September 27, 2023 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Santa Monica Begins Shared Mobility Pilot Program

New scooters deployed throughout Santa Monica today. 

By Sam Catanzaro 

It was no coincidence that the City of Santa Monica and scooter vendors chose the Expo Line Terminus at Colorado and 4th Street as the location for a press conference to announce the launch of Santa Monica’s Shared Mobility Pilot Program this morning. E-scooters and bikes, like the light-rail Metro trains arriving and departing at the station during the press conference, are seen by many as a central component in creating a sustainable model of transportation in cities throughout the country.

“Today we begin a journey down a new road of mobility,” said Santa Monica Mayor Ted Winterer. “We are redefining micro-mobility for communities across the country and globe.”

Anuj Gupta, Deputy City Manager for the City of Santa Monica, speaking at this morning’s press conference.

Santa Monica’s pilot program, which started today, allows each of the selected operators to deploy 750 devices each, totaling 1,000 e-bikes and 2,000 e-scooters. Bird and Lime will both be allocated 750 scooters each while Jump (owned by Uber) and Lyft will both get 250 scooters each. Jump and Lyft will each get 500 e-bikes.

“Santa Monica is Bird’s hometown and the birthplace of the e-scooter movement,” said Ryan Fujiu Vice President of Product and Compliance at Bird. “Santa Monica is embracing our sustainable and equitable transportation solution to measurably improve the air we breathe and how we move about our city.”

The number of scooters allocated to companies is dynamic and subject to change as operators will share data and work closely with the City to gauge the appropriated number of devices needed, depending on utilization and performance.

City Officials, including Santa Mayor Ted Winterer (2nd from right) were at the scene to kick off the Shared Mobility Pilot Program.

“Each will start with an initial allocation of 750 devices and Lyft and Jump will soon be operating both e-bikes and e-scooters,” said Anuj Gupta, Santa Monica’s Deputy City Manager. “Together, we will use the data our partners share with us to assess the right balance and quantity of devices across the City.”

At the press conference this morning, City Officials acknowledged that dockless e-scooters have been a controversial and device issue in Santa Monica. The City says the pilot program has taken into consideration many of the concerns residents have raised, especially regarding unsafe riders.

“I know there has been a lot of controversy around these dockless devices. Those of us at City Hall have heard the concerns about unsafe riders for a year,” Mayor Winterer said. “With this sixteen-month pilot, the City of Santa Monica will work closely with these four operators to create a safe, manageable, sustainable way to incorporate e-scooters and e-bikes into our community.”

Lyft shows off a scooter docking station that can be used by businesses to keep scooters parked in neat manner

Gupta in his remarks made clear that the City and the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) will be enforcing both state and local laws surrounding scooter use. According to Gupta, the SMPD has issued over 1,000 citations this summer to improper scooter riders.

“We want riders in bike lanes, wearing helmets, one person to a device. E-scooter riders need to have a valid driver’s license and all e-bikes and e-scooters must stay off the prohibited areas like the beach bike path, the Promenade, our City Parks and of course the sidewalks,” Gupta said.

Representatives from the scooter companies touted the role their devices will have in helping cities like Santa Monica reduce their carbon footprint. According to Bird, since the first ten scooters landed in Santa Monica in September 2017, more than 1.7 million miles have been ridden on Birds in Santa Monica, preventing more than 1.5 million pounds of carbon emissions that would have otherwise been produced had those trips been taken by car.

An electric assist Jump bike on display at Monday’s press conference

While companies like Jump, who was acquired by Uber in May, and Lyft may be funded by companies that rely on cars to make a profit, still hope that their scooters will reduce the number of trips people take in cars.

“With our bike and scooter efforts, we are hoping to reduce the number of cars on the road, increase public transportation trips and provide equitable transportation options, said David Fairbank Market Manager for Lyft Bikes & Scooters in Los Angeles.

The pilot program, which begins today, will last for sixteen months. For information on the Shared Mobility Pilot Program visit www.smgov.net/sharedmobility. 

in News
Related Posts

Women’s Surf Film Festival Making California Debut in Venice

September 27, 2023

September 27, 2023

With an Array of Storytelling From Both Artists, the Festival Spotlights Inspiring Narratives of Female Surfers. The Women’s Surf Film...

Free “Masters of Dance” Workshops and Classes Open by SMC

September 27, 2023

September 27, 2023

It Features a Lineup of Master Classes and Educational Workshops Led by Accomplished Dance Professionals The Santa Monica College Dance...

Samohi Orchestra Program to Host Annual Fall Benefit Concert

September 26, 2023

September 26, 2023

Audience Will Be Enchanted With Pieces From Movies Including Aladdin, Harry Potter and Howl’s Moving Castle The nationally recognized and...

Hollywood Twist: Writers Guild Strikes Gold with Extraordinary Deal

September 26, 2023

September 26, 2023

WGA Members To Vote On Ratification of the Tentative Contract  By Dolores Quintana  After The Writers Guild of America (WGA)...

Film Review: Amerikatsi

September 26, 2023

September 26, 2023

FILM REVIEWAmerikatsiUnrated117 MinutesReleased September 8, 2023 A storyline predominantly based on voyeurism is not a new cinematic concept, and here...

Film Review: Bottoms

September 26, 2023

September 26, 2023

FILM REVIEWBOTTOMSRated R91 MinutesReleased August 25th Welcome to a new generation of breakout stars of American comedy who make the...

Hotel Workers Go On Strike in Santa Monica Amid Negotiation Standstill

September 26, 2023

September 26, 2023

The Union Is Urging Hotels to Instantly Increase Hourly Wages By Zach Armstrong Santa Monica hotel workers at Fairmont Miramar,...

(Video) Retailer Gets Palisades Into Spooky Season With Skeletons

September 25, 2023

September 25, 2023

Skeletons are seen climbing onto the home goods retailer. @smmirrornews Retailer Gets Palisades Into Spooky Season With Skeletons. Skeletons are...

Another Burglar Hits Montana Avenue

September 25, 2023

September 25, 2023

Adding to Other Recent Incidents at Some of the Road’s More Than 150 Dining Spots and Retailers By Zach Armstrong...

Writers Guild and AMPTP Reach Tentative Agreement After 146-Day Strike

September 25, 2023

September 25, 2023

Picketing Is Suspended For Now, Contract Language To Be Finalized By Dolores Quintana Around 7:30 p.m. tonight, the Writers Guild...

40-Unit Mixed-Use Project Proposed for 26th Street Intersection

September 25, 2023

September 25, 2023

A Smaller Two-Story Structure Featuring Five Residences Is Also Proposed Plans for a mixed-use development set to grace the corner...

Lebanese Art Collectors List Renovated Santa Monica Estate for $33 Million

September 25, 2023

September 25, 2023

Constructed in the Early 1980s by Peter Choate, the Dwelling Is Nestled Within a Gated Parcel of Over Half an...

Join Heal the Bay for the Official Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, September 23

September 22, 2023

September 22, 2023

Make a Difference in Your Community by Removing Trash From Our Coast By Dolores Quintana On Saturday, September 23, 2023,...

COVIDTests.gov to Reopen for Free Testing Starting on September 25

September 22, 2023

September 22, 2023

HHS Invests $600 Million in Domestic COVID-19 Test Manufacturing By Dolores Quintana The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services...

Another Local Retailer Surrounding Palisades Village Closes Its Doors

September 22, 2023

September 22, 2023

Simultaneously, a Series of Luxurious International Clothing Brands Have Set up Shop in the Outlet Mall By Zach Armstrong Within...