2025 Bike to Books Design Contest
The Bike to Books Design Contest is back! The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) and Multnomah County Library invite students from Pre-K to 12th grade and (new this year) adults to design bike lane art for the 2025 “Bike to Books” design contest, part of May Bike Month. First-place designs are installed on Portland streets by PBOT striping crews.
Contest dates
- Contest runs from May 1 - June 1, 2025
- Entries must be received no later than Sunday, June 1, 2025
- By submitting a design, you promise that the artwork you submitted: is your original creation; is not AI-generated; has not been copied in whole or in part from any other work; does not say bad or false things about other people; and has never been previously published or submitted to any other competition.
- PBOT and Multnomah County Library will attempt to notify the parents/guardians of winners using the information provided in the entry form by end of day on Friday, August 1, 2025.
Contest entry form
Entry forms are available for download to print at home. You can also pick up an entry form at any open Multnomah County Library branch.
How to enter
You can submit your entry form online or drop it off at your local Multnomah County Library.
To submit online:
- Once your design is complete, scan or take a photo of both sides of your form.
- Email photos of BOTH SIDES of your completed entry form to biketobooks@portlandoregon.gov. We accept .jpgs, .pngs, .pdfs.
- Make sure your image is clear and a higher resolution if possible.
- Make sure you keep your original copy.
To drop off your entry:
- Visit your local Multnomah County Library.
- For library locations and hours, visit multcolib.org or call us at 503.988.5123.
Common colors we have available
These are the most common colors used on our streets: black, white, yellow, blue, green, red, orange, purple, light blue, grey, and pink.
Prizes
Grand Prize: Bike lane art design installed by PBOT striping crews on Portland streets.* There will be one grand prize from each of three grade categories: Pre-K to 2nd; 3rd - 6th; 7th - 12th; and adult.
Second and third place runners up: Second and third place designs for each category will receive a prize which is to be determined.
*Location, timing, and final rendition of the winning designs will be determined by PBOT staff. Some artistic license may be used to ensure the designs work with the materials we use and how it's installed.
Contest rules
- Entry must be original artwork in the following brackets: Pre-Kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd through 6th grade, 7th through 12th grade, and adult. Multiple entries welcome.
- Entrants must live in Multnomah County to be eligible to win.
- The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) will contact winners by phone or email by Aug. 1, 2025, and post winning entries to the bureau and library websites and social media channels.
- By submitting artwork, you (or the parent/guardian, in case of entries Pre-K to 12th grade) consent to use of your name or the child’s name, artwork, and/or quote on materials that promote PBOT and Multnomah Count Library programs and activities. If you would prefer your name or the child’s name not be used, please initial on the form.
- There are no monetary prizes associated with winning this contest or for the use of artwork or quotes on PBOT and Multnomah County Library materials.
- Entries must be received no later than Sunday, June 1, 2025.
- By submitting a design, you promise that the artwork you submitted: is your original creation; is not AI generated; has not been copied in whole or in part from any other work; does not say bad or false things about other people; and has never been previously published or submitted to any other competition.
- Decisions of the judges are final and binding. PBOT and Multnomah County Library will attempt to notify the parents/guardians of winners using the information provided in the entry form on or around August 1, 2022. If a winner’s parent or guardian cannot be contacted or does not respond within 48 hours of the first contact attempt, if a winner does not fulfill the eligibility requirements, if a winner does not adhere to the Official Rules, or if the prize notification is returned as undeliverable, that winner will be disqualified and contest organizers may select a new potential winner by the same criteria set forth above.
- The City of Portland complies with all non‐discrimination, Civil Rights laws including Civil Rights Title VI and ADA Title II. To request translation, interpretation, accommodation, modifications, or additional info please contact PBOT at 311 (503-823-4000) for Oregon Relay Service and TTY: 711.
2022 Winners
Pre-K to 2nd Grade – “Reading Octopus” by Anita Baldivieso, Sellwood Library.
Check out the Reading Octopus book recommendations!
Reading Octopus was installed on SE Spokane Street, between 11th and 13th Avenues.
Design will fade and disappear over time due to wear and tear on our streets.
3rd to 6th Grade – “Mushrooms and Why They Matter” by Poppy Davis, Hollywood Library.
Check out the Mushrooms and Why They Matter book recommendations!
Mushrooms and Why They Matter was installed on Hancock Street between 40th and 41st Avenues.
Design will fade and disappear over time due to wear and tear on our streets.
7th to 12th Grade – “Petals of a Rose Bike” by Liliana Jacobsen, Holgate Library.
Check out the Petals of a Rose Bike book recommendations!
Petals of a Rose was installed on SE Center Street just west of SE 76th Avenue.
Design will fade and disappear over time due to wear and tear on our streets.
2021 Winners
(October 12, 2021)
What do dragons, goats, and donuts have in common? According to the creative minds of Portland youth - bikes! The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) and Multnomah County Library are pleased to announce the winners of the annual Bike to Books Design Contest. Now in its fifth year, the contest asks Multnomah County youth to design original art for Portland bike lanes. The 2021 Bike to Books Design Contest received over 360 unique designs from young artists across the city.
The program celebrates National Bike Month in May, inviting Multnomah County students to design art for local bike lanes. Three winners were selected from each of the three age categories: Pre-K to 2nd grade, 3rd to 6th grade, and 7th to 12th grade. Grand prize winners will have their art installed on Portland bike lanes and along low-traffic streets known as neighborhood greenways. PBOT’s street striping crews do all the installations. Learn more about how the street art is installed using thermoplastic and propane torches in this video.
Second place winners received a 5-day pass to Lumberyard Indoor Bike Park that includes admissions and gear rental, while third place winners received a helmet from Nutcase Helmets. Honorable Mention winners will receive a Safe Routes to School goodie bag. All finalists will receive a certificate and a metal sign of their design from PBOT and Multnomah County Library.
PBOT and Multnomah County Library staff reviewed and voted on all the entries.
PBOT Bike to Books 2021 Flickr Album
Here are the winning designs coming to a bike lane near you:
Winning designs were installed at these locations:
- Roarcycle: SE Gladstone Street just west of SE 52nd Avenue
- Portland Goat Bike: NE Tillamook Street just west of Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard
- Donut Bike: NE Rodney Avenue just north of NE Russel Street
Designs will fade and disappear over time due to wear and tear on our streets.
2020 Winners
(Oct. 29, 2020) The Portland Bureau of Transportation's (PBOT) annual Bike to Books Design Contest looked a little bit different this year as a result of the Covid-19 public health crisis. Now in its fourth year, the contest asks children to design original art for Portland bike lanes. Rather than submitting their designs in person at their local Multnomah County Library branch, families submitted their designs via email. Even with this change, the 2020 Bike to Books Design Contest received over 100 unique designs from schoolchildren across the city.
The program celebrates National Bike Month in May, inviting Multnomah County students to design art for local bike lanes. Three winners were selected from each of the three age categories: Pre-K to 2nd grade, 3rd to 6th grade, and 7th to 12th grade. Grand prize winners will have their art installed on Portland bike lanes and along low-traffic streets known as neighborhood greenways. PBOT’s street striping crews do all the installations. Learn more about how the street art is installed using thermoplastic and propane torches in this video.
Second place winners received a pack of four day passes to Lumberyard Indoor Bike Park that included admissions and gear rental, while third place winners received a helmet from Nutcase Helmets. Honorable Mention winners received a Safe Routes to School goodie bag. All finalists received a certificate and a metal sign from PBOT and Multnomah County Library.
PBOT and Multnomah County Library staff reviewed and voted on all the entries.
PBOT Bike to Books 2020 Flickr Album
Here are the winning designs coming to a bike lane near you:
Winning designs were installed at these locations:
- Strawberry on a Bicycle: N Bryant Street, west of Missouri Avenue
- Too Many Babies: N Blandena Street at N Kerby Avenue
- Rainbow Trout: N Concord Avenue at Ainsworth Street
Designs will fade and disappear over time due to wear and tear on our streets.
Thanks to everyone who participated in Bike Month 2020! We look forward to seeing what's in store for 2021!
2019 Winners
PBOT Bike to Books 2019 Flickr Album
Winning designs were installed at these locations:
- Rivers to Roads: SE 42nd Avenue and Taylor Street
- Beach Biking Jelly: SE 122nd Avenue and Stark Street
- Unicorn: NE 77th Avenue and Sandy Boulevard
Designs will fade and disappear over time due to wear and tear on our streets.
2018 Winners
PBOT Bike to Books 2018 Flickr Album
2017 Winners
PBOT Bike to Books 2017 Flickr Album
