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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 __________________________________________________________________________________ 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. 6 - 1 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. 6 - 2 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. 6 - 3 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 6 - 4