On January 5, 2026, a cherished resident of Portland, Oregon, Mike Sloan, lost his life in a tragic incident. The experienced cyclist and respected ride leader with the Portland Bicycling Club succumbed to injuries at the scene around 8:30 p.m., after a single-bicycle crash at the southwest corner of Southeast Division Street and Southeast 52nd Avenue.
The incident began as Sloan rode southbound on Southeast 52nd Avenue, a designated neighborhood greenway, approaching the busy intersection with Southeast Division Street while heading home. Witnesses described how he suddenly lost balance and control, propelling him over the handlebars in a severe fall that left him fatally injured on the pavement.
Numerous onlookers rushed to the scene, with some using their vehicles to block traffic and protect the area until emergency responders arrived, underscoring the immediate shock and helplessness felt by those who saw the crash unfold.
Portland Police Bureau officers responded promptly, canvassing for cameras but finding none, and speaking to multiple witnesses who consistently reported no vehicles involved in the collision. Their initial investigation pinpointed a large pothole—approximately one foot square with sharp edges and scattered gravel—as the likely trigger, causing Sloan to veer unexpectedly on the slight incline.
His Trek road bike, equipped with functional front and rear lights, came to rest nearby, propped against a fire hydrant, though it remains unclear if the dark conditions or the pothole’s deceptive placement fully obscured the hazard from his view.
The pothole itself, located inches from where Sloan’s body rested, stemmed from a degrading road patch possibly tied to earlier utility or stormwater work around 2020, with further permitted activity noted in mid-2025. This infrastructure failure on a high-traffic stretch lacking dedicated bike lanes highlighted ongoing concerns about road maintenance in Portland, especially on routes frequented by cyclists.
Mike Sloan stood as a pillar in the Portland Bicycling Club for many years, earning admiration as one of its most dedicated ride leaders who guided memorable journeys, from Thursday evening gatherings at Irving Park to challenging century rides like Portland to Astoria.
An indefatigable year-round cyclist, he embraced tough conditions with charisma and kindness, often outperforming younger riders on demanding climbs while seeing the best in everyone around him. His resilience shone through even after a previous crash in late August 2025 totaled his new Cervelo bike, yet he continued riding with the same spirited commitment that inspired so many.