EUGENE, Ore. – Social Bicycles, which operates PeaceHealth Rides, Eugene’s bike share system, recently notified city of Eugene officials that it is getting out of the bike share business and plans to cease PeaceHealth Rides operations on June 1, 2020.
“PeaceHealth Rides has become an integral part of Eugene’s transportation infrastructure and culture, with more than 21,000 membership accounts created since its launch in April 2018. Although we are surprised and disappointed by this development, we remain committed to bike share and look forward to working with our community partners to identify an alternative bike share solution,” said Mary Kingston, chief executive, PeaceHealth Oregon.
The bike share system’s assets, including the bicycles, stations and membership records, are being transferred to the city of Eugene in accordance with the bike share system’s operating agreement.
“We know our community values bike share,” said Eugene Mayor Lucy Vinis. “Our staff will continue to work with title sponsor PeaceHealth and other community partners to continue this popular transportation option, one that gives us an active, environmentally friendly transportation option to move through town.”
The city of Eugene, PeaceHealth and other bike share partners are focused on making this operating transition as smooth as possible, but given the short notice provided by Social Bicycles, there may be a pause in service. We are committed to updating the public as more information becomes available.
PeaceHealth Rides launched on April 19, 2018, as a healthy, environmentally friendly transportation option. It started with 35 stations clustered in Eugene’s downtown core, the Whiteaker neighborhood and University of Oregon campus, and one station at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend in Springfield. It has grown to a network of 300 bikes and 41 stations in Eugene.
The bike share program was established through a partnership between the city of Eugene, title sponsor PeaceHealth, University of Oregon, Lane Transit District and Social Bicycles by JUMP Bikes (an Uber subsidiary).
