Scooter and Bike Share Services
Shared mobility services are a new
transportation option where devices like bikes, electric bikes, and electric
scooters are shared among users. They are typically enabled by technology or a
mobile app, and emerging services are frequently run by private companies.
Providing more low-emission mobility options can create a more diverse,
convenient, and accessible transportation network that would reduce emissions
and congestion and improve the quality of life in the city. However, like with
all new technologies, shared mobility devices can also pose significant
challenges with regard to appropriately managing the public-right-of-way
(PROW), encouraging public safety, and adapting old regulations to new business
types.
To expand the diversity of transportation
options in Santa Monica, and address the challenges introduced by new
technologies, the Santa Monica City Council approved a 16-month Shared Mobility
Pilot Program that launched in September 2018, allowing four private companies
(Bird, Jump, Lime, and Lyft) to provide shared mobility services in the
public-right-of-way. The program enabled the City to:
Develop a new area of
policy, regulation, and enforcement through firsthand experience
Move quickly to adapt
to a rapidly changing industry, but leave room to learn and adjust as
appropriate
Test new device and
service providers in a growing industry
Explore partnership
models with private companies
Explore possibilities
for data capture, structures, and utilization
Allow the City time to
experiment with different management tools like “Geo-fencing” and creation of
shared mobility device drop zones
In April and May
of 2020, Lime and Jump discontinued operations in Santa Monica. Due to
uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, on May 26, 2020, Council voted to
extend the first Pilot Program through April 30, 2021, and postponed a
previously approved second shared mobility pilot program with intensified
regulations until May 2021.
You can read more about the first Shared Mobility Pilot Program
in this Press Release, Pilot Program Summary Report,
and Staff Report to
City Council.
The
Pilot Program is facilitated through Administrative Regulations, which provide
flexibility to quickly adapt to changing environments and industries and are
subject to amendment during the Pilot Program as the City works with Operators
to make data-driven decisions to deliver a safe transportation option and
define effective solutions to known and identified challenges as the process
evolves.
Shared Mobility Pilot Administrative Regulations updated
July 24, 2020
Fleet Size Adjustments
As detailed in Section 3.3 in the Pilot Program’s Administrative Regulations (“Administrative Regulations”), an operator may add devices to its fleet, upon request to and approval by the City, when the operator demonstrates with device and utilization data that average ridership exceeds a Minimum Utilization Rate (“MUR”) of three (3) rides per day for e-bikes and four (4) rides per day for e-scooters. When utilization falls below the prescribed MUR, the City may require operators to remove the number of devices to meet or exceed the MUR. When utilization is above the prescribed MUR, operators may request to add devices. The Administrative Regulations outline criteria for the City to consider in the evaluation of requests for device increases or device decrease determinations. The criteria includes market needs, the number of devices deployed in the City, device utilization, operator performance, public safety, seasonal and environmental conditions, special events, and other criteria.
As the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to rapidly evolve, the City of Santa Monica recognizes the need to continue to provide reliable and safe transportation options through this uncertain time for essential trips outside the home. For that reason Bird and Lyft will continue their regular service to provide additional transportation options in this unique time. Based on growing ridership, the overall reduction of operators and number of city-wide permitted devices, and to increase accessibility and encourage ridership, the City will increase Bird and Lyft’s permitted fleets sizes to 750 e-scooters each. Additionally, because Jump discontinued the only e-bike service in Santa Monica, and because Lyft was originally selected to be permitted to operate 500 e-bikes (which were never launched), the City will permit Lyft to operate 500 e-bikes as part of the pilot program.
Fleet Cap Adjustment Finial Administrative Decision - July 27, 2020
Fleet Cap Adjustment Final Administrative Decision –
March 30, 2020
Bird Fleet Adjustment Final Decision - September 13, 2019
Bird Fleet Adjustment Final Administrative Decision – July 18, 2019
Jump Fleet Adjustment Final Administrative Decision – July 18, 2019
Lyft
Fleet Adjustment Final Administrative Decision – July 18, 2019
Current Shared Mobility Device Allocation
Bird: 350 e-scooters
Lyft: 350 e-scooters
TOTAL: 700 devices
Shared Mobility Survey Reports
As a part of the program the City conducted a general community survey (open to responses from July 16, 2019 to August 2, 2019) in order to better understand perceptions of the pilot program, community awareness of shared mobility rules, and community sentiment toward issues specific to shared mobility.
Shared Mobility Community Survey07/16/2019 to 08/02/2019
The City also worked with the four permitted operators to conduct a survey of the shared mobility users in order to better understand these systems; where, why and how often they ride; tare the shared mobility trips displacing trips by other modes of transportation; and how familiar are they with the rules/etiquette of riding shared mobility devices. The user surveys were created and hosted by the City, and were open to responses from January 25, 2019 to February 15, 2019 (1st Wave) and May 28, 2019 to June 9, 2019 (2nd Wave). The combine User Survey Summary Reports are linked below.
Shared Mobility User Survey
Shared Mobility FAQ
How do I sign-up to use Shared Mobility devices?
Currently the City’s Breeze Bike Share and Metro Bike Share are offered in the City of Santa Monica. To get rolling, visit Breezebikeshare.comMetro.bikeshare.net. Bird and Lyft currently operate the Shared Mobility Pilot Program. To sign up to use those systems visit their websites or mobile application on your smart phone.
How do I get a Shared Mobility device?
Information about where shared mobility devices are available and how to find them is available on each system’s mobile app and/or website. Information about how to check out and return devices is typically provided on the devices, or on the app and/or website as well. Visit those resources for instructions particular to each system. Breeze bike share information is available also on the Transit and CityMapper apps.
What are the rules for riding shared mobility devices?
Rules for Riding
|
Electric Scooters
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Bike Share Bikes: Human powered or electric
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Required valid driver’s license or instruction permit
|
Yes
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No
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Age to ride
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16 yrs.
|
16 yrs.
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Age for required helmet
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All Ages (effective 1/1/19, only if under 18)
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18 yrs.
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One person per device
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Yes
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Yes
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Riding on the Sidewalk
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Prohibited
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Prohibited
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Riding on 3rd Street Promenade, Pier Bridge, Ocean Front Walk, and Beach Bike Path.
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Prohibited
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Prohibited
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Must be ridden in bike lanes
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Yes
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Yes
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Must obey traffic laws and yield to pedestrians
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Yes
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Yes
|
Where to park shared mobility devices?
The best place to park shared mobility devices is in the “furniture zone” or the section of the sidewalk between the curb and the pedestrian through zone where street furniture, lighting, benches, utility poles, tree pits, and bicycle racks live. Never leave a device blocking sidewalks, curb ramps, ADA access, doorways, and the congested areas like the beach bike path.

Furniture Zone. Source: NACTO
What if a shared mobility device is causing an obstruction or a hazard?
If a device is causing an obstruction or hazard, or parked on your property, do one of the following:
Call the Company: Call or email the company directly to ask them to come remove the device. The company’s contact information should be prominently displayed on the device and are listed below.
Bird: (866) 205-2442
Lyft: (877) 452-6699
Have the Device Removed: Devices that are left in the public right of way (e.g. sidewalk, crosswalk, street, curb) in a manner that presents an immediate hazard are subject to impound (an example of an immediate hazard is a device blocking a disability ramp). If a device is impounded a fee of $95 per device will be assessed to the operator to retrieve the device. If you would like to report a device, contact the City’s Public works department at: City's Code Enforcement at (310) 458-4984
What should I do if I was involved in a collision or altercation and I want to file a report?
If you are involved in a collision or altercation contact the Santa Monica Police Department: 310-458-8491. If it is an emergency call 9-1-1.
How do I report a broken device?
If you encounter a broken device, contact the company directly to request removal of the device. The company’s contact information should be prominently be displayed on the device. If the broken device is causing an obstruction or hazard contact the City’s Public Works Department at: City's Code Enforcement at (310) 458-4984.
If you have any questions about the Shared Mobility rules or pilot program contact the Mobility Division in the Department of Planning and Community Development at: kyle.kozar@smgov.net and (310)458-8341.
Application and Selection Process
The Shared Mobility Pilot Program participating operators were selected through a selection process established in Chapter 3.21 of the Santa Monica Municipal Code. Click here for more information.