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HomeMy WebLinkAbout22 - Shared Mobility Devices (Electric Scooters, Bicycles and Future Technologies)Q SEW Pp�T CITY OF �m z NEWPORT BEACH c�<,FORN'P City Council Staff Report August 14, 2018 Agenda Item No. 22 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: David A. Webb, Public Works Director - 949-644-3311, dawebb@newportbeachca.gov PREPARED BY: Brad Sommers, Principal Civil Engineer bsommers@newportbeachca.gov PHONE: 949-644-3326 TITLE: Discussion of Shared Mobility Devices (Electric Scooters, Bicycles and Future Technologies) ABSTRACT: With the recent arrival of shared mobility devices including bicycles and scooters in Newport Beach, staff seeks direction from Council as to how to address commercial shared mobility activities, including shared electric scooters and bicycles that predominantly operate within the public right of way. This item, if Council wishes, formalizes direction by Council given during the Study Session. RECOMMENDATION: a) Determine that the action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly; and b) Take no action, leaving current regulations in place, which prohibit the use of the public right of way for commercial business activities, except with a permit. Make a recommendation to staff that no permits shall be issued for the storage, use, or placement of shared mobility devices, including electric bicycles or scooters, within the public right of way or on city property; or c) Direct staff to prepare a process and/or create regulations that would enable the City to issue permits for shared mobility devices and their use within public right of way and on city property. Return to the Council at a later date for discussion and adoption of a process and/or regulations; or d) Take another action related to shared mobility devices not stated here. 22-1 Shared Mobility Devices (Electric Scooters, Bicycles and future technologies) August 14, 2018 Page 2 FUNDING REQUIREMENTS: There is no fiscal impact to this action. DISCUSSION: Shared Mobility Devices, including electric scooters and bicycles, are being deployed by private companies nationwide. Although this technology intends to reduce congestion by becoming a viable short trip alternative to single occupancy automobiles, issues and concerns with device management and use are common where the devices are deployed. Recently, the Bird Company deployed a fleet of electric scooters on the Balboa Peninsula. This deployment was neither authorized nor permitted by the City as a commercial use within public right of way. Shortly after deployment of the Bird scooters, the City received several community comments noting concern with operation and location of the scooters. The City's response to the Bird deployment is detailed in the attached City of Newport Beach Press Release dated July 31, 2018. Nationwide, other major metropolitan and coastal/tourist cities have had similar deployments from Bird and other private companies. In many cases, agencies have reported similar issues and concerns as those detailed in the press release. As this is a relatively new technology, there is no standard response to deployments and most agencies have temporarily banned shared mobility device deployments while determining if they wish to allow the use through a permit program or maintain prohibition. In addition to the Bird scooter deployment in Newport Beach, staff has been contacted by additional firms requesting permits to deploy both shared electric bicycle and scooter programs within the public right of way. Considering this and the proliferation of shared mobility programs, staff requests direction from Council on how to address future requests. NOTICING - The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at which the City Council considers the item). ATTACHMENT: Attachment A — City of Newport Beach Press Release — July 31, 2018 22-2 %WIP�Rr e f vCITY OF U l NEWR* C FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Mary Locey July 31, 2018 949-644-3031 Concern about "Bird" Electric Scooters in Newport Beach, CA NEWPORT BEACH, CA — Starting Saturday morning, July 28, 2018, the Bird (bird.co) electric mobility sharing company deployed 50 or more two -wheeled scooters in Newport Beach. This was done without the City of Newport Beach's (City's) knowledge, permission or advanced notification. For the past three days, the City has received complaints from residents (primarily as to the placement of Bird scooters after a ride is complete) and has observed enough unsafe conditions involving scooter riders to take notice. Bird scooters are not required to be docked, or parked, for charging at a specific location and can be left by users in various locations. The City has found several scooters left in the public right-of-way, blocking sidewalks and street corners, as well as at storefronts and other locations where they may block the free passage of pedestrians. In addition, several Bird users appear to be riding in an unsafe manner, without helmets and operating the scooters where such activity is prohibited such as on the Ocean Front Walk. Per the City's Municipal Code (Section 10.08.030(A)), operating a commercial business on public property without a permit or other authorization to do so is prohibited. By mid-day Monday, July 30, the City directed Bird to remove all scooters from the community if they were parked on public spaces. Those not removed but found on public property will be collected by City staff for short-term but safe impound and potential criminal prosecution and/or administrative citation. As of Tuesday, July 31, Bird has largely fully complied with this request. The City was previously approached by another company offering a similar service and staff has been reviewing the request with that company. Based on the sudden deployment of Bird's scooters in Newport Beach, City staff intends to bring the matter to a future study session for City Council direction (likely to be Tuesday, August 14, 2018). 22-3 The City appreciates Bird's compliance with our request and looks forward to discussing Bird's and other firms' mobility improvement sharing technologies with the community and all stakeholders in the coming weeks. Bird Scooters I Page 2 of 2 22-4