Justin Timberlake surprised fans in Portland by joining the city’s popular Bike Bus program on Sunday, January 12 creating a once-in-a-lifetime experience for children and their families. The program, which organizes chaperoned bike rides to help kids get to school, welcomed Timberlake for a special half-mile ride to Alameda Elementary School. (see video and photos below)
The Backstory
The idea began when Portland’s Bike Bus team posted a playful plea on social media in October, inviting Timberlake to join one of their rides. JT was in Portland for The Forget Tomorrow World Tour, which took place the following evening on Monday, January 13. The response was massive, with the TikTok video amassing over 6.9 million views and the Instagram post receiving about 4.5 million views. Fans were ecstatic when he accepted the invitation.
A Rainy Day Ride
Despite the drizzle, Timberlake joined about 200 participants—mostly children and their families—for the ride down Northeast Klickitat Street. JT’s team added extra flair by playing hits like “Mirrors” from speakers attached to their bikes. Along the way, Timberlake stopped briefly to pose for photos with excited kids before departing from the school.
A Growing Movement
The Portland Bike Bus program, started by Samuel Balto in April 2022, encourages children and families to embrace cycling as a sustainable and fun mode of transportation. Every Wednesday, participants brave all weather conditions to pedal their way to school. Inspired by its success, several other schools in Portland have adopted similar programs.
Balto’s admiration for Timberlake, whom he described as “awesome” and having “generational reach,” was the driving force behind the invite. “Everyone knows who Justin Timberlake is,” Balto said, emphasizing how JT’s involvement could inspire more people to embrace biking for everyday transportation.
Social Media Highlights
Timberlake later shared a video of the ride on his social media, expressing his enjoyment despite the rainy weather. His presence not only delighted fans but also brought greater visibility to the Bike Bus movement and its positive impact on the community.
A Message of Inspiration
“I think that Justin Timberlake joining the Bike Bus would set a great example for how people can get around—on a bike—for everyday transportation,” Balto wrote in an email.
This special day underscored the power of community, music, and sustainability, with Justin Timberlake playing a star-studded role in inspiring the next generation of cyclists.
Check out the photos of Justin participating by heading to the gallery page for this event.
Gallery Links: Bike Bus in Portland, OR - January 12, 2025
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