The Oregon State University-Cascades bike share program will be available to the public with the opening of a downtown Bend station sponsored by G5, a local digital marketing company.
A ribbon-cutting celebrated the G5 station opening on June 19. The station is located at the corner of Franklin Avenue and Bond Street, and will provide access to local restaurants, shopping, businesses, and the OSU-Cascades campus. The event will include remarks from Dan Hobin, CEO of G5 and Kelly Sparks, associate vice president of OSU-Cascades.
G5 has been a proponent of bringing bike share to Bend and when the opportunity arose to support the growth of the Zagster bike share program, the company signed on as the first private sponsor. G5’scommitment will add a fourth station and five bikes to the existing program for members to use for on-demand, local trips.
G5 is excited to provide access to the bike share program for its 250 employees, as well as members of the public, and to help reduce vehicle miles traveled in Bend. Julie Cavanaugh, office manager at G5, said, “G5 is thrilled to be able to partner with OSU-Cascades on this endeavor, given our commitment to being a positive impact in our community.”
“Our campus community has benefited from having access to bikes and we look forward to offering all residents and visitors those same benefits thanks to the generosity of our community partners,” said Casey Bergh, OSU-Cascades’ transportation program manager.
OSU-Cascades and Zagster launched a bike-share program with 30 bikes at three stations on and near the OSU-Cascades campus in September 2016. The program provides students and university employees a convenient, affordable and healthy way to get around town.
Other local organizations have committed to sponsoring bike share stations that will open this summer. A partnership between Visit Bend and the Old Mill District added a station at the Old Mill District and a second station near downtown later this summer. A partnership with Crux Fermentation Project will bring another station near their tasting room.
Members of the public can join the program by signing up for annual, monthly or hourly memberships. Members, who must be 18 or older, get the first two hours of every ride free and pay $3 per hour for additional time. Hourly members pay $3 per hour.
Riders can identify locations of the nearest bike station via the free Zagster mobile app —
available for iPhone and Android — or online at zagster.com/OSUCascades.
By expanding the program to the public, the OSU-Cascades bike share promises to ease commutes, unlocking vast recreational opportunities for exercise and fun.
