 Welcome Kristin Miller, Adaptive BIKETOWN Operations Manager
Kristin Miller started at Kerr Bikes in 2017 and has been with Adaptive BIKETOWN since the beginning of the program.
“It’s been an honor to see Adaptive BIKETOWN grow and be able to serve the communities using this resource,” Kristin says. “My favorite thing about managing Adaptive BIKETOWN is witnessing our weekly regulars develop strength and mobility, sometimes graduating to more challenging bikes as they navigate a newfound confidence in bike riding.”
Kristin also describes what a pleasure it’s been learning Albertina Kerr’s mission and how their culture of care permeates all the way through to Kerr Bikes. “Adaptive BIKETOWN could not have a more fitting home than at Kerr,” she says. “I am delighted daily and immensely grateful to be part of such organizations promoting wellbeing in our community.”
Kristin Miller waves and smiles from the Adaptive BIKETOWN Headquarters. In front of her is a red adaptive trike.
 Community feedback
After a successful 2021, Adaptive BIKETOWN released a survey earlier this year to learn more about how the program could improve and grow. We advertised the survey on online platforms frequented by people experiencing disabilities. We directed social media at adults 40 years and older who live in a 25-mile radius of Portland or have visited the city recently. Over 220 people responded to the survey.
Within the community survey, we asked respondents about their interest in joining the Adaptive BIKETOWN work group. We were surprised to see that nearly 50 people were interested in joining the work group! Each time we sign a new contract with our partners, we take that opportunity to reimagine the program and see if there are ways to expand it to reach more people. We have that same chance now to reimagine and co-create another phase of Adaptive BIKETOWN. The work group will consist of people experiencing disabilities, their caregivers, and disability advocates, and the Adaptive BIKETOWN team is enthusiastically preparing to hear as many voices as possible from our interested advocates. In the Winter of 2023, we will convene that community workgroup to help shape the program into the future.
Results of our community survey
Since Adaptive BIKETOWN launched in 2017, the number of rides per year has quadrupled. Our program has seen growth with 2023 being its best year, but how do we continue to grow in the ways our community wants? Over 220 people responded to the survey from all walks of life and with a variety of lived experience with disability. Here are some key takeaways:
 Survey results depicted with bar graph that uses rainbow colors to present user answers. 41.6% stated "I am not sure I can physically do it" pictured in bright red. 18.4% stated "Rental location is too far or difficult to reach/ I don't have transportation to reach rental location" pictured in bright orange. 22.4% stated "I am nervous to try" pictured in bright yellow. 27.2% stated "haven't found a bike that meets my needs" pictured in green. 21.6% stated "That they don't like riding alone" pictured in light blue. 24.0 % stated "No place to ride that feels safe" pictured in dark navy blue. 44.0% stated "Cost of purchasing or renting a bike" pictured in dark purple.
In addition to asking about electric-assist bikes in our survey, we also wanted to learn what type of rides would draw more people to the program. A majority (57%) said short recreational trips in a loop are the most appealing. Additionally, 83% said they would be most interested in trying adaptive bikes on paved routes separated from traffic. These were, in fact, the reasons Adaptive BIKETOWN is located at Kerr Bikes along the paved Eastbank Esplanade. As the program grows, we will look for other places to provide these services, including dedicated lanes separate from motor vehicles.
 A pie chart shows the various categories staff group each respondents' answers in. 18% of comments were financial in nature, pictured in bright yellow. 32% made comments on the location of Adaptive BIKETOWN, pictured in green. 18% made comments on the equipment available, pictured in light blue, 27% made comments about the program structure, pictured in dark navy blue, 2% made comments of safety, pictured in purple, 21% made comments that did not apply to the Adaptive BIKETOWN Program, pictured in red. 3% made comments about that were not related to any other category but still related to Adaptive BIKETOWN, this are labeled other and pictured in bright orange.
Finally, we asked people to share what other challenges they had using Adaptive BIKETOWN or ways we could improve the program. We grouped these open-ended responses by the challenges they described: financial, geographic, safety or the program itself. We learned, for instance, that the location of Adaptive BIKETOWN was identified as a challenge by 32% of respondents, pictured in green. Some respondents made comments that were not related to any of our specific categories, but still useful to the Adaptive BIKETOWN team, these are labeled other and pictured in bright orange.
In addition to the themes, we outlined above, we also heard stories of gratitude for the opportunities and experiences Adaptive BIKETOWN has provided them and their loved ones. “I love that this exists and tell people about it all the time,” one user wrote. “I rent the handcycle anytime I can get someone to come ride with me.”
We are honored to serve the community with accessible bike-share options and are working hard to provide the service to as many Portlanders as possible.
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