Page 6 - April 2019 Wheel

THERE GOES THE NEIGHBOR (HOOD)…

HOP ON AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ALEXANDRIA’S DOCKLESS MOBILITY PROGRAM

By Jene Lyons, JD, PCAM date of birth with the vendor. Once you
Deputy General Manager select your mode of transport, you can
peruse a map screen to look for devices
I was leaving Watergate one recent day currently located in your area. (Note: A
for a lunchtime errand when suddenly lime green icon is used for Lime devic-
they sprang into view: two lime green es; a scooter graphic within a circle is
scooters, their wheels cocked noncha- used for Bolts.) The maps typically
lantly as they stood in front of The Tus- detail the address and the estimated
cany just across from our Front Gate. time it will take you to reach the device
Cool! I thought. in such terms as “two minute walk.”

I didn’t know it at the time, but I was From that point you scan the matrix
staring at one of Alexandria’s newest barcode (typically located on the han-
pilot programs for “shared mobility dlebars or baseboard of the device)
devices,” i.e., dockless scooters and with the vendor app or enter it manual-
bikes. ly in your phone to receive a code for
unlocking the scooter.
After that discovery, I started thinking.
Should I pare down emissions during Review the Safety Rules
my lunch hour errands from my al-
ready clean fuel air Prius to hop aboard Safety rules and FAQs are detailed on
for a quick zero emissions scoot? each vendor’s website as well as the
City of Alexandria’s Dockless Mobility
But… how? Do I have to book it Think about hopping on a dockless scooter the pages. Some of the rules apply to all
ahead of time? Can I ride on the next time you’re running errands or exploring vendors, such as those mandating juris-
sidewalk to get the hang of it? Can I the West End Alexandria neighborhood. dictional helmet laws and avoiding
ride on it with the proper decorum Photo: Lime U.S. parking or leaving devices in areas that
while wearing a dress? And finally, block walkways or fire hydrants. Rid-
how and how much do I pay? injuries and crashes, to determine ing in bike lanes, streets and certain
whether the devices will be allowed to trails is allowed in Alexandria, but rid-
After a little research, I think I’m now remain in the city long term. ing on sidewalks is not. (There goes
ready to take my maiden voyage into my idea for a practice run!) Some of
dockless mobility. And you can, too! The five companies have been permit- the vendors offer online instructional
Here’s what you need to know: ted to deploy an initial fleet of 200 e- videos on how to operate their devices.
scooters and bikes in Alexandria. Ex-
Shared Mobility Primer pansions may be permitted if vendor Cost
usage supports such. The mission of
For an initial term of nine months, the one of the participating vendors, Bolt, Most of the e-scooters cost $1 to un-
City of Alexandria has permitted pri- is “to redesign city mobility around the lock and 15 cents per minute thereafter.
vate companies Lime, Lyft, Jump, Bird world with smart, safe and sustainable The Bird website indicates you can get
and Bolt to operate devices within the transportation solutions.” a 20-minute ride (three miles if you
City’s right of ways to kick off the ride 10 mph) for $4. Some vendors
shared mobility demonstration pro- Download the App even offer discounted rides to low-
gram, according to the Dockless Mo- income riders and veterans.
bility website portion of For nearly all of the e-scooters, pro-
www.alexandriava.gov. The time spective riders start their journey by I don’t know about you, but I’m ready
frame is intended to allow city officials downloading the vendor app with a to ride! Though I’m still wondering
to analyze company responsiveness, smartphone. From there, you review whether I should wear a dress….
usage patterns (time frames and fre- and acknowledge the agreement and
quency) and safety issues, including then register your payment details and

Page 6 Wheel April 2019