E-Scooters: City of Eugene discontinuing pilot program, exploring finding new vendor

BEST supports safe, practical, and attractive transportation options for all people and needs.

The City of Eugene is discontinuing its e-scooter pilot program after its vendor, Superpedestrian, unexpectedly announced it was pulling out of 18 American cities across 10 states.

Operated by local nonprofit Cascadia Mobility in partnership with Lane Transit District and the University of Oregon, Eugene has been the second-most successful location out of the 60 cities where Superpedestrian operates. The program logged over 220,000 trips in just the first eight months, advancing goals to reduce car trips and emissions.

In response to concerns—including from BEST—about improper parking, local partners have been pressing Superpedestrian to better enforce their rules of use.

E-scooters have been charged overnight and repaired in the Nexus for Eugene Sustainable Transportation (NEST), a building owned and managed by BEST. That space will sit vacant for now.

The City of Eugene says it will be exploring getting a new vendor to possibly restart the e-scooter program.

Meanwhile, the City of Eugene will be adding 100 shared bikes and expanding the service area for its successful PeaceHealth Rides program, also operated by Cascadia Mobility.