New Lyft fleet takes Biketown to 2025
This September, Biketown will be serving more Portland residents than ever as it expands its footprint with an all-electric-assist fleet provided by Lyft.
According to Portland transportation officials, a five-year contract has been signed with Lyft, keeping Biketown in operation through August of 2025. Users will have two methods for renting a bike. They can go through Lyft’s smartphone app or the newly configured Biketown application.
The number of e-assist bikes available in Portland will increase from 1,000 to 1,500 and the present 19 square miles of service area will increase to 32 square miles next month. City officials are hopeful that by 2024, the network can be expanded to 40 square miles with the fleet increasing to 3,000 bikes.
Changes in public transportation often prompt the use of a poster printing service.
The new bikes have a maximum speed of 20 mph and have a maximum distance on a charge of 28 to 32 miles. Annual membership cost for the rental program will still be $99, but there will no longer be 90 minutes’ worth of free riding. Members will pay $0.10 per minute. The monthly membership plan will no longer be offered, and annual memberships will roll over into the new system.
Non-member will pay $1 to unlock the bike and $0.20 per minute, which is comparable to e-scooter costs. The $5 per month, which applied to low-income residents, will continue as will the $0.05 per minute rate.
According to Portland transportation officials, a five-year contract has been signed with Lyft, keeping Biketown in operation through August of 2025. Users will have two methods for renting a bike. They can go through Lyft’s smartphone app or the newly configured Biketown application.
The number of e-assist bikes available in Portland will increase from 1,000 to 1,500 and the present 19 square miles of service area will increase to 32 square miles next month. City officials are hopeful that by 2024, the network can be expanded to 40 square miles with the fleet increasing to 3,000 bikes.
Changes in public transportation often prompt the use of a poster printing service.
The new bikes have a maximum speed of 20 mph and have a maximum distance on a charge of 28 to 32 miles. Annual membership cost for the rental program will still be $99, but there will no longer be 90 minutes’ worth of free riding. Members will pay $0.10 per minute. The monthly membership plan will no longer be offered, and annual memberships will roll over into the new system.
Non-member will pay $1 to unlock the bike and $0.20 per minute, which is comparable to e-scooter costs. The $5 per month, which applied to low-income residents, will continue as will the $0.05 per minute rate.