Sunrise PDX, a climate action group, organized the rally in the shadow of the arena, with help from the Portland chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America. The demonstration wrapped with about 30 people biking around the perimeter of the Moda Center.
A 35-year-old Portland resident who gave his name only as Hasan A. Spoke at the event, criticizing the arena funding plan.
The protest lands at a moment when Portland faces tight budget decisions. For teachers and city employees watching contract talks drag on, the rally puts a public face on the argument that arena upgrades shouldn't jump the line ahead of classrooms and paychecks.
Nobody at City Hall has said yet whether the bike protest will change the calculus on the Moda Center deal, but organizers made sure it was loud enough to be hard to ignore.