Bike Portland posted a great article yesterday about a great business concept that just started up in Portland, OR, called Pedal Portland. The concept behind Pedal Portland is that you can hire a real-life riding partner to help make the transition to commuting by bike just that much easier. Kirk Paulsen, the brains behind the idea, only started riding himself a short while ago and recognizes that there are some challenges to starting up, but for Portland residents, he is there to help. He can be hired to help find bikes, get bikes in working order, identify a good route, and accompany you on your first rides. This is a great idea, as having someone who is familiar with transportation cycling and able to take the time to really help you start out can be priceless. Good luck, Pedal Portland!