TITLE: Title
Update on Bike Share and Consideration of Town Code Amendments Relating to Bike Share, E-Bikes, E-Scooters and other Micromobility Devices, and Bikeways
PURPOSE: The purpose of this agenda item is to provide the Town Council with an update on a proposed bike share pilot and to consider amendments to the Town Code that would add new definitions and establish standards relating to bikeways, shared use systems, e-bikes and other micromobility devices.
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DEPARTMENT: Planning Department
CONTACT INFORMATION: Christina Moon, 919-918-7325, cmoon@townofcarrboro.org <mailto:cmoon@townofcarrboro.org>; Zachary Hallock, 919-918-7329, zhallock@townofcarrboro.org <mailto:zhallock@townofcarrboro.org>;
Patricia McGuire, 919-918-7327, pmcguire@townofcarrboro.org <mailto:pmcguire@townofcarrboro.org>
INFORMATION: Over the last several years, interest in bike shares and micromobility has increased as popular alternatives to vehicles or options for first/last miles of transit trips. At the October 13, 2020 Town Council meeting, staff provided an overview of a possible bike share pilot using e-bikes in collaboration with the Town of Chapel Hill, UNC and Gotcha (Town of Carrboro - Meeting of Town Council on 10/13/2020 at 7:00 PM (legistar.com) <https://carrboro.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=802043&GUID=B231F771-7774-436A-8004-307550C17F31&Options=&Search=>). UNC contracted with Gotcha to operate its pedal bike share program, which extends into the eastern end of Carrboro with a docking station at the end of the Libba Cotten bikeway (Attachment B).
BOLT purchased Gotcha, in 2020 and will continue to operate UNC’s bike share until the end of the original contract in May 2022. Staff has met regularly with Chapel Hill, UNC and Gotcha to develop the framework for the e-bike pilot which would provide a larger service area for Carrboro residents. In initial discussions with BOLT, representatives have expressed an interest in pursuing the pilot, but additional conversations will be needed to review the specifics in the proposal and associated draft contract developed with Gotcha. Staff is seeking Council direction on whether to continue these negotiations, with the interest of setting up the pilot this summer to last for about a year. Information from the pilot, such as ridership and hub locations could help inform a potential longer-term program in the future.
Before moving forward with any bike share program, amendments to the Town Code are needed to establish standards for e-bikes, e-scooters and other micromobility devices already being used in Carrboro. A draft ordinance has been prepared (Attachment A). If adopted, new provisions added to Chapter 6 of the Town Code would:
• add new definitions for e-bikes, e-scooters, micromobility and related terms using industry standards (Attachment C),
• add the Homestead Road-Chapel Hill High School Multi-Use Path to the list of bikeways,
• establish standards for how and where micromobility devices can be used, and
• provide a framework of bike share programs (shared active transportation systems).
FISCAL & STAFF IMPACT: There are no fiscal impacts associated with this item.
RECOMMENDATION:r Staff recommends that the Council : 1) authorize staff to continue negotiations with BOLT regarding a possible pilot program with e-bikes, and 2) adopt the draft ordinance (Attachment A) amending the Town Code to add new definitions and establish standards relating to micromobility, shared active transportation systems and bikeways.