+ Encouraging Low-income and Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups’ use of Bike Share Programs Global Green USA May 2013

+ Bike Sharing in Santa Monica Our Work: City of Santa Monica received a $1.5 million grant from Metro that would fund bikeshare in 2016 We are now working to accelerate the launch date of this grant, and to coordinate it with efforts from the city and county of Los Angeles to launch bike share programs In September 2012, the City of Santa Monica was awarded a $500,000 grant for bike share plans, with funds earmarked for Global Green to assist with outreach and marketing efforts Priorities: regional connectivity and equitable access Minority and low-income groups often excluded from bike sharing programs Create a more equitable and connected bikeshare and transit system

+ Los Angeles Bikeshare Program Los Angeles’ program will help inform our work for Santa Monica’s bikeshare program (will these two programs ultimately be connected?) Bike Nation would bring 4,000 bikes and 400 kiosks to communities in Downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, Westwood and Venice Beach Bike Nation is able to privately fund the bike sharing program without the requirement of any government funding or subsidies and will monetize the program through membership and usage, sponsorship and advertising. From a social equity perspective, this program is problematic Stations will be placed disproportionately in wealthier, white neighborhoods the program pays little attention to regional connectivity and the greater transit system since it is limited to these areas. the benefits of Los Angeles’ bike share system will likely only be available to the few who are able to pay for it.

+ Los Angeles Demographics and Transit Statistics Roughly 10% of the Los Angeles metro population uses mass transit to commute to work 89% of workers using transit are people of color; 92% of bus riders are people of color (2008) 78% of workers using transit are also renters (2008) 82% of transit users are from households where one or more adult lacks access to a car (2008) 75% of public transportation users are “non-choice” riders and are transit-dependent (2009) 20% of people living below the poverty level in Los Angeles ( census bureau) 70 percent of bus riders have annual household incomes under $26,000 (2009). The federal poverty level for a family of four is $22,050

+ Racial Demographics of Los Angeles Rail and Bus Riders (2009) BusRail Latino59%45% Black19%22% Asian/Pacific Islander8%9% American Indian1% White8%19% Other4%

+ Proportion of Residents who Ride Public Mass Transit (2000 Census) Priority should be placing bike share stations in low-income areas where a high proportion of residents ride mass transit

+ Barriers to Usage for Disadvantaged Groups and Recommendations

+ 1) Social and Cultural Obstacles  Barriers:  Social stigma attached to riding bikes  Helmet requirements  Recommendations:  Targeted outreach efforts and incentives  Make bikes less flashy (could increase theft)  Case Study:  Mexico City

+ 2) Disproportionate Bikeshare Kiosk Locations  Barriers:  Higher demand for bike sharing in wealthier, white neighborhoods  Kiosks disproportionately placed in these areas  Recommendations:  Kiosk stations should be consciously placed adjacent to affordable housing  Expansion to minority neighborhoods disproportionately underrepresented in bicycling should be a priority  Case Study:  ? Is there a city that prioritized placing kiosks in low-income areas?  Denver and Boulder (B-cycle)

+ 3) Theft or Vandalism of Bikes  Barriers:  Offering free use of bikes or simple coin deposit systems rather than smart technology kiosks have led to high rates of theft and vandalism  Recommendations:  Smart technology including smartcards  GPS tracking systems on bikes  Security cameras at kiosks  Involve residents in the creation of the bike share system  Case Study  Montreal’s BIXI

+ 4) “Unbanked” Users  Barriers:  All the modern U.S. bike-share systems require a credit or debit card to rent a bike or a smart key which is paid for online (no cash option)  Excludes people who may not have a credit card and bank account  Recommendations:  Help low-income people set up bank accounts and credit cards (e.g. Bank on DC program)  Find an organization that will take on some financial responsibility and hand out prepaid cards (pay fee if bike is damaged or stolen so neither a bank account, deposit, or annual fee is required for low-income users)  Selling pre-paid cards that could be purchased with cash and also include a cash payment option at kiosks for casual riders  Some have also considered tying bike-share payments to cell phones, which many low- income people do have — allowing them to purchase memberships when they pay their phone bill or tying payments to rent/leases  integrate bike sharing payment media with other accounts like transit farecards which can be paid for in cash  Case Study:  Washington DC, Capital Bike share  La Rochelle, France

+ 5) Financial Barriers  Barriers:  Low-income residents may be unable to afford membership fees and security deposits  Recommendations:  Offer installment payment plans  Subsidize the cost for certain disadvantaged groups  Relaxing security deposit requirements and account holds  Partner with organization willing to pay for damaged or stolen bikes so a deposit is not required for some users  Case Study:  Hubway in Boston  Nice Ride in Minneapolis  Capital Bike share in Arlington, Virginia  Mejor en Bici in Buenos Aires, Argentina

+ Integrating and connecting the bike share system to other forms of public transit  One way to make it easier to pay for bike sharing would be to integrate bike sharing payment media with other accounts  The city of La Rochelle, France has shown that bike sharing can be fully integrated with other transport modes by adopting a single smart card ticketing system. Since 1971, the city of la Rochelle—with 78,000 inhabitants—has sought an integrated approach to public transportation: The entire transport system is accessible through a single electronic ticket—the “yélo” card –which allows its users to ride buses and the ferry, and also to rent bicycles, taxis and electric vehicles, and to pay for the park & ride and all other services