HomeMy WebLinkAboutXI-C-03 Micromobility Permit Update
City Council Memorandum
To: Mayor Fasbender and City Council
From: John Hinzman, Community Development Director
Date: August 7, 2023
Item: Micromobility Permit Update
Council Action Requested:
Review the following report of activities from issuance of Micromobility Licenses for
motorized foot scooters. No formal action is required.
Background Information:
On January 3, 2023 the City Council authorized signature of the following licenses:
1) Bird Rides - 100 motorized foot scooters
2) Spin - 100 motorized foot scooters
Both licenses authorized the operation of 100 scooters each from March 1, 2023 to
December 31, 2023. As part of the City Council approval, City Staff and the Public
Safety Advisory Commission (PSAC) was requested to provide a review of scooter
activities at the midpoint of the license. Shortly after City Council approval, Bird Rides
declined to execute the contract leaving Spin as the only scooter provider within the City
for 2023.
History:
The City Council issued a similar license to Bird Rides in 2022 for the operation of up to
100 scooters. Bird deployed around 50 scooters and was in operation for a couple of
months before losing their local fleet manager and ceasing operation early. Spin had not
previously held a license in Hastings.
Operation:
Vehicles are located in various places areas throughout the City. Users locate and rent
vehicles through an app downloaded on their smartphones. Rental includes signature of a
user operations agreement and verification of age (18+). Upon the conclusion of a ride
users are required to snap a photo showing the location of the vehicle to ensure it is
property parked and does not impede right-of-way access. All vehicles are tracked by
GPS and incorporate technology prohibiting operation in restricted areas including
downtown sidewalks. A local fleet manager is responsible for managing the fleet
including charging, repairs, and various performance tasks.
XI-C-03
Comments from Spin
Spin believes the program is going quite well. They’ve seen a utilization rate around 1
ride/scooter/day on the weekends, averaging out to about .8 rides/scooter/day overall. For
a smaller city, this is quite strong.
Their operations have been fairly smooth running out of their Twin Cities warehouse.
They struggled with at the beginning of the spring, but over the past 1-2 months feel as
though the Hastings operation has been strong, keeping the scooters tidy in the city.
Comments from PSAC:
PSAC reviewed scooter operations at their July 20, 2023 meeting and had the following
comments:
Witness underage usage.
No helmets are provided, thus question the concern for safety.
Don’t obey traffic rules, often zig zagging in and out.
The program appears to be better managed this year compared to 2022 season.
Episodes of scooters left blocking ADA access for sidewalks.
Complaints from community on locations of where scooters are left (personal
property or in the road).
Social Media comments seen regarding lack of availability to certain parts of the
community.
Don’t enhance the community atheistically when left lying around.
There have been no known accidents involving a scooter.
Comments from City Staff:
Only a handful of complaints lodged from the public. They pertained to the
location of unused scooters.
Untidy look of unused scooters.
Some unused scooters blocking sidewalks and trails.
Mostly juveniles riding the scooters, which is supposed to not occur.
Scooters dumped on sidewalks, in the grass, etc. around the City of Hastings
Witnessed complaints on social media that they are not conveniently placed for
use.
XI-C-03