RFP For 2nd Pilot To Evaluate Scooters In Omaha

Press release from the City of Omaha:

May 7, 2020

Two companies have responded to a Request for Proposals to participate in a second pilot to evaluate scooters in Omaha this summer.

The RFP, released in April, emphasizes a 2020 pilot could be impacted or cancelled by the continuing threat of COVID-19.

Spin and Bird submitted proposals for the pilot, beginning June 8 and continuing until November 20, 2020. Lime did not respond to the RFP, after participating last year.

The 2020 RFP includes several new requirements, developed following the evaluation of the 2019 pilot.

Mayor Stothert will also propose a new city ordinance to define scooters in city code and list violations that can result in fines.

“We learned a lot during the first pilot,” said Mayor Jean Stothert. “We have added new requirements for the vendors and the riders to improve safety and education. A second pilot gives us the opportunity to gather more information before we make a decision about a long-term scooter program in Omaha.”

Mayor Stothert will make a recommendation to the City Council.

New requirements include:

Vendors must deliver the newest model of scooters available, with 10-inch pneumatic air-filled tires and batteries mounted at the base of the scooter

Vendors must have capability to comply with city-designated Geo-fenced slow-down and no ride zones

Each person can unlock only one scooter at a time – one rider can’t pay for a group or family

Communication and outreach – rider requirements must be posted on each scooter including the minimum age for riders, no riding on sidewalks, and parking restrictions

Public engagement events and informational material will be required including a First-ride instruction program

Vendors must have the capability to shut down user accounts with multiple violations

Other requirements will remain the same:

Users must be 18-years-old

Helmets are encouraged but not required

A valid driver’s license is required

No riding on sidewalks

Maximum speed 15mph

Scooters are prohibited on streets with speed limits greater than 35mph

Hours of operation 7:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.

One-time, $10,000 operations fee

Each vendor selected will be limited to 750 scooters during the pilot period. (Last year, the daily average of available scooters was 597).

Vendor indemnification of City of liabilities

SUMMARY OF 2019 PILOT FINAL REPORT

Number of trips: 208,847

Number of miles: 235,007

Average ride 1.14 miles, 15:43 minutes

75,106 unique riders

Areas with greatest use:

Downtown: 72% of all trips 150,350 total trips, average 272 scooters per day

Midtown: total trips 34,052, average 63 per day

Aksarben: total trips 20,031 59 per day

Benson 7,486 total trips 20 per day

Highest ridership in June (40,367 trips)

This press release was produced by the City of Omaha. The views expressed here are the author’s own.