Want to Join Our Team? STP Volunteer Opportunity

Do you prefer to ride uphill or downhill? Choosing to volunteer for a safety position is kind of like that – it’s not for everyone, but I encourage you to check it out for yourself, because it may be for you! If you like to be where the action is, if you like the excitement of watching the riders cross the finish line, if you enjoy cheering and congratulating the riders, please consider volunteering for safety. You will find it satisfying and very rewarding.

It takes many volunteers, teamwork and cooperation, to make this work smoothly. New members, you are invited to sign up to volunteer too, if you’re not riding STP! SignUpGenius is ready and waiting for you. There are still 20 unfilled of 23 shifts for safety volunteers.

There are two main functions of the safety team: keeping everyone safe at the intersection of NE Multnomah Street & NE 11th Avenue, and keeping everyone safe through the finish line chute into the park. At the intersection, there is a traffic signal, and you will have a STOP/SLOW sign and will remind riders that they need to stop when the light is red; likewise, spectators must wait for the crosswalk light and not step in front of approaching cyclists. You will not be involved with cars because NE 11th Avenue is closed for STP, so the only cars will be going east/west independently. In the chute, you will encounter riders who are so anxious to be done that they’ll be coming in fast, and they will need you to tell them (verbally and/or using hand motions) to slow down. Other riders will be so anxious to dismount or greet awaiting spectators that they’ll slow down or stop, and they will need you to point out that there are riders behind them continuing to roll in, and to direct them to proceed out of the chute into the park to prevent a traffic jam.  ✎

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SAFETY is a priority for Portland Bicycling Club! We want it for ourselves when we’re riding, and for others. We teach new members about safe practices when riding in a group, and share reminders with everyone about new laws that affect bicycling. Safety is, in fact, one of the main reasons why Cascade Bicycle Club, the organizers of the Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic, hires our club to manage the Finish Line.

Please consider filling one or more of the available spots. Grab a friend and sign up for a shift together (e.g., spouse, partner, sibling, co-worker, neighbor). Whether you bring someone with you or not, safety volunteers work in pairs, so you may have a chance to get to know some other club members. You’ll be on your feet, so you need to be able to stand for your shift, but you will be rotated so you won’t be in the same spot the whole time. You’ll be given a meal break, and the club will pay for your meal; also, you can take restroom breaks as needed and you can either take a hydration break or call to have water and/or electrolytes delivered to you. In addition, PBC will host a gourmet pizza party for you on Monday evening July 6 to thank you for your contribution to the club’s endeavor. You will also receive a colorful, commemorative volunteer T-shirt.

If you’d like to volunteer on the safety team but these pre-defined shifts don’t work for you, please let me know the hours you’d like to work, and I’ll customize a shift for you. You can sign up online at 2026 Seattle to Portland Finish Line, or contact me at [email protected] and I’ll sign you up. Below is the big-picture view for safety. Team Leader Kurt Minges is also still looking for a co-leader.

As you can see, the biggest need for volunteers right now is in safety. However, there are also some onesie-twosie vacant positions in other areas if you prefer. Please let me know if you have any questions or need more information about responsibilities for other spots. I’m trying to keep this short, LOL!  😂

Go to Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic 2025 Photo Album.

Lynn Blanchard, STP Volunteer Coordinator