Bike/E-bike
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Get there by bike!
Feel the wind in your hair, arrive with a smile, and enjoy the many benefits of biking to work, for errands, or fun.
- Improve your health: Have trouble fitting exercise into your daily schedule? Make it a part of your routine by biking to work (e-bikes offer great health benefits too)! Or swap out one errand a week on your bike–like going to the farmer’s market.
- Save money: Save money on costs like gas, vehicle wear and tear, and parking.
- Help the environment: Biking emits ZERO CO2, reducing your carbon footprint.
If you’re new to biking, you can get started with any kind of bike, including e-bikes. Below are some tips.
Tips & Best Practices for Biking
What type of bike do I need to commute?
Any bike can be a commuter bike! If you already have a bike, you might just need a quick tune up to get on your way.
Your local bike shop can help you tune up your bike or find the right bike for your needs–they are happy to help!
How do I plan my route?
You can plan your bike trips using trip planning tools and maps from your community:
- Get There Connect: Our free app and web tool lets you find a bikepool, a suggested bike route, transit connections and more.
- Local bike maps: Your city or county may publish maps of suggested bike routes. These can help you find a route with dedicated bike infrastructure. See the Local Resources section below for more information on local bike maps.
Need more help finding a route? Email us at [email protected] and we’ll help get you on your way.
Once you identify your route, consider testing it out on a weekend or less busy time, so that you can get comfortable and gauge how long it will take with no time constraints.
What are the options for biking long distances?
If you have a longer trip, try using transit for part of the ride. Many buses include bike racks in the front and many trains include a bike compartment. Check your local transit provider’s website for more information on traveling with a bike.
E-bike commuting is also an effective option for long distance bike riders and commuters, e-bikes can help you travel faster and farther.
What do I need besides a bike?
- Helmet: Oregon law requires all bicycle riders under the age of sixteen to wear a helmet. However, we recommend that bicycle riders of all ages wear helmets too!
- Headlights and taillights: A front white light and a red rear light or reflector are required by law.
- Bike lock: A sturdy bike lock helps protect your bike from theft when parked. U-locks generally provide the best security, especially when used to secure the frame to a fixed bike rack.
What are the rules of the road for bikes?
- Ride with traffic: Always ride in a straight line and in the same direction as the traffic next to you.
- Obey traffic signs and signals: Always come to a complete stop at solid red lights. In Oregon, you can treat stop signs and flashing red lights as yield signs.
- Ride to the right or take the lane: In most traffic and road conditions, the law requires you to ride on the right side of the road. In some conditions it is best to ride closer to the center and “take the lane.”
Find more information on the rules of the road in these resources:
- See the Oregon Bicyclist Manual for more on the rules of the road!
- Oregon Bicyclist Manual – Great for getting started bicycling and understanding the rules of the road in Oregon.
- A Legal Guide for Oregon Bicyclists – A collection of information about bicycles and the law in Oregon
- A Legal Guide for Electric Bike Riders – Learn more about electric bicycle law in Oregon
- Beginner Bike Skills with the Street Trust – Learn everything you need to know about biking laws, route planning, gear, and basic maintenance before hitting the road
Local Bike Resources
Explore local resources and services in your area for biking to work, running errands, or for recreation. If your community is missing, reach out to your Regional Partner to get assistance in finding local resources.
TIP: You can find local bike share locations in Get There Connect on the “Explore More” section of the trip planner.
Albany
- Albany Bicycle and Walk Map
- Bikes on CW Ride bus systems – learn how to bring your bike on CW Ride buses
Ashland/Central Point/Medford
- Bear Creek Greenway Bike and Walking Map – trail connects Ashland, Talent, Phoenix, Medford, and Central Point
- Bikes on RVTD – learn how to bring your bike on Rogue Valley Transportation District (RVTD) buses
Bend/Redmond
- Bend City Bike Map
- City of Bend Bikeshare Program – e-bike share service within the City of Bend
- Bikes on Cascades East Transit (CET) – learn how to bring your bike on CET buses
Corvallis
- Bikes on Corvallis Transit System – learn how to bring your bike on CTS buses
- Corvallis Bike and Walking Map
Eugene/Springfield
- Eugene Bike Maps
- Springfield Bike Map
- PeaceHealth Rides – network of 40 bikeshare stations and 300 bikes for one-way trips in Eugene
- Bikes on LTD – learn how to bring your bike on Lane Transit District (LTD) buses and bike parking options
Hood River
Klamath County
Portland Metro
- Route maps
- Bike There! – interactive bike route map for the entire Portland Metro Area
- Beaverton Bicycle Route Map
- Gresham Bicycling Map and Guide
- Gresham Trails Map (Springwater, Wy’East Way, Gresham-Fairview Trail)
- Portland By Bicycle Citywide Bike Map
- Portland Neighborhood Bike and Walk Maps
- Tigard Bike and Walk Maps
- Tualatin River Greenway Trail Map
- Wilsonville Bike Map
- BIKETOWN – e-bike share service within the City of Portland
- Bikes and transit – bring bikes on transit and bike parking options
Salem/Keizer
- Salem Find Bike Paths Map
- Keizer Bike and Walk Routes
- Bikes on transit – learn how to bring your bike on Cherriots buses
Sandy/Mt Hood
Statewide
- Oregon Coast Bike Route – a scenic route along U.S. 101 from Astoria to the California border
- Oregon State Bicycle Map – a statewide biking map from ODOT