In April, I suggested that Portland look into starting a bike-share program like the one recently launched in Washington, DC. And like magic, it's happening! (To be fair, I think the idea was on the radar long before I stuck my nose into the matter.)
Starting on Monday, June 9, Portlanders will be able to unlock white bikes around the city (using the White Bike code, which you can find at the group's website), ride them -- for free -- and then relock them for the next user.
"If you see a
white bike, pick it up and ride it," organizer John Rooks, president of Dwell Creative, wrote in a press release. "The purpose of the White Bike initiative is
to provide an alternate means of transportation and create an opportunity for
the community to learn more about the facts and talk about the issues. People will be able to use the bikes as frequently as they need.
When they reach their destination, they’ll leave the bike locked, waiting for
its next occupant to unlock it with the universal code. One bike could have as
many as 10-15 riders a day."
(Full disclosure: Apparently [I learned this from the press release] the Phoenix is a media sponsor of this initiative.)
-- Deirdre Fulton
