‘Bike Fair’ at David Douglas Schools gets families get rolling along

Discover how this ‘summer school’ activity in outer East Portland helped kids enjoy safe fun on their bicycles …

Welcoming guests to the East Portland Neighborhood Bike Fair in the Hazelwood neighborhood are Lacrisha Royal and David Moriwaki, of the Portland Bureau of Transportation.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Classes were in session this summer in the David Douglas School District (DDSD) – not inside Menlo Park Elementary School, but outside on the playground. It was Saturday, July 12.

What was happening there was the free, DDSD East Portland Neighborhood Bike Fair.

Out of the hot summer sun, shaded by the covered outdoor play area, several stations were set up where families could obtain all kinds of helpful information from government agencies and nonprofit organizations.

Taking time for a photo during the bike fair is David Douglas School District’s Family and Community Partnerships Supervisor, Cassy Wood – along with Family Engagement Specialists Heather Miller and TD McCullum.

“We are focusing on safe bike riding and pedestrian skills for the families in our school district’s community,” explained Cassy Wood, DDSD Family and Community Partnerships Supervisor.

“Also, there are a number of resources here where both kids and adults can learn about how to be safer,” Wood told East Portland News.

Performing bike tune-ups and safety checks is Nathan Gaiffe with Earth Services Mobile Bike Shop.

Taking place throughout the event, Wood listed, included:

Learn-to-ride coaching for adults and children just starting out on a bike
Activities to learn about bike safety skills
Quick-fix Bike Repair to make sure bikes roll smoothly and safely
A guided ‘community ride’ in the neighborhood

Fitting a new bike helmet, here’s Sarah Heckles from Legacy Health.

“And, what really helps keep kids safe, is having a good quality and properly-fitted bike helmet – which are being provided here today by Legacy Health Trauma Nurses Talk Tough volunteers,” Wood pointed out.

Safety lessons learned, and with bike tuned up, dad Darren Zayman is ready to ride with his daughter, Ell.

“It’s good that we’re able to bring the community together with this bike fair,” Wood observed. “Seeing the community smiling, enjoying themselves, and building relationships certainly makes all this worthwhile!”

Neighbors learn how to be safe, both while riding bikes, and at home at the fair.

This bike fair, hosted in partnership with David Douglas School District and Community Cycling Center, was made possible with support from Metro, the Federal Transit Administration, Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund, and PBOT.

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