Hundreds of enthusiasts saddled their bikes and braved Portland’s expected high of 100 degrees for this year’s Sunday Parkways — the first in-person parkway event since the pandemic struck in 2020.
Portland Bureau of Transportation officials blocked cars from six miles of city streets in the Cully neighborhood of Northeast Portland on Sunday, as volunteers lined the route to ensure bicyclists and pedestrians could travel safely. The route, open until 4 p.m., makes a figure-eight from Roseway Parkway on NE 72nd to Fernhill Park on NE 37th and Holman Street through Khunamokwst Park at NE 52nd and Alberta Street.
Portland moved Sunday Parkways to a virtual format in 2020 due to the pandemic, and city officials encouraged residents to “choose their own adventure” in 2021, offering participants online activities and tips for self-guided routes.
The Jayne family, of the Cully neighborhood, has been looking forward to the return of the traditional event for three years now. “We’re a big fan, and it was really fun to be able to ride across Killingsworth without having to worry about the cars,” Jenny Jayne said.
Bryan Jayne said they’ve participated six or seven times in years past. “It’s just a fun vibe,” he said, “and there’s just a positive energy around.”
The route includes four parks. Each park hosted vendors, live music and performances, bicycle repair stations, food carts and spots to refill water. Bikes of all shapes and sizes passed through the car-free streets, each at their own pace.
“It feels great, and it’s nice to be back together as a community,” Cully resident Jennifer Dahlin said.
PBOT brings utility vehicles for family photos.
A street near Fernhill Park buzzed with people browsing the free items such as stickers, pens and tote bags, discussing their bike rides and enjoying the intermittent shade. The Portland Bureau of Transportation brought utility vehicles for families to jump into and get photos.
Sunday Parkways is sponsored by Kaiser Permanente in partnership with the transportation bureau. This season there will be two events, including the one in Cully. The next one is on Aug. 21 in East Portland.
The event goes back to 2008, and was hosted one Sunday a month from May to September before the pandemic.
“It’s great to see so many people out enjoying the neighborhood and the community,” Courtney Daniels, another Cully resident, said. “I’m very happy to see everyone out here again after so long.”
– Austin De Dios; adedios@oregonian.com; @austindedios; (503) 319-9744
