Title
Shared Micromobility Program Update
Description
This report provides information to the Economic Development and Equity Subcommittee on the utilization of electric scooters and electric bikes in the Shared Micromobility Program.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION.
Report
Summary
The City of Phoenix Street Transportation Department (Streets) launched a Shared Micromobility Program (Micromobility Program) to replace the Downtown Shared Electric Scooter Pilot Program (Pilot Program) on Jan. 20, 2023. From Jan. 20 through May 31, 2023, an average of 1,508 micromobility vehicles have been available within the program boundaries. Over that time, electric bikes (e-bikes) have made up 8.3 percent of the fleet on average. Since the launch of the Micromobility Program, the utilization rate for micromobility vehicles has been lower than anticipated, with electric scooters (e-scooters) being used on average about once a day, and e-bikes being used about once every four days.
Shared Micromobility Deployment
The Micromobility Program built upon the Pilot Program by expanding the program boundaries and the types of vehicles available. Additionally, the Micromobility Program used a competitive procurement process to select two vendors to provide shared micromobility services in designated operating areas. Moving from a permitting process to a City contract allowed the Micromobility Program to introduce a number of regulations that ensure the Micromobility Program is serving the overall Phoenix community. Namely, vendors must deploy 30 percent of the fleet in equity zones, provide accessible vehicles and traditional bikes in addition to e-scooters and e-bikes, require vehicles be locked up at the end of rides outside of downtown, and deploy bikes (traditional and electric) as a minimum 20 percent of their fleet.
Both of the two vendors have a total fleet cap of 1,500 vehicles for a combined total of 3,000 vehicles. From Jan. 20 through May 31, 2023, the total fleet has been on average 1,508 vehicles, or about half of the total vehicles allowed. On average, 1,383 e-scooters and 125 e-bikes have been available every day. The highest number of e-bikes was deployed in March 2023, with an average of 172 e-bikes available each day. February 2023 saw the highest number of e-scooters deployed, with an average of 1,602 e-scooters available every day.
Shared Micromobility Utilization
A key metric for evaluating the performance of a shared micromobility system is the number of trips per vehicle per day, or the utilization rate (UR). In the 2021 Shared Micromobility State of the Industry Report, the North American Bikeshare Association reported an average of 2.0 UR for traditional bikes and e-bikes and an average 1.9 UR for e-scooters. From Jan. 20 through May 31, 2023, the overall UR for the City's Micromobility Program has been 0.78. For e-bikes, the average UR was 0.26, while e-scooters had an average UR of 0.83.
The relatively low demand for micromobility in general, and shared bikes specifically, in Phoenix may reflect the overall lower rate of biking in Phoenix where 0.5 percent of adults use a bicycle to commute, based on the American Community Survey 2021 5-Year Estimates.
The City of Phoenix has committed to encouraging active transportation and building active transportation infrastructure through the Active Transportation Plan (2023), the Vision Zero Road Safety Action Plan (2022), the Climate Action Plan (2021), Complete Streets (2017), and the Bicycle Master Plan (2014), in addition to Transit Oriented Development plans. While significant progress has been made in adding infrastructure, the overall utilization of the Micromobility Program underscores the need for additional active transportation infrastructure within the program boundaries. The bike lanes that will be installed along the South Central Light Rail extension will increase active transportation connections in the program area, while the light rail line will increase opportunities to use micromobility to access transit.
The Micromobility Program is also part of Phoenix's commitment to active transportation by giving Phoenicians an easy way to experience the City outside of a vehicle. A viable Micromobility Program will support the long-term success of all active transportation in the City of Phoenix. As the City continues to build high-capacity transit and active transportation infrastructure, the demand for all forms of micromobility is anticipated to increase.
Traditional Bike Libraries
When Streets established the Micromobility Program, the Department sought to ensure a wide variety of vehicles were available. Vendors were asked to provide e-scooters, e-bikes, traditional bikes, and accessible vehicles. Both selected vendors (Lime and Spin) committed to providing e-bikes along with e-scooters in the right-of-way. Spin committed to providing traditional bikes through a library system, along with accessible vehicles. Lime committed to providing traditional bikes in the right-of-way and its accessible vehicles through a library system. Lime has since asked to provide traditional bikes through a library system as well due to concerns around theft.
Both vendors are in the process of establishing their library systems. The Lime library system will launch on June 30, 2023, and it will allow users to reserve a traditional bike online at least 24 hours in advance. Vehicles will be delivered to the user within the boundary area, and the vehicles will be picked up from the users after 24 hours. Users must register with the Lime app, but there will be no cost to the user. The Spin library system will launch in July 2023. Users will be able to reserve a traditional bike online at least 24 hours in advance. Users will pick up the vehicles at the centrally located Spin warehouse, and the rental period will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Users must register with the Spin app, but there will be no cost to the user.
While the library system does not allow users to rent traditional bikes in the right-of-way, it allows users to reserve traditional bikes for a longer period of time at no cost. This approach mitigates against theft, while also increasing access to traditional bikes by making them free to check out and use.
Program Boundary Expansion
Staff is currently evaluating a potential program boundary expansion along the light rail corridor. More information on boundary expansion will be presented during the six-month Micromobility Program update at the Transportation, Infrastructure and Planning Subcommittee's September 2023 meeting.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The Transportation, Infrastructure and Planning Subcommittee:
- Was provided with information on the proposed Comprehensive Micromobility Program on Oct. 20, 2021;
- Recommended approval to issue a solicitation for the program on April 20, 2022, by a vote of 4-0; and
- Recommended approval to amend Phoenix City Code to establish the Shared Micromobility Program on May 17, 2023, by a unanimous vote.
The Economic Development and Equity Subcommittee:
- Was provided an update on the Shared Micromobility Shared Revenue Contract Solicitation on Dec. 13, 2022.
The City Council approved:
- The Pilot Program (Ordinance G-6602) on June 26, 2019;
- A Pilot Program extension (Ordinance G-6676) on Feb. 19, 2020;
- A sunset provision extension (Ordinance G-6772) on Dec. 2, 2020;
- A Pilot Program extension and a sunset provision extension (Ordinance G-6823) on March 17, 2021;
- A Pilot Program extension, a sunset provision extension, and the allowance of electric bicycles on public streets citywide (Ordinance G-6967) on March 2, 2022;
- The issuance of a Request for Proposals to operate a Comprehensive Micromobility Program in Phoenix on May 11, 2022; and
- The award of the Revenue Contract Solicitation to two micromobility vendors to operate shared micromobility services in Phoenix on Jan. 14, 2022.
Location
The Shared Micromobility Program operates in Council Districts 7 and 8.
Council Districts: 7 and 8
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Alan Stephenson and the Street Transportation Department.