Event Description:
Bishop Creek and Urban Wineworks are kicking off the first official fundraiser for the Sauvie Island Flanders Street Bicycle & Pedestrian Bridge Project. The event will start with a leisurely 16 or 27 mile bicycle ride organized by Shift and Umbrella which will spin through North Portland. The ride will journey along scenic low-traffic roads in order to promote bicycling as a sustainable mode of transportation. There will be live music and snacks at multiple rest stops along the way. After the ride is complete, riders and non-riders alike will convene at Urban Wineworks, to celebrate in style with catered food, live music, and fine wine. Proceeds of riders' registration and a percentage of Bishop Creek Cellar’s sales will benefit the Sauvie Island/Flanders Street Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge Project.
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What is the Bridge Project? There has been a proposal in the works for the past 2 years to recycle the old Sauvie Island bridge, which is being replaced this June, and move it to NW Portland where it would span the I-405 beltway at NW Flanders street to create a bicycle and pedestrian only byway. This will create a pedestrian and bicycle thoroughfare all the way from Willamette Park to NW 23RD and beyond. As is often the case money was and is the primary obstacle to realizing the project. We have recently received news that the Portland Development Commission, along with the City of Portland have agreed to put up the majority of the funding. Talks are also underway with the Oregon Department of Transportation, but in any case, some money will need to be raised by the private sector. This is the purpose for this ride. |
