UNFINISHED BUSINESS
20.Recommendation to adopt Specifications No. RFP PW25631 and award a contract to Drop Mobility, California LLC, of San Francisco, CA, for operation, maintenance, and modernization of the City of Long Beach’s BikeShare program, in the amount of $23,346,518, authorize a 10 percent contingency in the amount of $2,334,652, for a total contract amount not to exceed $25,681,170, for a period of three years, with the option to renew for two additional oneyear periods; and, authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to enter into the contract, including any necessary subsequent amendments. (Citywide) Name
Skyler Dorsett
Comment 09/29/2026 01:14 PM : (Against)
Copying an unacknowledged letter sent to Coucilmember Kerr regarding this item:
Good afternoon Council Member Kerr,
I am writing to thank you for advocating on behalf of Pedal Movement and the value of supporting a local business who has a proven history of caring for their community at last night's City Council Meeting.
I strongly oppose the decision to award the new $25.7 million contract to Drop Mobility, a national company headquartered in San Francisco and Toronto. Personally, I was disturbed by the conversations around interviewing (and maybe hiring) employees of the existing company. The situation appears to be one in which a large national company moves into locales with an existing program, underbids them to get the business, and poaches their employees. To be clear, this is how monopolies are created.
What happens when Drop Mobility has forced all other homegrown Bikeshare providers out of business? Prices will go up. Service quality will go down.
Enshittification follows.
Approving this contract would be no different than awarding an exclusive permit to sell coffee to Starbucks. Or saying that only Amazon can sell groceries. Small local businesses are the heart of our (and any community) and they need our love and support.
While normally I find Council Member Duggan's values more closely aligned with my own, in this case, I strongly disagree with her statements regarding the bottom line being the need to get a "good deal" for the people of Long Beach. Values matter more than money. I believe that the people of Long Beach would prefer (and reelect) leaders who value people over profitability.
It is clear from the comments presented by the employees of Pedal Movement that they are passionate about the work that they have done in Long Beach for the past nine years and are proud of what they have built. And they have every right to be. Pedal Movement has been there for Long Beach.
It's time for Long Beach to be there for Pedal Movement.
If I could have a moment more of your attention please:
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It's time for Long Beach to be there for Pedal Movement.
If I could have a moment more of your attention please:
I was able to speak at last night's meeting on agenda items 2628 only because the proposed change to Public Comment has not gone through yet. I work until 5pm in Westminster and have to rush over to make it to the meetings. If you approve the proposed changes to PC, I will no longer be able to participate in the City Council Meetings.
Please do not vote to change Public Comment.
Thank you for your time and attention!
Sincerely,
Skyler Dorsett
District 5 Registered Voter
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
20.Recommendation to adopt Specifications No. RFP PW25631 and award a contract to Drop Mobility, California LLC, of San Francisco, CA, for operation, maintenance, and modernization of the City of Long Beach’s BikeShare program, in the amount of $23,346,518, authorize a 10 percent contingency in the amount of $2,334,652, for a total contract amount not to exceed $25,681,170, for a period of three years, with the option to renew for two additional oneyear periods; and, authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to enter into the contract, including any necessary subsequent amendments. (Citywide) Name
Jeremy Harris
Comment 10/05/2026 02:03 PM : (Against)
October 5, 2026
Honorable Mayor & Long Beach City Council
411 W. Ocean Blvd
Long Beach, CA 90802
Subject: Agenda Items 20 and 21 Regarding Bikeshare Contract Award, RFP No. PW25631 and Extension of Current Bikeshare Agreement Dear Honorable Mayor and City Council Members:
On behalf of the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce (The Chamber), representing over 1,100 regional members, I am writing to express our concern with Agenda Item 20, the proposed award of Long Beach’s bikeshare contract to Drop Mobility, and our support for Agenda Item 21, the extension of the City’s current agreement with Pedal Movement.
Long Beach City leadership has consistently stated its commitment to supporting local businesses and keeping economic activity within our community. The Chamber shares those priorities. However, supporting local businesses must extend beyond programs, proclamations, and stated policy goals. When the City has an opportunity to keep its business with a qualified Long Beach company and has invested in this community for nearly a decade, we believe that commitment should be reflected in the City's decisions.
Pedal Movement is not an outside vendor. It is a proud Long Beach business, certified by the City as a small business, that has run Long Beach’s Bike Share for nine years. It employs nearly 30 people locally and has built its business around providing transportation and bicycle services in and for Long Beach.
Item 20 would move operation of Bike Share from this established Long Beach small business to Drop Mobility, a company headquartered in Toronto.
The Chamber recognizes that the City must consider many factors when awarding contracts and procuring services. At the same time, local economic impact should matter.
Pedal Movement has done exactly what we ask of our local businesses: it has invested in Long Beach, created local jobs, built relationships throughout the community, and spent nearly a decade delivering a highly visible public service.
There is a broader message in this decision for our business community. We regularly encourage entrepreneurs and small businesses to establish themselves in Long Beach, grow here, hire locally, participate in civic life, and pursue opportunities to do business with the City. Those businesses should be able to see that putting down roots in Long Beach carries meaningful value when the City makes its own purchasing and contracting decisions.
encourage entrepreneurs and small businesses to establish themselves in Long Beach, grow here, hire locally, participate in civic life, and pursue opportunities to do business with the City. Those businesses should be able to see that putting down roots in Long Beach carries meaningful value when the City makes its own purchasing and contracting decisions.
The Chamber therefore respectfully urges the City Council to reject Item 20.
We support Item 21, which would allow Pedal Movement to continue operating Long Beach Bike Share through December 31, 2026, ensuring continuity of service while providing an opportunity for the City to determine a path forward that better reflects its commitment to Long Beach businesses.
If we want businesses to invest in Long Beach, Long Beach must also be willing to invest in them. We urge the City Council to stand behind its commitment to our local business community and keep this work local.
Sincerely,
Jeremy Harris
President & CEO
Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce