major City planning efforts, including implementation of a new Climate Action Plan, the State Street Master Planning Process, and a new Housing Element. Both the Transportation and Circulation Committee (TCC) and Sustainability Council Committee have reviewed and forwarded recommendations to the City Council to continue the Program.
DISCUSSION:
Background
Bicycle share is a public, point-to-point transportation option that can reduce traffic congestion and parking demand and provide affordable access to key destinations when trips are too far to walk, but too close to drive. Bicycle share has been a requested public transportation option in the City for over a decade and is a documented need in the General Plan’s Circulation Element and Bicycle Master Plan. It is also included as a greenhouse gas reduction strategy in the Draft Climate Action Plan, currently under development.
In April 2019, the City Council directed City staff to develop and implement a pilot bicycle share program. In June 2019, a request for applications was released, and three different bicycle share vendors submitted applications for the initial three-year pilot program. After significant review by a bicycle share selection committee, City staff recommended City Council accept the application from BCycle. BCycle and the City signed a “Bike Share Operator’s Permit” in February 2020 and began implementing the three-year Program.
BCycle’s operation includes an all-electric bicycle fleet and the 3.0 bike dock, a low-profile docking system similar in size to a conventional bike rack. BCycle e-bikes are programmed to a maximum pedal-assist speed of 17 miles per hour (mph) and are designed for the rigors of public bike share use. The first BCycle docks and e-bikes began operation on January 28, 2021, with an initial rollout of approximately 75 bikes.
Implementing the Bicycle Share Transportation Network
The initial year of operation focused on building the transportation network and establishing stations near key destinations in the Downtown, Waterfront, Eastside, Westside, and Oak Park neighborhoods. After the first year, there were 53 different stations with 140 BCycle e-bikes in operation at 292 docks. Over 15,000 riders travelled over 325,500 miles on BCycle e-bikes in the first year. Even at half capacity of the Program’s goal of 250 e-bikes and 500 docks, the Program logged the most trips of any BCycle bicycle share system in the first year.
The second year of the Program focused on expanding the greater bike share network.
At the end of January 2023, there were 78 different stations with 226 BCycle e-bikes in operation at 452 docks, and around 35,000 riders had ridden 829,000 miles.
As of March 2023, and the third year of the Program, over 36,000 riders travelled over 896,000 miles on the 246 BCycle e-bikes and 496 docks in service. Ridership continues Council Agenda Report
Extension of Bicycle Share Pilot Program
May 2, 2023
to grow, and the relation of bikes and docks in operation to miles ridden continues to trend upward (see Attachment 2). In early April, additional stations were installed, and the Program achieved the initial goal of 250 e-bikes and 500 docks. Throughout the course of the pilot Program, additional stations have been installed to serve neighborhoods throughout the City.
Need for Additional BCycle Docks and E-Bikes
In the second year of operation, a pandemic-related microchip shortage caused a sixmonth delay in installing new docks at existing and new locations. Microchips became available again in summer of 2022, and BCycle and City staff mobilized to complete the initial goal of installing 500 docks and 250 e-bikes by early 2023. Now that the Program has reached the initial goal, additional bikes and docks will be added to close gaps in the bike share network, and allow the Program to develop in tandem with new bike lane facilities in the City. The Program can expand moderately (50-100 additional docks) without impacting BCycle’s operating costs or draining their staff resources.
Due to increasing and expected demand at existing and new locations, City staff will continue to work with BCycle to adjust the number of bikes and docks as needed. Ideally, each station should have at least six and no fewer than four docks to operate efficiently.
Additional docks are installed in areas with high demand, such as the Amtrak Station, and fewer docks may be installed where demand is lower or sites are constrained. See Attachment 1 for a detailed map of bike share locations in service as of March 2023. The Program’s goal is to ensure reliable station functionality to meet user demand while still minimizing the “municipal” feel of bike share.
The Program initially planned to include installation of two enrollment kiosks along Cabrillo Boulevard to the east and west sides of State Street. Due to their size and relatively limited function, City staff and BCycle decided not to install them. In addition, after further review, the kiosks have been deemed unnecessary for the Program as users have had no major issues accessing the website and mobile applications.
Safety
Of the 260,751 trips taken and 896,456 miles ridden on BCycle e-bikes as of March 2023, there have been five collisions reported to BCycle and/or the Santa Barbara Police or Fire Departments, as detailed below:
Year 1:
1. February 27, 2021: Solo rider lost control heading downhill. The rider was transported to Cottage Hospital with face injuries and a dislocated shoulder.
2. July 21, 2021: Vehicle hit rider with no injuries. Crank arm was bent on bicycle.
3. August 24, 2021: Solo rider lost control on road base/uneven substrate. The rider was transported to hospital with head injuries and body scrapes.
Council Agenda Report
Extension of Bicycle Share Pilot Program
May 2, 2023
Year 2:
4. August 6, 2022: Solo rider fell off stationary bike on State Street while switching bikes. The rider was transported to Cottage Hospital with a broken hip.
Year 3:
5. February 14, 2023: Solo rider headed southbound down De La Vina St. and at approximately 8am was “doored” by opening door of a vehicle. Rider was transported by a family member to Cottage Hospital and treated for minor cuts and abrasions that required stiches.
With the COVID-19 pandemic came an overall increase in bicycle ridership for conventional and e-bikes. The increase in e-bikes contributed to community conversations about the higher speeds and perceived safety of e-bikes in our local bike share network and on City streets.
The State of California regulates e-bikes to 20 mph on Class I (off-street bike/shared use path) and Class II (on-street bike lanes) facilities. BCycle e-bikes are programmed to 17 mph and are slower than most e-bikes sold in California, which are generally programmed to 20 mph. E-bikes exceeding 20 mph are required to share vehicle lanes. For comparison, conventional bike commuters ride around 10-18 mph on City streets, depending on traffic, fitness, age, and other factors. BCycle e-bike’s 17 mph programming likely limits users from riding unsafely on City streets. BCycle will continue to notify City staff of any reported collisions.
Operations
Network Connectivity
Since launch, BCycle has experienced some network connectivity issues resulting in system or station outages and problems checking bikes in and out. As a large bike share operator with over a decade of experience, BCycle can dedicate significant staff time and resources to troubleshoot these short-term issues, which are similar to service delays and cancellations seen with other forms of public transportation.
City staff meet regularly with BCycle to discuss these issues and BCycle staff continue to monitor dock and bike performance and resolve check-in and check-out issues to make the Program more robust. Overall, strong resources are dedicated to enhancing the reliability of this public transportation system.
Theft and Vandalism
Council Agenda Report
Extension of Bicycle Share Pilot Program
May 2, 2023
BCycle e-bikes are designed for the rigors of public bike share usage, but theft and vandalism pose a dynamic challenge. Since launch, 16 e-bikes have been stolen and all but three were recovered though BCycle’s tracking system. Around 20 e-bike batteries have been stolen. To mitigate this issue, BCycle installed secondary locking bars to secure the batteries to the bikes.
Since launch, around 90 bikes have been vandalized in the form of graffiti, cut grips, or snipped cables and other functional components. Three e-bikes have been entirely decommissioned due to vandalism or abuse.
The rate of theft and vandalism are consistent with other bike share programs, but the number of recovered bikes in Santa Barbara is higher than many other programs.
Feedback from Bike Shops and Rental Companies
Since the Program launched, City staff continue to dialogue with local bike shops and rental companies in downtown Santa Barbara to understand potential impacts to their businesses. In general, retail bike shops are supportive of the Program and feel no discernable negative impact. Several shops have mentioned they sold e-bikes to former or current BCycle users.
Bike rental companies and shops with an option to rent bikes have seen a dip in shortterm rentals and feel BCycle’s pricing for walk-up and monthly membership rates should increase or match the shop’s average of $25 per walk-up or single ride. Walk-up or single ride BCycle riders can ride for $7 per 30 minutes, while more regular riders can sign up or apply for one of BCycle’s memberships options: Annual ($150 for unlimited 60-minute rides), Monthly ($30 for unlimited 30-minute rides), and Low-Income ($25 annually with unlimited 60-minute rides if eligible for SNAP/CalFresh benefits). Rides over the allotted time incur additional charges.
BCycle may be amenable to increasing rates but has expressed concerns of larger community equity and the need to make bike share an affordable and accessible public transportation option. City staff will continue to check in with shops and rental companies for potential impacts on their businesses.
Transportation and Circulation Committee Feedback
On February 23, 2023, City staff presented an update on the Program to the TCC. Overall, TCC members were supportive of the Program and voted unanimously to recommend to City Council that the Program be allowed to expand and begin the transition from a pilot Program to a more permanent program. Two committee members expressed concern about any potential increase in membership rates and commented that rates should not increase at this time to allow continued access to this public transportation option.
Additional comments focused on the need to further develop the low-income component of the Program. As of March 2023, around 70 residents had signed up for low-income annual memberships and over 50 had activated their accounts and ridden BCycle.
Council Agenda Report
Extension of Bicycle Share Pilot Program
May 2, 2023
Sustainability Council Committee Feedback
On March 20, 2023, City staff presented an update on the Program to the Sustainability Council Committee, who voted unanimously to recommend to City Council that the Program be extended for an additional three-year period. During the discussion, Committee members mentioned the desire to further bolster the low-income component of the Program, continue targeted neighborhood expansions, and keep walk-up rates affordable so cost is not a barrier to use.
Continuance of Pilot Program
City staff believe the Program is successful and provides an affordable and accessible public transportation option, and are pleased with BCycle’s responsiveness and quality of service. Based on the Program’s success to date and the vendor’s service, City staff recommend the Program be extended for an additional three years with BCycle as the operator. The extension allows City staff to assess program performance without the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and to establish more accurate baseline ridership data with a fully developed bike share network, which, a year ago, was half the size of what it is today. This pilot extension will also allow the Program to evolve simultaneously with other major City planning efforts, including implementation of a new Climate Action Plan, the State Street Master Planning Process, and a new Housing Element.
Following City Council’s extension of the Program, City staff will need to pursue extending the Coastal Development Permit, renegotiate the Operator’s Permit with BCycle, and develop potential designs and location changes to accommodate the temporary State Street Promenade. Throughout the next year, City staff will continue to implement the Program and work with BCycle to improve user experience, resolve technical issues, and respond to theft and vandalism. City staff are also working with other local municipalities to assess the potential for a regional bike share network based on regional community demand and to further develop the low-income program to remove potential barriers.
BUDGET/FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
All system operations and bike and dock infrastructure are the responsibility of BCycle.
The City charges BCycle operator fees to offset certain Program management costs. City staff continue to evaluate the fees and City resource requirements as the Program develops.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
The Program supports the City’s sustainability goals to reduce emissions and traffic congestion by implementing part of the Circulation Element, which states an effective bike share program can increase public mobility options; potentially reduce air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and parking demand; and decrease the overall cost of transportation for individuals.
Council Agenda Report
Extension of Bicycle Share Pilot Program
May 2, 2023
ATTACHMENT(S): 1. Map of BCycle Station Network as of March 2023
2. Graph of Total Miles Ridden on BCycle E-bikes from January 2021 (launch date) to March 2023
PREPARED BY: Sarah Clark, Acting Downtown Team Manager/JWG/SLF/nv SUBMITTED BY: Alelia Parenteau, Sustainability and Resilience Director Clifford M. Maurer, P.E., Public Works Director
APPROVED BY: City Administrator’s Office
1 SantaBarbaraCA.gov
ATTACHMENT 1
BCycle Station Network as of March of 2023
* Number at each location pin
indicates the number of bikes
currently available for check out
at each location at the time of
image capture.
2 SantaBarbaraCA.gov
0 100,000
200,000
300,000
400,000
500,000
600,000
700,000
800,000
900,000
1,000,000
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Total Miles Ridden
Months since Launch
Miles Since Launch
Linear Trendline
Miles Ridden Since Launch as of March of 2023
896,456+
miles
ATTACHMENT 2
* Since launch, the number of miles
ridden has increased in relation to the
number of docks installed over time.
The central “dip” correlates to the sixmonth delay where new docks were not available for installation.
CITY OF SANTA BARBARA
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA DATE: May 2, 2023
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: City Attorney’s Office
SUBJECT: Conference with City Attorney – Existing Litigation – Gov. Code § 54956.9(d)(1)
RECOMMENDATION:
That Council hold a closed session to consider pending litigation pursuant to subsection (d)(1) of Section 54956.9 of the Government Code and take appropriate action as needed.
The pending litigation is City of Santa Barbara v. Cynthia Dee Howard, et al. SBSC Case No. 22CV02058.
Scheduling: Duration 15 mins; anytime
Report: None anticipated
PREPARED BY: Sarah J. Knecht, City Attorney
SUBMITTED BY: Sarah J. Knecht, City Attorney
APPROVED BY: City Administrator's Office
Agenda Item No. 10
File Code No. 160.03