Staff Report.Shared Mobility
PREPARED BY: Matt Morley
Parks and Public Works Director
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, and Town Attorney
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 11/2/2021 ITEM NO: 14
DATE: October 28, 2021
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Discuss and Provide Direction Regarding Shared Mobility Devices
RECOMMENDATION:
Discuss and provide direction regarding shared mobility devices.
BACKGROUND:
Shared mobility devices (SMD), such as electric scooters and bikes, experienced a period of
broad interest and deployment that has since consolidated back to more controlled
implementation in cities throughout the State. These mobility devices can be rented by the
public via a smartphone application that unlocks the motorized devices and lets the user park it
when the rider arrives at their chosen destination. The positive element of increased
accessibility to mobility devices that can encourage the use of alternative transportation is
juxtaposed with the challenges in managing the safe public use of the street and sidewalks.
On September 18, 2020, the Governor signed Assembly Bill (AB) 1286, which limits shared
mobility device providers to deploying only where the local jurisdiction is in support. The local
jurisdiction can manage the deployments through ordinance, permit, or agreement.
DISCUSSION:
The free-for all type deployments that surrounded SMDs in their original introduction have
changed drastically. Current deployments allow for greater structure around how the devices
are used. The main tool that has been developed is the use of geofencing, allowing for detailed
limits on such elements as:
• Speed – device speed can be limited in specific geographic areas.
• Parking – the devices can require users to drop them off in designated SMD parking
areas only.
PAGE 2 OF 2 SUBJECT: Discussion and Direction Regarding Shared Mobility Devices DATE: October 26, 2021
DISCUSSION (continued):
• Restricted Areas – locations can be identified where the devices will not function.
In addition to the potential for local controls, the California Vehicle Code also governs usage,
restricting use on sidewalks, for example. Company policies may also restrict usage further, for
example to users 18 and older.
Recently one company, Bird, approached Town staff with an interest to discuss a deployment in
Los Gatos. This issue is not currently on the Strategic Priorities workplan, but is on the Town
Attorney list of ordinances to address. Because of AB 1286 the need for an ordinance (or other
permitting mechanism) is no longer necessary, unless the Town wishes to allow SMDs. Staff
opted to bring this item to Council to determine the Council’s and the public’s level of interest
in pursuing this deployments and developing the necessary tools for implementation in the
Town.
A number of unanswered questions remain, including the number of SMDs that might be
allowed in Town, how management or enforcement of the devices would occur, what revenue
could be attained, what limits on use might be put in place, etc. If the Council is interested in
pursuing this item, staff would work with the Complete Streets and Transportation Commission
to develop a structure around potential implementation recommendations which could then be
considered in an ordinance or other mechanism.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends the Council provide direction on its interest in the deployment of SMDs in
Los Gatos.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There may be an opportunity for monetization of deployments through permitting or
agreements.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.