The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About02/16/2021 08 Request from Bird Rides, Inc. to Launch Pilot Scooter Program to\'4\lyy tbxk ik 1 + PPP d g. P A P p PPi ittYlltYlt.\ta. BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL YAKIMA, WASHINGTON AGENDA STATEMENT Item No. 8. For Meeting of: February 16, 2021 ITEM TITLE: Request from Bird Rides, Inc to launch a pilot scooter program in downtown Yakima SUBMITTED BY: Joan Davenport, Community Development Director Colleda Monick, Community Development Specialist SUMMARY EXPLANATION: Bird Scooter has approached the City of Yakima with the interest of operation in the downtown area of Yakima for a motorized scooter project. In order to consider this request, the City of Yakima would need to grant an exception to YMC 9.50.850 (for a specific limited time)to a current prohibition of motorized scooters in the CBD. City staff has provided information to Bird, Inc related to the current prohibitions for motorized scooters. In addition, other general information has been shared with Public Works, Engineering, Legal and Planning Division. The Bird representative will be available at the City Council meeting. If City Council desires to proceed with a pilot project agreement, an agreement will be drafted and reviewed by Legal and other City staff, prior to a future City Council meeting for approval. ITEM BUDGETED: STRATEGIC PRIORITY: APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL BY THE CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION: Review the request from Bird Inc to operate in the downtown area of Yakima. If Council wants to proceed authorize staff to proceed with a pilot program agreement. ATTACHMENTS: Description Upload Date Type D Formal ue t from bird fides 2l5/20 1 ackup Material rrent YM 9.50. 50 215/ 021 admit)Material 2 DocuSign Envelope ID:74BBBAED-8027-4F93-87AE-E93C090FABE4 3 BIRD Bird Rides, Inc. is founally expressing interest in operating within the City of Yakima, Washington. We seek to express our desire to launch, with the support of the city, 100 to 150 shared scooters within the city for use by residents and visitors. Bird works closely with local government agencies to bring convenient, sustainable transit to communities with stand-up electric scooters designed to be rented for short trips using the Bird Mobile App. Our overarching mission is get people out of cars, reduce traffic and bring communities together by providing an affordable, environmentally-friendly transit alternative. Birds goals and commitments are as follows: 1. Support Transportation Mode Shift - Alleviate automobile/car traffic and congestion in cities and regions across the globe by replacing short car trips with micromobility options 2. Enhance Transit and First Last Mile Connectivity—Bird has a demonstrated ability to work in connection with existing local public transportation services/providers (buses, trains,light rail and other modes)by helping residents access public transit while integrating shared EVs (ie, scooters) for last mile connectivity. 3. Support Infrastructure Investments - Integrate micromobility business models into local/regional planning and implementation efforts across housing, community development, and transportation. 4. Encourage Local Innovation —Promote safety, active transportation, carbon emission goals,ADA access, and other city goals. 5. Rider Engagement and Education - Educating riders on safety is core to our service, and key to successful local implementation. Sincerely, "—DomSigned by: /iLrc&d Go,-arm FE52A3101 F65465... Michael Covato Revenue & Partnerships 4 Current Yakima Municipal Code Requirements for Motorized Scooters 9.50.850 Requirements for operating motorized foot scooters.0', SHARE A. Minimum Age. No motorized foot scooter shall be operated on streets or other public areas not otherwise prohibited to motorized foot scooters by this chapter unless the operator has a valid driver's license. (1) Failure of a motorized foot scooter operator to have a valid driver's license on their person while operating a motorized foot scooter in the city of Yakima is a traffic infraction. (2) Only one person may occupy a motorized foot scooter at one time. No motorized foot scooter operator may transport passengers or tow other devices or persons behind a motorized foot scooter. B. Helmet, Light and Reflectors.The following equipment shall be required whenever a motorized foot scooter is operated on streets or other public property within the city. (1) Helmet Required.Any person operating a motorized foot scooter upon any public area in the city shall wear an approved helmet designed for safety and meeting or exceeding the standards set forth in YMC 9.50.810.The operator shall have the helmet's neck or chin strap fastened securely while the motorized foot scooter is in motion. A parent or guardian is responsible for requiring that a child under the age of eighteen years wears an approved helmet while said child is operating a motorized foot scooter in the city,and that the child's helmet neck or chin strap is securely fastened. (2) Light and Reflectors Required. Pursuant to RCW 46.61.780,a motorized foot scooter operated during the hours of darkness as defined in RCW 46.37.020 shall,as a minimum requirement, be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear of a type approved by the Washington State Patrol which shall be visible from all distances up to six hundred feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle. (3) Brake Required. Every motorized foot scooter shall be equipped with a brake which,when applied, will enable the operator to make the braked wheel(s) skid on dry, level, clean pavement. (4) Muffler Required. Every motorized foot scooter powered by an internal combustion engine shall have a properly functioning engine muffler attached and constantly operational during use of the motorized foot scooter to prevent excessive and/or unreasonable noise as defined in YMC 6.04.180(D)(2) and (E). (5) Motorized foot scooters operated within the city of Yakima shall not be modified or enhanced in design or construction from the specifications provided by the manufacturer. (Ord. 2004-70§ 6, 2004; Ord. 2004-39 § 1 (part), 2004. Formerly 9.50.450).