (EXCEPT TASTING FEE) AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

As the rain recedes and the temperature warms up, it is time to clean up that old bike and get those legs a-moving. May is Bike to Work month, so in order to get your wheels greased, Community Relations is partnering with our bike buddies at Go By Bike, the bike shop underneath the Portland Aerial Tram, to bring back our ‘Bikes & Brews’ series for 2012. This year we will be offering two bike repair clinics and two light bike rides; see details below.

Bikes & Brews Clinics: The clinics, on Thursday, May 10 and Thursday, May 24, will cover basic road safety as well as some simple bicycle repair (think fixing a flat, adjusting brakes, lubing chain, etc.) On the days of the clinic, please leave your bike at home. Enjoy brews courtesy of South Waterfront Community Relations.

Bikes & Brews Rides:  On the days of the rides, Thursday, May 17 and Thursday, May 31, let’s meet at South Waterfront Community Relations for a fun ride to a local watering hole – remember to bring your helmet, water, and a few dollars for drinks or snacks.

Bike to Work Breakfast: In collaboration with Portland Bureau of Transportation and Go By Bike, South Waterfront Community Relations will be serving up some breakfast on Thursday, May 17 from 7:00 am – 9:00 am underneath the Tram at the Go By Bike shop. Donuts and coffee will be provided to all those who commute by bike.  So get your helmet and bike and come have a treat before/after your ride.

For further information and/or questions, contact South Waterfront Community Relations Director Pete Collins – Pete@southwaterfront.com.

Clinics:  Thursdays, May 10 and May 24, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Rides:  Thursdays, May 17 and May 31, 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
South Waterfront Community Relations
Atwater Place, Suite 115
0841 SW Gaines Street, Portland, OR Map It

Breakfast: Thursday, May 17, 7:00 am – 9:00 am
Go By Bike Shop (under Portland Aerial Tram)
3303 SW Bond Ave, Portland, OR Map It

ALL BIKE MONTH EVENTS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

In late March 2012, a new car-sharing company made its mark in Portland. Car2Go offers a new twist on conventional car-sharing models and brings a unique fleet of cars to the streets of Portland. A subsidiary of the truck-maker Daimler North America, Car2Go leases its Smart Cars to customers by the minute, and unlike its competitors, Car2Go allows users to simply drop the car in any legal parking space within a 34-square-mile area of the city.

Popular in San Diego, Austin, and Washington D.C., Car2Go is excited to make its presence felt in the competitive car-sharing market of Portland. ZipCar and Getaround, competitors of Car2Go, offer slightly different models and may be more suited for your needs for a particular trip. Regardless, check them out when you get a chance!

This walk got rained out during March, so we’re bringing it back for April:  Missing your local farmers markets during the winter months?  The Lloyd Farmers Market is open every Tuesday, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm throughout the winter and we’re going to walk there!

South Waterfront Community Relations will be giving out handy reusable shopping bags, so bring some cash for the market and stock up on fresh groceries or grab a bite to eat.

This walk is approximately 4.6 miles round trip and is almost entirely flat.  Want to go for a shorter jaunt?  Cut this walk in half by hopping on the MAX (across the street from the market) and transferring to the streetcar on SW 11th Avenue for you return.

Please RSVP Community Relations Manager Heather Bayles at heather@southwaterfront.com or 503-972-3289.

Join the South Waterfront Walks There Google Group at: http://groups.google.com/group/swfwalksthere.   

Tuesday, April 17, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Meet at South Waterfront Community Relations
Atwater Place, Suite 115
0841 SW Gaines Street, Portland, OR Map It

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Team up with South Waterfront Community Relations as we partner up with the Willamette Pedestrian Coalition (WPC) and others in Portland’s first-ever Walk to Work Day on Friday, April 6. WPC will be coordinating four starting points throughout the city and each group will converge on City Hall around 8:30 am for free coffee, light breakfast, and games.  Community Relations will lead a group from the South Waterfront (meeting location below).  For more information or to see the four official meeting locations click here.

Friday, April 6, 7:30 am – 9:30 am
Meet at South Waterfront Community Relations
Atwater Place, Suite 115
0841 SW Gaines Street, Portland, OR Map It

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Riders who have older style tickets that do not have a foil strip on them have until April 30 to use or exchange them. In September 2009, TriMet switched to new tickets that feature a foil security strip featuring holograms that change colors when tilted. The security device reduces the opportunity for fraud and simplifies ticket inspection.

TriMet has been phasing out the older style tickets and will no longer accept those tickets without the foil strip after Monday, April 30. Riders who are unable to use the old tickets by April 30 can exchange them for new ones at the TriMet Ticket Office at Pioneer Courthouse Square. During March, more than 20,000 non-foil tickets were exchanged for new tickets.

For ticket and fare information as well as TriMet schedules and trip planning, visit trimet.org or call 503-238-RIDE (7433) weekdays between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm.

Portland is a bike-friendly city with great bike infrastructure and a thriving bike industry. Soon enough, Portland will have a new bike toy to add to its collection in the form of Bike Share. Already hugely successful in Europe and in US cities such as Washington D.C., Boston, and New York, Bike Share is a means to get people out of their cars and onto rent-able bikes. Bike Share lets people connect to destinations by simply renting a bicycle at one of the many stations planned throughout the city and then dropping it off at another station. To vote for where the stations should be located (think South Waterfront!), check out this link:  http://www.portlandbikesharestationmap.com/

Portland City Council put out a Request for Proposal for potential bike vendors to operate the bike share program on March 14, 2012. In 2011, the City was granted a $2 million award to fund the program. Bike Share is scheduled to open spring of 2013.

By popular demand, the OHSU-sponsored bike valet returns this April for another busy season! Simply bring your two-wheeled ride to the valet plaza at the lower tram terminal for the same professional, fully-insured service you’d expect rolling your luxury sedan up to a five star hotel. This year, the friendly and knowledgeable staff of Go by Bike will be at the helm. Full service, market-rate repair is expected to be offered by mid-April. Details and updates at http://www.gobybikepdx.com/

Monday – Friday, 6:00 am – 7:00 pm
Lower Tram Terminal at SW Moody and SW Gibbs Map It
bike@ohsu.edu

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Clean up that old bike in time for some spring riding. Kiel Johnson, mechanic from the popular ‘Go By Bike’ bike repair cart based in the South Waterfront, is back for basic bicycle adjustments, repairs, and advice on Tuesday, March 20 from 7:00 am to 10:00 am.  Bring your bicycle and a bit of time as Kiel repairs, adjusts, and crafts advice.

Light morning snacks will be provided by South Waterfront Community Relations.

Tuesday, March 20, 7:00 am – 10:00 am
Base of the Aerial Tram (near CHH)
3303 SW Bond Ave, Portland, OR Map It

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Missing the OHSU Farmers Market and South Waterfront Farm Stand during the winter months?  The Lloyd Farmers Market is open every Tuesday from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm throughout the winter and it’s just a pleasant walk away.

South Waterfront Community Relations will be giving out handy reusable shopping bags, so feel free to bring some cash for the market and stock up on local fresh food and eat some lunch while you’re there.

Please wear sturdy walking shoes, dress in layers, and bring drinking water.  This walk is approximately 4.6 miles round trip and is almost entirely flat.  Want to go for a shorter jaunt?  Cut this walk in half by hopping on the MAX (across the street from the market) and transferring to the streetcar on SW 11th Avenue for you return.

Please RSVP Community Relations Manager Heather Bayles at heather@southwaterfront.com or 503-972-3289.

Join the South Waterfront Walks There Google Group at: http://groups.google.com/group/swfwalksthere.

Tuesday, March 13, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Meet at South Waterfront Community Relations
Atwater Place, Suite 115
0841 SW Gaines Street, Portland, OR Map It

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC