Portland uses cargo trikes in new sidewalk cleaning program

(NOVEMBER 7, 2025) The City of Portland has started a new program to keep the city’s sidewalks cleaner and safer. Since October 2025, special cleaning crews have begun to visit busy business areas and city centers to remove trash, graffiti, and other waste. The goal is to make Portland’s streets more pleasant for everyone who walks, shops, or works there. 

Crews travel around the city on pink tricycles or in trucks with pink signs. They will sweep sidewalks, pick up litter, pressure wash surfaces, and clean graffiti from things like bike racks and trash cans. How often they clean will depend on the area’s needs. Some places may be cleaned every week, while others less often. These regular cleanings help attract more people to local shops and support community pride.

The program is a partnership between the Portland City Council and the Portland Solutions Public Environment Management Office (PEMO). The cleaning work is done by two organizations, Central City Concern and Cultivate. The City Council has given $1.7 million to support this project, and other local groups like Multnomah County and TriMet are helping fund services in certain areas.

This service is free for everyone. People can contact the city to report graffiti, trash, or campsites by calling 3-1-1. Crews do not clean residential streets, but residents can suggest new business areas for future cleaning. The sidewalks cleaned will include many main streets in all four city districts, such as NE Sandy Boulevard, SE Division Street, N Lombard Street, and NW 23rd Avenue.