ANALYSIS:
City staff met with representatives of Ride On to discuss the vendor's interest in a pilot program in the City including not only County streets but also other streets under the City's and FDOT's jurisdiction. At the meeting, City staff advised Ride On that further discussions with the Administration, City Commission, and Citibike would be required to gauge interest and determine feasibility of an electric-assisted docked bicycle sharing pilot, whether as a stand-alone initiative or in partnership with Citibike.
Subsequently, City staff reached out to Citibike to gauge their interest in a joint electric bicycle pilot initiative. Citibike has expressed a willingness to launch an electric bike pilot, or a different type of bike share system, using its existing Citibike docking stations. Citibike stated that it has been conducting research on electric bikes over the past year and expressed an interest in pursuing this initiative in the cities of Miami and Miami Beach (areas where they already have a contract for bike sharing programs) at a scope, scale, and speed of deployment that is mutually agreeable with the cities' desire. It is worth noting that an advantage of utilizing Citibike's existing docking stations for a pilot is that it would minimize or avoid the addition of new stations and potentially other infrastructure in the City's right-of-way. Per Citibike, initial deployment could be achieved in fewer than six (6) months depending on the scope of the City's electric bike pilot. Citibike also expressed some concerns and issues/risks related to a joint pilot program with another vendor and the implications it could potentially have on Citibank's sponsorship of the Citibike program in Miami Beach, and, consequently, on revenue sharing with Miami Beach. For example, per Citibike's agreement with Citibank, all bikes operated by Citibike in the Miami/Miami Beach area are contractually required to have the Citi branding and colors.
UPDATE SINCE THE NOVEMBER 30, 2018 NCAC MEETING
At the November 30, 2018 NCAC meeting, the Committee discussed this item and requested that the Administration look into the potential of deploying a pilot program, possibly as a partnership between Citibike and Ride On, and to research the potential use of the existing bike lanes in the City. The item was also referred to the Tranportation, Parking, Bicycle/Pedestrian Facilities Committee (TPBPFC). The item was discussed at the December 10, 2018 TPBPFC meeting; however, no formal action was taken by the Committee.
Pursuant to the Committee's request, Procurement Department staff has reviewed the current contract between Ride On and Miami-Dade County and determined that the contract does not allow for a "piggyback" and is therefore not available for use by the City. Other options for the Administration to procure these services include:
1) Waive competitive bidding requirements to procure a pilot with Ride On
2) Issue a competitive solicitation for procurement of a docked electric-assisted bicycle sharing program as a pilot program
3) Amend the City's contract with Citibike (no bid waiver required) to provide for electric-assist bikes as an additional service
While City staff understand the benefit in having a single vendor providing docked electric-assist bike sharing services countywide, the Administration does not recommend the option of waiving competitive bidding in order to procure Ride On for these services given that other electric-assist bicycle vendors have also reached out to City staff recently to express an interest in a competitive pilot program.
With regard to the use of on-street bike lanes, the City Attorney's Office has researched this issue and opined that as long as a bicycle meets the definition and statutory requirements established by State law (F.S. 316.003(4)) and City Code (Chapter 70), it can be legally operated on existing on-street bike lanes and vehicular travel lanes.
F.S. 316.003(4) defines a bicycle as follows: "Every vehicle propelled solely by human power, and every motorized bicycle propelled by a combination of human power and an electric helper motor capable of propelling the vehicle at a speed of not more than 20 miles per hour on level ground upon which any person may ride, having two tandem wheels, and including any device generally recognized as a bicycle though equipped with two front or two rear wheels. The term does not include such a vehicle with a seat height of no more than 25 inches from the ground when the seat is adjusted to its highest position or a scooter or similar device. A person under the age of 16 may not operate or ride upon a motorized bicycle."
Chapter 70 of the City Code defines a motorized bicycle as a bicycle that must have both functional pedal-assist and power/electric-assist. City Code also establishes a maximum operating speed of 20 MPH for electric bicycles. Per Section 70-66 of the City Code, "Motorized bicycle means a bicycle propelled by a combination of human power and an electric helper motor capable of propelling the vehicle at a speed of not more than 20 miles per hour on level ground, having two tandem wheels, and including any device generally recognized as a motorized bicycle though equipped with two front or two rear wheels. The term does not include such a vehicle with a seat height of no more than 25 inches from the ground when the seat is adjusted to its highest position or a scooter or similar device."
A fully electric bicycle (i.e. without pedal-assist) does not meet the definitions and requirements in City Code and Florida Statutues, and, therefore, cannot be legally operated on bike lanes, sidewalks, or on vehicular travel lanes as they cannot be licensed/tagged by the State.
City staff has reached out to both Citibike and Ride On for an update on their conversations regarding a potential joint pilot in the City. As of the print date of this memorandum, both vendors have stated that they are actively engaged in discussions and expressed a need for more time to work out the details regarding scope and potential locations for a joint pilot.