Summer Fun: Sunday Parkways, Cycle Rides and Express Walks

One of the things that makes this city such a great place to live is the enthusiasm people bring to their neighborhoods, and Portland Sunday Parkways has been instrumental in getting people out and exploring. By closing a few neighborhood streets and encouraging neighborhood organizations and businesses to join in, Portlanders flood the streets on their bikes and on foot for a few hours of non-automotive community togetherness.

This year the Parkways program is joined by Portland SmartTrips, a series of cycle rides, cycle classes and walks to encourage all of us to explore of alternative transportation choices—and, by the way, have fun in the process.

The best part? All rides are free. Here's the upcoming schedule:

Portland Sunday Parkways

• Sun., June 21: North Portland along Peninsula, Arbor Lodge, Kenton, Columbia Annex and McCoy Parks
• Sun., July 26: Northeast Portland along Woodlawn, Alberta and Fernhill Parks
• Sun., Aug. 23: Southeast Portland along Laurelhurst, Colonel Summers and Ivon Parks.
• Sun. Sept. 27: Tilikum Crossing/Sellwood along the new Tilikum Crossing Bridge, Westmoreland, Sellwood and Brooklyn School Parks.

Portland by Cycle Rides

• Wed., June 10: Waterways Real & Metaphoric, aka Pedalpalooza celebrates the city's rivers through the work of artists and engineers.
• Wed., June 17: The Wonderful World of Bike Non-Profits shows off our vibrant bike community.
• Tues., July 7 & Wed., July 8: Sweet Summer Cycle visits Southeast Portland sweet shops.
• Tues., July 14: Pretty Mellow Little Ride (PMLR) East and the 19th Neighborhood Greenway to Sellwood via new bikeways.
• Wed., July15: NoPo Greenway Tour will visit several neighborhood Greenways and share some history.
• Tues., July 21: PMLR West shows off new bikeways downtown.
• Wed., July 22: 50s Bikeway Northeast will tour two major north-south routes.
• Tues., July 28: Fly the 130s explores a new neighborhood greenway in East Portland.
• Wed., July 29: SW Multnomah and More tries out a new cycle track and some hills.
• Tues., Aug. 4: The Spirit of '77 blazes a trail to a new park via greenways in Roseway, Cully and Rose City Park.
• Wed., Aug. 5: 50s Bikeway Southeast will tour two major north-south routes.
• Tues., Aug. 11: The Dream of the 80s tours two north-south dow-traffic routes.
• Wed., Aug. 12: St. Johns Park to Park uses low-stress routes to tour the area's parks.
• Tues., Aug. 18: Butte of a Ride Up Council Crest takes a steep but slow climb to the spectacular view at the top of this landmark.
• Wed., Aug. 19: Let's Bike to IKEA will find a way to the big store, meatballs optional.
• Tues., Aug. 25: 150s or Bust explores a possible route for a new bikeway in East Portland.
• Wed., Aug. 26: Butte of a Ride up Rocky Butte takes a steep but slow climb to the spectacular view at the top of this landmark.
• Sat., Sept. 26: Autumn Adventure is a longer ride heading south via new bikepaths and greenways.
• Sat., Oct. 10: Coffee and Donuts Ride is self-explanatory…bring a cup and cash for snacks!
• Sat., Oct. 24: Art Along I-205 reveals the innovative art along the Green Line.
• Sat., Nov. 7: Tilikum to Terwilliger Tour is a challenging uphill ride along this gorgeous route.
• Sat., Nov. 21: Stormwater Cycling tours innovative street designs that protect our watershed.

Ten Toe Express Walks

• Thurs., June 4: Westmoreland Park to Crystal Springs and Reed Canyon tours the rhododendron gardens and salmon habitat restoration.
• Sat., June 13: Historic Piedmont and Woodlawn explores the history and sights of these neighborhoods.
• Thurs., June 18: Ped Palooza Cat Walk is a cat-themed walk with prizes for best interpretation.
• Sat., June 27: Overlook, Mississippi, Williams Loop tours new parks, developments and other projects.
• Thurs., July 9: Gateway Plaza to Gateway Green tours the historic little city of Maywood.
• Sat., July 18: Hillsdale to the River hikes a challenging route through George Himes and Willamette Parks.
• Thurs., July 23: Slabtown with author Laura Foster highlights local history and showcases its renaissance.
• Sat., Aug. 1: Westmoreland Park to Crystal Springs and Reed Canyon tours the rhododendron gardens and salmon habitat restoration.
• Thurs., Aug. 6: Overlook, Mississippi, Williams Loop tours new parks, developments and other projects.
• Sat., Aug. 15: Historic Brooklyn and Rail Yards explores pedestrian improvements and public art in this historic neighborhood.
• Thurs., Aug. 20: Hillsdale to the River hikes a challenging route through George Himes and Willamette Parks.
• Sat., Aug. 29: Gateway Plaza to Gateway Green tours the historic little city of Maywood.
• Thurs., Sept. 10: Historic Brooklyn and Rail Yards explores pedestrian improvements and public art in this historic neighborhood.
• Sat., Sept. 19: Tilikum Crossing Loop is a walk over the newly-opened bridge to the South Waterfront.

Check out the Portland By Cycle Classes and learn how to maintain and enjoy more time on your bike. Preregistration is required.