Unveiling the 2024 Sunday Parkways Annual Report: A Year of Connection, Community, and Open Streets!
Marking its 17th anniversary, the 2024 Sunday Parkways season presented by Kaiser Permanente welcomed an estimated 50,000 participants across three open street events in East Portland, Northeast Cully, and Southwest Multnomah. Each route was carefully tailored to reflect the neighborhood, offering free activities and unique experiences that brought families, friends, and neighbors together to bike, walk, and roll on Portland’s open streets.
Impact Snapshot:
- 29% of participants felt significantly more confident biking, walking, or rolling, and an equal percentage were inspired to make walking, biking, and rolling a bigger part of their lives. This marks a fantastic boost to Portland's goal of reducing car trips!
- BIKETOWNoffered 413 free e-bike rides at the East Portland and Northeast Cully events and 19 free e-scooter rides at the Southwest event. This wasa 26% increase in free BIKETOWN rides from 2023. River City Bicycles also offered free e-bike rides and demonstrations at the Southwest event. These offerings made biking and rolling accessible for more Portlanders, especially in hilly neighborhoods like Southwest Multnomah, inspiring participants to envision e-bikes or e-scooters as viable, everyday transportation options.
- The Adaptive Bike Clinic at the Northeast Cully event in collaboration with Shriners Children’s Portland, Adaptive Sports Northwest, and Adaptive BIKETOWNprovided hands-on opportunities for individuals with diverse mobility needs to try specialized bikes. This clinic not only offered more ways for participants to engage, but also built confidence and independence for those who had never biked before.
- Sunday Parkways encourages the community to shop locally and discover new businesses at these open street events. This year’s routes highlighted the business districts of Multnomah Village, 42nd Avenue, and Gateway. 336 small businesses and local vendors participated in our marketplaces, with a 30% increase in participation by vendors identifying as BIPOC or having disabilities.
Sunday Parkways proves to be more than a series of one-day celebrations, and we are thrilled to share the 2024 Sunday Parkways Annual Report filled with insights, community testimonials, and stats!
Read the full report and relive the magic of the season!
Transportation News & Resources
Portland Community Honors World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
Last Sunday, Nov. 17, Portland Bureau of Transportation staff joined Oregon and SW Washington Families for Safe Streets, BikeLoud PDX, Oregon Walks, mothers and fathers of traffic crash victims, advocates, elected leaders, and members of the community at Portland City Hall to honor those who have been violently killed on our streets.
Organizers adorned the SW 4th Avenue City Hall entrance with a white ghost bike to memorialize people who have been killed while bicycling and portraits of traffic crash victims. During the event, attendees wrote the names of people who have been killed on our streets on a large canvas banner. Before the event concluded, a trio of women sang while individuals placed red flowers on the building’s columns.
All the people in attendance want a different reality—one where safe speeds, safe streets, safe people, safe vehicles, and post-crash response all come together to create a safe system that prevents traffic deaths.
World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims is a global event held every year to honor those who have lost their lives or been impacted by roadway crashes. This year communities across the globe, including several dozen in the United States, gathered together to demand actions towards improving roadway safety and to uplift proven strategies, including redesigning dangerous roads, reducing speed limits, and improving vehicle design.
Leaf Day is Back!
From November to December each year, Portland Bureau of Transportation’s (PBOT) Leaf Day service helps provide cleaner, safer streets, keep our storm drains clear, and ensure our intersections don’t flood.
PBOT instituted Leaf Day because the amount of leaves in our 53 Leaf Districts was simply too much for our regular street cleaning equipment.
Leaf Day pickup is FREE for residents in Leaf Districts. There is no need to opt in or out. Not sure if you're in a Leaf District? Look up your home or business address and find out!
Review This Year's Leaf Day Schedule
New Community Events Application Launches December 4th
The Portland in the Streets team is excited to announce that Community Events will feature a new application starting December 4! While the application looks different, the information gathered and the requirements for hosting events in the street will largely remain the same. This new application helps streamline the internal process and will therefore make things easier for you.
New Towing Rules Began Nov. 12: Vehicles Missing License Plate or VIN Subject to Tow
Following recent changes to city code, Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) parking enforcement will now order an automatic tow for any vehicle that does not have a visible vehicle identification number (VIN) and does not display at least one license plate.
Allowing for an automatic tow will help parking enforcement officers more quickly clear vehicles in violation of city code from the public right-of-way – including abandoned autos.
Adaptive BIKETOWN Seasonal Hours Update
The Kerr Bike shop is closed for the season for regular walk-up hours until March 2025, but Adaptive BIKETOWNbikes are still available to rent through the Fall and Winter months by reservation.
In the Community
Portland Winter Ice Rink is Now Open
The Portland Winter Ice Rink is a family-friendly outdoor ice rink located at the west end of the Morrison Bridgehead on the waterfront in Portland.
In addition to skating, enjoy a variety of activities in the Winter Village, which features a concession marketplace, food, warm beverages, and a cozy lounge.
Passionate about Portland's historic and architectural heritage? Join the Historic Landmarks Commission.
The City of Portland seeks an interested person to serve a four-year term on the Historic Landmarks Commission. Applications are due no later than 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024.
The Historic Landmarks Commission provides leadership and expertise in maintaining and enhancing Portland's historic and architectural heritage, identifies and protects buildings and other properties with historic or cultural significance or special architectural merit, provides advice on historic preservation matters, and coordinates historic preservation programs in the City.
Celebrate Small Business Saturday on November 30
Support your local community and find unique gifts by shopping small this holiday season. Small Business Saturday is the perfect day to explore and support the amazing small businesses that make Portland special.
Not sure where to start? Shop Small PDX can help you discover local businesses with their Local Small Business Directory.
Summer Free for All Cultural Events Applications Open December 2
Each summer, Summer Free for All Cultural Events partners with community groups, artists, nonprofits, culturally-specific groups, and more to produce free outdoor concerts, movies, festivals, and cultural events all throughout the city of Portland.
Have an idea for a cultural event? Applications will open onDecember 2nd, 2024, andwill close on January 13th, 2025. Please note that applications will only be open for 6 weeks, so submit your application early!
Volunteer Spotlight
Name: Anna Sak
How long have you volunteered with Sunday Parkways? Since August 2023
What makes you want to volunteer at these events? Promote bikeways, healthy lifestyle, and community.
Share an interesting fact about yourself: I like bowls of capers.
Mark Your Calendar
Shop Small, Win Big
Nov. 14 – Dec. 15
All around Portland
Free
The Shop Small, Win Big holiday shopping event of the season has begun! Explore our stunning city, support local businesses whileholiday shopping, and enter for a chance to win big prizes like roundtrip airfare, Trail Blazers tickets, hotel stays, gift cards, and more with over 100 prizes.Click here to learn how to play!
My People’s Market
Nov. 23 - 24 | 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Oregon Convention Center
Free
Held twice a year, My People’s Market brings together 160+ local vendors showcasing the best of Portland. Plus, live music and activities including face painting and story time happening throughout the day. Come celebrate the changing of the seasons and kick off your holiday shopping.
Bike the Lights
Dec. 1 | 4:15 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Portland International Raceway
Tickets required
Winter Wonderland Portland has one night each year where the huge holiday lights display surrounding Portland International Raceway is open to bicycles only. Bike the Lights has a dedicated following of bike lovers, decking out their rides in holiday lights and rocking their favorite holiday gear. It’s the only event at Winter Wonderland that happens just once a season, rain or shine, so don’t miss out!
Jobs & Professional Development
Environmental Health and Safety Specialist (Risk Specialist II), Portland Water Bureau – closes 12/2