HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 11523
City of Palo Alto (ID # 11523)
City Council Staff Report
Report Type: Consent Calendar Meeting Date: 9/21/2020
City of Palo Alto Page 1
Summary Title: Bicycle and Electric Scooter Share Pilot Program
Title: Adoption of a Resolution to Extend the Bicycle and Electric Scooter
Share Pilot Program for 18 Months
From: City Manager
Lead Department: Transportation Department
Recommendation
Staff recommends that Council adopt a resolution (Attachment A) approving an 18-month
extension of the bicycle and electric scooter share pilot program through September 30, 2022.
Background
Bicycle and electric scooter sharing programs are emerging technologies for improving mobility,
first/last mile connections, as well as reducing emission and traffic congestion. The City of Palo Alto
adopted a one-year bicycle and electric scooter sharing pilot program in March 2018 (CMR #8546)
and developed permit guidelines for vendors to operate within the City of Palo Alto. The pilot
program was extended by Council in 2019 (Resolution #9822) and subsequently in 2020
(Resolution #9882). The pilot program implementation was initially delayed due to staff resources
and delayed further as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. A timeline for returning to normalcy is
uncertain. Therefore, the current expiration date of March 31, 2021 will likely discourage
providers’ interest given that a successful application could only yield a few months of operations.
To account for the dynamic situation, staff recommends extending the pilot program for an
additional 18 months to test the concept of private bicycle and electric scooter sharing systems
in Palo Alto. The pilot program will assist the City in assessing the quality of various service
providers to meet service requirements and interest from the community. If extended, the one-
year bicycle and electric scooter pilot program will expire on September 30, 2022. Following the
pilot program, staff anticipates returning to Council for action on adoption of permanent
regulations and requirements.
Discussion
Across the nation, the pandemic is forcing a change of perspective on alternative transportation
modes. Despite a lack of data documenting transmission via these shared modes, there are
safety concerns regarding public transit, ride hailing, taxis, and micromobility. Micromobility
City of Palo Alto Page 2
has been promoted to be a safer choice for travel as it enables physical distancing and is not
enclosed. However, as a result of economic challenges, along with increasing sanitization
protocols, providers have completely withdrawn or significantly reduced services to only
operate in areas with most need. Additionally, with nearly half of our daytime, weekday
population of in-commuters now absent, the pandemic hinders potential vendors’ ability to
conduct the inclusive community engagement required by the program, as well as prevents an
accurate reading of community interest and device use.
Fortunately, literature suggests that micromobility, which is an open-air mode, could be one of
the top transportation solutions to aid in the City’s recovery plan. Staff will continue to monitor
the situation and revise the City’s regulations (Attachment B) to reflect any applicable
operations and safety procedures.
As we carefully bring back small degrees of normalcy, staff will determine a practical program
announcement and implementation timeframe.
Policy Implications
Development of the bicycle and electric scooter sharing systems is consistent with the following
Comprehensive Plan 2030 and Bicycle + Pedestrian Transportation Plan goals, policies, and
projects:
Comprehensive Plan 2030:
• Program T1.6.1: Collaborate with transit providers, including Caltrain, bus operators and
rideshare companies, to develop first/last mile connection strategies that boost the use
of transit and shuttle service for local errands and commuting.
• Policy T-1.16: Promote personal transportation vehicles as an alternative to cars (e.g.
bicycles, skateboards, roller blades) to get to work, school, shopping, recreational
facilities and transit stops.
• Program T1.19.4: Encourage the use of bicycle sharing, and the provision of required
infrastructure throughout Palo Alto, especially at transit stations and stops, job centers,
community centers and other destinations.
Bicycle + Pedestrian Transportation Plan:
• PR-5 Bicycle Share Program
Additionally, bicycle sharing systems are consistent with goals outlined in the Sustainability and
Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) and are strategies on improving and supporting non-automobile-
based mobility. Electric scooter sharing systems also improve and support non-automobile-
based mobility, however the maximum 3-month life cycle (the average is 1 month) for shared
electric scooters create more GHG emissions, waste, and resource depletion due to the need to
constantly replace the shared electric scooters. While scooter use is cleaner than automobile
use, vendors are working to increase the scooter lifecycle and reduce the carbon footprint of
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their programs by building improved devices, purchasing carbon offsets, and employing green
vehicles to rebalance devices. Carbon footprint selection criteria can be included in a future
permanent program when greener devices and systems may be available.
Resource Impact
Under the proposed pilot program, minimal costs are anticipated primarily for staff time
reviewing applications, issuing permits, data analysis, and monitoring compliance. The funding
for this program is available in the Fiscal Year 2021 Adopted Operating Budget. If the program
continues beyond the pilot phase, funding for subsequent years of the program will be subject
to approval through the annual budget development process.
Timeline
Upon City Council approval, staff will continue to monitor the situation and announce the
application process through our pilot program website when suitable. The application process is
anticipated to remain open for three weeks.
The successful and timely deployment of devices is heavily reliant on vendors’ application
completeness, community engagement process, and staff resources for reviewing applications
and issuing permits. A targeted timeframe for deployment of devices is four weeks from permit
issuance.
Environmental Review
Amendment of the adopted resolution for a bicycle and electric scooter share pilot program
extension is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b) (3) because it can be seen with certainty that the
project will have no significant effect on the environment.
Attachments:
• Attachment A: Resolution Bicycle and E-Scooter Share Extension
• Attachment B: Bike Scooter Share Pilot Permit Regulations
*NOT YET APPROVED*
1 209_20200806_ts-24
Resolution No. ___
Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Extending
the Pilot Program for Bicycle and E-Scooter Sharing Systems
for 18-Months Through September 30, 2022
The Council of the City of Palo Alto RESOLVES as follows:
SECTION 1. Findings and Declarations.
A. On March 18, 2019, the Council of the City of Palo Alto adopted Resolution No. 9822,
authorizing the City Manager to implement a pilot program to permit the operation of
bicycle and electric scooter (“e-scooter”) sharing system, including stationless or
“free-floating” sharing systems, for use by Palo Alto residents, workers, and visitors.
B. On March 2, 2020, the Council of the City of Palo Alto adopted Resolution No. 9882,
approving a one-year extension of the pilot program through March 31, 2021.
C. Bicycle and e-scooter sharing programs are emerging technologies for improving
mobility and first/last mile connections, as well as reducing emission and traffic
congestion.
D. With the emergence of stationless sharing technologies, the absence of a pilot
permitting program is likely to result in cluttered and obstructed sidewalks, uneven
and inequitable distribution of bicycles and e-scooters, or other threats to public
health and safety.
E. By contrast, a pilot program allows the City to develop permit regulations for vendors
to operate within the City of Palo Alto in a way that is most responsive to the needs of
Palo Alto residents, workers, and visitors.
F. No permits have been issued to-date. Several bicycle and e-scooter sharing systems
operators have expressed an interest in participating in the one-year pilot program
authorized by Resolution No. 9822 and extended by Resolution No. 9882.
G. The uncertainties with the COVID-19 pandemic present challenges for a timeline for
returning to normalcy, implementing inclusive community engagement, and accurately
capturing interest.
H. The extension of the pilot program will allow the City to consider and process
applications that may be submitted, and collect and analyze data and assess the quality
of various service providers.
*NOT YET APPROVED*
2 209_20200806_ts-24
SECTION 2. Pilot Program Regulations.
A. The City Manager or his designee is hereby authorized to adopt, and from time to time
amend, regulations governing the operation of bicycle and e-scooter sharing systems
within the City of Palo Alto. Such regulations shall address, at a minimum, the following
topics:
1. Bicycle and e-scooter safety;
2. Bicycle and e-scooter fleet deployment, including the total number of bicycles
and e-scooters permitted as well as their distribution throughout the City, in
order to avoid nuisances or unwanted encroachments into the public right of
way;
3. Permitted areas for bicycle and e-scooter parking; and
4. Additional measures to ensure efficient and effective deployment of bicycle and
e-scooter sharing systems in the City.
B. Any violation of regulations adopted pursuant to this section by a bicycle or e-scooter
sharing system operator may result in revocation of any permit issued to the
operator pursuant to the pilot program.
C. The pilot program authorized by Resolution No. 9822, extended by Resolution No.
9882 and this resolution shall terminate upon the earlier of September 30, 2022 or the
adoption of an ordinance regulating bicycle and e-scooter sharing systems by the Palo
Alto City Council.
SECTION 3. Environmental Review.
The Council finds that the adoption of this resolution is exempt from review under the
California Environmental Quality Act because it can be seen with certainty that there is no
possibility of a significant effect on the environment as a result of the Bicycle and E-Scooter
Sharing System pilot program.
//
//
//
//
*NOT YET APPROVED*
3 209_20200806_ts-24
SECTION 4. This resolution shall be effective immediately upon City Council approval.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:
__________________________ _____________________________
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED:
__________________________ _____________________________
Deputy City Attorney City Manager
_____________________________
Chief Transportation Official
_____________________________
Director of Public Works
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DOCKLESS BICYCLE, ELECTRIC-ASSIST BICYCLE, AND ELECTRIC SCOOTER SHARE
PILOT PROGRAM PERMIT REGULATIONS
APPROVED ON DATE
I. Statement of Purpose
The purpose of these regulations is to govern the operation of a dockless bicycle, electric‐assist
bicycle, and/or electric scooter sharing pilot program within the City of Palo Alto. A key to the
pilot program’s success is to ensure that such mobility sharing systems are consistent with the
safety and well‐being of bicyclists, pedestrians, and all other users of the public right‐of‐way.
II. Scope and Applicability
These regulations apply to the application process, deployment, and wind-down of bicycle,
electric‐assist bicycle, and/or electric scooter sharing systems within the City of Palo Alto’s
jurisdictional boundaries. (Stanford University’s academic campus is not within Palo Alto). All
operators of electric‐assist bicycle, and/or electric scooter sharing systems shall be required to
comply with these regulations, as they may be amended from time to time.
III. Duration of Pilot
The duration of this pilot is set by City Council resolution. As of the date of these regulations, the
pilot is authorized until DATE per Resolution XX. Permittees shall cease operations to the public
and remove their full fleet and any other signs or fixtures from the City by DATE.
IV. Authority
a. The City Manager is authorized pursuant to Council Resolution Nos. 9822, 9882, and XX
to establish regulations governing the operation of bicycle, electric‐assist bicycle, and/or
electric scooter sharing programs.
b. The City Manager designates the Chief Transportation Official to: (1) act on his behalf to
adopt and amend these regulations at the Chief Transportation Official’s discretion; and
(2) carry out all powers and duties in these regulations, including those attributed to the
City Manager.
c. A valid permit is required to operate electric‐assist bicycle, and/or electric scooter sharing
systems in the City.
d. The City Manager is authorized to issue, suspend, and revoke permits to allow, limit, or
suspend operation of electric‐assist bicycle, and/or electric scooter sharing systems
within the City in accordance with applicable City Council resolutions and these
regulations.
PERMIT APPLICATION REGULATIONS
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I. Application Procedures
a. Application Submission
Applications must be completed and submitted electronically by 5:00pm on DATE. By
submitting an application, applicants acknowledge that they have read, understand, and
agree, if selected, to all regulations. A completed application package must include the
following components:
i. Signed Application Cover Sheet in Appendix A
ii. Application materials listed in Section II of these permit application regulations
Please submit one searchable format application via email and five hard copies by mail to
the City of Palo Alto Office of Transportation.
Email: Micromobility@CityofPaloAlto.org
Mail: City of Palo Alto, Office of Transportation
250 Hamilton Ave, 5th Floor
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Re: Dockless Bicycle and Electric Scooter Sharing Pilot Program
As of DATE, there is no fee to submit an application for this pilot program.
Note: Vendors with a fixed place of business in Palo Alto are required to register with
the City in accordance with the City’s municipal code. Please see the Palo Alto Business
Registry website:https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/business/business_registry/default.asp
b. Selection Process
i. The City anticipates initially selecting a limited number of operators.
ii. The City will evaluate applications based on the criteria shown in Appendix B.
iii. In the case where operators received the same evaluation total, the selection will
be prioritized as follows:
1. Operator who scored higher in the Operations category.
2. Operator who scored higher, on average, in the Experience and
Qualification, Community Engagement, and Customer Service categories.
Note: If operators receive the same evaluation total and score the same in the
above, the permit will be granted to the operator with the early application
submission time stamp via email.
iv. After application submission but before selection, applicants may be contacted to
provide additional information or documentation.
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v. Selected applicants will be allowed to obtain an encroachment permit to operate
from the Office of Transportation conditioned on compliance with these
regulations and any other conditions established by the City including, revisions
to applicant’s proposed fleet size and community engagement plan. As of DATE,
there is no fee to obtain a permit. Only applicants selected by the Office of
Transportation shall be eligible to obtain an encroachment permit from the Office
of Transportation. No person shall operate a bicycle, electric‐assist bicycle, and/or
electric scooter share program within the city except pursuant to such permit.
vi. Selected applicants shall conduct their community outreach process after permit
issuance but prior to deployment of any devices. Selected applicants shall notify
via e-mail completion of their Community Engagement Plan along with a summary
memo, and all supporting documents (e.g. sign-in sheets, flyers, questionnaires,
presentations) to the Office of Transportation. Applicants shall deploy their
devices upon receiving a letter of authorization from the City. The Community
Engagement Plan summary memo shall include at a minimum the following:
1. Date, time, and location
2. Audience (e.g. schools, community centers)
3. Engagement format
4. Major themes and key takeaways
Email: Micromobility@CityofPaloAlto.org
II. Application Materials
The applicant shall include the listed information described below in a searchable format. The
applicant shall be responsible for including all information that demonstrates compliance with
these requirements.
a. Experience and Qualification
Provide a description of the individual, firm, or entity that is anticipated to become the
operator of the Palo Alto Bicycle, Electric-Assist Bicycle, and Electric Scooter Share
Program. Description shall include but shall not be limited to the following:
i. Experience operating micro-mobility devices.
ii. List of cities in which you are currently operating and have operated. If you are
operating in and/or have operated in neighboring cities of Palo Alto, include the
following (if applicable):
1. Dates of operation.
2. Total number of devices in service.
3. The average active fleet size in your first six months of operation.
4. Total trips provided in your first six months of operation.
iii. Citations or suspensions from local authorities.
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b. Operations and Maintenance Plan
Operators must have a system operations strategy that provides an equitable distribution
of devices. Devices shall be available and accessible throughout neighborhoods,
commercial areas, and key destinations citywide. The applicant shall submit an operations
and maintenance plan that includes at a minimum the following:
i. General operations, service area, and availability, including hours of operations,
pricing structure, proposed deployment locations, proposed fleet size at each
deployment location, geofencing capabilities, recharging or devices, and storage
of devices during non-operational hours.
ii. Data justification for the proposed fleet size.
iii. Provide information about hiring, including the descriptions of hired staff and
contractors for operation and maintenance of your sharing systems, , staffing
levels and training provided to them.
iv. Methods for deployment and rebalancing.
v. Speed reduction and deactivation strategies as appropriate.
vi. Permittee shall propose incentivized parking areas, with justification, for key
destinations, such as:
1. Downtown Avenue business districts, as defined in the City of Palo Alto
Comprehensive Plan 2030 Map L-3, p.21
2. Palo Alto Caltrain Station
3. California Avenue Caltrain Station
4. Stanford Shopping Center
5. Town & Country Village
6. Palo Alto Libraries – Children’s Library, College Terrace Library, Downtown
Library, Mitchell Park Library and Rinconada Library
7. Large Community Parks – Rinconada Park, Mitchell Park and Greer Park
vii. For incentivized parking areas, explain the use of geofencing technology.
viii. Methods for parking verification, notification, reporting, and enforcement.
ix. Describe the approach to inspection, maintenance, cleaning, and repairing, as well
as procedures for customers to notify the operator of a safety or maintenance
issue.
In addition to compliance with all federal, state, and local laws, the Operations and
Maintenance Plan shall clearly describe compliance with all regulations
Note: Selected applicants will be conditioned on compliance with these regulations and
any other conditions established by the City including, revisions to applicant’s proposed
fleet size and community engagement plan.
c. Community Engagement Plan
The outreach process shall be oriented to the community at large to reach both users and
non-users of the program. Engagement shall include virtual, physical, and in-person
methods, as well as use of effective and creative techniques. The plan shall describe at a
minimum the following:
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i. Methods of conveying information about safety rules and regulations, as well as
associated penalties, including those related to wearing helmets, riding on
sidewalks and/or roadways, and parking.
ii. Partnerships with local businesses or other organizations to promote the use of
the program.
iii. Any fines, consequences, and user accountability measures to encourage and
monitor compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Specify methods to
address users who are noncompliant.
iv. A list of planned communication materials, events and activities with residents,
business groups, community organizations, neighborhood associations, the
Transportation Management Association, and other key stakeholders within the
City. Outreach materials shall be made available in English, Spanish and/or
Chinese.
Note: Selected applicants will be conditioned on compliance with these regulations and
any other conditions established by the City including, revisions to applicant’s proposed
fleet size and community engagement plan.
d. Personal Data and Privacy Plan
i. Provide any privacy policies, user agreements, and/or terms of service in a
searchable format for review, including the method for obtaining user
acknowledgement and/or agreement.
ii. Define the extent of personal information collected about users, how it is being
used, and for how long.
e. Description of Devices
Provide devices’ specifications and safety measures including but not limited to the
following:
i. Type of bicycles, electric-assist bicycles, and/or scooters including accompanying
hardware – warning bells, lights, and other relevant components.
ii. Technology for location-based speed regulation, deactivation, and parking
restriction.
iii. Describe devices’ geofencing technology.
iv. Propose approaches to ensure user compliance with laws and regulations –
including those related to wearing helmets, riding on sidewalks and/or roadways,
parking locations.
v. Describe devices’ capabilities to accommodate a range of users.
f. Description of Mobile Application
Provide mobile application’s capabilities including but not limited to the following:
i. Provide information of the mobile application and the website to be used.
ii. Clarify if using a third-party mobile application or website.
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iii. Propose technology to be used to ensure user compliance with laws and
regulations – including those related to wearing helmets, riding on sidewalks
and/or roadways, parking locations, and other relevant safety rules.
iv. Describe mobile application’s customer interface to accommodate multilingual
users and necessary interface to enhance customer service and educate users
about safe riding and rules of the road.
The mobile application and other customer interface technology must be fully accessible
to persons with disabilities and accessible to screen readers and must comply with Section
508 of the United States Workforce Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
g. Proof of Insurance
Attach certificates of insurance per requirements set forth in the operational
regulations.
OPERATIONAL REGULATIONS
I. Parameters of the Program
The City Manager reserves the right to:
a. Determine the type and number of devices to operate within the City of Palo Alto. The
City Manager can restrict the type of devices to operate even after issuing permit or after
deploying devices in the city.
b. Set a maximum on the number of bicycles, electric‐assist bicycles, and/or electric scooters
parked in specific areas of the city (e.g., the Downtown or California Avenue business
districts, as defined in the City of Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan 2030).
c. Limit or deny the use and/or parking of bicycles, electric-assist bicycles, and/or electric
scooters in specific areas of the city to maintain equal distribution and prevent congestion
on the public right of way.
d. Set the total number of bicycles, electric‐assist bicycles, and/or electric scooters and total
number of operators permitted under this pilot program,
II. General
a. Permittees must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including but
not limited to, the Palo Alto Municipal Code, the California Vehicle Code (CVC), and local
wage requirements.
b. Permittees shall be responsible for educating their users regarding all applicable federal,
state, and local laws governing safe operations and parking of bicycles, electric-assist
bicycles, and/or electric scooters.
c. Permittees shall not transfer or assign permits issued under this program to a substitute
provider, a successor in interest, or a purchaser of the permit, without the advance
written consent and approval of City.
d. Permittees shall maintain a staffed operations center within the San Francisco Bay Area,
as defined by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
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e. Permittees shall provide to the City a record of all public feedback received during the
marketing and community outreach process. Permittees shall obtain confirmation of
receipt by the City of such document prior to deployment of any devices.
f. Permittees shall roll out their permitted full fleet within four weeks of permit approval by
the City. Permittees shall include the proposed fleet size in their application.
g. Permittees interested in adjusting their fleet size must submit a written request to the
City with recent and relevant supporting data. The City reserves the right to approve or
deny the request at its discretion. Supporting data shall reflect at a minimum 30 day fleet
utilization levels within the city. Data from the first 30 days of the pilot program shall be
included but will not be considered as supporting data for the adjustment request.
h. The City will monitor permittees’ compliance with these regulations and reserves the right
to suspend or revoke a permit.
III. Operating and Maintenance
a. All bicycles and electric-assist bicycles shall meet the safety standards outlined in ISO
43.150 – Cycles, as well as the standards outlined in Code of Federal Regulations Title 16,
Chapter II, Subchapter C, Part 1512 – Requirements for Bicycles. In addition, all bicycles
and electric-assist bicycles shall meet the standards established in California Vehicle Code
(CVC) Section 21201, including for lighting during operation in darkness.
b. Electric‐assist bicycles shall be “Class 1” or “Class 2” electric bicycles only, as defined in
CVC Section 312.5.
c. Electric scooters shall comply within the meaning of devices as defined in CVC Section
407.5 (a) and must meet specifications set forth in CVC Sections 21220 – 21235.
d. Permittees shall provide easily visible contact information, including toll‐free phone
number and e‐mail address, on each bicycle, electric‐assist bicycle, and/or electric scooter
for members of the public to make relocation requests or to report other issues with
devices. This information shall be in a font at least 1” tall.
e. Permittees shall provide notice to all users by means of signage and through a mobile or
web application that:
i. Helmets should be worn by all users as defined in the California Vehicle Code
(CVC).
ii. Electric scooter users must have a valid Driver’s License as defined in the CVC
Section 21235.
iii. All users operating a bicycle, electric‐assist bicycle, and/or electric scooter must
obey all rules of the road, traffic laws, and all applicable federal, state, and local
laws.
f. Electric-assist bicycles and electric scooters shall not operate, propel, or leave standing
on park or open space land, as defined in Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC) Chapter 22.04.
g. Electric scooters shall not operate greater than 15 mph speed. The City Manager reserves
the right to revise the speed limit based on collision and injury data recommended by
Office of Transportation, City of Palo Alto.
h. Permittees shall make efforts to reduce landfill e-waste and follow local and state law
requirements for disposal or recycling of all types of batteries and other toxic materials
at an appropriate recycling facility.
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i. Bicycles, electric-assist bicycles and electric scooters shall not create excessive,
unnecessary and unreasonable noises in violation of Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC)
Chapter 9.10.
j. Permittees shall maintain a customer service phone number and mobile application
interface for the public to report safety concerns, complaints, or to ask questions twenty-
four hours a day, seven days a week.
k. Permittees shall issue a “ticket number” for each issue and provide a response to the
complaining party within three business days.
l. In the event a safety or maintenance issue is reported for a specific device, that bicycle,
electric‐assist bicycle, and/or electric scooter shall immediately be made unavailable to
users and shall be removed within the timeframes provided below. Any inoperable or
unsafe device shall be repaired before it is put back into service.
m. Permittees shall provide a direct contact to a representative who is capable of responding
to requests from the public and City for rebalancing, reports of incorrectly parked devices,
or reports of unsafe/inoperable devices by relocating, re‐parking, or removing the
bicycles, electric‐assist bicycles, and/or electric scooters, as appropriate, within the
following timeframes:
i. From 6:00 am to 6:00 pm on weekdays, not including holidays: within two hours
of receiving notice.
ii. All other times: within 10 hours of receiving notice.
n. In the event a bicycle, electric‐assist bicycle, and/or electric scooter is not relocated, re-
parked, or removed within the timeframes specified above, or a device is parked in one
location for more than seventy-two hours, it may be removed by the City. Permittees shall
compensate costs the City incurs to relocate, remove and store devices at a rate of $130
per device and shall reimburse the City within 30 days of receipt of an invoice detailing
such costs. Permittees shall provide a direct contact to handle invoicing from the City and
to pick up impounded devices by the City respectively.
o. Permittees not in good standing with payment and retrieval of impounded devices will
risk suspension or revocation of their permits.
IV. Parking
a. The City Manager reserves the right to determine certain block faces where free‐floating
bicycle, electric‐assist bicycle, and/or electric scooter parking is prohibited or to create
geofenced areas where bicycles, electric-assist bicycles, and/or electric scooters shall be
parked.
b. Free‐floating bicycles, electric‐assist bicycles, and/or electric scooters shall be parked
upright on flat and hard surfaces in the landscape/furniture zone of the sidewalk, at a
bicycle rack, or in another area specifically designated for bicycle parking.
c. Bicycles, electric‐assist bicycles, and/or electric scooters shall not be parked within 5’-15’
of a crosswalk or curb ramp.
d. Parking along sidewalks or blocks without sidewalks (passageways by or between
buildings) shall not impede into travel lanes and must maintain a 6’ clear path for
pedestrians.
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e. Bicycles, electric‐assist bicycles, and/or electric scooters shall not be parked in the
landscape/street furniture zone in such a manner as to impede other street uses or
obstruct pedestrians, including at transit stops, in loading or disabled parking zones, or
blocking access to buildings, driveways, curb ramps, and other street features that
requires pedestrian and/or emergency access (e.g. benches, parking pay stations, bus
shelters, transit information signs, fire hydrants, call boxes, utility poles, etc.).
f. Bicycles, electric‐assist bicycles, and/or electric scooters shall not be parked in such a
manner as to impede or interfere with the regular flow of travel in the public right-of-
way, clearance on sidewalks needed for ADA compliance, or within reasonable use of any
commercial window display or access to or from any building.
g. Permittees shall institute geofencing around incentivized parking areas and implement
in-app technology to direct users to incentivized parking areas as appropriate.
h. No device shall be parked in one location for more than seventy-two hours.
i. To the extent a permittee proposes to park bicycles, electric‐assist bicycles, and/or
electric scooters in areas other than the public right‐of‐way (e.g. parks, plazas, parking
lots, private property or transit stations), the permittee must first obtain the right to do
so from the appropriate City department, property owner, or public agency and shall
communicate this right to users through signage approved by the respective entity and/or
through a mobile or web application.
V. Data Sharing
a. Permittees shall provide data to the City in an editable spreadsheet on their entire Palo
Alto fleet. The City may request permittees to provide real-time information through a
documented application program interface (API). As such, permittees are directly
responsible for obtaining an API key from the City’s Office of Transportation to which they
will publish the data described below. The data to be published to the City’s API will
include the following information in real time for every bicycle, electric-assist bicycle and
electric‐scooter parked in the city’s operational areas:
i. Point location
ii. Bicycle/electric-assist bicycle/electric scooter identification number
iii. Type of bicycle (standard or electric-assist)
iv. Fuel level (if electric)
v. Incentivized parking area
The City is permitted to display real‐time data provided via the API to the public.
b. Permittees shall provide the following anonymized data for each trip record to inform and
support safe and effective management of the system and for transportation planning
efforts. Data shall be submitted in an editable spreadsheet and via City’s API when
requested by the City. The daily and weekly fleet average number of rides per day per
device shall be reported to the City monthly.
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Field Name Format Description
Company name [Company name] n/a
Type of device Bicycle, electric-assist bicycle
or electric scooter
n/a
Trip record number xxx0001, xxx0002, xxx0003,… 3-letter company acronym +
consecutive trip number
Trip duration MM:SS n/a
Trip distance Feet n/a
Start date MM,DD,YYYY n/a
Start time HH:MM:SS n/a
End date MM, DD, YYYY n/a
End time HH:MM:SS n/a
Start location Census block n/a
End location Census block n/a
Device ID number xxxx1, xxxx2, xxxx3,… Unique identifiers for every
device
Trip route n/a Only in API format
Trip cost total $ per trip n/a
c. Permittees shall provide the following device availability data for oversight of parking
compliance and device distribution by minutes. Data should be submitted in an editable
spreadsheet and via City’s API within three business days if requested by the City.
Field name Format Description
Device ID number xxxx1, xxxx2, xxxx3,… Unique identifiers for every
device
GPS coordinate X,Y n/a
Trip parking verification Compliant, non-
compliant
Parked location
Availability start date MM, DD, YYYY n/a
Availability start time HH:MM:SS n/a
Unavailability start date MM, DD, YYYY n/a
Unavailability start time HH:MM:SS n/a
Availability duration Minutes n/a
d. Permittees shall generate a “ticket number” for each complaint, provide the ticket
number to the person who reported the issue, and provide a response to the complaining
party within three business days. The ticket numbers, complaint information, and
provided responses shall be sent to the City monthly and at any time within three business
days if requested by the City.
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e. Permittees shall keep a record of maintenance activities and reported safety issues and
collisions, including but not limited to device identification number and maintenance
performed. These records shall be sent to the City monthly and at any time within three
business days if requested by the City.
f. Permittees shall report the aggregated breakdown of customers by gender and age.
Gender must be reported as male, female, and non‐binary. Age must be reported using
these eight age groups: under 5, 5‐17, 18‐24, 25‐34, 35‐44, 45‐54, 55‐64, 65 and over. This
report shall be sent to the City monthly and at any time within three business days if
requested by the City.
VI. User Enrollment
a. Permittees must comply with all relevant federal, state and local laws regarding age
requirements for use of electric-assist bicycles and electric scooters.
b. Permittees shall implement technology-based measures to verify age requirements,
including state law requirements, before giving membership to users.
VII. User Privacy
a. Permittees must keep all financial data from users in a secure manner that complies with
the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS), and accessible to
authorized personnel only.
b. Permittees shall provide a privacy policy that complies with the California Online Privacy
Protection Act (CalOPPA) that safeguards customers’ personal, financial and travel
information and usage.
c. Permittees shall clearly communicate to the public and to the City what personal data will
be accessed and provide an explanation why such access is needed, and for how long.
VIII. Insurance
During the term of this pilot program, permittee, and each of its contractors and agents shall
maintain in full force the following insurance amounts and coverages:
a. Comprehensive General Liability in a minimum amount of two million dollars ($2,000,000)
per occurrence (bodily injury and property damage) and four million dollars ($4,000,000)
aggregate. The City of Palo Alto is to be named as an additional insured, including its
Council members, officers, employees and agents.
b. Comprehensive Automobile Liability insurance in a minimum amount of one million
dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence.
c. Worker’s Compensation and Employer’s Liability in a minimum amount of one million
dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence (accident, injury, or illness).
d. Performance Bond of $130 per device, in a form approved by the City.
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IX. Notices to Cure, Suspension and Revocation of Permit
If there is a violation of this pilot program’s regulations or any federal, state, and local laws, or if
there is a risk posed to public safety, health, or welfare, the Chief Transportation Official is
authorized to issue a notice to cure by email or any other written means to the permittee. The
notice to cure shall identify issue(s) that the permittee must address within a specified time.
Alternatively, if there is a violation of this pilot program’s regulations or any federal, state, and
local laws; or if there is a risk posed to public safety, health, or welfare; or if there is incomplete
or non-compliance with a notice to cure; or repeated notice to cures on the same or different
issues, the Chief Transportation Official may suspend or revoke the permit. If a permit is
suspended, the Chief Transportation official shall designate the duration of suspension and/or
any conditions for reinstatement. If a permit is revoked, the permittee shall cease operations on
the date of revocation and shall remove its full fleet (and all other signs or fixtures) from the City
within 14 days from the date of the notice of revocation.
Any request for reconsideration of revocation shall be submitted in writing to the City Manager
within 30 days from the date of the notice of revocation with all supporting materials.
X. End of Pilot
By the end of the term of the permit or by the end of pilot program (currently set to expire DATE
per Resolution XX), whichever occurs first, permittees shall immediately cease operations to the
public and remove their full fleet and any other signs or fixtures, from the City by DATE.
APPROVED:
Ed Shikada Date
City Manager
Philip Kamhi Date
Chief Transportation Official
Page 13 of 15
APPENDIX A – APPLICATION COVER SHEET
DOCKLESS BICYCLE, ELECTRIC-ASSIST BICYCLE, AND ELECTRIC SCOOTER SHARE
PILOT PROGRAM
APPLICATION COVER SHEET
Application Date: _______________
The Dockless Bicycle, Electric-Assist Bicycle, and Electric Scooter Share Pilot Program allows
permitted operators to operate bicycles, electric‐assist bicycles, and/or electric scooters within
the City of Palo Alto.
The City of Palo Alto Office of Transportation will review completed application packages and
evaluate applications according to regulations and requirements described in the pilot program
permit regulations.
I. General Applicant Information (Please Print)
Company Name:
Mailing Address:
Physical Address (If
different than above):
Contact Person, Title:
Applicant’s Email:
Applicant’s Phone
Number:
Company Website:
II. Application Agreement
By signing this application, the applicant verifies on behalf of the Bicycle, Electric-Bicycle, and
Electric-Scooter Share Operator that all the information provided is true and that if issued a
permit, the applicant agrees to comply with all regulations and requirements set forth in the
bicycle, electric-bicycle and electric-scooter share program regulations.
Printed Name, Title:
Authorized Signature:
Date:
Page 14 of 15
APPENDIX B – APPLICATION SELECTION CRITERIA
DOCKLESS BICYCLE, ELECTRIC-ASSIST BICYCLE, AND ELECTRIC SCOOTER SHARE
PILOT PROGRAM
APPLICATION SELECTION PROCESS
I. Initial Screening
The application will be rejected if there are missing application materials, and if provided
information is not sufficient to meet all requirements and regulations.
☐ Signed Application Cover Sheet
☐ Experience and Qualification
☐ Operations and Maintenance Plan
☐ Community Engagement Plan
☐ Personal Data and Privacy Plan
☐ Description of Devices
☐ Description of Mobile Application
☐ Proof of Insurance
II. Evaluation Process
Criteria will be scored as follows:
• “1” to responses that include basic level of commitment and ability with typical
approaches to solving known challenges and concerns, meeting the minimum
requirement.
• “2” to responses that include moderate level of commitment and ability with detailed
approaches to solving known challenges and concerns, exceeding the minimum.
• “3” to responses that include higher level of commitment and ability with robust and
innovative approaches to solving known challenges and concerns.
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Category Criteria Points Weight
Experience and
Qualification
Knowledge and experience operating a shared
micromobility program of similarly sized North
American cities.
15%
Operations Staffing for scale of proposed operations;
Methods of deploying, recharging, and
redistributing devices; Plans for proper riding
and parking.
20%
Maintenance Ability to respond to maintenance, cleaning,
and repair of devices; Description of safety
check protocols.
10%
Pricing Model Availability of special offers and alternative
forms of payment for users without smart
phones, bank accounts, or credit cards; Plans
for incentivized proper riding and parking.
10%
Community
Engagement
Demonstration of a socially sensitive
marketing and education plan tailored to
different audiences within the city; Local
partnerships; Innovative strategies to
maximize reach and engagement.
15%
Data Sharing Demonstration of accurate and timely
reporting.
10%
Devices Demonstration of commitment to ensure
devices are safe for operations.
5%
Customer Service Demonstration of commitment to ensure
responsiveness to customer complaints and
inquiries.
15%
TOTAL 100%