At the April 22, 2020 City Commission meeting, Commissioner Ricky Arriola referred this item to the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee (FERC) for discussion.

At the June 12, 2020 FERC meeting, after discussion, the Committee passed a motion to issue a competitive solicitation for an electric moped sharing services program for an initial period not to exceed 1-year.  

Electric mobility devices, such as e-bicycles, e-scooters, and e-mopeds, are becoming a popular and eco-friendly means of transportation across the U.S. and Europe, particularly in urbanized cities experiencing traffic congestion and parking challenges.  The devices are generally small, nimble, and provide an easy way of moving people carbon-free.  Multiple companies are currently providing shared mobility services using mobile application-based electric devices.  In the U.S., electric moped sharing services are operating in Miami, New York City, Washington D.C., Oakland, Austin, San Francisco, and Pittsburgh.  In five out of these seven cities, service is provided by Revel.

Recent surveys conducted since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic have shown that a vast majority of respondents would choose to use electric mobility devices, such as e- scooters, e-bikes, or e-mopeds, as an alternative to taking public transit or rideshare during the pandemic.

Based on the adopted 2016 Miami Beach Transportation Master Plan, it was estimated that about 12% of all trips within the City are taken on these and other types of alternative mobility devices.  Electric mopeds can provide a convenient, car-free first/last mile option (such as taking riders to/from transit stops), thus, helping Miami Beach achieve its future mode share goals and become a less car-centric city.

Based on the 2019 Resident Survey, 63% of residents use their automobile as a primary mode of transportation for trips within Miami Beach.  Based on the survey, expanding mobility options for residents and visitors is important to reduce vehicular trips and achieve the City’s mobility and resiliency goals.  

In preparation of the FERC item for June 12 and the City Commission meeting for July 29, City staff met virtually with Revel representatives to gain an understanding of their program and service.  During the meeting, Revel provided an overview of its services (attachment).  Below are the salient points from that discussion.

• Mobile application-based service

• Street-legal mopeds with DMV-issued license plates and insurance

• Electric and quiet mopeds with no carbon footprint

• Goal is to provide short trips and take cars off the road

• Average trip length pre-pandemic was 3 miles, replacing short car trips

• Cost is $5 to sign up, $1 to unlock a moped, and $0.31 per minute to ride

• Maximum operating speed is 30 MPH

• Can operate on roads but not on highways

• Cannot operate on sidewalks or bike lanes

• No parking on sidewalks allowed

• Can park in dead space between cars in public rights-of-way, if allowed by city

• Revel can remotely identify illegally parked mopeds and penalize riders

• If rider violates rules, they are warned (first offense), fined (second offense), or removed from platform (third offense)

• Revel launches with city authorization/contract only and geo-fences authorized areas

• Riders are charged until trip is completed

• Helmets are provided in the rear storage unit of every device; mobile app reminds riders to return helmets

• Revel can provide revenue share or pay a permit fee to city so users can park on-street without having to pay for parking

• Revel uses a dashboard to gauge performance metrics (real-time and historical) and can share and summarize data for City

• 50% of users report replacing car trips (1 million car trips replaced, and 1,269 metric tons of CO2 reduced)

• Field staff works around the clock to immediately respond to any reports of improperly parked vehicles and keep the fleet clean and well-maintained

• Opportunity to partner with governmental entities to provide mobility hubs and integrate into cities’ and large employers’ commuter incentive programs, and work with real estate developers to provide e-mopeds as a resident amenity, which reduces parking requirements in new construction

• During the COVID-19 pandemic:

  • Revel mopeds were made available for essential trips in NY, DC, Austin, and Oakland

  • Significant expansion of NY service area to include major hospitals in Manhattan and the Bronx for health care and essential workers

  • Average trip length increased to 4.25 miles

City of Miami E-Moped Sharing Program

While currently not operating due to the pandemic, Revel recently launched its e-moped sharing services in the City of Miami as part of a three-year contract with the Miami Parking Authority (MPA).  Under the contract, Revel is providing over 700 mopeds within the City and reported 11,000 activated users as of March (pre-COVID-19).  According to Revel, 60% of trips in Miami replace rideshare, personal car, or taxi with an average trip length of three miles.  The contract provides a 5% revenue share with MPA.  Riders do not pay parking at meters given Revel’s revenue share arrangement with MPA.  By providing a mobility option, Revel complements the City of Miami’s current bicycle sharing program provided by Citibike as well as its e-scooter sharing pilot program provided by various vendors.

Based on a conversation with MPA staff, prior to the COVID-19 shut-down in March 2020, approximately 40 Revel mopeds were towed each week by MPA due to illegal parking.  Although Revel employs personnel to enforce violations, including illegal parking, the MPA expressed concerns that vendor personnel may not be sufficient for the number of mopeds deployed in Miami.

Given current posted speed limits on our causeways and Revel’s maximum operating speed of 30 MPH, the electric mopeds can legally operate on the Venetian Causeway and JFK (79 Street) Causeway and cannot legally operate on the MacArthur Causeway or Julia Tuttle Causeway.

Other E-Moped Sharing Programs in the U.S.

City staff conducted research associated with electric moped sharing services in the U.S.  Research revealed e-moped services are becoming more popular and are currently operating in seven cities.  The table below lists cities with electric moped sharing services as well as service characteristics. 

Permit fees and revenue sharing:     

Most cities where this program exists issue a permit to the vendor for operation of electric mopeds and collect a permit fee.  Permit fees typically cover the cost of parking associated with this service.  In Austin, in addition to a permit fee, Revel provides revenue to the city of $0.15 per trip.  In Miami, the contract provides a 5% revenue share from which parking fees are recovered.  Consensus is that incorporating parking fees under the permit/agreement is essential for the convenience of users and the success of the program.

User fees:

Based on staff’s research, the cost to users varies depending on the company providing the service; however, pricing structure is similar among vendors (one-time registration fee of up to $5.00, unlocking fee of up to $2.00, and between $0.10 and $0.35 per minute to ride).  Discount plans are also offered by various vendors for frequent users.

Parking accommodations:

Parking accommodations vary by municipality; however, parking is commonly allowed in parking meters, residential, and motorcycle parking spaces as well as in parallel on-street parking spaces used for automobile parking, perpendicular to the sidewalk, and in a manner which allows another full-size vehicle to share the same space.  The ability to find a moped close to a trip origin and park it as close as possible to a trip destination largely determines the success, utilization, and convenience of this share service.

Opportunities and challenges:

Based on feedback from other cities, electric mopeds are a feasible option in terms of the service’s utility and frugal footprint from the standpoint of emission, noise, curb and operating space required.  The biggest challenge municipalities are facing is parking compliance.  Educating users, proactively monitoring operations, and ultimately enforcement are some of the tools to help ensure compliance.  

MIAMI BEACH SOLICITATION

The City’s goals through this solicitation include:

• Expand mobility options within and outside the City by establishing a local electric moped sharing service for mid-range trips as well as for “first/last mile” connectivity to transit

• Support the City’s mobility vision of becoming less car-centric

• Promote the use of zero-emission vehicles that support the City’s resiliency goals and decrease carbon footprint

• Promote the use of compact vehicles that will allow the Miami Beach Parking Department to maximize its limited parking supply

• Provide a mobile application-based mobility device that is simple to operate and requires a driver’s license

• Enable for revenue-sharing in a form to be determined during contract negotiations

Issuance of an Invitation To Negotiate (ITN) would allow the City to competitively procure electric moped sharing services with revenue sharing for an initial pilot program not to exceed one year. 

Some of the essential terms that will be incorporated as part of the ITN include:

• Term: one-year term for the initial pilot program with option to, at the sole discretion of the City Manager, extend the pilot program on a month-to-month basis for a period not to exceed an additional one (1) year.  The additional time will afford the Administration the opportunity to review the pilot program using a full year of data and allow continuation of the program while the City decides if/how to proceed with the program on a long-term basis.  During said extension, the City Commission can either choose to issue a new solicitation for a permanent electric moped sharing services program or approve a bid waiver and enter into a permanent agreement with the selected vendor who operated the pilot program, subject to successful completion of the initial pilot program.

• Parking accommodation: electric mopeds could utilize any legal parking space for automobiles or motorcycles/scooters within the City (i.e. municipal surface parking lots, on-street and residential parking spaces).  Electric mopeds would not be allowed in parking garages. For users’ convenience, the parking fee would be incorporated as part of the permit/agreement with the selected vendor.  

• Revenue sharing: In addition to the permit fee to recover parking fees, the City will be requesting that revenue generated from the program be shared between the City and the selected vendor in a form to be determined during contract negotiations.

No fiscal impact.  

Pursuant to the FERC’s recommendation, the Administration recommends issuing a competitive solicitation (ITN) for a one-year electric moped sharing services pilot program with revenue share. Furthermore, the Administration recommends option to extend the pilot program, at the City’s sole discretion, on a month to month basis for a period not to exceed an additional one (1) year.  The additional time will afford the Administration the opportunity to review the pilot program using a full year of data and allow continuation of the program while the City decides if/how to proceed with the program on a long-term basis.  During said extension, the City Commission can either choose to issue a new solicitation for a permanent electric moped sharing services program or approve a bid waiver and enter into a permanent agreement with the selected vendor who operated the pilot program, subject to successful completion of the initial pilot program.

Given our tropical climate, mopeds are currently used year-round by many Miami Beach residents as a reliable means of transportation within the City, particularly in South and North Beach, where parking challenges exist.  

Furthermore, an electric moped sharing pilot program can complement the City’s forthcoming electric-assisted bicycle sharing pilot program with Citbike given electric mopeds have the ability to travel at higher speeds and provide users a quicker and more convenient option for mid-range trip lengths, thereby supporting the City’s mobility and resiliency goals.