HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-09-06; Traffic and Mobility Commission; ; Update on the City of Encinitas E-Bike Share ProgramMeeting Date: Sept 6, 2022
To: Traffic and Mobility Commission
Staff Contact: Nathan Schmidt, Transportation Planning and Mobility Manager
nathan.schmidt@Carlsbadca.gov or 760-602-2734
Subject: Update on the City of Encinitas E-Bike Share Program
Recommended Action
Receive an informational report on the development and performance of the Encinitas E-Bike
Share Program.
Background
This item provides an update on the performance of the Encinitas E-bike share program. Staff will provide annual updates on the state of bike share in north San Diego County for potential future consideration of an e-bike share system in the City of Carlsbad.
Discussion
Shared Mobility Device Background
Micromobility is a relatively recent term that refers to short (micro) trips (mobility), sometimes
associated with mass transit modes of travel. These trips are often referred to as "first mile/last
mile" portions of a longer transit trip, with the idea that once you arrive at a central station,
your trip is not complete until you arrive at your actual destination. Previously, these trips were
commonly provided via taxis, then by providers such as Uber or Lyft. As shared mobility options
became more prevalent through smartphone apps, less expensive options such as bike-share
and even scooter-share became popular. Micromobility trips can often be substitutes for
walking or short vehicle trips.
In addition to being less expensive, bike-share and scooter-share can also be appealing to cities
because they minimize vehicular congestion and parking. For every bike-share or scooter-share
trip, there is generally one less car trip, which is helpful in attaining the city's Climate Action
Plan (CAP) goals and to reduce congestion on city streets. However, the convenience and
popularity of these new transportation modes bring issues that are new to most cities, such as
where bikes and scooters can legally operate and park.
Various communities are experiencing negative impacts from the use and misuse of such
devices. These issues include: parking in the public right-of-way and obstructing vehicle and
Sept. 6, 2022 Item #7 1
pedestrian access; reduced sidewalk area or parking spaces; urban clutter; aggressive
competition/oversupply; use of public land for private purposes; potential public liabilities;
scooter/pedestrian conflicts; scooter/vehicle conflicts; and increased demand for enforcement
resources.
One of the reasons for these negative impacts is because these devices have been launched in
cities throughout the United States without contracts, permits or business licenses. In other
words, these devices are operating without any oversight and/or regulations.
Encinitas E-Bike Share Program (BCycle)
The Encinitas bikeshare program is a service in which bicycles are made available for shared use
to individuals of the public on a short-term basis, allowing users to borrow a bicycle at one bike
share station and return it either at the same station or a different station. BCycle was selected
as the vendor to the city of Encinitas to develop and manage a fully docked electric bikeshare
program for the community, in accordance with Ordinance 2019-02, Pilot Shared Mobility (see
Exhibit 1).
The initial launch of the program included approximately 100 electric pedal-assist bikes,
approximately 170 bike parking docks at 21 stations throughout the city. The contract with
BCycle includes a provision to deploy up to 250 bikes and 500 docks during the 1-year pilot
term (3 optional 1-year extensions). The docking station design and locations were approved
by the city and installed by BCycle in November 2021. The program is fully operated and
funded by the vendor BCycle and requires no costs to the city.
Encinitas BCycle Bikeshare was officially launched in January 2022. Since launch the system has
seen modest but continual growth in rides per quarter. In the second quarter of 2022 there
were 3042 rides which is an increase of over 40% from the first quarter of 2022. The current
membership includes 40 annual members and 136 monthly members. The most highly utilized
stations include those at park destinations such as Glen Park and those in the downtown
commercial corridor. BCycle is currently working with the city of Encinitas to receive approval
to expand the system by the end of the year with 10 new stations with 60 new docks and 35
new e-bikes. If approved this would bring the total system to 30 stations, 200 docks, and 100 e-
bikes.
See exhibit 2 for additional performance metrics and third quarter goals for the program.
Additional details regarding the system with a map of the stations can be found at
https://encinitas.bcycle.com/.
Next Steps
Staff will continue to monitor the progress and performance of the Encinitas E-Bike share
program and provide annual updates to the Traffic & Mobility Commission and City Council.
Exhibits
1)City of Encinitas Pilot Shared Mobility Program Ordinance 2019-02
2)Encinitas BCycle Q2 Performance Data
Sept. 6, 2022 Item #7 2
ORDINANCE 2019-02
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF ENCINITAS, CALIFORNIA ADDING CHAPTER 9.55
TO THE ENCINITAS MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING
PILOT SHARED MOBILITY PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the City of Encinitas (City) is committed to the long-range goal of
protecting the natural environment, increasing sustainability efforts, and improving
overall quality of life, and on January 17, 2018, the City Council unanimously approved
its final Climate Action Plan (CAP), establishing a number of strategies to achieve
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals and targets, including facilitating
safe, convenient and affordable alternative transportation options;
WHEREAS, among various other goals, CAP Goal 4.1, supports the reduction of
vehicle miles travelled by supporting car sharing, bike sharing and other potential
shared mobility alternatives for the community;
WHEREAS, the City must also balance the benefits of shared mobility
alternatives with its obligation to protecting City as well as protecting the health, safety
and welfare of those who may use or may be impacted by the use of these shared
mobility alternatives on City, streets, roads, sidewalks, facilities and other public rights
of way, including, but is not limited to, City obligations to manage City risks arising from
these alternative mobility alternatives, ensure compliance with disability regulations,
maintain minimum widths for pedestrian usability in City business and commercial
corridors and overall preserve a safe, accessible and healthy transportation and
pedestrian environment within the City;
WHEREAS, it has become well publicized and reported that competing shared
mobility businesses have engaged in aggressive strategies to gain market share in
various public jurisdictions, including dropping undocked mobility devices (primarily
electric scooters) into local public rights of way, sometimes without municipal
knowledge, consultation, permission, ordinance or regulation in place;
WHEREAS, serious injuries to users and third party victims through use of these
mobility devices is reportedly on the increase, and accordingly, the City has concluded
that there is a need to appropriately assess and manage the safe and efficient operation
of the evolving mobility device business within the City;
WHEREAS, since these shared mobility devices are still a new, evolving and
untested mode of transportation within the City and since the City is unable to
accurately gauge the scope and scale of their impact on City until user experience and
impact can be assessed, the City adopts this Ordinance to establish a pilot bike share
program allowing a single bike share licensee to deploy unpowered bicycles and/or
Exhibit 1
Sept. 6, 2022 Item #7 3
Class 1" or "Class 2" electric powered bicycles within the City, subject to a negotiated
license agreement approved by City Council; and
WHEREAS, the City Council directs the City Manager or delegated staff to
monitor and assess the overall performance, safety and benefits of the pilot program
and provide City Council with a report approximately one (1) year after initial
deployment of licensed Bikes under the pilot program, including, but not limited to,
recommendations whether to maintain, modify, eliminate or expand City authorization of
the use of other shared mobility devices or other developing clean modes of
transportation. The report shall also address and recommend revisions to this
Ordinance, if applicable.
NOW THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Encinitas does ordain as
follows:
Section 1. All of the above statements are true.
Section 2. The City Council finds that this action is not a project under the
California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") because there is no development or
physical change that would result from the adoption of this ordinance.
Section 3. Chapter 9.55 is added to Title 9 of the Encinitas Municipal Code and
shall read as follows:
Chapter 9.55 Pilot Bike Share Program
9.55.010 Purpose.
Consistent with the City's goals of enhancing mobility and access, easing traffic
congestion, promoting sustainability and achieving its Climate Action Plan goals, this
Chapter initiates a pilot Bike share program to evaluate the impact of shared mobility
alternatives within the City while ensuring the protection of the City and public health
and safety, including evaluating the safety of the public traveling by foot, bicycle or any
vehicle on public sidewalks, streets, other public rights-of-way and adjacent private
property.
9.55.020 Definitions.
a) "Abandoned" shall mean leaving any item unattended for any length of time.
b) "City Manager" shall mean the City Manager or his or her designee.
c) "Operator" shall mean the person or business entity licensed by the City to
operate the Pilot Bike share Program pursuant to this Chapter.
d) "Pilot Bike Share Program" shall mean a pilot program establishing a single
licensee under a license agreement to rent, use, locate, display, offer or place for rent
Sept. 6, 2022 Item #7 4
unpowered bicycles and/or "Class 1" or "Class 2" electric bicycles within City
boundaries. The Pilot Bike Share Program requires the City Manager or delegated staff
to monitor and assess the overall performance, safety and benefits of the pilot program
and provide City Council with a report.
e) "Public Area" shall mean any outdoor area that is open to the public for
public use, whether owned or operated by the City or a private party.
f) "Public Right-of-Way" shall mean any public alley, parkway, public
transportation path, roadway, sidewalk, trails, pathways or street that is owned, granted
by easement, operated or controlled by the City. This includes, but is not limited to,
those private areas adjacent to public property and any area established under the City
Sidewalk Cafe Policy", established by City Resolution 2011-56 and related zoning and
specific plan amendments.
g) "Bike" shall mean a pedaled bicycle that is rented, used, located, displayed,
offered or placed for rent in any Public Area or Public Right-of-Way by Operator under a
City Council approved Operator license agreement. A Bike shall meet the safety
standards outlined in the International Standardization Organization (ISO) 43.150 —
Cycles; the standards outlined in Code of Federal Regulations Title 16, Chapter II,
Subchapter C, Part 1512 - Requirements for Bicycles; and the standards established in
CVC section 21201, including for lighting during operation, or equivalent recognized
standards and requirements. If powered, a Shared Mobility Device shall be limited to
Class 1" or "Class 2" electric bicycles, as defined in California Vehicle Code (CVC)
Section 312.5.
h) "Prohibited Mobility Device" shall mean any device other than a Bike by
which a person can be transported, propelled, moved or drawn, that is rented, used,
located, displayed, offered or placed for rent or use in any public area or public right-of-
way, except that a Prohibited Mobility Device does not include a rental car, taxi cab or
car matched through a peer-to-peer ridesharing application.
9.55.030 Administrative regulations.
a) The City may at its discretion develop administrative regulations to
implement the provisions of this Chapter, which may include regulations relating to
lawful conduct, prohibited conduct, public safety, data sharing, data privacy and/or the
timely removal of hazards.
b) No person shall fail to comply with the City's administrative regulations, if
adopted. Any violation of any administrative regulation issued pursuant to this Chapter
shall constitute a violation of this Code and shall subject the violator to the penalties set
forth in this Code.
Sept. 6, 2022 Item #7 5
9.55.040 Prohibited conduct.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, no person, including Operator, may:
a) Deploy, drop, abandon, leave, dock or otherwise place or encourage the use
of any Prohibited Mobility Device within City Boundaries.
b) Abandon or temporarily park any Pilot Bike Share Program Bike or
Prohibited Mobility Device, in the City Public Right-of-Way or a City Public Area in a
manner that: (1) obstructs travel upon or blocks access to a Public Area or Public Right-
of-Way; (2) violates ADA or any other disability access and path of travel laws,
requirements and/or regulations;(3) poses an immediate public safety hazard or
nuisance; or (4) is otherwise prohibited by applicable local, State or Federal laws or
administrative regulations; or
c) Use or aid, abet or encourage the use of any Prohibited Mobility Device in
violation this Code or impair any license, permit, applicable law or administrative
regulation.
d) This Ordinance is not intended to prohibit or limit the lawful private non-
commercial use, ownership or operation of a mobility device within City limits.
9.55.050 Pilot Bike Share Program Operator License.
a) Under this Pilot Bike Share Program, the City Manager is authorized to
negotiate one (1) shared Pilot Bike Share Program Operator license authorizing a single
Operator to deploy Bikes within designated City locations.
b) The City Manager may impose, as part of the Pilot Bike Share Program
Operator license issued, any and all conditions that are determined necessary to
effectuate the purposes of this Chapter, consider accessibility of any Public Area, Public
Right-of-Way and the availability of public space for shared use by all, and to protect
City and the health, welfare, and safety of the public.
c) When presenting the negotiated Pilot Bike Share Operator license
agreement to City Council for approval, the City Manager shall report, in writing, the
reasons supporting the Operator License Agreement terms, conditions and Operator
selection.
d) The number, location, technical requirements and mode(s) of Pilot Bike
Share Program Bikes and related applications shall be set forth in the negotiated
license agreement approved by City Council.
e) At any time, in the City Council's discretion, the City Council may reassess
the approved Operator license agreement and its terms, consistent with the approved
agreement.
Sept. 6, 2022 Item #7 6
f) The City Council approved Pilot Bike Share Program Operator license
agreement and its determinations under this Section shall constitute the final decision of
the City and shall not be subject to further administrative review.
g) Before Bike deployment, the Operator must execute a license agreement in
a final form approved by City Council, comply with all license agreement conditions,
provide evidence of insurance as required by this Chapter and license agreement and
obtain a City business license.
9.55.060 Operator Indemnity and Insurance Requirements.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, the City shall not assume any liability whatsoever
with respect to having issued a Pilot Bike Share Program Operator license or otherwise
approving the operation of any Bike or other shared mobility device. As a condition to
the issuance of any Pilot Bike Share Program Operator license or any Bike or other
shared mobility device, the Operator shall at a minimum be required to meet all of the
following conditions:
a) The Operator shall, in language approved by the City Risk Manager, agree
to indemnify, defend (at Operator's sole cost and expense), and hold harmless the City,
and its officers, officials, employees, representatives, and agents from any and all
claims, losses, damages, injuries, liabilities or losses which arise out of, or which are in
any way related to, the City's issuance of or decision to enter into a Pilot Bike Share
Program Operator license agreement, the process used by the City in making its
decision, any alleged violation of any Federal, State or local laws by Operator, and for
any and all claims, losses, damages, injuries, liabilities or losses to any Bike user or any
third party, arising out of, or which are in any way related to, Operator activities and
operations, including, but not limited to, under the Pilot Program Bike Share Operator
license agreement.
b) Maintain insurance at coverage limits, and with conditions thereon, as
determined by the City Risk Manager as necessary and appropriate, including naming
City of Encinitas as an additional insured. The Operator's insurance policy shall be
endorsed to state that coverage shall not be cancelled except after thirty days' prior
written notice has been given to the City. If any insurance policy issued to an Operator
is cancelled for any reason, the license issued under this Chapter is automatically
suspended and all Operator operations shall cease. In order to reinstate the license, the
licensee shall provide a new certificate and policy of insurance to the City.
9.55.070 Grounds for Termination, Revocation or Suspension of Operator
License.
A Pilot Bike Share Program Operator license agreement may be revoked, suspended,
or denied by the City Manager consistent with the terms of the license agreement
approved by City Council or for violation of this Chapter.
Sept. 6, 2022 Item #7 7
9.55.080 Pilot Bike Share Program Assessment.
The City shall monitor and assess the overall performance, safety and benefits of the
pilot program and provide City Council with a report approximately one (1) year after
Bike deployment. The report shall include, but is not limited to, recommendations
whether to maintain, modify, eliminate the program or modify the program to expand
City authorization of the use of other shared mobility devices or other developing clean
modes of transportation. The report shall also address and recommend revisions to this
Ordinance, if applicable.
9.55.090 Impoundment of devices.
a) Except for any Bike authorized by a City Council under a City Pilot Bike
Share Program license agreement, Prohibited Shared Mobility Devices that are rented,
used, dropped, left, located, displayed, offered or made available for rent, or
Abandoned, in the Public Right-of-Way, Public Area or is otherwise determined to
constitute a public nuisance shall be subject to immediate impoundment by the City.
b) The City Council may adopt impound fees by resolution, which shall reflect
the City's enforcement, investigation, administration, storage and impound costs.
c) No person shall retrieve any impounded Prohibited Shared Mobility Device
except upon demonstrating proper proof of ownership of the device and payment of
applicable impound fees.
d) Any Prohibited Shared Mobility Device not retrieved from impound for more than 30
calendar days shall be deemed abandoned and may, in the City Manager's discretion,
be destroyed or auctioned in accordance with applicable state law.
9.55.100 Enforcement.
a) Any person who violates any provision of this Chapter, shall be guilty of an
infraction or a misdemeanor, which shall be punishable pursuant to Chapter 1.08 of this
Code.
b) Any person who violates any provision of this Chapter, including any permit
condition, shall be subject to administrative fines and administrative penalties pursuant
to Chapter 1.08 of this Code.
c) Any person convicted of violating this Chapter in a criminal case, or found to
be in violation of this Chapter in a civil or administrative case brought by a law
enforcement agency, shall be ordered to reimburse the City and other participating law
enforcement agencies their full investigative costs.
Sept. 6, 2022 Item #7 8
9.55.110 Severability.
In the event that any court of competent jurisdiction holds any section, subsection,
paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase in this Ordinance to be unconstitutional,
preempted or otherwise invalid, the invalid portion shall be severed from this Ordinance
and shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance. The City
hereby declares that it would have adopted each section, subsection, paragraph,
sentence, clause or phrase in this Ordinance irrespective of whether any one or more
sections, subsections, paragraphs, sentences, clauses or phrases in this Ordinance
might be declared unconstitutional, preempted or otherwise invalid.
9.55.120 Conflicts with Prior Ordinances.
In the event that any City ordinance or regulation, in whole or in part, adopted prior to
the effective date of this Ordinance, conflicts with any provisions in this Ordinance, the
provisions in this Ordinance will control.
EFFECTIVE DATE: This Ordinance shall be effective thirty (30) days after its
adoption. Within fifteen (15) days after its adoption, the City Clerk of the Encinitas shall
cause this Ordinance to be published pursuant to the provisions of Government Code
Section 36933.
INTRODUCED AND FIRST READ at a regular meeting of the City Council of the
City of Encinitas, California, on the 13th day of February, 2019; and
THEREAFTER ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of
Encinitas, California, on the 13th day of March, 2019, by the following vote:
AYES: Blakespear, Hinze, Hubbard, Kranz, Mosca
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
l
Catherine S. Blakespear, Mayor
APPRO ED TO FORM: ATTEST:
I
Glefinn abine, City Attorney Kathy Hol ywo d, City Clerk
Sept. 6, 2022 Item #7 9
Encinitas BCycle
Quarterly Report
Q2 2022
C R E AT E D BY: T i m P i r k e y
D AT E : J u l y 2 0 2 2
Exhibit 2
Sept. 6, 2022 Item #7 10
TITLE
MONTH YEAR
TEAM:
Encinitas BCycle Results
•Rides: 3042 – Up ju st over 40% from Q1
•Membership
•Annual: 40
•Monthly: 136
•Average check-ou ts/we ek: 265
•Average Trips/Bike/Day: 0.5
Sept. 6, 2022 Item #7 11
TITLE
MONTH YEAR
TEAM:
Second Quarter
Highlights
•M a y 19
t h – B i ke t o Wo rk D a y – 2 0 0 + v i s i t o r s
•J u n e 4
t h B u i l d N CC R i b b o n C u t t i n g ev e n t
•J u l y 3
rd – H i g h e s t U t i l i z a t i o n : 1. 4 T / B / D
•Q 2 C a l o r i e s B u r n e d – 74 6 , 9 3 6
•C a r b o n o f f s e t – e q u a l to 17, 76 5 l b s C 0 2
•Re d u c e d c a r m i l e s – e q u a l t o 2 0 , 0 0 2
•O v e r 1.1 K M a i n t e n a n c e C h e c ko u t s
Sept. 6, 2022 Item #7 12
TITLE
MONTH YEAR
TEAM:
System Metrics
Sept. 6, 2022 Item #7 13
Member Trip Per Month
Sept. 6, 2022 Item #7 14
Member Trips by Day and Time
Sept. 6, 2022 Item #7 15
Member Trip Duration by Day and Type
m
i
n
u
t
e
s
Sept. 6, 2022 Item #7 16
Trips per Bike per Day by Month
April - 0.60 May - 0.44 June – 0.46
Sept. 6, 2022 Item #7 17
TITLE
MONTH YEAR
TEAM:
Membership Metrics
Sept. 6, 2022 Item #7 18
Member Trips by Pass Type
Annual – 467; Bosch – 154; Day – 479; Guest – 198; Monthly – 643; Single Ride – 1,101
Sept. 6, 2022 Item #7 19
April
May
June
Trips by Station, Top 5 each month
Sept. 6, 2022 Item #7 20
April
May
June
Trips by Membership type, per month
Sept. 6, 2022 Item #7 21
BCycle riders reduced
car miles in Encinitas
by just over 20,000
miles!
BCycle riders in Encinitas rode an estimated 18,875 miles in Q2…
…that’s more miles than the entire
coastline of Australia and Tasmania!
Sept. 6, 2022 Item #7 22
TITLE
MONTH YEAR
TEAM:
Encinitas BCycle Q3 Goals
•Rides – 4,000
•Average Trips/Bike/Day – 0.75
•Membership Goals
Annual Pass – 50
Monthly Pass – 125
•Average check-ou ts/we ek – 360
•Monthly Pa ss Renewals – 65
Sept. 6, 2022 Item #7 23
Nathan Schmidt, Transportation Planning and Mobility Manager
September 6, 2022
Update on the City of Encinitas E-Bike
Share Program
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Receive an informational report on the
Encinitas E-Bike Share Program
ITEM 7
PRESENTATION OUTLINE
•Annual update on the status of bike
share in North County
•T&MC may provide feedback on the
future of shared mobility in the city
ITEM 6
SHARED MOBILITY IN CARLSBAD
•May 2019: City Council adopted the Shared
Mobility Devices ordinance which prohibited
devices from being rented in the public right-of-
way
•Nov. 2021: City Council revised the ordinance:
Added definition that allows e-bikes to be rented
from locations outside of the public right-of-way
and established an agreement for e-bike vendors
•City Council requested annual status update of bike
share in North County
ITEM 7
ENCINITAS BCYCLE BIKE
SHARE
•Launched January 2022
•100 electric pedal-assist bikes
•170 bike parking docks
•21 stations throughout the city
•Pilot program approved by the City for 1-year with three optional 1-year extensions
•Only bike share system in North
County
ITEM 7
ENCINITAS BCYCLE BIKE
PERFORMANCE*
ITEM 7
*Statistics provided by Encinitas BCycle
0.60
0.44 0.46
•2nd Quarter 2022 Rides
–3042 Rides
–Up 40% from Q1 (2,204 rides)
•Memberships:
–Q2: 40 Annual / 136 Monthly
–Q1: 25 Annual / 75 Monthly
•Average trips/bike/day: 0.5
ENCINITAS BCYCLE BIKE
EXPANSION
ITEM 7
0.60
0.44 0.46
•Working with the City of Encinitas
to expand the system
•Applied for 10 new stations, 60
new docks, and 35 new e-bikes
NEXT STEPS
•Receive feedback and/or questions from the
Traffic & Mobility Commission
•Present data to City Council and receive
feedback
•Additional info: https://encinitas.bcycle.com/
ITEM 7