Portland’s Bike Boulevards Become Neighborhood Greenways from Streetfilms on Vimeo.

Two people central to bicycle planning in Portland will be in town tomorrow (September 22) to talk neighborhood greenways. Mark Lear and Greg Raisman will be at the UW at 7 p.m. to talk about their efforts to create a remarkable network of very safe streets built so people ages 8-80 would feel comfortable and safe biking on them (see them give a tour of the greenways in the StreetFilms video above).

As Seattle embarks on creating a network of these types of streets, we should do all we can to learn from Portland’s experiences. We have a lot of catching up to do as we prepare to create our city’s first true neighborhood greenway in Wallingford, due to be completed by the end of the year.

From the Facebook event page:

Portland is undergoing a renaissance in community bicycling and livable streets.

In the span of just five short years, Portland will have transformed itself into a city where 80% of residents live within a half-mile of a “Neighborhood Greenway” — a special family-friendly street where it’s common to see families enjoying a bicycle ride together, kids walking to school or to the park, and even the occasional on-street basketball game.

These streets are quickly forming a cohesive network that’s turning bicycling into a relaxing, safe and sensible mode of transportation for short trips by everyday Portlanders. By solving neighborhood concerns around safe walking and biking, these new neighborhood streets have also brought an increased sense of community and an improved quality of life for their residents.

It’s our privilege to welcome Mark Lear and Greg Raisman, the “dynamic duo” behind Portland’s Neighborhood Greenways program. You’ll have the chance to hear their personal stories of how Portland is making this transformation possible, and to discover how Seattle’s burgeoning Neighborhood Greenways movement can learn from and apply their experiences.

(You can see Mark & Greg offer a guided Greenway tour in this excellent short film: http://www.streetfilms.org/portlands-bike-boulevards-become-neighborhood-greenways/ )

LOCATION: University of Washington, Savery Hall 264 <http://www.washington.edu/maps/?l=SAV>

DATE & TIME: Thursday September 22nd @ 7:00 PM

Watch Pee Wee to benefit the Bikery!

But, if you are not into greenways or are simply in the mood for something a little less… academic, you can head over to the Grand Illusion at University Way and NE 50th St to watch Pee Wee’s Big Adventure. Proceeds benefit the Bikery’s tool shed. Film starts at 6:30. More info via Facebook.

Bok Bok Bok Alleycat Friday

Active SBB commenter and cool dude Mike Archambault is throwing an alleycat Friday.

I met Mike at the Coffee Jitters alleycat a few weeks ago. He beat us by a good half hour (maybe more?). This is his first time throwing an alleycat, so go support him and have a good time!

The alleycat starts at Cool Guy Park (which, if you’re not cool enough to know, is located along the trail that starts at Lakeview Blvd E and Belmont Ave E).