One of the great things about being a cyclist in Portland is the bounty of bike events. Options for bike fun abound every weekend, and even weekdays during the spring, summer, and fall; even in winter we have events to attend. Big, small, fast, slow, there’s something for everyone. Bike Gallery has been committed to supporting community cycling events for decades and has watched the growth in the number and variety of bike events. That’s all good right? Well, mostly so. Cycling events encourage and rewards novice and expert riders and helps keep interest in bicycling growing. Most of us will agree that more cyclists on the roads is a good thing.

Over the years, along with all of you, we’ve learned a thing or two about sustainability and about how our actions can contribute to larger problem. We’ve all learned the benefits of recycling and know that our efforts help reduce the growing mountains of landfill. We’re watchful of waste at home and work but what about away from home and office—for example at bike events?

Disposable containers at cycling events can generate a lot of waste.

So, here’s the downside to the growing popularity of events: it results in an increase in the environmental impact of each event and in the cumulative impact of all of those events. Most organized events provide rest stops, food, beverages, and with that along comes garbage and waste—for example: paper cups, paper plates, race numbers. Many of the event organizers with whom Bike Gallery works are already actively seeking ways to reduce their contributions to the landfill and reduce their environmental footprint. For example, this year Cycle Oregon is issuing reusable musette (feed) bags instead of putting lunches in bags or boxes. Great idea! Another event, however, is truly leading the way and that’s the Portland Triathlon.

The Portland Triathlon has been driving responsible race production and sustainability since its inception. They were the first to directly integrate carbon offsets into the registration process, the first to offer bamboo race shirts, and one of the first to include public art, living plants, solar power, and recycled materials into the fundamental fabric of the event. This commitment to sustainability is one reason why Bike Gallery is proud to sponsor the race; we like the example they are setting.

But race organizer Jeff Henderson hasn’t stopped there in his drive to reduce waste. In 2007, Jeff, along with Jonathan Eng, founded a national non-profit group that has developed and administers sustainability certification for sporting events. In just a short couple of years that organization, Council for Responsible Sport (ReSport), has already certified a number of events across the country. We think this is a big step in the direction of reducing event impacts and we hope to see all of the premier local events apply for, and receive certification, in the next few years.

Bike Gallery is also working to clean up its act. We’ll be consulting with Jeff during Cycle Oregon to identify ways to reduce the impacts of our event support team. Knowing that that review is coming has already helped us to get our act together. For the first time we are taking steps to collect and recycle all of the tubes discarded during the weeklong event. You can just imagine the quantity of dead tubes created by a week of 2000+ riders and carrying around holey tubes has until now just been too daunting a prospect. However, the time has come to stop being so wasteful, and thanks to ReSport, and to Cycle Dog who will be repurposing the tubes, we are taking that step.

What steps can you take? Small actions help: use your water bottle and not paper cups, take your own mess kit to events (or at least fork, spoon, and knife), carry and use a bandana instead of paper napkins, and let event organizers know your concerns about reducing waste. Another action: consider supporting the Council for Responsible Sport. ReSport is holding its big (fun and informative too) fundraiser, a Green Tie Event, on August 21 and Bike Gallery customers, friends, and family are all invited to attend. We’ve even got a special ticket discount offer for you—50% off! The event will feature a keynote presentation by Darcy Winslow, a 20-year veteran of Nike and one of the world’s foremost experts on environmental corporate responsibility, entitled “Lessons from Antarctica” I hope to see you there, or at least in the recycling area at the next big bike event.

Happy (re)Cycling,
Barb G