Eugene signs contract with bike rental company

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — The city of Eugene says it has signed a $1.2 million contract with a New York-based bike rental company.

The Register-Guard reports (http://bit.ly/2esdBfw ) that the city will have to buy the bikes, customized locking bike racks and other items from Social Bicycles. The company will run the rental system and keep the bikes in good repair for five years.

Eugene has received a state subsidy that will pay for most of the equipment, including the $1,870 apiece bicycles.

The program is scheduled to start by October 2017 with 300 bikes and 35 stations. Reed Dunbar, city associate transportation planners, says people can rent the bikes for short trips and return them to the self-service stations.

Portland launched a bike rental program in July and also contracts with Social Bicycles.

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Information from: The Register-Guard, http://www.registerguard.com