HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-09-30; Bird Rides Inc. Monthly Scooter Rentals Business License Application; Rocha, LauraTo the :members of the:
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Sept. 30, 2019
Council Memorandum
To: Honorable Mayor Hall and Members of the City Council
{cityof
Carlsbad
Memo ID# 2019112
From:
Via:
Re:
Laura Rocha, Deputy City Manager, AdmiErative Services ·
Elaine Lu key, Chief Operations Officer . ·
Bird Rides Inc; Monthly Scooter Rentals B siness License Application
The memorandum provides information on the business license application received from Bird
Rides, Inc. for monthly scooter rentals.
Background
In September 2018, the City of Carlsbad received a business license application f~om Bird Rides,
Inc. to operate their electric motorized scooter rentals via a smart phone application in the City
of Carlsbad. The application was denied based on its incompatibility with the Carlsbad
Municipal Code section 10,58, which prohibits any person to ride a skateboard, inline skates,
roller skates, toy vehicle, coaster or any other similar form in commercial zones. In May 2019,
the City Council approved Ordinance Np. CS-354 (Ordinance)regarding shared mobility devices.
The purpose of that Ordinance was to prohibit shared mobility devices from constituting a
public nuisance and from being abandoned or placed for rent in the public right-of-way or other ·
public areas, to allow for adequate pedestrian traffic flow, ensure public safety ad to maintain
public areas free of public nuisances, Bird Rides, Inc. has now submitted a new business license
application for monthly and long-term scooter rentals.
Discussion
Bird Rides, Inc. has launched a new business model for morithly scooter rentals, and more
information is available at this link: https://rent.bird.co/.
The city's business license staff, working with the City Attorney's Office, reviewed the new
business license application and asked Bird Rides, Inc. the following questions to determine if
the type of proposed business would be covered by the city's new shared mobility device
ordinanee:
Question #1: Please explain in detail how customers will coordinate scooter rentals? Is
there a mobile app for rental acquisition?
Answer from Bird Rides, Inc.: Customers will coordinate scooter rentals by signing up
for the service using the Bird Rides, Inc. mobile app. During the sign-up process,
Administrative Services Branch
Finance Division
1635 Faraday Avenue I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 760-602-2430 t
Honorable Mayor Hall and Members of the City Council
Sept. 30, 2019
Page 2
customers will choose which vehicle model they want, input their delivery
address, choose from pre-populated dates for delivery, and input any delivery
instructions. They can then check-out and pay for their first month's rental through the
app. The customer will not have the ability to rent scooters from the public right of way
like they can through Bird's shared-scooter model.
Question #2: Please explain in detail where customers will pick-up and drop off
scooters.
Answer from Bird Rides, Inc.: Bird Rides, Inc. will deliver the rental scooter to the
renter's delivery address that they input into the app when they first signed up for the
rental. Bird Rides, Inc. will follow any delivery instructions that the renter input during
sign-up. The scooter comes with a pre-installed Bluetooth lock, so Bird Rides, Inc. can
help coordinate delivery by locking to the nearest bike rack or another safe, legal
alternative. Should the renter need their scooter to be swapped, or when the renter
wants their scooter to be picked up at end of their subscription, the renter will call Bird
Rides, lnc.'s support line at 1-866-205-2442 or email personalrentals@bird.co to
arrange for pick-up. Bird Rides, Inc. will then follow all of the renter's instructions to
coordinate the pick-up from a safe, legal location.
Carlsbad Municipal Code Section 10.60 prohibits shared mobility devices defined as follows:
"Shared mobility device means any wheeled transportation device, other than an automobile or
motorcycle, by which a person can be propelled, moved, or drawn; is accessed via an on-
demand portal, whether a smartphone application, membership card, or similar method; is
displayed, placed or offered for rent in any public area or public right-of-way by an operator for
shared use by members of the public; and is available to members of the public in unstaffed,
self-service locations."
Because the monthly scooter rental is not displayed, placed or offered for rent in any Pl;fblic
area or public right-of-way, it would not be prohibited by the city's shared mobility device
ordinance. As the business license is a ministerial license, Bird Ride, lnc.'s monthly scooter
rental program would not contravene any regulation or law of the city. Business license staff
will issue a business license to Birq Rides, Inc. within the next five business days.
Scooters that are abandoned in the public right away will be impounded by city code
enforcement staff.
Next Steps
Business license staff will proceed in issuing the business license to Bird Rides, Inc. for their
· monthly scooter rentals.
cc: Scott Chadwick, City Manager
Celia Brewer, City Attorney
Kevin Branca, Finance Director