HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-18-009 - Community Access Bikeshare Update and 2018 Bikeshare PilotREPORT TO: Community and InfrastructureServices Committee
DATE OF MEETING: April 30, 2018
SUBMITTED BY: Ken Carmichael, Interim Director of Transportation Services,
519-741-2200, ext. 7372
PREPARED BY: Danny Pimentel, Active Transportation Planning Project
Manager, 519-741-2200, ext. 7371
WARD (S) INVOLVED:All wards
DATE OF REPORT: April 9, 2018
REPORT NO.: DSD-18-009
SUBJECT: Community Access Bikeshare Update and 2018 Bikeshare
Pilot
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RECOMMENDATIONS:
That Mayor and Council support the 2018 Dropbike Inc. pilot as detailed in
Report No. DSD-18-009; and further,
That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute the necessary agreements
with Dropbike Inc. for a one year pilot bikesharing program, to the satisfaction of
the City Solicitor.
BACKGROUND:
Bikeshare systems provide short-term access to bicycles via stations located at
convenient locations. Bikeshare users typically access bikes through an instant
electronic payment for short-term use or through a membership.Bikesharing supports
active transportation by making cycling more accessible.Bikeshare systems have
been successful in many Canadian cities, including Hamilton, Toronto, Montreal,
Ottawa and Vancouver.
In 2011,Community Access Bikeshare (CAB), operated by the Working Centre,
launchedapilot bike share system; which became a permanent program in 2013in
Kitchener/Waterloo. Because CAB is a not-for-profit organization and in an effort to
encourageactivetransportation, the City of Kitchener dedicated space for CAB bicycle
racks on City lands(i.e., City Hall)free of charge.
During the 2017 season, CABconsisted of 105 members,nine stationsand 80
bicycles in operation. The net result was 2,198 CAB assisted bicycle trips. It is also
worth noting that CAB had five stations testing new technology (Bluetooth operated
bike locks).
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994for assistance.
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In January 2018, the Working Centre announced that they would no longer operate
Community Access Bikeshare (CAB). They havestated that theprogram is nolonger
financially viable due to the low membership rateandthe prohibitive cost of new
technology and network expansion.CAB’s network expansion has been limited by
current station requirements (e.g., electrical and internet connection, area to locate key
box, space for 8 ring bike racks etc.) that restrict where stations can be located.
Several stations also have reduced hours of operation due to the noted challenges.
In an effort to maintain a bikeshare service within the Region, staff from the Region of
Waterloo, City of Cambridge, City of Waterloo, City of Kitchenerand the Working
Centre agreed that a pilot with an established, successful, bikeshare provider would be
best to determine bikeshare requirements within the Region. It should be noted that
staff from the City of Kitchener and Waterloo have previously been contacted by other
bikeshare providers, with the interest of operating in the Region.
REPORT:
The limited expansion of CAB since its inception in 2011 is largely attributable to the
technological limitations of the system rather thana lack of community support for
bikeshare. Many throughout the community have indicatedand continue to support
bikeshare.Station requirements (e.g., a key box located within a library is accessible
only during library hours), and a lack of “on-demand” option for new userssignificantly
limits the current use of bikeshare in Kitchener. Memberships must be purchased and
picked up from the Working Centre for non-Bluetooth operated bicycles.
Evolution of Bikeshare Technology
There have been several technological advancements in bikeshare in recent years
beyond CAB’slock and key, subscription based model as follows:
“kiosk” model. - Bicycles are secured and rented from an automated docking
station. This new technology also improves integration of bikeshare into transit
networks (e.g., “micro-stations” at stops with a bike rack). New technology also
features the useofsmartphone appswith real-time bicycle availability, GPS
tracking (which provides valuable cycling ridership data) and on-demand rather
than subscription use.
“Dockless”model. –Dockless technology allows for security and rental
features to be built directly into the bicycles instead of the docking stations,
allowing for greater overall system efficiency and flexibility. Bicycles are
unlocked through the use of a smartphone, and do not require physical docking
infrastructure, such as bike racks. Dockless systems are quickly gaining
popularity worldwide as they require little to no capital investment from
municipalities, and they typically offer a low hourly rate.
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Dockless models havebeen subject to criticism. In some cases private operators have
deployed a docklessnetwork without coordination with local governments or existing
bikeshare operators. Also, the majority of private dockless operators do not redistribute
their bikes, and rely on users to park bicycles in a suitable location without any
delineated parking. Cities have reported issues of obstructed sidewalks, theft,
vandalism, and the amassing of bikes in disrepair in public spaces.
Recognizing thatdockless systemsprovide lower user cost, some cities, such as
Vancouver, Seattle, and San Francisco, are working to exercise more control over
dockless systems. Cities have introduced regulations requiring bikeshare providers to
obtain an operating licence, which is subject to minimum operating, safety, and
maintenance standards.
2018 Bikeshare Pilot
Recently, The City of Kitchener and City of Waterloo have both been approached by
interested bikeshare providers. Because of CAB’s decision to not be operate in 2018, it
was recommended to the Working Centre by municipal partners, that there be a call for
proposalsto all interested bikeshare providers in order to select one that wouldbest
meet the needs of theRegion. Accordingly, in February 2018, staff from the City of
Kitchener and City of Waterloo followed up with interested Bikeshare providers and
requested an informal proposal for the commencement of a pilot that would include
service and data collection within the Region of Waterloo, including Cambridge which
did not previously offer this service through the CAB system. Proposals were submitted
by Dropbike Inc. (Dropbike), U-bicycleTechnologies North America Inc. (U-Bicycle),
and Zagster Inc. (Zagster). The bikeshare working group (staff from the area
municipalities, Working Centre, and the Region) evaluated all submitted proposals and
considers Dropbikethe preferredvendor.Dropbike has agreed to share all data and can
be quickly deployedat zero cost to the municipalitiesand the Region.Dropbike can
transition to the Region’s bikeshare provider with minimal disruption to the service, as it
can assume CAB’s existing station footprint. Dropbike has agreed to work with staff to
identify additional bikeshare locationsif necessary.
Dropbike
Dropbike is dockless bikesharing system that launched in Toronto in2017. They are
currently in operation in Kingston, Toronto, and Montreal.Bicyclesare unlocked through
the use of a smartphoneappand do not require physical docking infrastructure.
Designated parking areas are delineated using geofencingand users are incentivized to
return their bikes to these parking havens. This is intended to minimize the issues of
dockless bikes obstructing public spaces. Users must pay a $50 refundable deposit
when choosing to use bikeshareand are charged $1/hourthereafter. To reduce overall
cost, memberships are also available. It is worth noting that Dropbike will hire local staff
to manage operations and servicebicycles.
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Beyond the Pilot
Ina collaborative approach, staff from the Region, Kitchener, Cambridge and Waterloo
haveapplied for funding through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green
Municipal Fund to undertake an in-depth Bikeshare functional analysisstudy. This
study is planned to be initiated in late 2018/early 2019, and will identify a
recommended approach to bikeshare within theRegion beyond the 2018 pilot. While
theproposed 2018 pilot is separate from the planned study, data from the pilot will
contribute to the study analysis.
The study will include a review of bikeshare systems, determine the most appropriate
system for the community and provide staff with direction on how best to implement it.
The 2018 pilot is considered to be separate from the planned study, but data from the
pilot will be made available for the study.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
The recommendation of this report supports the achievement of the city’s strategic
vision through the delivery of core service.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Dropbike is a for profit company that ultimately generates revenue through a bikeshare
service. Accordingly, staff feel that it is appropriate tocharge Dropbike a nominal fee
for any bikeshare facilities on city-owned properties. This rate has yet to be negotiated.
Outside of this fee, the proposed pilot will have zero financial impact to the City of
Kitchener.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM – This report has been posted to the City’s website with the agenda in
advance of the committee meeting.
CO
NSULT – It is staff’s intent toconduct surveys regarding bikeshare use in an effort
to understand public opinion on the services provided by Dropbike, and bikeshare as a
whole,during the pilot in 2018.
COLLABORATE – City staff have been working closely with Regional and adjacent
municipal staff in an effort to facilitate a new Bikeshare provider. Additionally, staff
have been in contact with the City of Kingston and the City of Hamilton in order to
better understand bikeshare within their municipalities.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager
Development Services Department
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