 News media contact:
Dylan Rivera
503-577-7534
dylan.rivera@portlandoregon.gov
 News Advisory:
PBOT and Lyft to launch BIKETOWN e-bike fleet and East Portland expansion tomorrow
BIKETOWN, sponsored by NIKE Inc., to become Lyft’s first bike-share system in the nation to go all-electric
(Sept. 8, 2020) - The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) and Lyft invite the news media to take a free test ride on the new pedal-assist electric bikes tomorrow -- on the first day that BIKETOWN transforms into an all e-bike fleet. At a media availability at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020, members of the news media will be able to speak with transportation leaders, ride the new e-bikes on their first day of service and learn about an expansion of the BIKETOWN service area into East Portland.
With the support of title sponsor NIKE, Inc., BIKETOWN on Wednesday also grows its service area to 32 square miles, including its first expansion into East Portland, encompassing the Jade District and portions of Lents, Powellhurst-Gilbert and the Gateway area.
Riders on Wednesday morning will be able to rent e-bikes through the Lyft app or the BIKETOWN app. Current BIKETOWN members will be automatically enrolled in the new system. BIKETOWN riders who have their smartphones set to update automatically will find the new app on their phones this morning.
More details will be available Wednesday morning.
Who: PBOT Director Chris Warner, and Patrick Quintana, General Manager for Lyft Bikes in Portland.
What: Media availability to announce the start of e-bike service for BIKETOWN and expansion of service area into East Portland.
When: 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020.
Where: Gateway Discovery Park, 10520 NE Halsey St., Portland.
Why: BIKETOWN, Portland’s beloved bike-share system, announces a major milestone with an all new fleet of e-bikes and expansion into East Portland, which both go into effect on Wednesday.
Visuals: Transportation leaders will speak at a podium, at a park in the area of the new expansion that takes effect on Wednesday. E-bikes will be on hand for news media to ride. Bring your own GoPro camera, or film others taking rides. A mult box will be available for sound for the speakers.
About BIKETOWN
BIKETOWN is Portland’s bike-share system, launched on July 19, 2016 with 1,000 bikes available to ride from one point to another for a small fee. BIKETOWN is a partnership between the City of Portland’s Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) and NIKE, the program’s sole title sponsor. BIKETOWN is operated by Lyft, the world’s leading bike-share operator. It uses innovative new “smart bikes” which make it easy to 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. Portland joins over 60 U.S. cities, including New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C., San Antonio, Indianapolis, Boise, and Austin and another 500 cities worldwide that have popular, safe, and successful bike-share systems. 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. Wholly-owned subsidiary brand Converse designs, markets, and distributes athletic lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories. For more information, NIKE, Inc.’s earnings releases, and other financial information are available at investors.nike.com. Individuals can also visit news.nike.com or follow @NIKE on social media.
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
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