A free community e-bike library, built by and for Bingen and White Salmon.
Gorge Rides is a free shared e-bike program for residents of Bingen and White Salmon. We operate a fleet of 30 e-bikes — 25 standard step-through models and 5 cargo bikes for families and bigger loads — across three hub locations and home delivery. You can borrow a bike for as little as two days or as long as a month. No fees, no membership, no catch.
The program is operated locally by eBike Multnomah Falls LLC, the same team behind Waterfall Shuttle, in partnership with Forth Mobility. Forth is a nonprofit advancing equitable electric mobility nationally, and Gorge Rides is one of their community lending library pilots.
Day-to-day operations, maintenance, deliveries, and outreach are handled by a dedicated bilingual team based here in the Gorge.
Many households in our area rely on a single vehicle, share a car with extended family, or walk and bus where they can. Gorge Rides is built to meet that reality — a free, reliable bike with a battery that lets you climb the hill home, haul groceries, drop kids at school, or commute without paying for gas.
The program is grant-funded through the Washington State Department of Transportation's E-Bike Lending Library and Ownership Grant Program, which is supported by the Washington Climate Commitment Act. The HEAL Act (RCW 70A.65.230) directs that program funds meaningfully benefit vulnerable populations within overburdened communities — and that mandate shapes how we operate.
Researchers at the University of Washington are studying how e-bike lending libraries affect car trips, household transportation costs, and access to essential services. Participants are invited (not required) to share trip data and respond to short surveys; all participation is informed-consent and follows Washington privacy law. You can decline data sharing and still borrow a bike.
We work with — and tabling at events with — Comunidades, WAGAP, CAT Bus, Columbia Gorge Community College, Mt. Adams Transportation Service, HOPE, MCEDD, Gorge Makerspace, Columbia Riverkeeper, Mt. Adams Institute, Friends of the Columbia Gorge, Columbia Gorge CASA, One Community Health, Skyline Health / NorthShore Medical, Mt. Adams Fruit Company, SDS Lumber Company, FISH Food Bank, the City of Bingen, the City of White Salmon, the Mt. Adams Chamber of Commerce, and the White Salmon Rotary Club. If your organization wants to host a tabling event, refer clients, or co-promote, please get in touch.
Every bike gets an inspection before and after every ride. Every participant gets a short safety orientation in English or Spanish. Helmets are required and provided. Major repairs are handled by Dr. Roscoe, our local contracted mechanic. Batteries are charged at our secure, insured facility on Bonneville-powered hydroelectric energy — clean miles all the way through.
Reservations open now through June 1, 2027.