Title
Shared E-Scooter Pilot Program Update
Presenter:
Todd Frisbie, P.E., P.T.O.E, City Traffic Engineer, Public Works Department
Body
Summary:
In October 2021, the City of Colorado Springs launched a pilot program to allow two micro mobility providers to manage and operate an electric scooter share program. City staff has determined to renew the pilot program for another year and wanted to provide an update on usage, successes, and challenges associated with the Shared E-Scooter Pilot Program.
Background:
The process for e-scooter deployment in Colorado Springs began in February 2020. The interest in deploying e-scooters developed out of the need to give citizens and visitors in the more urban areas of Colorado Springs a mobility option for short trips that are too long for walking and too short for driving. Shared e-scooters and bicycles are popular modes that other urban areas have deployed to meet the need for these types of trips.
Shared bikes and scooter systems distribute devices throughout high use areas and are available when needed. Users avoid the cost of owning and maintaining their own device (electric scooters often cost $500 to $1,000) and instead pay membership dues and modest trip fees. When a user arrives at their destination, the device can be properly and safely parked and become available to other users. Smart technology and phone apps are employed to help users locate available devices and document safe use to include parking.
Since February 2020, the following major e-scooter program milestones have occurred:
• City Council Work Sessions in October 2020 and December 2020 to discuss and refine a request for proposals (RFP) to select vendors for the City’s e-scooter program
• Posting the RFP in March 2021
• The selection of two vendors (Lime and Veo) to operate e-scooter programs in Colorado Springs in June 2021
• Operating Agreements finalized and signed by vendors in September 2021
• The Shared E-Scooter Pilot Program began in October 2021
Previous Council Action:
City staff attended the Work Session on October 12, 2020, to update Council of the City’s plan to deploy e-scooters. City council provided the following comments
- Parking ratio is too high
- Need to ensure we get good / respected / experienced companies
- Suggested to go through an RFP process to evaluate companies
- Fees should be discussed with the City Council Budget Committee
- Scooters need geofencing capabilities and need to define the area where scooters are not
allowed
- Enforcement of parking and operational regulations was a concern
- Tethering could be an issue
City staff attended the Work Session on December 7th, 2020, to address the earlier comments, and provide an update on the City’s plan to select vendors through a competitive RFP process.
City staff attended the Work Session on June 14th, 2021, to update Council on vendor selection and discuss elements of the Operating Agreement.
Financial Implications:
Permit and Scooter fees are set at $75 per e-scooter per year and $40 per e-scooter station or parking zone. The proposed fees fully fund the cost of enforcement and are in line with similar revocable permit fees for the use of the public right-of-way.
City Council Appointed Board/Commission/Committee Recommendation:
The above fees were presented and discussed at the November 10th and November 24th City Council Budget Committee meetings in 2020. The City Council Budget Committee approved the recommendation for a $75 per e-scooter per year fee and the $40 per e-scooter station or parking zone fee.
Stakeholder Process:
Public Works and Planning staff have had multiple discussions with local stakeholders as well as national electric scooter share companies.
Alternatives:
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Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
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Summary of Ordinance Language
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