Stephenmgunther (talk | contribs) →History: Provided accurate, first person account of historic relationship of BIKESHARE to Portland's Yellow Bike Project. Removed content that reflected corporate bias & inaccurately characterized Yellow Bike Project as "disastrous" & a "failure". Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit |
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==History== |
==History== |
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In 1994, Portland Environmental Activists Tom O'Keefe, Joe Keating & Steve Gunther launched the nation's first bike sharing program. The Yellow Bike Project attracted national media attention & enhanced Portland's reputation as a bike friendly city. Inspired by a similar program in Amsterdam, "The Yellow Bike Project" founder, O'Keefe, enrolled the Community Cycling Center in supporting the program with repairs. Hundreds of Yellow Bikes were distributed for free, unlimited use in Portland during the first several months of the program. The inevitable vandalism & theft of the no-cost, unlocked bikes, combined with liability concerns led the organizers to discontinue the experiment. |
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Planning for a modern [[bicycle-sharing system]] for Portland began in 2009, under the direction of PBOT.<ref>{{cite news |last=Larabee |first=Mark |date=July 4, 2009 |title=Portland to experiment with rental bike system |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2009/07/portland_to_experiment_with_re.html |work=[[The Oregonian]] |accessdate=July 8, 2016}}</ref> |
Planning for a modern [[bicycle-sharing system]] for Portland began in 2009, under the direction of PBOT.<ref>{{cite news |last=Larabee |first=Mark |date=July 4, 2009 |title=Portland to experiment with rental bike system |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2009/07/portland_to_experiment_with_re.html |work=[[The Oregonian]] |accessdate=July 8, 2016}}</ref> <ref>{{cite news |last=Ryan |first=Don |date=December 9, 1994 |title=Portland Journal: Where Trust Rides a Yellow Bicycle |url=http://www.nytimes.com/1994/12/09/us/portland-journal-where-trust-rides-a-yellow-bicycle.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |accessdate=July 8, 2016}}</ref> |
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In December 2011, [[Metro (Oregon regional government)|Metro]] approved the allocation of a $2 million federal grant to PBOT for the development of a bike share system.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rose |first=Joseph |date=December 8, 2011 |title=Portland's $4 million bike-sharing plan, 10 other regional transportation projects get green light |url=http://blog.oregonlive.com/commuting/2011/12/portlands_bike-sharing_proposa.html |work=The Oregonian |accessdate=July 8, 2016}}</ref> [[Alta Bike Share]], a national operator of similar systems headquartered in Portland, was contracted in September 2012 to be the system's operator.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rose |first=Joseph |date=September 28, 2012 |title=Portland picks homegrown Alta Bicycle Share to run bike sharing as firm faces problems in other cities |url=http://blog.oregonlive.com/commuting/2012/09/portland_picks_homegrown_alta.html |work=The Oregonian |accessdate=July 8, 2016}}</ref> The $4 million cost of the system and inability to secure a [[corporate sponsorship|corporate sponsor]] led to several delays in the planned launch.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cronin |first=James |date=January 7, 2016 |title=Nike's bike share sponsorship ends years of frustration for Portland planners |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/threads_and_laces/2016/01/why-nike-ponied-up-10m-to-sponsor-portlands-big.html |work=[[Portland Business Journal]] |accessdate=July 8, 2016}}</ref> |
In December 2011, [[Metro (Oregon regional government)|Metro]] approved the allocation of a $2 million federal grant to PBOT for the development of a bike share system.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rose |first=Joseph |date=December 8, 2011 |title=Portland's $4 million bike-sharing plan, 10 other regional transportation projects get green light |url=http://blog.oregonlive.com/commuting/2011/12/portlands_bike-sharing_proposa.html |work=The Oregonian |accessdate=July 8, 2016}}</ref> [[Alta Bike Share]], a national operator of similar systems headquartered in Portland, was contracted in September 2012 to be the system's operator.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rose |first=Joseph |date=September 28, 2012 |title=Portland picks homegrown Alta Bicycle Share to run bike sharing as firm faces problems in other cities |url=http://blog.oregonlive.com/commuting/2012/09/portland_picks_homegrown_alta.html |work=The Oregonian |accessdate=July 8, 2016}}</ref> The $4 million cost of the system and inability to secure a [[corporate sponsorship|corporate sponsor]] led to several delays in the planned launch.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cronin |first=James |date=January 7, 2016 |title=Nike's bike share sponsorship ends years of frustration for Portland planners |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/threads_and_laces/2016/01/why-nike-ponied-up-10m-to-sponsor-portlands-big.html |work=[[Portland Business Journal]] |accessdate=July 8, 2016}}</ref> |
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In January 2016, Nike signed a $10 million, five-year deal to be the program's sponsor, naming it "Biketown".<ref>{{cite news |last=Njus |first=Elliot |date=January 7, 2016 |title=Nike to sponsor Portland's bike-share program, call it Biketown |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/index.ssf/2016/01/nike_to_sponsor_portlands_bike.html |work=The Oregonian |accessdate=July 8, 2016}}</ref> On June 13, 2016, officials announced various details for the program, including a launch date of July 19.<ref>{{cite news |last=Njus |first=Elliot |date=June 13, 2016 |title=Biketown bike-share launch date, pricing, station locations announced |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/index.ssf/2016/06/biketown_bike-share_launch_dat.html |work=The Oregonian |accessdate=July 8, 2016}}</ref> More than 1,000 Portlanders signed up for the first batch of annual memberships by launch day.<ref name="OLive-Launch">{{cite news |last=Njus |first=Elliot |date=July 19, 2016 |title=Biketown bike-share launches today: Five things to know |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/index.ssf/2016/07/biketown_bike-share_launches_t.html |work=The Oregonian |accessdate=July 19, 2016}}</ref> |
In January 2016, Nike signed a $10 million, five-year deal to be the program's sponsor, naming it "Biketown".<ref>{{cite news |last=Njus |first=Elliot |date=January 7, 2016 |title=Nike to sponsor Portland's bike-share program, call it Biketown |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/index.ssf/2016/01/nike_to_sponsor_portlands_bike.html |work=The Oregonian |accessdate=July 8, 2016}}</ref> On June 13, 2016, officials announced various details for the program, including a launch date of July 19.<ref>{{cite news |last=Njus |first=Elliot |date=June 13, 2016 |title=Biketown bike-share launch date, pricing, station locations announced |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/index.ssf/2016/06/biketown_bike-share_launch_dat.html |work=The Oregonian |accessdate=July 8, 2016}}</ref> More than 1,000 Portlanders signed up for the first batch of annual memberships by launch day.<ref name="OLive-Launch">{{cite news |last=Njus |first=Elliot |date=July 19, 2016 |title=Biketown bike-share launches today: Five things to know |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/index.ssf/2016/07/biketown_bike-share_launches_t.html |work=The Oregonian |accessdate=July 19, 2016}}</ref> |
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The service launched on July 19, 2016, during a ceremony in which 150 riders took an inaugural ride across the [[Tilikum Crossing]] bridge.<ref>{{cite news |last=Njus |first=Elliot |date=July 19, 2016 |title=Biketown bike-share program launches with inaugural Tilikum Crossing ride |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/index.ssf/2016/07/biketown_bike-share_program_la.html |work=The Oregonian |accessdate=July 20, 2016}}</ref> |
The service launched on July 19, 2016, during a ceremony in which 150 riders, including Congressman Earl Blumenauer & the Yellow Bike Project's Steve Gunther, took an inaugural ride across the [[Tilikum Crossing]] bridge.<ref>{{cite news |last=Njus |first=Elliot |date=July 19, 2016 |title=Biketown bike-share program launches with inaugural Tilikum Crossing ride |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/index.ssf/2016/07/biketown_bike-share_program_la.html |work=The Oregonian |accessdate=July 20, 2016}}</ref> |
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The placement of Biketown stations that replaced public street parking sparked some controversy over a "lack of outreach" by PBOT.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dowling |first=Jennifer |date=July 13, 2016 |title=Biketown racks not welcome in some neighborhoods |url=http://koin.com/2016/07/13/biketown-racks-not-welcome-in-some-neighborhoods/ |work=[[KOIN]] |accessdate=July 19, 2016}}</ref> |
The placement of Biketown stations that replaced public street parking sparked some controversy over a "lack of outreach" by PBOT.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dowling |first=Jennifer |date=July 13, 2016 |title=Biketown racks not welcome in some neighborhoods |url=http://koin.com/2016/07/13/biketown-racks-not-welcome-in-some-neighborhoods/ |work=[[KOIN]] |accessdate=July 19, 2016}}</ref> |
Revision as of 15:35, 27 July 2016
Biketown | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Owner | Portland Bureau of Transportation |
Locale | Portland, Oregon |
Transit type | Bicycle-sharing system |
Number of stations | 100 |
Website | biketownpdx.com |
Operation | |
Began operation | July 19, 2016 |
Operator(s) | Motivate |
Number of vehicles | 1,000 |
Biketown (stylized as BIKETOWN) is a bicycle-sharing system in Portland, Oregon that began operation on July 19, 2016. The system is owned by Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) and operated by Motivate, with Nike, Inc. as the title sponsor. At launch, the system had 100 stations and 1,000 bicycles serving the city's central and eastside neighborhoods, with hopes to expand outward.
History
In 1994, Portland Environmental Activists Tom O'Keefe, Joe Keating & Steve Gunther launched the nation's first bike sharing program. The Yellow Bike Project attracted national media attention & enhanced Portland's reputation as a bike friendly city. Inspired by a similar program in Amsterdam, "The Yellow Bike Project" founder, O'Keefe, enrolled the Community Cycling Center in supporting the program with repairs. Hundreds of Yellow Bikes were distributed for free, unlimited use in Portland during the first several months of the program. The inevitable vandalism & theft of the no-cost, unlocked bikes, combined with liability concerns led the organizers to discontinue the experiment.
Planning for a modern bicycle-sharing system for Portland began in 2009, under the direction of PBOT.[1] [2]
In December 2011, Metro approved the allocation of a $2 million federal grant to PBOT for the development of a bike share system.[3] Alta Bike Share, a national operator of similar systems headquartered in Portland, was contracted in September 2012 to be the system's operator.[4] The $4 million cost of the system and inability to secure a corporate sponsor led to several delays in the planned launch.[5]
In March 2014, bicycle manufacturer Bixi declared bankruptcy, forcing another delay in the system's launch to 2015, as they had been the selected supplier.[6] Planned operator Alta Bike Share would later be sold to Motivate in October.[7]
In September 2015, the Portland City Council approved a new contract with Motivate to move forward on the bikeshare program. Motivate went on to place a $1.5 million order placed with Social Bicycles to manufacture and deliver "smart" bicycles that include on-board computers and other technologies.[8]
In January 2016, Nike signed a $10 million, five-year deal to be the program's sponsor, naming it "Biketown".[9] On June 13, 2016, officials announced various details for the program, including a launch date of July 19.[10] More than 1,000 Portlanders signed up for the first batch of annual memberships by launch day.[11]
The service launched on July 19, 2016, during a ceremony in which 150 riders, including Congressman Earl Blumenauer & the Yellow Bike Project's Steve Gunther, took an inaugural ride across the Tilikum Crossing bridge.[12]
The placement of Biketown stations that replaced public street parking sparked some controversy over a "lack of outreach" by PBOT.[13]
Service area
As of 2016, Biketown operates 100 stations in several Portland neighborhoods covering 8 square miles (21 km2) of the city:[11][14]
Pricing and fees
Biketown operates with three payment options for riders. A single-ride fare of $2.50 includes 30 minutes of riding.[15] A day pass ($12) includes 180 minutes of riding and the ability to rent up to 4 bicycles at a time (at a cost of $6 each).[16] An annual membership of $12 per month includes unlimited rides within a 90-minute daily limit, as well as the 4-bicycle maximum available to day-pass users.[17][18]
Riders making extended trips over their allotted time limit are charged 10 cents per additional minute. A fee of $2 is charged for locking a bicycle at a public rack within the system area; a fee of $20 is charged for the doing the same outside of the system area. A $1 account credit is awarded for bringing a bicycle from a public rack to a designated station.[18]
A fee of $1,500 is charged for a lost bicycle.[18]
The city's contract with operator Motivate includes provisions to introduce a discount to 500 low-income residents of $35 per year.[19]
Equipment
Biketown's fleet of 1,000 bicycles were manufactured by Social Bicycles of Brooklyn, New York and designed in part by Nike, at a cost of $1,500 each.[20] The eight-speed bikes weigh 45 pounds (20 kg) and come equipped with automatic lights and a bell; the seat is positioned for upright ridership.[11] Unlike a typical bike share system, Biketown's bicycles do not need to be docked at a designated station, instead using on-board computers with location tracking and U locks; this allows bikes to be stored at public bicycle racks, though users are charged an additional fee.[21] Bikes are rented by customers using a PIN, generated by a smartphone app or computer, or a member card.[22] Biketown is the largest self-secured bike share system in North America.[23]
In June 2016, PBOT announced plans to add "adaptive bikes", such as handcycles and tricycles, that can be rented for people with disabilities. They will be branded as Biketown but will be organized through local adaptive bike shops, rather than at the standard street kiosks.[24][25]
See also
References
- ^ Larabee, Mark (July 4, 2009). "Portland to experiment with rental bike system". The Oregonian. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
- ^ Ryan, Don (December 9, 1994). "Portland Journal: Where Trust Rides a Yellow Bicycle". The New York Times. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
- ^ Rose, Joseph (December 8, 2011). "Portland's $4 million bike-sharing plan, 10 other regional transportation projects get green light". The Oregonian. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
- ^ Rose, Joseph (September 28, 2012). "Portland picks homegrown Alta Bicycle Share to run bike sharing as firm faces problems in other cities". The Oregonian. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
- ^ Cronin, James (January 7, 2016). "Nike's bike share sponsorship ends years of frustration for Portland planners". Portland Business Journal. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
- ^ Rose, Joseph (March 3, 2014). "Portland officials 'uncertain' about launch of much-delayed bike share system". The Oregonian. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
- ^ Rose, Joseph (October 28, 2014). "Portland's Alta Bicycle Share sold. What does it mean for city's delayed bike share launch?". The Oregonian. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
- ^ Njus, Elliot (September 24, 2015). "Road test: The good, bad of Portland's new bike-share bicycles". The Oregonian. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
- ^ Njus, Elliot (January 7, 2016). "Nike to sponsor Portland's bike-share program, call it Biketown". The Oregonian. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
- ^ Njus, Elliot (June 13, 2016). "Biketown bike-share launch date, pricing, station locations announced". The Oregonian. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
- ^ a b c Njus, Elliot (July 19, 2016). "Biketown bike-share launches today: Five things to know". The Oregonian. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
- ^ Njus, Elliot (July 19, 2016). "Biketown bike-share program launches with inaugural Tilikum Crossing ride". The Oregonian. Retrieved July 20, 2016.
- ^ Dowling, Jennifer (July 13, 2016). "Biketown racks not welcome in some neighborhoods". KOIN. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
- ^ Biketown Station Map (Map). Portland Bureau of Transportation. June 13, 2016. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
- ^ "Single Ride". Biketown. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
- ^ "Day Pass". Biketown. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
- ^ "Pricing". Biketown. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
- ^ a b c "Annual Membership". Biketown. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
- ^ Anderson, Jennifer (January 28, 2016). "Portland bike share: Will it reach the poor?". Portland Tribune. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
- ^ Powell, Meerah (July 19, 2016). "Portland's BIKETOWN Bike Rental Program Launches". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
- ^ VanderHart, Dirk (September 9, 2015). "Share and Share a Bike". Portland Mercury. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
- ^ Anderson, Jennifer (June 13, 2016). "Five things to know about BikeTown, set for July 19 launch". Portland Tribune. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
- ^ Passas, Jennifer (January 29, 2016). "1,000 Nike-Orange Bikes Will Make Portland Even Bike-Friendlier". PSFK. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
- ^ Andersen, Michael (June 30, 2016). "Portland will offer Biketown-branded cycles for people with disabilities". BikePortland.org. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
- ^ Parks, Casey (June 30, 2016). "Portland's bike-share program will add adaptive bikes". The Oregonian. Retrieved July 8, 2016.