![]() ![]() Yes, we have a history of structural racism and because of that we need a more comprehensive social system than even scandinavia and reparations are not a bad idea. Yes, capitalism is a moraless system that concentrates wealth in the hands of the few. It is just another thing for Portlanders to talk about and pat themselves on the back when someone of color shows up. We are not advancing equality or social programs or the safety net. Portland has been doing it for awhile now and it is not working out. This impulse to judge everything in Portland only on whether there is a person of color there is such a waste of time. Here’s who rolled by on SE Hawthorne between 6th and 7th in about a 20-minute span on Friday afternoon (click to enlarge): 1 I think it would help build respect when they realize these are real and beautiful people, just like them, and not just “that damn cyclist who blew by me”. I wish people who mostly drive would take time to look at images like this. I also think images of real riders - as opposed to staged or stock photos - adds substance and humanity to what is often just a blur through our streets. In my opinion, you can tell a lot about a city’s bike and street culture by simply observing its bicycle riders: Are they mostly older? Younger? Are riders mostly shes? Hes? Theys? Do they ride cheap, drop-bar “ten speeds” or flat-bar MTBs? Helmet? No helmet? How many e-bikes do you see? Do people look experienced? Afraid? Calm and cool? Stressed out or blissed out? Would a People on Bikes in southwest or outer east Portland look different? The idea is simple: Freeze bicycle riders in time to give us a better understanding of who’s riding, what they’re wearing, what they’re riding, how they’re riding, and so on. Most of them are from Portland but we’ve taken the idea afield as well with episodes in New York City, Copenhagen, and even Colombia (thanks Michael!). If you’re new to BikePortland, this is something we’ve done since 2011. Somehow, three years have passed since I did a proper People on Bikes. People on bikes, Southeast Hawthorne Blvd, Friday February 7th. ![]()
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