Concerns deflate city’s bike rental proposal

Plans for a 500-bicycle fleet are put on hold while officials study pros and cons

By Kevin Harden

The Portland Tribune, Jul 1, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (50 Reader comments)

CLEMENS BILAN / GETTY IMAGES

Two “Velib” bicycles locked at a station in Paris were part of a fleet of 10,000 self-service bicycles launched in 2007 in the city.

Portland’s plan for a European-style fleet of rental bicycles has been parked back in the rack.

On June 26, city officials canceled an eight-month contract-review process aimed at finding a company to provide the service and maintain a fleet of rental bicycles. The plan could be retooled for future proposals, but for now, it’s not going anywhere.

Shoshanah Oppenheim, City Commissioner Sam Adams’ liaison for transportation issues, said the proposal would be re-evaluated as the city takes a hard look at similar programs around the nation. If the kinks can be worked out, the idea could again hit the road in Portland, she said.

“We are learning more about programs that are out there,” Oppenheim said. “We want to avoid as many pitfalls as possible.”

The city took company bids in mid-October to establish a fleet of about 500 bicycles that could be rented at one location, pedaled across town and turned in at another place. The idea was to give people in the city who make short trips during the day an alternative to driving.

Similar programs have been used with varying success across Europe. Pilot programs also began this spring in Washington, D.C., and San Francisco.

Companies bidding on the project were asked to set up automated kiosks at more than three dozen proposed locations around town with rental bikes, such as colleges, mass transit stations, high schools, shopping areas and neighborhoods. The program could have been supported by a combination of rental fees, public subsidies and advertising on the bicycles or the kiosks.

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