Friday Fun: Portland Bike Lanes Pay Tribute to David Bowie and Prince

Biking is very rock and roll. Portland just turned up the volume.

1 minute read

July 29, 2016, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"Portland isn’t known for its rock music legacy," writes Jonathan Maus, "but we do have something no other city has: memorials to two modern-day rock titans that are made out of bike lane markings."

Maus is talking about bike lane markings (the familiar figure of a rider astride two wheels and an invisible frame) transformed to pay homage to Prince and David Bowie. Following the city's most recent Bowie vs. Prince bike ride, "maintenance crews from the City of Portland’s transportation bureau have lent their creative skills to bike lane symbols that honor both Prince and David Bowie."

According to Maus, the Prince bike lane character "can be found on East Burnside at 9th," below a "torrent of purple rain." Bowie's Ziggy Stardust is found at SW Broadway and Main. Click through to the article to see Maus's photos of both.

[Editor's note: I have to disagree with Maus's description of Portland's reputation for rock music. The Wipers are from Portland and they're one of the great rock and roll bands of all time.]

Thursday, July 28, 2016 in Bike Portland

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