Bike & Scooter Share Program

Shared micromobility is a service that provides bikes and/or scooters for people to rent by the minute for short trips. Vehicles are typically rented and unlocked through a smartphone app.

Oregon State University (OSU) is bringing a shared micromobility system to the Corvallis campus for a one-year pilot project. The project aims to provide sustainable transportation choices for OSU students, employees, and visitors through a mixed fleet of shared bicycles and electric scooters. 

The Associated Students of Oregon State University (ASOSU) and OSU Transportation Services are working together to implement the Shared Micromobility Pilot Project. ASOSU and Transportation Services also engaged key stakeholders across campus throughout the vendor selection process.

ASOSU and OSU Transportation Services have heard input from the student body that shared bikes and scooters would fill an unmet need for sustainable transportation on campus. Shared micromobility is also a recommended university action in OSU’s 2030 Sustainable Transportation Strategy. 

OSU is currently in contract negotiations with a private micromobility service provider whose commitments to innovation, safety and sustainability align with OSU’s goals to offer a range of transportation options. The vendor’s identity will be announced when a contract with OSU is signed. 

• Operator responsibilities: The shared micromobility vendor will operate a 24/7 on-the-ground support team to conduct vehicle maintenance, recharge electric vehicle batteries, rebalance vehicles throughout the day to meet demand, and respond to any issues or service needs.

The one-year pilot project is planned for FY25. Although project timelines are not yet fixed, the project team anticipates that shared vehicles will be in place by late Summer or early Fall of 2024.

A mixed fleet of 50 pedal bikes and 350 electric scooters will be available to rent for short trips.

Rates for OSU students, low-income individuals, and the general public will be announced when a vendor contract is in place.

The shared micromobility pilot program will implement best practices and lessons learned from other communities, including the following:

• Electric vehicles used in the pilot project will contain GPS units that can limit speeds or enforce no-ride zones in dismount areas. 
• Existing dismount zones around campus, such as the MU Quad, will be geo-fenced as a no-ride zone. Shared electric vehicles will slow to a stop when riders enter these areas. 
• Electric scooter speeds will be capped at 15 mph on campus roadways. Slower speeds will be enforced by geo-fence in heavy pedestrian areas.
• When a rider takes their first ride on an electric vehicle, the vehicle’s top speed will be capped at 10 mph.

The vendor and project team are committed to managing shared micromobility parking on the Corvallis campus in an orderly and safe manner that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. During the pilot project, shared micromobility vehicles will be required to park at existing bike racks. Where bike racks are heavily utilized, Transportation Services may designate other adjacent areas for shared bike or scooter parking. Riders will be unable to end their trip anywhere other than at racks and designated areas.

Shared bikes and scooters must comply with university standards and local municipal land use codes, including University Standard 07-025 and Corvallis Municipal Code. 

• Service Area: Scooters and bikes can travel anywhere on the Corvallis OSU campus, except signed dismount zones and other designated no-ride zones. Bikes can travel off campus on city roadways, though they must start and end trips at designated parking spots on OSU campus or other private property, per Corvallis Municipal Code Section 8.17.030.
• Speed: On campus roadways, shared bikes and scooters are programmed to the same 15-mph speed limit as other vehicles. In areas with high pedestrian traffic, scooters can be programmed to travel at slower speeds.
• Parking: Throughout Corvallis, shared vehicle parking will only be permitted at designated racks or parking areas on campus or on other private property, consistent with Corvallis Municipal Code Section 5.03.100.040.02. On the OSU campus, shared micromobility vehicles must park at bike racks or other designated parking areas, the same as personal bikes and scooters. Where bike racks are already in high demand, the university may designate supplementary shared vehicle parking areas nearby. Off campus, the operator may engage with private property owners to designate shared vehicle parking locations at bike racks or other designated parking areas. 

To guide implementation, Transportation Services has convened an ad hoc Micromobility Advisory Group of campus stakeholders to meet quarterly. The Advisory Group will review data on ridership, parking patterns, incident reports, and customer satisfaction to monitor and evaluate the program’s success. This evaluation process will be used to determine if the pilot should be continued, and any changes that may be necessary.

Please contact [email protected] with any feedback or questions.