City checks in on bike‑share pilot after first year; LTD to boost funds and service area eyed for expansion

City planners gave a year‑one check‑in on the regional bike‑share pilot and outlined steps for expanding the Springfield service area to include Gateway and other higher‑density residential areas.

Drew Larson, senior planner, told council the pilot launched April 19, 2024. From launch through Dec. 31, 2024, the system logged about 769 trips that either started or ended in Springfield; of those, roughly 285 trips began and ended inside the Springfield service area. About two‑thirds of Springfield‑related trips—approximately 500—were between Eugene and Springfield.

Larson said Cascadia Mobility, the system operator, projects operating costs of about $1,050,000 for 2025. Funding for operations comes from a mix of partner contributions and grants; Springfield provided $16,500 for the pilot’s first year with the expectation that other partners would provide funding in years two and three. Lane Transit District (LTD) has recommitted and proposed increasing its contribution to $50,000 per year for the next two years, and requested additional bikes and outreach in the Springfield area.

Councilors discussed ridership and value. Councilor Beth Blackwell asked about target trip numbers; Larson said doubling 2024 trips would be a minimal goal and that expansion and promotion could increase usage further. Councilor Kelsey Doyle expressed concern about the cost per trip, calculating a high per‑trip figure when city and partner expenditures were included, and urged prioritizing investments such as bike lanes and safety improvements that make cycling more practical and secure for residents.

Larson said Springfield had approved a three‑year pilot that included only one year of city funding; the operator and partners were responsible for securing the remainder of operating funds. He noted LTD’s additional contribution would support expansion of hubs (including the hospital and other gateway locations), outreach, and event bike‑valet service. Larson also said the system charges a $25 fee when users lock bikes outside the designated service area to cover retrieval costs, though operators often waive a first offense.

Eric Bridal Stein, director of marketing for LTD, told council that better coordination between bike‑share and transit aligns with LTD’s goals to improve first‑ and last‑mile connections and increase system usability. Councilor Corey Rodley and others supported continued investment, saying bike‑share is one piece of broader active‑transportation infrastructure, while other councilors urged careful oversight of costs and attention to equity and safety.

Larson said staff will return with a year‑two check‑in and an earlier check‑in before year three to evaluate whether the pilot should continue and how Springfield can best support ridership, safety, and system integration.