Category: Dockless

1,500 E-Bikes are returning to Capital Bikeshare this Spring

Not a CaBi e-bike but you get the point

According to a District Department of Transportation (DDOT) press release, the agency will reintroduce Capital Bikeshare E-bikes, which were removed from service nearly a year ago after users complained that the previous bikes suffered with unintended acceleration or poor breaking.

Throughout the spring, Capital Bikeshare will release a total of 1,500 new e-bikes, developed in partnership with Lyft.

Possibly to compete with dockless e-bikes from Jump and Helbiz, the new bikes will allow users to park bikes at bike racks and Cabi Stations.

The press release is a follows:

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and its six partner jurisdictions announced that e-bikes will return to the Capital Bikeshare system this spring with a new mobile app experience that will include a hybrid locking technology.

“The return of the e-bikes is part of Mayor Bowser’s ongoing effort to improve active transportation and mobility in the District,” said DDOT Director Jeff Marootian. “These new and improved e-bikes will allow Capital Bikeshare riders to lock the bikes to bike racks at their destination, allowing unprecedented accessibility across all eight wards of the District.”

The 1,500 e-bikes will be added to the existing Capital Bikeshare fleet in a phased roll out throughout the spring. The new e-bikes developed by Lyft will be equipped with a hybrid locking technology, allowing riders to either lock the bikes to one of the District’s 5,000 bike racks for a $1 out-of-station fee per trip; or dock at a Capital Bikeshare station. Capital Bikeshare users, including members, will be charged $1 e-bike fee per trip, in addition to the normal trip fees. The new out-of-station and e-bike fees will cover the additional costs associated with recharging and rebalancing the system when bikes are not docked at a Capital Bikeshare station. These fees will not apply to members in the Community Partners Program, which is Capital Bikeshare’s equity program; or customers riding classic Capital Bikeshare bikes.

Capital Bikeshare has also enhanced the functionality of its app by adding features that allow riders to easily unlock a bike by scanning a QR code; rate their experience with bikes, rides and stations; report service issues; and conveniently manage memberships.

Morning Comute – 1/31

The scooters are here to save you all

The Morning Commute is an occasional look at meetings or other #BikeSpecific discussions and stories happening in the District. It also looks at interesting bike, scooter, or urban related ideas or concepts from other places across the globe that could possibly work here. Again, this isn’t journalism, just fun.

Today’s commute includes:

  • LeBron travels up the lane
  • Another city goes boldly down the protected, complete street
  • Scooters are a security risk
Continue reading “Morning Comute – 1/31”

DDOT to Install More On-Street Micromobility Parking Corrals

New dockless corral on E Street NW, across from one of the first corrals installed by DDOT
  • DDOT plans include the installation of 100 Off-Sidewalk Parking Corrals for Dockless Vehicles
  • Residents desiring corrals can submit a request for consideration
  • Coincides with regulation changes that previously allowed drivers to park close to intersections and crosswalks

According to a District Department of Transportation (DDOT) press release, the agency announced a plan to install 100 off-sidewalk dockless scooter and bike parking corrals across all eight wards of the District over the next several months.  This appears to expand a bike corral pilot program that DDOT initiated last year.

DDOT has aggressively installed bike corrals across the District to test the the viability of corrals and possibly address concerns regarding scooters and bikes left in pedestrian rights-of-way, particularly on sidewalks in more residential areas.

According to the press release, “these off-sidewalk corrals provide a designated area where both shared dockless vehicle operators and riders and private vehicle riders can safely store their vehicles,” said DDOT Director Jeff Marootian. “By placing these corrals in no-parking zones near intersections, we are fulfilling Mayor Bowser’s vision of creative problem solving to make our streets safer for all users.”  

Beginning in February 2020, DDOT will install off-sidewalk parking corrals across all eight wards. Residents on impacted blocks will receive notice from DDOT approximately one week before the corrals are installed.

Newly installed residential bike corral at the corner of 3rd and Gallaway Streets NE

DDOT has created a simple form that enables residents to submit a request for off-sidewalk parking corrals. DDOT will review submissions to identify possible micromobility parking locations, either in the roadway or on the sidewalk and assess submissions to determine safety and approximate demand.

DDOT intends to place corrals in the area between stop signs and the start of the parking zone, to also provide a deterrent against cars illegally parked and blocking the visibility of crosswalks. It’s unclear if DDOT intends to remove vehicular parking to accommodate new corrals.

Several years prior to this pilot, DDOT installed a hand full of bike corrals near Metro Center, Chinatown, and Penn Quarter. The most recent pilot expanded bike corrals in business improvement districts and commercial areas where higher numbers of dockless vehicles were expected to be parked. This pilot expanded bike corrals to residential areas where DDOT has received complaints regarding what DDOT considers to be improperly parked dockless vehicles.    

DDOT also suggests that bike corrals incentivize dockless bikes and scooters operators and customers to place vehicles in a dedicated spaces. A map of installed and planned off-sidewalk parking corrals is available on DDOT’s website.  

The bike corral plan also coincides with updated regulations regarding driver parking in residential zones. The updated regulation eliminated the exception for vehicles with in-zone RPP stickers to park overnight closer to the intersection than best safety practices and signage would allow. 

Morning Commute 1/10

The Fat Tire Tweet

The Morning Commute is an occasional look at meetings or other #BikeSpecific discussions and stories happening in the District. It also looks at interesting bike, scooter, or urban related ideas or concepts from other places across the globe that could possibly work here. Again, this isn’t journalism, just fun.

Today’s commute includes:

  • A scooter climate
  • Lime is feeling the squeeze
  • Registration for the DC Bike ride opens February 5
Continue reading “Morning Commute 1/10”

Morning Commute – 1/2

The writing is on the ground

The Morning Commute is an occasional look at meetings or other #BikeSpecific discussions and stories happening in the District. It also looks at interesting bike, scooter, or urban related ideas or concepts from other places across the globe that could possibly work here. Again, this isn’t journalism, just fun.

Today’s commute includes:

  • Scoobie?
  • Bridge over the river Arizona Avenue
  • DPW enforces the law
  • Happy New Year
Continue reading “Morning Commute – 1/2”