An update on the first three months of the program
Ride Salem is the new bike share program here in Salem! The program has been active for about three months since launching in June and the initial results are in. More than 400 people have become members. There have been more than 800 rides, with an average of 46 minutes per ride.
The membership is evenly divided between men and women, with the largest percent of users (39 percent) are between the ages of 18 and 24. An additional 30 percent are between the ages of 25 and 34. Ages 35 to 44 make up 12 percent of the users and the remaining 19 percent are between 45 and 65-plus.
These results have positive impacts on the environment, parking and traffic, as well as health within the community. Furthermore, the program encourages extra foot traffic into surrounding businesses and is an attraction to tourists visiting Salem. The board continues to discuss future grants, potential sponsorships, and ways to create more equity in Salem.
Bicycles are also a great way to get to and from the bus. There's a Ride Salem station at the Downtown Transit Center for everyone to use. Just ride the Cherriots bus downtown, then go exploring by bike! Learn more about safe biking in the Mid-Willamette Valley on our Bicycling page.