City of Bend Selects Vendor for Permanent Bike Share Program

The City of Bend has selected Veo bikes for its new permanent bike share program. Claire Conklin, the City Council Coordinator, stated, “Veo has a great variety of e-bikes and is already established in Corvallis.”

Veo is replacing the prior two-year pilot program with Bird bikes, Conklin said, “When the City of Bend put out a request for proposals for a permanent bike share program, Bird did not submit an application.” This permanent program follows an updated Municipal Code that was finalized by the Council on May 7 and lessons learned from the pilot program.

Here is the release from the City:

The City of Bend is partnering with Veo, an independent shared mobility company, to bring shared e-bikes to the community. Veo will begin introducing its fleet of 300 e-bikes the week of July 7.

The selection of Veo as a vendor occurred following the City Council’s vote in April 2025 to establish a permanent bike share program. This type of program is not new
to Bend – between 2022 and 2024, the company Bird operated a Bike Share Pilot Program within the city. Like Bird, Veo’s e-bikes will be available to riders for a fee. The permanent bike share program allows one operator to manage the city-wide program under a license of up to three years and will incorporate lessons learned from the pilot program, including the importance of responsible e-bike parking.

Improving access to affordable and convenient multimodal transportation is a priority for the City of Bend. A permanent bike share program will help ensure flexibility and inclusivity across different modes of travel. Bikes and e-bikes are also effective tools for reducing traffic congestion, lowering single-occupancy vehicle use, and minimizing emissions, helping to reduce the City’s carbon footprint.

“Bend’s new bikeshare program is about expanding access to convenient, affordable transportation—and making car-free travel fun,” said Jeff Hoover, Veo’s Director of Government Partnerships. “Whether you’re commuting to work, connecting to CET, or just exploring Bend without a car, Veo is here to make getting around easier. We’re proud to partner with the City to support its climate goals, reduce parking demand, and bring more transportation options to the community.”

Veo also emphasizes rider responsibility, or the “riding Dos and Don’ts” below:

Yield to pedestrians: Give people walking the right of way every time.
Park responsibly: Park your vehicle out of pedestrian paths to ensure safety.
Wear a helmet: Protect your noggin while riding.
Take the bike lane: Ride in the street or bike lane, not on the sidewalk.
Obey traffic laws: Follow stop signs, signals, and speed limits.

Don’t

Ride underage: Riders must be 18+ to unlock and operate.
Double ride: One rider per vehicle.
Ride on the sidewalk: Keep sidewalks clear and stick to the street or bike lane.
Ride under the influence: Never while under the influence—it’s illegal.

This article appears in Source Weekly July 3, 2025.