June 2025 -
City of Richmond:
Bike Share Gap Funding
Request
www.ridetoday.io
Meeting Agenda
Introduction to Team
Meet the team behind our fleet success
Metrics & Market Progress
Review of performance data and growth since last quarter Performance Forecast & Budget
Data-driven outlook and financial management
Future Plans & Sustainability
Expansion roadmap and environmental impact goals
Local Operations Team
David Gachuz, Director of
Operations
Tracks and optimizes Richmond’s
bikeshare performance,
monitoring KPIs, and service
quality while coordinating with
local manager to evaluate, and
scale hubs for reliable and
effective growth.
Salma Berumen, Community
Manager
Leads community engagement and
the outreach team organizing events,
building city and neighborhood
partnerships using community
feedback and data to guide hub
placement that grows the network and
boosts brand visibility
Adrian Brock - Rashe, Field
and Warehouse Supervisor
Performs a critical role in maintaining
the functionality and efficiency of the
bike share system
● Perform inspections and basic
repairs
● Tracks inventory and
maintenance records
● Ensure bikes meet safety
standards
Andrew Burnham, Fleet
Technician
Ensures the smooth operation of
Richmond’s Electric Bikeshare by
● Redistributing bikes based on
demand
● Inspecting bikes to ensure
safe riding conditions
● Charging and maintaining
electric bikes for reliable
service
Community Success and Engagement
Team
Samantha Valdes, Customer
Service Manager
Manages Customer Service
team, oversees responses to
customer calls and tickets,
ensures timely and effective
resolutions, and monitors
service quality.
Neth Magdadaro, Customer
Service Associate
Responds to customer service
calls and tickets, resolves
customer issues, and provides
support to ensure a positive
customer experience 24/7.
Goal to hire: 2
Brand Ambassadors
Promotes the Today brand by
engaging with the community,
attending events, and
representing the company to
build awareness and drive
customer interest.
Goal to hire: 20+
Canvassing Team
Visits neighborhoods and
community areas to distribute
information, engage with
residents, and encourage
participation in the program.
Goal to hire: 15+
Corporate Team
Sean Flood
CEO
Sets the vision and growth
targets, secures funding and
key partnerships, and rallies
teams to deliver a profitable,
rider-friendly bike-share that
meets city goals and scales
sustainably.
David Touwsma
Chief Strategy Officer
Shapes the long term roadmap
using data to spot growth
markets, guide hub expansion,
and refine offerings then aligns
teams, partnerships, and
budgets so the bikeshare stays
ahead of demand and
competitors
Pete Ballard,
General Manager - North
AmericaLeads the growth strategy
working to expand our service
area strategically while
boosting electric‑vehicle sales
and scaling
mobility‑as‑a‑service offerings
where demand is strongest.
Mike Fisher
Product Manager
Owns the bike product setting
specs, channeling rider and
mechanic feedback into
upgrades, steering suppliers
and testing, and aligning cost,
durability, and user-experience
goals with engineering and
operations.
In Field Performance Metrics - 2025
Metric # Notes…
Users 1150 Unique riders who’ve taken at least one trip Trips 3289 Total number of rides taken by users
Total Miles 7702 Total Distance ridden across all trips Lbs of CO₂ 3.1 Metric Tons Emissions avoided by choosing bikes over car (6,900 lb) Trips per Vehicle 26.5 Demand per Vehicle we have deployed Battery Swaps 2 per Day How many times per day a battery is swapped (Average) Time to Repair 1-2 Days Damaged bikes are quickly repaired and redeployed Average Distance 7 Miles How much each user has ridden
Vehicle Availability 99% How often bikes are ready and available to ride These In Field metrics track how well
our system is performing, how often
it’s used, how much distance is
covers, and how efficiently it
operates. By analyzing this data, we
can identify areas where service can
improve, and how our system
supports more reliable
transportation for those who need it
most.
Measuring Community Impact
Batteries are swapped on Average 2
times per day, nearing the
recommended cycle rate, limiting
lifespan of batteries and caping
ridership growth. Additional Batteries
helps keep utilization healthy and
allows for future demand.
Battery Utilization
Why Bike Share?
1. Equitable Access to Transportation
Bike share expands mobility in underserved communities, filling transit gaps and connecting residents to jobs, schools, and essential services—without needing a car.
2. Health & Environmental Benefits
Encourages active transportation, reduces traffic congestion, and lowers carbon emissions. A single bike trip improves public health and supports the city’s climate goals.
3. Economic Impact
Boosts local business traffic, creates operational jobs, and raises property values. Municipal investment often leads to public-private partnerships and long-term economic returns.
4. Civic Identity & Community Engagement
Public bike share systems improve urban livability and civic pride. They foster a culture of sustainability and promote greater connection between residents and city spaces.
Why Now?
● Federal & State Funding Available
Programs like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) can fund start-up and expansion—millions in matching grants available.
● Low-Cost, High-Impact
Compared to roads or rail, bike share offers fast, scalable infrastructure with measurable ROI.
● Smart City Integration
Modern bike share integrates with transit cards, real-time data, and mobility apps, reinforcing smart city initiatives.
Municipal Leadership in Bike Share =
Safer, Healthier, More Connected Communities
2025 Market Progress Highlights
25%
Growth in Ridership
Rides up 25% Year over Year
150%
Hub Strategy
Optimized hub locations leading to a 150% Month-over-Month increase 5 Community Engagement Wins
Hosted 5 outreach events in partnerships with local orgs
3.1 Sustainability
3.1 Metric tons Emissions avoided by choosing bikes over car (6,900 lb) Live Map Link
Customer Success &
User Engagement
Metric # Notes…
Repeat Users 432 How many users return for multiple trips (2+) Average Trips per
User
2.86 Average number of trips each user has taken since
launch
Trip Ratings 90% thumbs up Rider satisfaction based on post trip feedback Average Response
time
35 min Time taken to respond to support tickets or issues We focus on active user engagement through timely support, community events, and targeted communication to build loyalty and increase repeat ridership. Strengthening the rider experience helps turn first time users into regular riders, driving sustainable growth.
User Engagement Focus
We track response times, ticket
resolution, and user feedback to
ensure every rider receives timely
support. Engagement efforts from
direct outreach to in app prompts,
help us understand rider needs,
improve satisfaction, and build
stronger relationships with the
community.
User Experience Metrics
Customer Engagement Activities
Engagement Strategies
● Neighborhood Outreach and Tabling
● Online and Social Media Campaigns
● Collaborations with Local Organizations and
Project Partners
● Listening Sessions and Public Surveys
● All outreach material available in English and
Spanish
● Collaborations with neighboring cities for
program expansion
(4 weekly posts: 2 reels/short‑form videos and 2 static or carousel posts)
Customer Engagement Activities -2025
1/20/2025 – MLK Day of Celebration
● Raised awareness among Richmond residents about the long-term benefits of green transportation. ● Provided hands-on demonstrations to help residents confidently use Today electric bikes. ● Engaged directly with interested community members by addressing questions and following up on bike voucher opportunities. 2/15/2025 – Neighborhood Complete Streets Open House
● Supported a city-wide initiative to improve bike and pedestrian safety by educating attendees on upcoming active transportation projects.
● Encouraged community collaboration by helping residents envision safer, more connected neighborhoods. ● Expanded our ridership base by signing up 10 new users and guiding them through the app and voucher process. 3/10/2025 – District 5 Tabling Outreach
● Facilitated open discussions about proposed hub placement, ensuring community voices are reflected in planning. ● Increased civic participation by encouraging residents to complete the District 5 survey. ● Boosted visibility of the program through strategic distribution of educational and promotional materials. 4/26/2025 – Go Green! Mobility Fair
● Reached over 57 East Bay residents with direct information about Richmond’s electric bikeshare program and its growing impact. ● Empowered potential riders by offering test rides and live bike walkthroughs, enhancing user comfort and confidence. ● Strengthened regional partnerships with neighboring cities to explore future bikeshare expansion and coordinated sustainability efforts.
5/5/2025 – Cinco de Mayo Celebration
● Promoted the City of Richmond’s Electric Bikeshare Program and broader Richmond Rising resources to a large, diverse audience. ● Focused outreach efforts on engaging Spanish-speaking residents through bilingual materials and in-person support. ● Reinforced inclusive community engagement by bringing program awareness to often underserved populations.
Demand Challenges
Each circle represents a hub - Larger
circles indicate higher ridership. This
helps identify high performing areas
and where added capacity could drive
more usage.
Current Hub Locations
By tracking the last 100 locations where
users opened the app, we can identify
patterns of interest outside our current
hub network. This highlights emerging
areas of demand and opportunities to
better align vehicle availability with
user needs.
User App Activity Mapping
Mapping rider app activity and analyzing
ridership by hub size reveal clear patterns: Users
are actively seeking vehicles beyond our existing
location, high traffic hubs are reaching their
limits. These insights point to strong, growing
demand and opportunities to strengthen service
coverage, optimize fleet placement, and better
meet community needs.
Understanding Demand Beyond Current Hubs
Vandalism Challenges
Bikes are often stripped, severely
damaged, spray-painted, or even
submerged in the bay. Battery theft
remains the most frequent issue.
While less common, vandalism has
also increased, with incidents like
kicked-over wayfinders and defaced
bikes.
Current Effort:
● Added additional staff and shifts to cover more
hours.
● Continue to hire Bike Ambassadors for user
knowledge.
● Working alongside Richmond Police.
● Continued Community Outreach.
● Joined efforts with RCF Connects
Next Steps:
We are seeking continued support from the City of
Richmond to sustain and expand our bikeshare
program, which has been widely embraced by the
community.
Batteries are essential to maintaining our momentum
and ensuring reliable transportation options for
residents.
Data-Driven Growth Forecast
High trips per vehicle percentage means high demand for our vehicles. Expanding the fleet can boost ridership, attract new users, and multiply the environmental impact reducing even more carbon emissions by shifting trips from cars to bikes
Average daily swaps per battery have surged across every district. High demand areas now operate at double the
previous load, reducing battery lifespan and increasing servicing needs.
Battery Usage Increasing Across all ZonesTrips Taken & Growth Potential (Backcasted Growth based on Additional Vehicles) (Even lower traffic areas are experiencing a ~50% increase in usage, current battery capacity is stretched thin)
What We’re Building
• In-field induction charging hubs
• Charge Lock rack prototype with Metro Mobility (tested) • Modular docking solution in co‑development with Kuhmute • Designed for e‑bikes and scooters (mixed‑fleet ready) Why It Matters: Projected Richmond Impact (300 Vehicles) Metric Current Ops With In-Field
Charging Diff
Nightly retrieval van trips 40/day 28/day -30%
Vehicle uptime 12 h/day 13.8/day +15%
Swap labor 6 tech-hrs/day 162 t CO₂e/yr -10%
OPEX (labor + fuel) $320k/yr $225 k/yr -$95k/yr
Innovative Technology &
Impact
Strategic Alignment with Richmond Goals
⚡
Higher vehicle availability supports first‑/last‑mile access 🌱
Cuts transport emissions in line with Climate Action Plan 💰
Reduces public O&M subsidies, freeing budget for network growth 🔒
Dock‑lock design improves sidewalk order and ADA compliance Launch Roadmap
Q4 2025 >
Q1 2026 >
2027+ >
Deploy 5 charging hubs in high‑demand districts
Scale to 20 charging hubs city‑wide based on data
Expand network, integrate solar systems
Current Monthly Operating Budget
Budget Category Budget Amount
Program Fees 8,025.00 4,012.40
Maintenance / Operations 45,569.16
Software / Sim 4,895.25
Warehouse 5,350.00
Insurance 4,815.00
Vehicle 2,461.00
Misc. / Job Supplies 1,070
Total Monthly Budget 72,185.41 68,173.01
Total 6 Month Budget 433,112.46 409,038.06
Need to have: Requesting 6 Months of Operating Funding In the spirit of partnership, Today will reduce Program Fees by 50% Capital Expenditure Budget
Budget Category Budget Amount
Additional Vehicles (50) 97,500.00
Hubs (10) 45,000.00
Batteries (75) 33,750.00
Additional Operating Costs
(6 Months)
24,000.00
Total Budget 200,250.00
Optional Funding: Request to fund expansion based on surveys, conversations, ridership determining community need
Operating Budget Details
Program Fee
● Executive Involvement and Oversight
● Customer Service and Market Support
● Branding and marketing to support community
engagement
● Grant administration conducting required activities,
communication, and support
● Continual Firmware Updates for IoT, Display, Battery, etc. ● Provide Access to Spare Parts / Vehicles
● Provide necessary Access to Training / Repair Manuals ● Data and Market Reporting
Market Maintenance & Operations
● Market and Operational Oversight
● Community Outreach
● Recharging of Batteries / Vehicles
● Rebalancing of Vehicles
● Repairs Focused on Fleet Health
● Recovery of Stolen and Damaged Vehicles
Operating Budget Details (cont’d)
Software/SIM
● Software Platform Fee for Rider Application, Mechanic Application, and Operator and Reporting Dashboard
● SIM Card Technology connectivity to support live rental of vehicles
Warehouse
● 2,500 SF Local Warehouse in Richmond, CA to support
Operations and Maintenance of Program
Insurance
● Full policy coverage required by City of Richmond:
● $1M General Liability
● $1M Auto Liability
● Workers Compensation
● $3M Excess Umbrella
● $2M Cyber Liability
Vehicle
● Electric Vehicle for Rebalancing, Recovery and
Maintenance of Fleet
Future Plans &
Program Sustainability
● Expand Hub Locations and Increase Deployed Bikes
beyond 2024 plan
○ Listening Sessions
○ Open Surveys
○ Tabling Opportunities
○ Collaborating w/ Public transit agencies to increase
visibility
● Seeking Title Sponsor, Lead Safety Sponsor
and Other Sponsorship
● Hired Government Grant Funding Team in Washington DC
with Focus on Additional Grant Funding
● Increase Ridership and Bike Utilization
○ Doubling Bike Ambassador Hub Coverage
Co-Founders
David Touwsma – [email protected]
Sean Flood – [email protected]
Instagram: @bikerichmondtoday
Facebook: @bikerichmondtoday
Questions or Comments