The City of Springfield supports residents using active transportation – such as walking, biking, and rolling – with a range of efforts. Our programs, campaigns, and in-person events offer direct access to information and resources to make using active transportation easy and fun. Read below to learn more about current programs, campaigns, and upcoming events. 

The City of Springfield’s Community Development Division works to create a more connected, and safer, community by updating Springfield’s transportation system. Visit the Current Construction Projects webpage to learn more about projects scheduled for implementation this year. Visit the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) webpage to learn about the committee’s workplan and opportunities for public comment.  

Path Etiquette Campaign

To ensure that all shared use path users behave courteously and safely on paths, the City of Springfield has launched a path etiquette campaign. The campaign aims to promote courtesy and safety among all path users and includes community outreach, education, media and temporary signage. Several pop-up events, featuring path etiquette trivia and prizes, free bike repairs, and maps and resources, are planned for summer 2023.  

The key messages of the path etiquette campaign are:  

• Paths are for everyone (non-motorized) 
• Travel a safe speed—20 MPH speed limit, 10-12 MPH when others are present  
• Stay in your lane—stay right, pass left, don’t take more than your half   
• Give warning when passing—call “passing on your left” or ring bell   
• Dogs on a short leash

SmartTrips Program

The smarttrips program provides a fun, interactive, way for residents to explore transportation options including walking, biking, busing, rolling, and carpooling. The program focuses on one neighborhood at a time, offering free materials and fun events to residents. Whether residents want to walk, bike, bus, or roll – smarttrips delivers transportation information and resources right to their door to make it easier.

The City of Springfield delivered a smarttrips program in the Gateway in the spring of 2023. Gateway area residents received a postcard in the mail inviting their household to participate in the program. All households participating in the smarttrips program received free kits full of educational materials, free swag, and prizes. Residents were encouraged to try a new transportation mode, or increase their current trips taken by walking, biking, busing, rolling, and carpooling.

Bike Parking Enhancement Project

This project supports bike transportation and recreation throughout Springfield by increasing the availability of safe and secure public bike parking (bike racks). The City of Springfield received $86,500 from Regional Bicycle Enhancement grant funding to strengthen bike infrastructure. The funding supports the purchase and installation of public bike racks in locations lacking quality bike parking, but does not include lighting enhancements or covered structures. 

The Springfield Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) recommends considering equity, popularity, and security when installing the new bike racks. BPAC also recommends prioritizing bike rack placement in neighborhoods that have a high percentage of households without access to a personal vehicle, businesses within targeted census block areas, affordable housing providers, and organizations serving community members living on low incomes.  

Outreach and community engagement will take place in 2022 and 2023, with the installation of bike racks expected in 2024. To learn more about Springfield’s bike parking needs, best practices, and codes, view the 2013 Regional Bicycle Parking Study and the Springfield Development Code (4.6-140, 4.6-145, 4.6-150, 4.6-155).

Be Safe, Be Seen

The annual Be Safe, Be Seen Campaign focuses on collaboration with local service agencies, ensuring direct delivery of transportation safety materials and breaking down barriers to safe night travel. Agencies distributing the free lights and vests to community members include Homes For Good, LILA, Willamalane, Head Start, The Mission, St. Vincent de Paul, Sponsors, Ophelia’s Place, Community Supported Shelters, Connected Lane County, and more.

Visibility is especially important in the late fall, as it becomes dark earlier in the evening. Studies have shown that wearing reflective gear or a light can increase visibility from 500 feet at night compared to just 55 feet away when wearing dark colors with no reflective gear or lights. The 2021 Be Safe, Be Seen Campaign distributed 730 bike light sets, 925 clip-on pedestrian lights, and 228 reflective vests in partnership with 17 local agencies. 

May is Bike Month

Nationally celebrated since 1956, and in Lane County for the past nine years, Bike Month showcases the many benefits of biking and invites more folks to give it a try. Every May, community members are encouraged to get out and ride for fun and exercise as well as for essential errands and trips.

Bike Month offers a full line-up of local rides, talks and classes, bike-up business discounts, and prizes for all ages and riding abilities. For a complete list of Bike Month events and activities, visit WeBikeLane.org