Etsy's Handmade Blog
Portland Custom Bike Culture
Bike culture in Portland is maybe the awesomest in the country! (Care to debate? Let it be known in the comments below!)

We found this video on Youtube about a custom bike exhibit at the Portland airport and we were really excited to learn about Sweetpea Bikes, one of the only two female-run custom bike shops for women in the US. 


Do you have a custom bike? Let us know in the comments below!
Tags bicycles, bikes, custom, cycling, Oregon, PDX, Portland, sports, Sweetpea Bikes, transportation, video
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17 comments     Login to add your own!

April 25, 2008 at 3:44 p.m. Chillionaire

I'm glad to argue that Richmond, VA has the best bicycle community ^-^

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lorifort...

April 25, 2008 at 3:57 p.m. qwynwyn

I so want a road bike now. Thanks for spotlighting this business. I can't really say anything about bike culture in San Diego...

April 25, 2008 at 4:16 p.m. littlepurls

YAY FOR PORTLAND! Hands down my favorite city in the world! For anyone who's never been there, let me paint you a picture. They have roads designated for bicycle use. Not just lanes, but entire roads. With signs warning cars to stay out of the street during rush hour. And believe me, there is rush hour on the bike streets just like on the freeways. Its amazing to be riding your bike on your way to work or school and to be in the midst of a veritable river of other bike commuters. I'm not exaggerating, it gets crowded.

I can't wait to move back up there.

April 25, 2008 at 4:16 p.m. pollyannacowgirl

Awesome video! I think that the Portland bike culture is pretty darn epic.

It even got me to start riding a bike! :)

April 25, 2008 at 4:24 p.m. snegoratchka

boston bike culture is just weird. But I DO have a custom made bike, for Independent Fabrication, who have their shop right around the corner from my house. And i have never, even in my love loved any thing, person, or place, more than I love that bike.

April 26, 2008 at 2:45 a.m. kimonomomo

Oregon is quite a bike friendly state, I'm proud to say! Portland is not the only city in Oregon to embrace cycle culture, but it certainly does show other cities how it can be done. I've lived in Eugene, Corvallis and Bend, and all are bike friendly areas.

April 26, 2008 at 10:40 a.m. pinkhat

and following up on snegoratchka's comment, this is why i think boston bike culture is weird but amazing and hilarious:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=_yGFTNup5eM

April 26, 2008 at 11:48 a.m. mmmfiber

Ha! Their garage/shop is right down the street from my house, we walk the dogs by all the time and they are always hard at work cranking on something.
Cool article!

April 26, 2008 at 12:55 p.m. TigerVintage

what about chicago?????

we stop traffic.

April 26, 2008 at 1:45 p.m. nydampress

The North American Handmade Bicycle Show was in Portland this spring too. Basically the biggest gathering of custom bicycle builders from around the country, ever.

April 26, 2008 at 1:56 p.m. scrumdidlyump

Asheville also has a really cool bike community. There is a place called the Bike Recyclery where you can go, use their tools, spare parts and expertise to fix up your bike, or even build a new Frankenstein bike from donated odds and ends.

April 26, 2008 at 2:47 p.m. raghousenternational

Nice video. I need to learn how to bike again.

April 26, 2008 at 7:46 p.m. sparkledawne

no bike is complete without a bell :)

April 26, 2008 at 10:21 p.m. phoebe1

yay pdx bikes!

April 27, 2008 at 12:51 p.m. dogwoodlane

Great article! Arkansas also has a great cycling community... a little surprising, but true.
Nice bells sparkledawne! You also need a seat bag!

April 27, 2008 at 6:29 p.m. akcupcake

Awesome recognition! Anchorage, AK is movin up in the bike communities! Don't have a custom bike but am pretty proud of my Schwinn Collegiate. Need a custom seat cover?.....

April 27, 2008 at 7:01 p.m. CyclonaDesigns

My backyard is filled with custom choppers because my sweetheart is a maniac for building bikes. I have one for myself that I love the best, with tall ape hanger bars, a comfy seat, a strong and spindly frame and a long extended forks - I think of her like a frankenstein thoroughbred mare. I use bike parts in most of my work and my town has some great bike culture and awesome riding - Victoria BC!

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