Wheeler biking across the Tilikum Bridge in 2012.

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler is recovering after he fell while riding his bike on Sunday morning.

After a reader noticed a reference to the crash in an article posted by The Oregonian this morning, we followed up with his office to find out more.



Wheeler’s Director of Communications Michael Cox said the mayor was biking by himself when the crash happened. “He was riding down a hill, braking on a wet road, and his bike slid out from under him,” Cox shared with us via email this morning. Wheeler went to the emergency room and suffered several broken ribs.


Wheeler lives in a hilly area of southwest Portland and with all the rain this time of year the streets can be very tricky to navigate.

The mayor isn’t a stranger to cycling. He has competed in triathlons and he regularly rides his bike to work. We reported back in January that he rode to his first day on the job at City Hall in freezing temperatures.

Hopefully he makes a full recovery and continues to ride.

UPDATE: Mayor’s office confirms that leaves were not a factor in the crash. The Mayor says, “It’s really slick out there. Plan stops well in advance, especially going downhill.”

— Jonathan Maus: (503) 706-8804, @jonathan_maus on Twitter and jonathan@bikeportland.org

Never miss a story. Sign-up for the daily BP Headlines email.

BikePortland needs your support.











Front Page

ted wheeler