(Nov. 17, 2022) The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) and BIKETOWN, operated by Lyft, announced that BIKETOWN ridership has exceeded 500,000 rides this year, breaking the previous annual record, with six weeks left in the year.
The growth stems from the rising popularity of BIKETOWN’s 100% e-bike fleet, the growth of the BIKETOWN service area and the expansion of BIKETOWN for All. This bike-share equity program serves Portlanders living on low incomes, including but not limited to people who qualify for the Oregon Health Plan or a TriMet honored citizen pass, high school students, and college students that qualify for financial aid. One-third of all trips this year were made by BIKETOWN for All members.
BIKETOWN, Portland’s beloved bike-share system known for its ubiquitous orange bikes and supported by founding partner Nike, continues to make it easier to ride a bike, in more neighborhoods. In January, BIKETOWN expanded its service area by more than 25%, to include St. Johns and significant sections of East Portland.
“I’m thrilled to see record ridership following BIKETOWN’s expansion into East and North Portland. BIKETOWN continues to show us that we can make biking available to everyone when we work together to prioritize community members who need green, affordable transportation the most,” Portland Transportation Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty said. “I want to appreciate all the hard work from PBOT and partners including Lyft and Nike, who are making biking more accessible to BIPOC and low income communities. Portland is renown for our bike network and we continue to add bike lanes throughout the City. Now we have demonstrated that by working with schools and community partners, we can inspire people across Portland to make our orange bikes a part of their everyday lives.”
"The enduring popularity of Portland's bikeshare system is clear as riders took their 500,000th ride of the year—setting a new annual record," said Kanika Agrawal, General Manager for BIKETOWN at Lyft. "A huge factor has been PBOT and Lyft's sustained efforts to expand bikeshare access for low-income riders, who ride up to 50% more than other members, plus the expansion of our service area farther into East and North Portland."
As of Nov. 14, BIKETOWN riders have taken 530,768 trips this year, dramatically surpassing the previous annual ridership record of 399,893 set in 2018. (The annual record was broken with 400,000 rides through September.) Membership increased 60% in the first 10 months of the year, including BIKETOWN for All memberships, which grew by 123%.
BIKETOWN’s success results in part from significant community investment by title-sponsor Nike, PBOT and operator Lyft over the past two years. In 2022, BIKETOWN held or supported more than 70 community events, with a focus on North and East Portland, historically under-represented communities, high school students, and community colleges.
In September 2020 through a PGE Drive Change grant, PBOT increased the benefit for BIKETOWN for All to unlimited free 60-minute trips that end at a BIKETOWN station, and also extended the program to financial aid-eligible college students. PBOT also removed the cost for eligible users for Adaptive BIKETOWN, PBOT’s program for people with disabilities operated by Kerr Bikes.
BIKETOWN for All member Johnny Sanders says the program has made bike-share part of his everyday life.
“The BIKETOWN bikes have been a huge part of my daily commute, the fact that they’re everywhere is helpful. I had to run an errand… I was running a bit behind but I saw a BIKETOWN and that pretty much saved the day!"
Join BIKETOWN today:
50% off, for a limited time with special code
In recognition and celebration of this milestone, PBOT would like to make it easier for Portlanders to experience the benefits of BIKETOWN membership. Redeem the code SAVE50PDX, for a limited time, to save $50 when you become an annual member. Benefits include, saving $1 on every trip with free unlocks and half-off per minute fees all year (only 10¢/minute).
With support from a Living Labs grant from PeopleForBikes' Better Bike Share Partnership, BIKETOWN has increased outreach with high schools in high equity need areas and Multnomah County Health Centers through BIKETOWN’s Prescribe a Bike program.
This year, PBOT added BIKETOWN stations at Parkrose, McDaniel and Roosevelt High Schools. Working with school health staff, teachers and counselors, and the Yes2College Program at Portland Community College, PBOT held multiple student outreach events at Parkrose and McDaniel. The station near McDaniel High School is the highest ridership location east of 72nd Avenue with over 2,200 trips beginning or end at or near the station this year.
“BIKETOWN for All is a particularly promising program for low-income Portland residents who do not have the option to own their own bike, AND do not have a place to safely store a personal bike,” said William Francis, Program Director for the Community Cycling Center, who provides support to Andando en Bicicletas y Caminando, a Latinx-led bicycling group. “It’s a great fit for people with little to no cycling experience who are looking for a free opportunity to try it out. Also, a lot of people only want to bike a few times per year, and that's a positive thing, but the cost of owning a bike may not be financially practical if they expect to use it infrequently."
Map shows BIKETOWN riders all over Portland in 2022
This map shows riders used Biketown all over the city in 2022. The service area was expanded in January to include North Portland and more of East Portland. Image from Ride Report Open Data Portal, available on PBOT's Portland bike-share website.
###
About BIKETOWN
BIKETOWN is Portland’s bikeshare system, launched on July 19, 2016, with 1,000 bikes available to ride from one point to another for a small fee. BIKETOWN is now composed of 1,500 electric pedal-assist bicycles serving a 41 square mile service area, including portions of East Portland. BIKETOWN is a partnership between the City of Portland’s Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) and Nike, the program’s founding partner and sole title sponsor. BIKETOWN is operated by Lyft, the world’s leading bikeshare operator. Using either the Lyft or BIKETOWN app, riders can easily find, rent, and park a BIKETOWN bike. BIKETOWN is designed to be affordable and accessible, encouraging even more Portlanders to ride and allowing visitors to experience the city by bike. biketownpdx.com
About PBOT
The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is the steward of the city’s transportation system and a community partner in shaping a livable city. We plan, build, manage, and maintain an effective and safe transportation system that provides access and mobility. portland.gov/transportation
About NIKE, Inc.
NIKE, Inc., based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Converse, a wholly-owned NIKE, Inc. subsidiary brand, designs, markets and distributes athletic lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories. For more information, NIKE, Inc.’s earnings releases and other financial information are available on the Internet at investors.nike.com. Individuals can also visit news.nike.com and follow @NIKE.
About Lyft
Lyft was founded in 2012 by Logan Green and John Zimmer to improve people’s lives with the world’s best transportation, and is available to 95 percent of the United States population as well as select cities in Canada. Lyft is committed to effecting positive change for our cities and making cities more livable for everyone through initiatives that bridge transportation gaps, and by promoting transportation equity through shared rides, bikeshare systems, electric scooters, and public transit partnerships. Lyft
###
It is the policy of the City of Portland that no person shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in any city program, service, or activity on the grounds of race, color, national origin, disability, or other protected class status. Adhering to Civil Rights Title VI and ADA Title II civil rights laws, the City of Portland ensures meaningful access to City programs, services, and activities by reasonably providing: translation and interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, and auxiliary aids and services. To request these services, contact the Portland Bureau of Transportation at 503-823-5185 or 311 (503-823-4000), for Relay Service & TTY: 711.