Photo by Trae aka 'Ashtyn Smiles' for BIKETOWN
BIKETOWN, the City of Portland’s bike share system, celebrates its third birthday on Friday, as the network of nearly ubiquitous bicycles marks more than 1 million rides traveled through June 30.
Launched on July 19, 2016, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) and its partners created BIKETOWN to increase access to bicycling and to reduce congestion and climate pollution.
BIKETOWN is meeting those objectives. BIKETOWN for All and Adaptive BIKETOWN are nationally recognized programs for increasing bicycle access and ridership among people living on low incomes and people with disabilities. Just last month, BIKETOWN riders reached a new milestone. From the start of the program through June 30, riders logged 1 million trips. Local riders, who account for a significant majority of trips, report in surveys that 24 percent of BIKETOWN trips replace drive-alone and Uber, Lyft or taxi trips.
“Surpassing one million trips underscores to me that BIKETOWN has established itself as a crucial part of our transportation system that moves people efficiently, inexpensively, and sustainably,” said PBOT Director Chris Warner. “I’m very pleased with BIKETOWN’s successes in increasing transportation access for Portlanders.”
Powered by Nike, the system’s founding partner and title sponsor, BIKETOWN celebrates some of Portland’s communities and cultures through the Culture Collection. Members of NikeUNITED – Nike’s employee resource groups – designed bicycle or station wraps for the BIKETOWN system to mark Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Pride Month and Military Appreciation Month. Additional designs will continue throughout the year.
“Every year, BIKETOWN deepens its connection to the city – inspiring Portlanders and visitors to make sport a daily habit, while celebrating the diverse communities and cultures that make our city so vibrant,” said Jorge Casimiro, Chief Social & Community Impact Officer, NIKE, Inc.
Kaiser Permanente is the system's secondary sponsor. BIKETOWN is operated by Lyft.
BIKETOWN holds its third birthday party, from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 25, at Pips and Bounce at 833 SE Belmont St., Portland, OR 97214. The event is free and open to the public.
Source: Portland Bureau of Transportation