What Are You Thankful For?

Riding my bike. I had in injury in 2007 that made riding extremely painful. 2008 was much more doable, though I still experienced some pain. Friends and family were supportive and I kept at it. I think I'll be going into 2009 free of pain. THANKFUL!

I live in Salem and the riding here isn't great but you know I think drivers are getting better, so I am thankful for that. I have been riding my bike to work for 15 years, and this year was the least scary.

I am thankful for all the beautiful bike people of Portland who make this an amazing place to ride a bicycle. Thank you.

I'm thankful for Safe Drivers.

I just wanted to say thanks to all the car drivers on the streets that have shared the road so nicely this past year. I am a father with 4 young kids, and my wife and I are impressed daily by the courteousness and respect that drivers show our family. We choose to ride bikes as our primary means to get around town. We get to school early in the mornings by bike every school day. My wife, Monica, travels by bike during the day to do errands and then rides with the kids home from school. We do our evening travel on bikes bike as well, always wearing headlights and red flashing taillights. We purposely search out the bike boulevards, bike trails and low-traffic neighborhood streets to make our way all over town but we sometimes find ourselves on busy roads too. We try to ride responsibly and confidently - working to be as predictable as possible. Occasionally, we encounter a driver in a hurry or one that is being impatient and we just try to understand that that kind of thing happens to the best of us. Being in control of a big heavy car, drivers have an enormous responsibility to others. But as people that ride bikes, we have a responsibility to be lawful and careful too. It is easy to feel vulnerable when being passed by speeding vehicles - even when everyone is paying attention and following the rules. We really appreciate when drivers understand that we are going places just like they are. Seeing eye to eye helps to make the roads safer for everyone.

So, thanks all you nice drivers out there, you help make this a great place to be bicyclists. I'm looking forward to sharing the roads with you again in 2009!

i'm thankful for bike-positive roads in and around portland, and only
one close call in the past 12 months of being on the roads on 2 wheels
every day.

i'm thankful for shift + the
culture of bike fun, and especially all the friends i've made over
rides, beers, parties, meetings, and so many other bike-related
activities, from silly to serious.

i'm thankful for our city leadership, and almost everyone i meet being
so accepting of and/or empowering to what used to be a mode of
transportation but is now a way of life for me.

thank you, portland!

I'm thankful that despite the backlash of those who believe cyclists get special treatment, that not only are we able to bike, but our numbers, opportunities, and safety continue to improve.

I'm thankful that not only is biking healthy and environmentally responsible, but is also fun!

And I'm thankful that I've met so many wonderful people who have opened the homes, hearts, and lives to me because we share the experience of biking. Portland truly is a wonderful place to live and bike!

I am thankful for living in Portland, for Shift, for Breakfast on the Bridges (donuts, coffee and bike people chatting-what could be better?), for rain and not too much snow, for beautiful bikey summers, Pedalpalooza and all the bike events to choose from. I am thankful for being healthy and strong enough to ride my bike and for it helping to keep me trim and fit.

I am thankful for all the beautiful people I can illustrate while they are riding their bikes.

I started riding this year. Sold my car, saved a bunch of dough, lost 50 lbs. I feel better, look better, I know I am healthier.

I'm thankful for silver linings... A trend towards bikes for transportation in the US and elsewhere may be one of the most important back stories of higher energy prices this past summer and the current recession.

I'm thankful for my new-to-me used bike, which is the best bike I've ever owned! Before that, I was riding a free bike given to me by the mother of my former step-children (have fun parsing that out). Having a lightweight 21-speed bike that's in really good shape made bike commuting this spring and summer so much more enjoyable. (Stopped because of an injury unrelated to riding.) And perhaps more importantly, I began a relationship with another cyclist, who provided me with a lot of inspiration to get out there and ride.

I am thankful for all the bikey people who made my Pedalpalooza '08 a BIG blast! I HEART all you guys and ghouls. Cya in '09!

I'm thankful for all the cops who went AWOL/donut hunting when 911 dispatch sends out Santa alerts.

I'm thankful for Biker Fox who fills in for Santa.

I'm thankful for Tulsa's NEWEST bicycling sensation, Fiker Box.

Finally, I'm thankful NONE of my rides ended with a trip to the ER in the back of an ambulance.

Happy New Year, people!!!!!!!

Where to start? For having two legs? Two wheels? But seriously, that biking has seemed to catch on across the nation. This is truly wonderful.

I am plaqued with arthritis in my right hip, a bum right knee, colon cancer recovery, plantar fasciitis, flat feet, and I am blessed to be the proud owner of a BikeE recumbent because I can't walk more than 1/4 mile without great pain. My bike is my inline wheel chair, and the endorphins I get from riding make me drug free.
Calvin, Vancouver, WA

I am thankful for the communication between cyclists on and off the road. The friends I have met at stoplights and on group rides has changed my life for the better. Getting out of the box (especially if it has four wheels) is always a good idea.